Course detail
Elaboration of Master´s Thesis M6 – Research, Theory and Criticism
FA-DP6-AAcad. year: 2025/2026
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
Number of ECTS credits
Mode of study
Department
Entry knowledge
Rules for evaluation and completion of the course
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
- 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
Prerequisites and corequisites
- compulsory prerequisite
Landscape Design - compulsory prerequisite
Structures and Indoor Environment of Buildings - compulsory prerequisite
Information Literacy - compulsory prerequisite
Architect´s Practice - compulsory prerequisite
Master Thesis Seminar - compulsory prerequisite
Construction Law in Architectural Practice - compulsory prerequisite
Construction Process - compulsory prerequisite
Theory and Aesthetics in Architecture - compulsory prerequisite
Theory of Urban Design - compulsory prerequisite
Specialized Professional Internship 1 - compulsory prerequisite
Specialized Professional Internship 1 - compulsory prerequisite
Specialized Professional Internship 2 - compulsory prerequisite
Specialized Professional Internship 2 - compulsory prerequisite
Specialized Professional Internship 3 - compulsory prerequisite
Specialized Professional Internship 3 - compulsory prerequisite
Elaboration of Master´s Thesis Concept M6
Basic literature
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
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