MS Architecture- Sustainable Building Technology

PROGRAM OVERVIEW & FACULTY

This concentration explores structural principles, statics and strength of materials, structural systems, as well as building technology, intelligent structures, innovative structural assemblies, and integrated design. Areas of inquiry included performance-based design, innovative building systems integration, high performance building facades, air filtration systems, bio-inspired design, and new material technologies.

The School of Architecture’s Integrated Design Building Lab (IDRL) is a hub for research and activity in this area. Ravin School of Architecture’s distinctive areas of faculty research include Emergent Material Practices and Regenerative Systems Design. Faculty researching, teaching, and mentoring students in Sustinable Building Technology include:

For more information, please contact Master of Science Graduate Program Director Dr. Emily Makas

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

MS in Architecture (30 Credit Hours)

The recommended path to complete this 30-credit program as a stand alone degree is 12 months so that Research Methods, Pre-Thesis, and Thesis may be taken in sequence. Alternatively, students may choose to work or conduct research over the summer and complete their thesis in the second fall semester.

Fall (12 credits)

  • ARCH 6050 (3) – Sustainability Research Methods
  • Electives (9) – As directed by their Advisor (ARCH 5050, 6050, 6306, and 6890).​

Spring (12 credits)

  • ARCH 7800 (3) – Pre-Thesis
  • GRAD 6302 (2) – Responsible Conduct of Research
  • ARCH 7212 (4) – Research Lab
  • Elective (3) – As directed by their Advisor (ARCH 5050, 6050, 6306, and 6890).​

Summer or Fall (6 credits)

  • ARCH 7900 (6) – Thesis

More information can be found in the UNC Charlotte Graduate Catalog.

DUAL DEGREE OPTIONS

The MS in Architecture with a concentration in Sustainable Building Technology can be combined with a number of other degrees and concentrations to create. When pursuing these degrees together, time can be saved as courses can overlap and some requirements are waived. Options include:

MArch / MS Sustainable Building Technology

Any of the three Master of Architecture concentrations can be combined with the Master of Science in Architecture with a concentration in Sustainable Building Technology; however this dual degree works best for students in the MArch I or II concentrations . This combination links a professional design degree with a specialized degree focused on exploring connections between contemporary architectural practice and sustainable strategies and technologies including performance-based design, innovative building systems integration, high performance building facades, air filtration systems, bio-inspired design, and new material technologies.

The Graduate Program Directors for both the MArch, Dr. Mona Azarbayjani, and the MS in Architecture, Dr. Emily Makas, will guide dual degree students to keep them on track for both programs; however, typical plans of study could look like the following for each MArch track:

PLAN of STUDY: MArch II / MS Architecture Sustainable Building Technology – 66 credits

When completed together, a specified 15 credits of the 60-credit MArch II and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MS in Architecture are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 66-credit dual degree.

Fall 1 (15 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5203 – Architectural History III (3)
    • students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4203 may take ARCH 5204 – History Topics instead
  • ARCH 5604 – Computational Methods (3)
    • students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4604 may take ARCH 6306 – Tech Topics instead
  • ARCH 6050 – Sustainability Research Methods (3)
  • ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)

Spring 1 (16 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5204 – Architectural History Topic (3)
  • ARCH 5605 – Computational Practice (3)
    • students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4605 may take ARCH 6306 – Tech Topics instead
  • ARCH 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
  • ARCH 7211 – Research Lab (4)
  • GRAD 6302 – Responsible Conduct of Research (3)

Fall 2 (15 credit hours)

  • HIST 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
  • ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
  • ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
  • ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)

Spring 2 (15 credit hours)

  • ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
  • ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
  • Approved ARCH or DBSA Elective (3)
  • ARCH 7800 – Thesis Prep (3)

Summer or Fall 2 (6 credits)

  • ARCH 7900 – Thesis (6)

66 Total Credit hours

PLAN of STUDY: MArch I / MS Architecture Sustainable Building Technology – 102 credits

When completed together, a specified 15 credits of the 96-credit MArch I and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MS in Architecture are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 102-credit dual degree.

Fall 1 (15 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5201 – Architectural History I (3)
  • ARCH 5602 – Materials (3)
  • ARCH 6602 – Representation I (3)
  • ARCH 6101 – Design Studio (6)

Spring 1 (15 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5202 – Architectural History II (3)
  • ARCH 5603 – Environmental Systems (3)
  • ARCH 6603 – Representation II (3)
  • ARCH 6101 – Design Studio (6)

Summer 1 (6 credits)

  • ARCH 7101 – Studio (6)

Fall 2 (15 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5203 – Architectural History III (3)
  • ARCH 5604 – Computational Methods (3)
  • ARCH 6050 – Sustainability Research Methods (3)
  • ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)

Spring 2 (16 Credit Hours)

  • ARCH 5204 – Architectural History Topic (3)
  • ARCH 5605 – Computational Practice (3)
  • ARCH 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
  • ARCH 7211 – Research Lab (4)
  • GRAD 6302 – Responsible Conduct of Research (3)

Fall 3 (15 credit hours)

  • HIST 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
  • ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
  • ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
  • ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)

Spring 3 (115 credit hours)

  • ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
  • ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
  • Approved ARCH or ENGR Elective (3)
  • ARCH 7800 – Thesis Prep (3)

Summer or Fall 3 (6 credits)

  • ARCH 7900 – Thesis (6)

102 Total Credit hours