Program MAA

The unique profile of the Master of Architecture arises from synergies between the three institutions offering the course. Each specializes in particular areas of competence:

Infraurbanism, Infratourism, Sustainable Architecture in Wood and Human Settlement: Bern University of Applied Sciences
Domesticity: College of Engineering and Architecture, Fribourg
Urban Conditions: Geneva Institute of Technology, Architecture and Landscape (hepia)

In China, Swiss students will study together with local Chinese students to create a truly multicultural environment. Further contacts and cooperation with local institutions (e.g. universities, government agencies, industries, etc) are also enforced.

The fall and spring semester start in the 38th and 8th calendar week respectively and last 16 weeks. Each semester features a continuous studio project, 3 weeklong trainings and 2-3 associated parallel courses. Swiss students can attend a maximum of two semesters in China in any of the available spring or fall semesters. Chinese Students spend the first two semesters in China and the last two semesters in Switzerland.

Design projects

Design work is consciously positioned between two poles, the project and research, so that designs developed by students also serve as objects of enquiry into theoretical issues that arise in the context of the task at hand.

The different project studios in BUAS are as follows:

Human Settlement (China)
Infraurbanism (Switzerland)
Infratourism (Switzerland)
Sustainable architecture in wood (Switzerland)
elope

Trainings

The design projects are complemented by trainings that reflect the current situation in terms of architectural practice and theoretical discourse. The concept of architecture as a creative discipline that is interlinked with other disciplines, but with architectural design at its core, forms the fundamental element of the seminars. Coaches and students discuss acute situations in architecture and other cultural and design disciplines. The guiding keywords for the seminars are the same in Switzerland and China, but will vary in content according to the location and context. Trainings may include field trips and other dislocations and are redefined every year.

List of trainings include:

Transformation + Methods
Context & Nature
Urban Scales
Office + Context
Use & Gender
Urban condition
Creative Cluster
Materiality & Spirit
Urban Guerrilla

Course

A Course is semester-long studies that focus on issues of the studio project and architecture. Inputs are provided over reading, lectures and short field trips as well as presentations from students. Analysis and discussions usually tackle topics such as office culture; design practice; methods and tools; supply chains; technologies; policy framework; working modes; terminology; architect’s position, scope influence and responsibilities, etc.

In the China location the course offered is Cross Cultural Understanding in Design.

Master’s Thesis

The Master’s Thesis is the modern equivalent of the medieval apprentice’s “journey-man’s piece“ showing what the student has learnt. The thesis consists of a design project and a theoretical paper that draw on such related areas as art, the humanities and social and natural sciences. The theme is formulated autonomously by the student, is refined with input from lecturers and anchored with a binding timetable. Each student frames a question on an architectural theme and then spends a semester pursuing the topic strategically. At the end, students are able to demonstrate their newly acquired abilities and competencies independently and in depth, and apply these concretely to a complex architectural project.

The thesis equals one semester of work for full-time students or one-year of work for part-time students.

Profile Search

The ‘Profile Search’ modules help students search for suitable themes and issues for their thesis work and consists of two parts:

Gathering materials, introducing subjects and methods and evaluating different paths and topics.
Formulate main interests and become familiar with academic methods of analysis. Students practice and improve their academic skills (research and essay writing) in a seminar on academic methods.

Options

Students may choose to include optional courses during their course of study. For the China studio, the following options are offered:

Learning and working in Practice and Science: This semester-long optional course provides tools, techniques, routines, systems, and means to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, logic, and structure of mental and practical processes.
Professional Language: This semester-long optional course serves to deepen the language skills in a foreign language, mostly tackling architectural practice terms, negotiation and discussion skills, presentation practices, etc.