C04240v1 Master of Advanced Architecture

Overview

The Master of Advanced Architecture is a post-professional coursework degree leading to either of two qualifications: the MAA in Urban Design or the MAA in Design Technologies.

The MAA in Urban Design addresses the intersecting challenges of social and political change, environmental degradation and globalisation through the design of the urban fabric, including infrastructure, buildings and open spaces.

The MAA in Design Technologies focuses on computationally driven architectural design and its expansion into digital manufacturing, prototyping, and materials technologies, as well as the realisation of responsive environments. This degree is an evolution of UTS's Master of Digital Architecture.

Project-based learning is a core focus of the MAA course with projects adapted from practice situations as vehicles for advancing the professional practice of architecture and urban design. Relevant and challenging projects faced by industry are tested as vehicles in an academic setting.

The course has a strong element of internationalisation through the inclusion of intensive Master classes and a global field studio that sees key international urban designers, architects and theorists teach into the course each year.

The Master of Advanced Architecture combines subjects in research and theory, with the development of advanced design and technical skills. The two qualifications share an emphasis on project-based coursework through which students learn to apply digital techniques to spatial research and design at the scale of the city or the architectural project.

Subjects include spatial research, demonstration projects oriented towards industry and competition subjects ensure strong integration between urbanism, architecture and new technologies at the cutting edge of design. This provides a breadth of exposure and responsibility unique in Australian architectural education.

Course aims

The Master of Advanced Architecture in Design Technologies equips architecture professionals with the research and design skills to effectively develop and lead the architecture profession locally and internationally in the emerging disciplinary field of architecture, computation and digital manufacturing. Its content is based on the close relationship between new technologies for architectural design related to analysis, synthesis, prototyping, implementation and management of our built environment and the challenges of producing socially and environmentally sustainable buildings and cities in complex political, economic and social conditions. Accordingly the course balances theory with practice, ethics and development, creative speculation and applied research. Through project-based research studios, students explore new design technologies and their capacity for design production and analysis integrating material and spatial informatics towards advanced experimental design research.

The Master of Advanced Architecture in Urban Design trains students to shape the physical environment of the city through ideas, plans and policies. Rather than apply existing solutions for a city, the course encourages students to re-frame the challenges of the urban environment, to become a central participant in the larger political context and to implement advanced architectural design in cities. New methods for mapping and experiencing cities are used to develop urban design responses that take into account existing knowledge and develop alternative futures.

Career options

Career options for graduates of the MAA are focused on leading design and technical innovation roles in Architecture and Urban Design.

Graduates in the MAA (Design Technologies) can also take roles in manufacturing and RP modelling, systems and strategic design and analysis, architectural animation and visualisation.

Career options for graduates of the MAA (Urban Design) include positions in urban design, urban strategy and policy and architectural design.

Admission requirements

A professional entry degree of five-years, full-time or equivalent from an accredited program in architecture or a four year, full-time or equivalent degree from an accredited program in landscape architecture.

Alternatively applications can demonstrate an equivalency through a portfolio and relevant experience in an allied design profession.

All applicants must submit a portfolio of work demonstrating their design skills for examination in addition to a statement of interest in the course and if English is not their first language, proof of an IELTS or TOEFL score consistent with the guidelines of UTS International.

Course duration and attendance

This course is offered on a one-year, full-time, or two-year, part-time basis.

Course structure

The course comprises 24 credit points of classes in Autumn semester (over 14 weeks), a 12 credit-point studio in Winter session (over four weeks), 24 credit points of classes in Spring semester (over 14 weeks), and a 12 credit-point demonstration project in Summer session (over eight weeks).

Course completion requirements

Transfer between UTS courses

Other information

Further information is available from the Building 6 Student Centre on:

telephone +61 2 9514 8913 or +61 2 9514 8978