The faculty in the School of Architecture offer a graduate program leading to the M.S. degree in Building Design. Concentrations are available in computer-aided design, energy performance and climate-responsive architecture, and facilities development and management. The program provides advanced study at the postprofessional level for architects, and at the specialist level for nonarchitects who have a degree in a related area such as engineering, business, computer science, and the physical and environmental sciences. The purpose of the program is the development of knowledge useful to the arts and sciences of building design and the integration of that knowledge in the design process. Within this context, the program emphasizes (1) the ecological importance of energy-conscious design and construction, as well as the high social value placed on buildings in which natural forces and systems are utilized rather than suppressed, and (2) the development of research, information systems and management processes suited to the planning and design of complex buildings in urban settings.
The faculty in the school also participate in offering the Ph.D. in Environmental Design and Planning. See “Environmental Design and Planning” for information on the Ph.D. degree program.
MASTER OF SCIENCE
Admission Requirements
Applicants considered for admission to the program must hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college or university recognized by ASU and meet the minimum GPA and requirements for admission established by the Graduate College.
It is preferred that applicants have at least one year of professional employment or comparable field/research experience in building design in addition to their academic experiences. Applicants are accepted on a space-availability basis, and must specify an area of research concentration upon application. International applicants whose native language is not English must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language score of 550 or higher. International students should write the Graduate Admissions Office at least one year prior to the date they plan to begin study.
Application Procedures. Applicants must submit separate application materials to the Graduate College and the School of Architecture. Application deadline is January 15.
School of Architecture. In addition to the Graduate College admission requirements, applicants must file all of the following admission materials with the graduate secretary, Master of Science degree in Building Design, School of Architecture, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287–1605. Applicants are encouraged to contact the graduate secretary to ascertain that all materials have been received, at 602/965–2507.
Statement of Intent. A personal narrative (maximum 600 words or two pages typed) indicating the applicant’s interest, previous academic and practical background, and personal and professional educational objectives must be submitted.
Letters of Recommendation. A minimum of three letters of recommendation in support of the applicant must be mailed directly to the Graduate Admissions Committee, School of Architecture. The references should be from professionals or educators familiar with the applicant’s experience and capability for graduate work.
Portfolio. Applicants must submit a folio documenting projects, papers, creative endeavors, and, if appropriate, work experience (maximum size 9" x 12").
The portfolio is returned after final admission procedures, provided the applicant encloses a self-addressed return mailer with sufficient prepaid postage, or if the applicant appears in person to claim the materials within one year of submission. Unclaimed portfolios are retained for only one year. The School of Architecture assumes no liability for lost or damaged materials. Students must have their name clearly visible on all parts of application, portfolio, statement of intent, etc.
Research Teaching Statement. Students wishing to be considered for teaching or research assistantships should include an additional statement outlining areas in which they feel competent to serve as a teaching or research assistant. International students who wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship and whose native language is not English are required to pass the Test of Spoken English administered by the American English and Culture Program at ASU.
Program of Study. The program requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of approved course work at the advanced level, including six hours of thesis credit.
The M.S. degree in Building Design is based on concepts of research and decision-making emphasized by the College of Architecture and Environmental Design.
Students admitted to the program are required to take a research methods core, certain courses in their area of concentration, additional elective course work as approved and directed by the supervisory committee, and write and defend a thesis. While the minimum requirement is 30 semester hours, most students require at least four semesters of course work and work on their thesis to successfully complete this degree program.
The concentrations include the following: computer-aided design, energy performance and climate-responsive architecture, and facilities development and management.
Computer-Aided Design, Facilities Development, and Management Concentrations
| Research methods core (6) | |
| Area of concentration requirements (6) | |
| Approved electives (12) | |
| Thesis (6) | |
| Minimum total: 30 | |
The computer-aided design concentration features investigations of computer-aided design methods and techniques and their application to problem-solving issues in the built environment. The goal of the program is to provide a fundamental understanding of computer-aided design methods and to explore critically the application and potential of these techniques in practice. Topics studied include computer graphics, geometric modeling, design databases, interactive graphic environments for design, comprehensive computer-aided design systems, computer-aided energy-conscious design and analysis, databases for facilities planning, and computer applications in urban design and building construction. The computer-aided design requirements (six semester hours) consist of ANP 530 Computer Graphics in Architecture and ANP 598 ST: Computer-Aided Design Methods.
The facilities development and management concentration is concerned with the decision-making processes in building development and design firm management. The goal of the program is the advancement of knowledge about the interactions between design and managerial processes. This concentration addresses the following topics: spatial decision models, building development processes and financing, market structure and strategy, pricing and cost control, design automation and group decision-making, architectural programming and post-occupancy evaluation, and professional ethics. The program benefits from ties to various professional groups and other academic units concerned with business and facilities management. The facilities development and management requirements (six semester hours) consist of AAD 552 Architectural Management II or AAD 555 Architect as Developer, and AAD 593 Applied Projects.
Energy Performance and Climate-Responsive Architecture Concentration
| Research methods core (6) | |
| Area of concentration requirements (12) | |
| Approved electives (6) | |
| Thesis (6) | |
| Minimum total: 30 | |
The energy performance and climate-responsive architecture concentration is concerned with the relationships among climate and site, thermal and visual comfort, and energy demand and consumption. Courses in this concentration establish a basic core of knowledge on the principles of the natural energies available at the building boundary due to climate and site; thermal and optical behavior of building materials and components; passive and low-energy architectural systems for heating, cooling, and lighting; and appropriate integration with mechanical systems. Additional courses are available to support advanced study and research in a variety of related specialties.
Examples of the areas of advanced study that are available are climate-responsive architecture and analysis of building energy performance. In climate-responsive architecture, a student applies the principles of “bioclimatic” building design in a studio setting to maximize the use of renewable energy resources in particular locations and building programs. In analysis of building energy performance, a student applies physical and economic analysis, computer simulation, and/or measurement as tools in determining component or whole-building performance relative to energy, climate, and cost-efficiency. The student is concerned with climate responsive, low-energy building design through resource-efficient building concepts, materials, components, and systems such as daylighting, passive solar heating, passive cooling, and earth sheltering.
Most students address these problems with an emphasis on either a design-oriented approach in a studio setting or with an emphasis on an analysis-oriented approach through the application of the most current building energy simulation and analysis tools. Some students want to combine these approaches in their thesis problem. The energy performance and climate- responsive architecture requirements (six semester hours) consist of ATE 521 Building Environmental Science and ATE 582 Environmental Control Systems.
Foreign Language Requirements. None.
Thesis Requirements. A thesis is required. Each candidate devotes research effort of six semester hours of thesis/research credit in preparation of a thesis. The thesis must conform to School policies and meet Graduate College format requirements.
Final Examinations. A final oral examination in defense of the thesis is required.
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Faculty and students in the graduate programs of the School of Architecture may be involved in the following areas of research: solar architecture design, energy performance in buildings, computer-aided design and graphics, facilities development and management, environments for aging, housing, urban design, building technology, environmental analysis and programming, passive cooling and heating, ecotechniques, arid region building and systems design, and architectural history.
The College of Architecture and Environmental Design maintains 1,500-square feet of rooftop testing laboratory for solar research.
The college’s Research and Service Foundation provides facilities for basic research and community service activities in energy technology, design, and planning.
BUILDING DESIGN
For courses supporting the Building Design major, see:
Omnibus Graduate Courses: See omnibus graduate courses that may be offered.
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