Course detail

Elaboration of Master´s Thesis M4 – Experimental Design

FA-DP4-AAcad. year: 2025/2026

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 – the diploma thesis must contain a written, theoretical and/or critical part, including the studied sources in scope determined by the assignment of the diploma thesis.
In the module Experimental Design, the solved topics are characterized by an experimental and conceptual approach in all components of design - urban, architectural and structural solution. In the module, students use advanced CAD methods (including parametric design and other creative programming methods) and have the opportunity to use CAM techniques at an equipped workshop of the Model Center of the faculty.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

30

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

B.Arch. Martin Kaftan, MSc, Ph.D.

Department

Department of experimental design (UET)

Entry knowledge

Not applicable.

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

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.

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.

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

Type of course unit

 

Studio work

104 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

B.Arch. Martin Kaftan, MSc, Ph.D.