Program Overview

Introduction to the University Program

The university program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in architecture, focusing on the transformation of material practices and the development of a "material ethos."

Program Overview

The program operates on the premise that transformation processes of raw matter to building product embody materials with dispositions beyond technical and economic dimensions. Through readings, guest lectures, workshops, case studies, and making, students will trace the ecologies of material transformation, studying how networks of matter, labor, and logistics shape material practices within a planetary metabolism.

Course Details

• ARCH 403: Part and Parcel: This course explores the crisis of material culture in architecture, examining the reliance on carbon-intensive materials, toxic building products, and extractive practices.
  • Instructor: Ian Ting
  • Schedule: W 9:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
  • Location: Anderson Hall, Room 230
• The course aims to redefine the structures of interaction, care, and performance in building materials, identifying latent, transformative potentials for architecture beyond commoditized value structures.

Program Structure

The program establishes the intellectual and aesthetic foundations for projects to be continued in the spring Watkin Studio (ARCH 402). The spring studio will elaborate on a specific context and site of intervention to further develop research into an architectural design thesis.

Research Areas

• Material transformation
• Ecologies of material transformation
• Planetary metabolism
• Architectural design thesis

Academic Areas

• Undergraduate: The program offers undergraduate courses and resources.
• Graduate: The program offers graduate courses and resources, including the NAAB Accreditation.
• Courses: The program includes a variety of courses, such as ARCH 403: Part and Parcel.
• Resources: The program provides resources for students, including facilities and news.

Facets of the Program

• Preceptorship: The program offers preceptorship opportunities.
• Paris: The program has a connection to Paris, potentially offering global workshops or study abroad opportunities.
• Rice Building Workshop: The program includes a building workshop, focusing on constructive experiments and material practices.
• Thesis: The program culminates in a thesis project, where students develop an architectural design thesis.
• Research Platforms: The program provides research platforms for students to explore various topics in architecture.
• Global Workshops: The program offers global workshops, allowing students to engage with international perspectives and practices.

Projects and Publications

• Studio Work: The program includes studio work, where students engage in constructive experiments and material practices.
• Thesis Projects: The program culminates in thesis projects, where students develop an architectural design thesis.
• Faculty Work: The program showcases faculty work, highlighting their research and projects.
• Faculty Publications: The program includes faculty publications, such as the PLAT Journal and Cite.

Events and People

• Event Calendar: The program has an event calendar, listing various events, including mentorship, awards and grants, civic forum, and summer immersion.
• Mentorship: The program offers mentorship opportunities, allowing students to engage with faculty and professionals.
• Awards and Grants: The program provides awards and grants, recognizing student achievements and supporting their research.
• Civic Forum: The program includes a civic forum, where students and faculty engage in discussions and debates on various topics.
• Summer Immersion: The program offers summer immersion opportunities, allowing students to engage in intensive research and projects.
• Faculty: The program has a faculty team, including instructors like Ian Ting.
• Staff: The program has a staff team, supporting the administration and operation of the program.
• Students: The program has a student body, comprising undergraduate and graduate students.
• Advisory Council: The program has an advisory council, providing guidance and support.
• Wortham Fellows: The program includes Wortham Fellows, recognizing outstanding students and providing them with support and resources.