Architecture Design Studios
MIT offers a broad range of architectural design studios devoted to projects of increasing complexity. Beginning studios provide the basic architectural design background by way of individual exercises, each designed to address distinct disciplinary techniques and strategies, among them canonical debates and modes of research. Intermediate studios offer a range of expanded problems, integrating spatial, programmatic, and material strategies towards integrative thinking. Advanced studios give students the chance to sharpen their skills and develop their own attitudes as a prologue to constructing a thesis, essentially honing in on the relationship between intellectual platforms and formal projects. In thesis term, graduate students take their own projects from concept to final product.
MArch students enroll in an architectural design studio every term except thesis semester. Studios in the MArch program are taught at three levels. A student who enters at the beginning of the full three-and-a-half year program will normally complete two studios at each of the three levels and then a thesis. The first three studios are taught as core studios, and the final three studios are advanced studios. The spring Level II and III studios are taught as vertical studios. Students entering at Level II, with a two-and-a-half year program for the degree, will take four studios and do a thesis.
SMArchS students who have professional degrees in architecture are automatically eligible to take Level III studios.
Placement in Design Studio / "The Lottery"
There are two to three sections of each Level I, II and III studio, taught by different instructors. Students who have completed the core studios choose their advanced studios through a lottery. Each instructor gives a short presentation about his or her studio, and the students submit their choices ranked by preference. Studio places are assigned through a random drawing.
Placement in advanced studio is determined by lottery. A student's name must appear on the studio eligibility list posted by the MArch degree administrator to ensure participation in the lottery.
The process attempts to take into account previous lottery outcomes for each student, and, in an adjustment phase following the initial drawing, students may submit written requests for a change in studio assignment.
A lottery schedule and instruction memo is available in the headquarters of the Department of Architecture.
Studio Eligibility
Graduate studios are restricted to MArch and SMArchS students in good standing. A list of MArch students eligible to enter the lottery for studio Levels II (spring only) and III is posted in the department’s headquarters prior to Registration Day. A student who suspects an error has been made on this list should notify the MArch degree administrator immediately.
Studio Presentations
At the beginning of each term, every faculty member who will teach a studio makes a 10-minute presentation of his/her program to the assembled department. This is the opportunity for students to learn about studio offerings before making their lottery choices. The sessions are open to the department community, and everyone is encouraged to stop in.
Studio Travel Policy
Extended travel by students (both independent travel and travel under faculty sponsorship) is encouraged during the summer, Independent Activities Period (IAP) and spring break. Spring break travel should not commence before Saturday, and students should be back for their first classes after the break. During term, trips should be scheduled for long weekends in the academic calendar whenever possible. Travel extending from Thursday evening to Sunday evening will also be allowed without special permission (though consideration should be given to Friday subjects). Any travel more extensive will be considered exceptional and must be cleared with the department head.
Workshops
A workshop is a specific design inquiry taught in a case study format. Selected issues of the built world are explored in depth. The problem may be prototypical or a particular aspect of a whole project. Workshops earn no more than 9 units of credit and may be repeated for credit.
Students must have completed the Level II core studio or have the permission of the instructor to be eligible for workshop. Only one workshop may be taken in a semester during which a student is registered for studio. Workshops do not substitute for studios but are offered to increase the range of design inquiry.
Portfolios
Students should have up-to-date portfolios. Among other things, portfolios are needed to apply for departmental travel awards and prizes. It is in the student's interest to update his/her portfolio after each term.
Workstation Cleanup
Students are responsible for cleaning their own studio workstations at the end of each term. A $75 fine is charged to a student's bursar bill if the allocated workstation in the design studio is not left clean and undamaged by the cleanout date announced by the facilities manager.
Quick Links
Lottery Schedule and Instruction Memo
MArch students eligible
