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Sustainable Environmental Design MSc/March in Architectural Association

The Architectural Association
The AA School of Architecture
London, England
United Kingdom
Sustainability, Construction & Technology
Overview

The MSc and MArch in Sustainable Environmental Design (SED) are postprofessional specialisation courses in an area currently much in demand within both architecture and engineering. The taught programme engages in real-life projects across building types in both cool and warm climates, aiming to improve environmental quality in cities, achieve independence from non-renewable energy sources and develop environmentally sustainable architectures capable of adapting to changing climates and urban environments. Design research is driven by evidence-based performance criteria following a process of adaptive architecturing, which proceeds from inside to outside, attuning built form and its constituents to recursive rhythms in nature and the circadian rhythms of occupant activities.

 

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

 

The taught programme is structured in two consecutive phases. Phase I (Terms 1 and 2) is organised around team projects involving MSc and MArch students in experimental fieldwork and computational studies, using the knowledge and tools introduced in weekly lectures and workshops. In Phase II (Terms 3 and 4), individual MSc and MArch research agendas reflect the nature of each student’s home climates, urban contexts and environmental interests, addressing living, working, learning and mixed-use environments. MSc dissertation projects explore the architectural potential and applicability of their research findings in the particular climatic and typological contexts identified. MArch dissertation research culminates in a specific design application for a given site and design brief.

 

REFURBISHING THE CITY

 

In Term 1, Refurbishing the City, a continuing SED research agenda, will launch a new round of London building case studies in collaboration with local architectural and engineering practices. On-site observations and measurements will be followed by the use of advanced computational tools to explore current and future environmental performance scenarios. The outcomes of these building studies will provide starting points for design research on mixed-use building programmes in Term 2. In Terms 3 and 4, individual research for the MSc and MArch dissertation projects will involve a diverse range of geographic locations, microclimatic conditions, urban morphologies and building typologies. Over the last ten years, well over 500 projects have been developed for locations across some 60 countries and 150 cities both North and South of the Equator, encompassing a wide range of climates, urban contexts and building types. These projects now form part of a growing SED archive. Some 100 of these projects have been documented in research papers published in books, journals and conference proceedings. This year’s work will be presented at the PLEA 2020 Conference to be held in A Coruña, Spain, in early September.

 

LECTURE COURSES AND WORKSHOPS

 

SUSTAINABLE CITY, Term 1

 

This course reviews theories of urban sustainability, introducing instruments and tools that can be applied to its assessment. The role of urban morphology in fostering the diverse microclimates encountered in cities and its impact on energy consumption and climate change will be illustrated with case studies from different urban contexts, at scales ranging from the regional to that of the urban block.

 

ADAPTIVE ARCHITECTURING, Term 1

 

Providing local architectural solutions to global issues requires an understanding of what makes a good environment for occupants and how this may vary across climates, building types and occupant preferences and activities. This course introduces a generative framework for an environmentally adaptive, culturally sensitive, occupant-centred architecture aimed at developing a symbiotic relationship with the city.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN PRIMER: DESIGNING FOR HEALTH, WELLBEING AND COMFORT, Term 1

 

Topics for this primer course include: climate change and the principles of adaptive comfort in the urban environment; building materials and environmental impact; thermal performance; the physics and architecture of daylighting; airflow and indoor air quality, and designing for the future.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN RESEARCH TOOLS, Terms 1 and 2

 

This hands-on course runs in day-long sessions that provide physical and digital tools for engaging in environmental design research. The tools encompass on-site measurements, the modelling and simulation of sunlight, wind and temperature, and their effects on occupant comfort and wellbeing both indoors and outdoors. These are first applied to the building case studies from Term 1 and their use is then continued throughout the Term 2 design project and dissertation research.

 

LESSONS FROM PRACTICE, Term 2

 

We invite practising architects, engineers and researchers to present projects that illustrate their philosophy, design methodology and experience in sustainable environmental design. Presentations are followed by roundtable sessions exploring the relationship between research and practice, and the evolving nature of research.

 

RESEARCH SEMINAR, Terms 1–4

 

In Terms 1 and 2 this seminar provides a regular forum for critical reading and the review of literature, providing support to the research and writing of individual research papers that serve as the starting points for dissertation projects. The Easter break is a convenient period for undertaking a first round of fieldwork for MSc dissertation projects. For MArch students, there is a further opportunity for this during the summer break.

 

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Admission Requirements

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

 

You are required to meet the minimum academic and reference requirements outlined below for your desired programme. Overseas applicants must also meet the English language qualifications requirements outlined below.

 

Successful applicants who are awaiting the outcome of future examination results will be issued a conditional offer. These conditions must be met by the date outlined on the offer letter in order to be eligible to enter the School.

 

Applicants who will not complete their degree until after June 2020 are encouraged to contact the Postgraduate Admissions Team prior to applying for the 2020/21 academic year.

 

Minimum Academic Requirements

 

MSc Sustainable Environmental Design (12 months): Professional degree or diploma in architecture, engineering or other relevant discipline

 

MArch Sustainable Environmental Design (16 months): Five-year professional architectural degree (BArch/Diploma equivalent)

 

English Language Requirements (All Applicants)

 

All applicants must be able to provide evidence of competency in both spoken and written English. The AA reserves the right to make a place in the School conditional on gaining a further English language qualification if deemed necessary.

