Course detail

Elaboration of Master´s Thesis M1 – Design Research and Build

FA-DP1-AAcad. year: 2022/2023

In this course, students work on their architectural and urban design of their Master's thesis. The emphasis is placed on adequate theoretical explanation of the proposal as well. Students develop the theoretical part of their Master's thesis in the parallel course Master's Thesis Seminar (provided for all modules together).
The topics of the module Design Research and Build are chosen mainly in cooperation with municipalities and voluntary associations. In the form of contract research and other partner forms, specific problems are verified at various scales, from urban details, small constructions to interiors or scenography. Research by design (verification of the problem using architectural and urban studies) and design/build (construction of selected objects) methods are chosen, including the intersections of these methods. Interdisciplinary cooperation with other artistic fields (sculpture, photography, arts and crafts and others) is applied.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

27

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. arch. Jiří Palacký, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Spatial Design (UPT)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

  • By elaboration and defense of their Master's thesis, students demonstrate their skills, abilities and knowledge required by the graduate profile.
  • By elaboration and defense of their Master's thesis, students demonstrate their readiness to enter the practice and and the following levels of their professional training, namely attaining the Czech Chamber of Architects certification.
  • By elaboration and defense of their Master's thesis, students demonstrate their ability to independently design architectural and operational building solutions for a whole range of requirements on operation, structure and/or urban design.
  • By elaboration and defense of their Master's thesis, students demonstrate their ability to apply all legal requirements and standards on the architectural/urban design.
  • By elaboration and defense of their Master's thesis, students demonstrate the ability to give adequate theoretical explanation of their proposal.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The basic method is studio which emphasizes the long-term individual work of the students. Teaching is based on the method “learning by doing”, i.e. gaining knowledge and skills when applying them in practice. The integral part of teaching is presentation of the work at the architecture critiques, consultations and critical discussions with the supervisors and other experts. The complementary teaching methods depend on the assigned topic and might be excursions or workshops. The Master's thesis and the Elaboration of Master's Thesis Concept are led by the same supervisor (complying with the qualification requirements stipulated by the Rules of Programmes Implemented at BUT and the Standards of BUT Programmes).

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

To complete the course successfully, students must submit the complete project on time and in accordance with the assignment and the internal regulations The Rules of Study at FA.
The particular requirements are specified in the assignment of the Master's thesis which the students receive in written form. The Master's thesis usually comprises:
  • theoretical part
  • textual part
  • urban context
  • architectural and operational design
  • structural design
  • physical model

Course curriculum

Semester block schedule:
  1. Analysis of the location and assignment, excursion, work on the concept
  2. Work on architectural, operational, structural and/or urban design
  3. Completion of the project, work on the project presentation

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of the course is to prepare the Master's project. By elaboration of the Master's project, students demonstrate the acquired skills, abilities and knowledge required by the graduate profile. Simultaneously, the Master's project adequately demonstrate student´s readiness to enter the architectural practice and the following levels of their professional training, namely attaining the Czech Chamber of Architects certification.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Mandatory participation at one consultation per week as specified by the supervisor and at the interim critiques. Mandatory submission of the project complying with the conditions specified in the assignment of the Master's thesis and meet the deadline (specified in the internal regulations The Rules of Study at FA).
Upon the agreement with the teacher, the absences in the classroom can be compensated via online participation.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Basic literature

Česká architektura (ediční řada). Praha: Prostor. (CS)
NEUFERT, Ernst a Peter NEUFERT. Navrhování staveb: zásady, normy, předpisy o zařízeních, stavbě, vybavení, nárocích na prostor, prostorových vztazích, rozměrech budov, prostorech, vybavení, přístrojích z hlediska člověka jako měřítka a cíle. 2. české vyd., (35. něm. vyd.). Praha: Consultinvest, 2000, 618 s. : il., plány. ISBN 80-901486-6-2. (CS)
NORBERG-SCHULZ, Christian, Petr KRATOCHVÍL a Pavel HALÍK. Genius loci: krajina, místo, architektura. 2. vyd. Praha: Dokořán, 2010, 219 s. : il., mapy, plány ; 25 cm. ISBN 978-80-7363-303-5. (CS)
SCHLAFFEROVÁ, Hannelore. City: Život v ulicích plánovaného města. Zlín: Archa, 2017. ISBN 978-80-87545-48-5. (CS)
TICHÁ, Jana, Rostislav ŠVÁCHA a Milena SRŠŇOVÁ (eds.). Euroamerické architektonické myšlení 1936-2011. Praha: Zlatý řez, 2018. ISBN 978-80-88033-03-5. (CS)
Vyhláška č. 268/2009 Sb. o technických požadavcích na stavby. (CS)
Vyhláška č. 398/2009 Sb. o obecných technických požadavcích zabezpečujících bezbariérové užívání staveb (CS)
Vyhláška č. 501/2006 Sb. o obecných požadavcích na využívání území. (CS)
Zlatý řez (časopis). Praha: Zlatý řez. ISSN 1210-4760. (CS)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme N_A+U Master's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Studio work

104 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. arch. Jan Mléčka, Ph.D.
Ing. arch. Jiří Marek