Course detail

Elaboration of Master´s Thesis M6 – Research, Theory and Criticism

FA-DP6-AAcad. year: 2024/2025

In this course, students work on their Master's thesis.
The module Research, Theory and Criticism focuses on the formulation of individual research and theoretical problems / assignments, their testing and solutions. The general starting points of individual research methods and procedures are: formulation of architectural questions, problems and assignments; critical work with literature and studied projects (search for architectural precedents, author’s methods of research and design); own display / text analysis, comparison and testing; specification of a new, not yet (solved) architectural assignment and variant proposals of solution procedures. The module enables a whole range of outputs of solved projects: architectural and urban studies, research in archives and in situ research protocols, book and/or model, installation / exhibition, video, events in public space, etc.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

30

Mode of study

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.
  • 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.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

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 in scope specified in the thesis assignment
  • textual part
  • urban context
  • architectural and operational design
  • structural design
  • physical model
In M6 module it is acceptable to elaborate a theoretical thesis. The thesis requirements are specified by the internal standards of BUT.
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 thesis assignment).
Upon the agreement with the teacher, the absences in the classroom can be compensated via online participation.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Basic literature

Česká architektura (ediční řada). Praha: Prostor. (CS)
DOUCET, Isabelle; JANSSENS, Nel (Eds.): Transdisciplinary Knowledge Production: Towards Hybrid Modes of Inquiry in Architecture and Urbanism. Zurich: Springer 2011. ISBN: 978-94-007-0103-8 (EN)
HAYS, Michael (Ed.) Architecture Theory Since 1968. Cambridge - MA: MIT Press, 1998. ISBN 978-0262581882. (EN)
IMHOF, Barbra; GRUBER, Petra (Eds.). Build to Grow. Zurich: Springer, 2016. (EN)
MALLGRAVE, Harry Francis. Architectural Theory: Volume I – An Anthology from Vitruvius to 1870. Oxford UK: Blackwell Publishing, 2006. ISBN 978-1405102582. (EN)
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)
SIMON, Herbert A. The Sciences of the Artifitial. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 1969. ISBN 978-0262691918. (EN)
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

Centre for Design Research (webpage). URL: http://designresearch.no (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme N_A+U Master's

    specialization --- (do 2022) , 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization --- (do 2022) , 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

  • Programme N_A+U Master's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization --- (do 2022) , 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

  • Programme N_A+U Master's

    specialization --- (do 2022) , 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional