4.227

Landscapes of Energy

Spatializes large technological systems of energy, analyzes existing and speculative energy visions, and imagines energy futures in relation to concerns of ecology, politics, and aesthetics. Identifies different scales of thinking about the territory of energy from that of environmental systems, to cities, regions, and global landscapes. Readings and students' research projects draw on critical geography, history of technology, environmental history to synthesize energy attributes within the design disciplines.

Spring
2025
3-0-9
G
Schedule
W 2-5
Location
5-216
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.189

Preparation for MArch Thesis

Preparatory research development leading to a well-conceived proposition for the MArch design thesis. Students formulate a cohesive thesis argument and critical project using supportive research and case studies through a variety of representational media, critical traditions, and architectural/artistic conventions. Group study in seminar and studio format, with periodic reviews supplemented by conference with faculty and a designated committee member for each individual thesis.

Spring
2025
3-1-5
G
Schedule
W 2-5
Location
7-429
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
MArch
Open Only To
MArch
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.154

Architecture Design Option Studio (Cassell)

Offers a broad range of advanced-level investigations in architectural design in various contexts, including international sites. Integrates theoretical and technological discourses into specific topics. Studio problems may include urbanism and city scale strategies, habitation and urban housing systems, architecture in landscapes, material investigations and new production technologies, programmatic and spatial complex building typologies, and research centered studies.

Note: More detailed description posted closer to the start of the term.

Spring
2025
0-10-11
G
Schedule
TR or RF 1-5
Location
studio
Prerequisites
4.153
Required Of
MArch
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.152

Architecture Design Core Studio II

Builds on Core I skills and expands the constraints of the architectural problem to include issues of urban site logistics, cultural and programmatic material (inhabitation and human factors), and long span structures. Two related projects introduce a range of disciplinary issues, such as working with precedents, site, sectional and spatial proposition of the building, and the performance of the outer envelope. Emphasizes the clarity of intentions and the development of appropriate architectural and representational solutions.

Spring
2025
0-12-9
G
Schedule
TRF 1-5
Location
studio
Prerequisites
4.151
Required Of
1st-year MArch
Open Only To
1st-year MArch
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.123

Architectural Assemblies

Fosters a holistic understanding of the architectural-building cycle, enabling students to build upon the history of design and construction to make informed decisions towards developing innovative building systems. Includes an overview of materials, processing methods, and their formation into building systems across cultures. Looks at developing innovative architectural systems focusing on the building envelope. Seeks to adapt processes from the aerospace and automotive industries to investigate buildings as prefabricated design and engineering assemblies. Synthesizes knowledge in building design and construction systems, environmental and structural design, and geometric and computational approaches.

Spring
2025
2-2-5
G
Schedule
F 9-12
Location
3-133
Required Of
MArch
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.120

Furniture Making Workshop

Provides instruction in designing and building a functional piece of furniture from an original design. Develops woodworking techniques from use of traditional hand tools to digital fabrication. Gives students the opportunity to practice design without using a building program or code. Surveys the history of furniture making. 

Spring
2025
2-2-5
G
Schedule
WF 9:30-11
Location
N51-160
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Preference Given To
Course 4 students
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.117
4.118

Creative Computation

UG: 4.118, G: 4.117

Dedicated to bridging the gap between the virtual and physical world, the subject embraces modes of computation that hold resonance with materials and methods that beg to be computed. Students engage in bi-weekly exercises to solve complex design problems. Each exercise is dedicated to a different computation approach (recursion, parametric, genetic algorithms, particle-spring systems, etc.) that is married to a physical challenge, thereby learning the advantages and disadvantages to each approach while verifying the results in physical and digitally fabricated prototypes. Through the tools of computation and fabrication, it empowers students to design as architects, engineers and craftspeople. 

Additional work required of student taking for graduate credit. 

Daniely Rodriguez
Spring
2025
3-0-6
G
3-0-9
U/G
Schedule
W 2-5
Location
3-442
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Restricted Elective
4.117: MArch; 4.118: Design Minor
Preference Given To
MArch
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.110

Design Across Scales and Disciplines

Inspired by Charles and Ray Eames' canonical Powers of Ten, explores the relationship between science and engineering through the lens of design. Examines how transformations in science and technology have influenced design thinking and vice versa. Provides interdisciplinary skills and methods to represent, model, design and fabricate objects, machines, and systems using new computational and fabrication tools. Aims to develop methodologies for design research of interdisciplinary problems.

Spring
2025
2-2-8
U
Schedule
Lecture: T 10-12
Recitation: W 7-9
Location
N52-337
Required Of
BSAD
Restricted Elective
Design Minor
HASS
A
Preference Given To
Course 4 majors and minors
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.043
4.044

Design Studio: Interaction Intelligence

UG: 4.043, G: 4.044

Overview of core principles and techniques for the design of interaction, behavior, and intelligence across objects and spaces. In a studio environment, students develop low and high-fidelity interactive prototypes that can be deployed and experienced by real users. Lectures cover the history and principles of human-computer interaction, behavior prototyping, physical and graphical user interfaces, machine intelligence, neural networks, and large language models. Provides a foundation in technical skills, such as physical prototyping, coding, and electronics, as well as how to collect data, train, and deploy their own neural network models. Students complete a series of small interaction exercises and a portfolio-level final project. 

Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments. 

Spring
2025
3-3-6
U/G
3-3-3
G
Schedule
Lecture: F 2-5
Lab: W 3-5
Location
N52-342C
Prerequisites
UG: 4.031 | G: permission of instructor
Restricted Elective
BSAD, Design Minor
Preference Given To
BSAD, Design Minor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.041

Design Studio: Advanced Product Design

Focuses on producing a small series of manufactured products. Students develop products that address specific user needs, propose novel design concepts, iteratively prototype, test functionality, and ultimately exhibit their work in a retail context. Stemming from new research and technological developments around MIT, students try to imagine the future products that emerge from new materials and machine intelligence. Provides an in-depth exploration of the design and manufacturing of products, through narrative, form, function, fabrication, and their relationship to customers. 

Spring
2025
3-3-6
U
Schedule
TR 2-5
Location
N52-342C
Prerequisites
4.031 or permission of instructor
Restricted Elective
BSAD, Design Minor
Preference Given To
Course 4B Majors, Design Minor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No