Program Overview

Historical and Sustainable Architecture (MA)

The Master of Arts Degree in Historical and Sustainable Architecture is a nine-month program focusing on the creative reuse of older buildings. In an era when the demolition of older buildings has been recognized, not just as a loss to the urban fabric but also as a major source of environmental pollution, retaining historic structures and using them for new purposes is increasingly desirable — and profitable. This program explores innovative ways to reconcile real estate development with historical preservation and environmental protection by recycling existing structures.

Program Description

The course of study combines academic training and research with experiential learning opportunities, and the program operates within the framework of New York University's London facility. British architects, designers, builders, and developers are leaders in the field of adaptive reuse and sustainable architecture. For this reason, the program is based in London, where our faculty consists of the city's innovative architects and designers. Working under restrictive historic protection orders, these designers have successfully reused both important and modest older buildings, adapting them to new uses and integrating them into new projects built around, over, and even under historic structures.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation, and
• A non-refundable application fee.

Program Requirements

The MA program consists of 32 credits of graduate work. The MA is comprised of a standard curriculum, with no elective courses. All students complete a thesis based on original research in the field, under the supervision of a faculty adviser. Theses take the form of a paper or report with supporting documentation, images, and notes. Research may consist of archival investigation and/or fieldwork, and may include personal interviews, site reports, and condition assessments.

Course List

• ARTH-GA 9001: Adaptive Reuse of Bldgs: Successes & Failures I (4 credits)
• ARTH-GA 9002: Adaptive Reuse of Bldgs: Successes & Failures II (4 credits)
• ARTH-GA 9003: Aspects of Architectural & Urban Development (4 credits)
• ARTH-GA 9004: Economics of Reuse and Regenerations (4 credits)
• ARTH-GA 9005: Low Energy Strategies in Historic & Contemporary Architecture (2 credits)
• ARTH-GA 9006: Independent Study (1 credit)
• ARTH-GA 9007: The Practical Solution (4 credits)
• ARTH-GA 9008: Practical Experience (4 credits)
• ARTH-GA 9009: Capstone Thesis (4 credits)

Sample Plan of Study

The plan of study is divided into two semesters: 1st Semester/Term:

• ARTH-GA 9001: Adaptive Reuse of Bldgs: Successes & Failures I (4 credits)
• ARTH-GA 9003: Aspects of Architectural & Urban Development (4 credits)
• ARTH-GA 9004: Economics of Reuse and Regenerations (4 credits)
• ARTH-GA 9005: Low Energy Strategies in Historic & Contemporary Architecture (2 credits)
• ARTH-GA 9006: Independent Study (1 credit)
• ARTH-GA 9006: Independent Study (1 credit) 2nd Semester/Term:
• ARTH-GA 9002: Adaptive Reuse of Bldgs: Successes & Failures II (4 credits)
• ARTH-GA 9007: The Practical Solution (2 credits)
• ARTH-GA 9007: The Practical Solution (2 credits)
• ARTH-GA 9008: Practical Experience (4 credits)
• ARTH-GA 9009: Capstone Thesis (4 credits)

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Gain a foundation of knowledge about the history and theory of historic preservation and adaptive reuse, and specialized knowledge related to their interests, as developed in the capstone thesis.
2. Learn skills of original research, incorporating appropriate resources such as libraries, archives, field investigation, site documentation, and/or relevant technologies.
3. Develop presentation competence in seminars.
4. Cultivate effective writing skills to express ideas and analyses, including the ability to develop arguments, support them with evidence, and document sources of research.
5. Become familiar with multiple professional aspects within the field of international adaptive reuse, including current methods, materials, and techniques, through instruction by practitioners, conference participation, and workshops.

Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages. Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.