 

More info at: https://www.aaschool.ac.uk/APPLY/ADMISSIONS/postgradApp.php

 

Application Procedure

 

The AA is a private institution. Anyone interested in applying to the AA must:

 

a.- Complete the online application form; https://applications.aaschool.ac.uk/postgraduate/login.php

 

b.- Pay the relevant application fee: £50 for early applications, £75 for late applications; and

 

c.- Submit a digital portfolio of design work (all applicants with the exception of History and Critical Thinking and PhD in Research)

 

The application procedure is the same for all applicants, regardless of where you are applying form.

 

Prior to completing the form applicants should carefully read the entry requirements for their chosen programme. The AA will not accept multiple applications and applicants cannot change their programme of study once the application has been received, assessed and a decision has been made. Therefore, it is crucial that you apply for the programme most suited to your experience.

 

Applications will not be processed until the online form has been completed, all required supporting documents have been provided. Failure to provide the information requested will delay the processing of your application. It is therefore advisable that you start preparing this documentation now.

 

If there is any change in your circumstances after you submit your application (i.e. you will not be completing your current year of study), you must inform us as soon as possible. The AA reserves the right to withdraw an offer of a place if you fail to inform us of significant changes in your circumstances.

 

Deadlines for 2020/21 Academic Year

 

– Optional early-offer applications for 2020/21 close: Friday 22 November 2019*.

 

– Early (Winter) application deadlines for 2020/21 close: Friday 24 January 2020* (last deadline for bursary applications)

 

– Late (Spring) application deadlines for 2020/21 close: Friday 6 March 2020.

 

Both your online application, and your portfolio, must arrive by the dates listed above.

 

Applications received after the dates above may be accepted at the discretion of the School.

 

* In order to be eligible to apply for a bursary, applicants must submit their application and portfolio (if applicable) no later than 24 January 2020, stating their interest in an AA bursary in the ‘Finances and Funding’ section. Applicants who require an English language examination must also have booked and passed one of the approved English language examinations listed on the AA website by 24 January 2020 in order to be eligible for a bursary. The bursary application procedure will be explained once applicants receive an official offer.

 

Online form

 

You will need to register to gain access to the online application form

 

Please ensure you complete all sections of the online form carefully. You can save the form and return to complete sections multiple times using your original registration password.

 

Please be aware that applications will not be processed until the online form has been completed, all required supporting documents have been provided. Failure to provide the information requested will delay the processing of your application.

 

Applicants who submit an incomplete application will be contacted by email to request the outstanding documentation. The AA will send applicants a maximum of 2 reminders to follow up documentation. If no response is received, the application with be automatically rejected by the AA.

 

Upon signing the application form applicants certify that the work submitted is entirely their own. Plagiarism is unacceptable in the academic setting. Students are subject to penalties including dismissal from the course if they commit an act of plagiarism.

 

Certificates and Transcripts

 

You must submit scanned copies of your academic records or transcripts which include a detailed list of subjects taken and marks attained.

 

If you have completed your degree, please upload both the degree certificate and your transcripts (covering all years of study). If you have not completed your degree, please upload all academic transcripts to date.

 

Applicants who will not complete their degree until after June 2020 are encouraged to contact the Postgraduate Admissions Team prior to applying for the 2020/21 academic year.

 

Overseas applicants must provide documents in English. The AA can only accept official translations bearing the stamp and signature of the translator. Please also include scanned copies of the un-translated certificates and transcripts.

 

References

 

Applicants must submit two references with the online application form: one related to work experience, the other academic. If the applicant has no work experience two academic references are required. References must be on headed paper and signed. No application will be considered before two references have been received.

 

Referees who would prefer to send the reference to us directly can do so by post to:

 

Postgraduate Admissions, No. 36 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3ES.

 

Referees can also email us directly to postgraduateadmissions@aaschool.ac.uk However, the reference must be on official headed paper, be signed and scanned as a PDF, and emailed directly from the referees official school or university email address. Emails received from personal email addresses will not be accepted.

 

Submit Your Portfolio

 

With the exception of History and Critical Thinking and PhD Research, all applicants must submit a digital portfolio of design work, showing a combination of both academic and professional work. The Portfolio should contain 20 – 30 pages (drawings/project synopsis/samples of work) combined into a single PDF format (Max file size 40MB).

 

The portfolio should be clearly labelled including your full name and programme of application.

 

ASSESSMENT

 

All applications will only be acknowledged by email. Decisions on applications are normally given within six to eight weeks of receiving the application. Applicants who need to meet funding deadlines should submit their application as early as possible. Please indicate the funding deadline in your application and the AA will make every effort to ensure that you are notified of the decision as soon as possible.

 

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General information
Length
MSc: 12 months / March: 16 months
Language
English
Director
Simos Yannas / Paula Cadima
Fee
Not Confirmed
Email
postgraduateadmissions@aaschool.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7887 4060
Address
36 Bedford Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3ES
Website
Campus Location
The information of this Master's Degree was extracted from the Official Website of the program.
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