Architectural Engineering

Program Overview

Politecnico di Milano offers a two-year Architectural Engineering Master's program designed to train professionals in designing sustainable and high-performance buildings. The curriculum covers building physics, structural design, sustainable design processes, and advanced technologies, preparing graduates for careers in architectural design, building renovation, project management, and sustainable building technologies.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Architectural Engineering Master's program at Politecnico di Milano is a two-year program offered entirely in English. It aims to prepare high-level professionals capable of working in the field of the built environment, particularly in the design of high energy performance, low environmental impact buildings. The program focuses on providing students with the skills and knowledge to manage and participate in the integrated design process of sustainable construction projects.

Outline:

The program's curriculum is structured around the integrated design process of complex construction projects, emphasizing the delivery of high-performance buildings with reliable sustainability credentials.

1st Year:

• Building Physics: This module explores the physical principles governing building performance, including thermal comfort, energy consumption, and daylighting.
• Structural Design: This module focuses on the principles of structural analysis and design, covering topics such as load calculations, material selection, and structural stability.
• Sustainable Multidisciplinary Design Process: This module introduces students to the integrated design process, emphasizing collaboration between different disciplines involved in building projects.
• History of Architecture: This module provides a historical overview of architectural styles and movements, exploring their influence on contemporary design.
• Conservation: This module focuses on the principles and techniques of preserving and restoring historic buildings.
• Building Renovation: This module explores the challenges and opportunities associated with renovating existing buildings, including energy efficiency upgrades and adaptive reuse.
• Building Services: This module covers the design and integration of building services systems, such as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems.
• Urban Design: This module explores the principles of urban planning and design, focusing on creating sustainable and livable urban environments.

2nd Year:

• Architectural Design: This module provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to design complex architectural projects.
• Integrated Project Management: This module focuses on the management of complex construction projects, covering topics such as project planning, scheduling, and cost control.
• Sustainable Building Technologies: This module explores advanced technologies and strategies for achieving sustainable building performance, including renewable energy systems, green building materials, and smart building technologies.
• Elective Courses: Students can choose from a range of elective courses to specialize in areas of interest, such as advanced structural design, energy modeling, or sustainable urbanism.
• Design Optioneering: This module focuses on developing design solutions that meet specific performance requirements and sustainability goals.
• Building in Seismical Areas: This module explores the design considerations for buildings located in earthquake-prone regions.
• Energy Efficient Buildings: This module focuses on the design and analysis of energy-efficient buildings, including passive solar design, building envelope optimization, and renewable energy integration.

Assessment:

The program's assessment methods may include:

• Projects: Students may be required to complete design projects, research projects, or case studies to demonstrate their practical skills and knowledge.
• Presentations: Students may be required to present their work to peers and faculty, demonstrating their communication and presentation skills.
• Portfolio: Students may be required to compile a portfolio of their work, showcasing their design skills and achievements.

Teaching:

The program's teaching methods may include:

• Lectures: Lectures are likely used to introduce key concepts and theories.
• Tutorials: Tutorials may be used to provide students with hands-on experience and guidance on specific topics.
• Workshops: Workshops may be used to provide students with practical skills training, such as design software or building construction techniques.
• Guest lectures: Guest lectures from industry professionals may be used to provide students with insights into real-world applications and challenges.

Careers:

Graduates of the Architectural Engineering Master's program are well-prepared for a variety of careers in the built environment, including:

• Architectural Design: Designing new buildings, including residential, commercial, and institutional buildings.
• Building Renovation and Retrofit: Planning and managing the renovation and retrofit of existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency and sustainability.
• Sustainable Building Technologies: Developing and implementing sustainable building technologies, such as renewable energy systems, green building materials, and smart building technologies.
• Project Management: Managing complex construction projects, ensuring that they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required standards.
• Tracks and Courses: A detailed description of the program's curriculum, including the specific courses offered in each year.