Educational objectives
The MSc in Architecture Construction and City has the objective of training the intellectual and professional figure of the architect (as required by Directive 2005/36/CE), that has a thorough cultural preparation both in the humanities and in the scientific and technical fields: a professional «generalist», who will find several ways to specialize and differentiate as his professional career develops. In the contents of the subject courses as well as in the choice of the Design Unit topics, great importance is given to the increasing internationalization of the architectural profession: to encourage this international approach the first year of the Master Degree holds all the courses in Italian and English, thus providing students the chance to enrich their ability to interact with other cultures, languages and contexts.
The acquisition of knowledge and skills related to the architect’s training (covered in the 11 points of the European Directive) is completed and achieved with the two-year program mix of courses and design experiences.
Given the resolutely international and «generalist» direction of the MSc Architecture Construction and City program, graduates will have a training which is particularly suitable for preliminary, definitive and executive design of architectural works or urban projects, especially when considering urban and environmental transformation processes, coherently with the most recent legislative indications on quality in architecture.
The curriculum develops over 4 semesters, with the possibility of spending part of the time abroad, and its is structured in cross curricular Design Units, Workshops and single subject courses, giving the student the freedom to choose the format of two different subjects (Design Unit or Course). The first year outlines a diversification of the design experiences that are organised in two different types of Design Units, the first (14 CFUs) with two specific subjects, and the second with a higher credit value (20 CFUs) and with the presence, on top of the two specific subjects, of similar and complementary subjects that are chosen depending to the unit’s particular design topic.
Design Unit 1 (held in the first semester) has the general objective of developing a complex architectural project based on the knowledge and expertise provided by two specific mutually complementary subjects: Architectural Design, and a second specific subject devoted to the constructive aspects of architecture, to be chosen between Architectural Technology or Architectural Engineering. Through the experience of the Design Unit, the student will acquire not only general design skills, but also the specific knowledge and skills in Architectural Technology or in Architectural Engineering, that are mandatory for the Master’s degree. In the Design Unit 1 experience, students will deepen their ability to independently manage a complex architectural design, both in its constructive and urban elements, through the mastery of techniques, methodologies and labour skills of the European architect. Through the knowledge and in-depth analysis of the specific design topic, the student will acquire an understanding and interpretation of the complex phenomena that characterize the production of a contemporary building in an urban setting.
Design Unit 2 (held in the second semester) has the general objective of developing of a complex urban project based on the knowledge and expertise provided by two specific and mutually complementary subjects: Architectural Design, and a second specific subject devoted to the urban aspects of architecture, to be chosen between Urban Planning or Real Estate evaluation. To these two specific courses of the Design Unit the graduate must add on the knowledge and skills provided by one or more similar and complementary subjects, chosen in connection to the specific design problems of each single Design unit (with a wide choice of subjects, from Landscape Architecture to Materials Science, from Technical Physics to Geography, from Urban Sociology to Interior Design). With the experience of the Design Unit, the student will acquire not only general design skills, but also knowledge and expertise in Urban Planning or Real Estate evaluation, which are mandatory for the Degree. In the Design Unit 2 experience, students will strengthen their ability to manage a complex urban project independently, both in its elements of settlement and construction, because it will include in any case the design of an architectural work to be developed with the mastering of techniques, methodologies and working skills typical of the European architect.
With the knowledge and in-depth analysis of the project’s specific theme, the student will acquire an understanding and an interpretation of the complex phenomena that characterize urbanization and urban redevelopment, both locally and globally.
This complementarity between the 2 design experiences allows students in the second semester to experiment with the specific skills and knowledge acquired in the first semester courses.
The second year is dedicated to learning experiences that are an addition and complement to the first year’s course: they are chosen by the students on the basis of their inclinations and specific cultural interests, in view of the conclusion of their studies with the preparation of the final exam, which will take up the entire fourth semester.
In the third semester students can choose among different educational offers: either by attending courses and seminars on subjects related to the topic of the final examination, thus acquiring additional design skills with attendance of a third design unit, or by completing their training with more specialized activities proposed by other courses of the Politecnico di Torino degree programs.
The curriculum is therefore structured to allow students to decide what subject specializations to choose, so that they can give a specific direction to their educational path, ending with the final exam preparation.
The last semester, the fourth, is entirely dedicated to the preparation of the final exam, whose topic may entail the development of a complex project (from the building scale to the urban scale), or else a scientific research work based on a single-subject or multi-disciplinary methodological approach; in both cases it will have to be an original and personal research work, developed with the help of a supervisor.
Career opportunities
The MSc in Architecture Construction and City has the objective of training the intellectual and professional figure of the architect (as required by Directive 2005/36/CE), that has a thorough cultural preparation both in the humanities and in the scientific and technical fields: a professional «generalist», who will find several ways to specialize and differentiate as his professional career develops. In the contents of the subject courses as well as in the choice of the Design Unit topics, great importance is given to the increasing internationalization of the architectural profession: to encourage this international approach the first year of the Master Degree holds all the courses in Italian and English, thus providing students the chance to enrich their ability to interact with other cultures, languages and contexts.
The acquisition of knowledge and skills related to the architect’s training (and covered in the 11 points of the European Directive) is completed and accomplished through the design teachings and experiences in the two-year program. Graduates will be able perform all the activities of the freelance architectural profession, either individually or in a group; they will also be able to perform high responsibility functions in public and private institutions and organizations (national and local institutions, public and private companies, professional studios and design firms, public and private research companies), operating in the fields of construction and development of the territory, in redevelopment and conversion of the consolidated city, in design on a landscape scale. Given the resolutely international and «generalist» orientation of the Master of Science in Architecture Construction and City, graduates will have a training that is particularly suitable for preliminary, definitive and executive design of architectural works. With their training, graduates will be able to work with a constant eye for the architectural quality of their projects, especially when considering urban and environmental transformation processes, coherently with the most recent legislative indications on quality in architecture.
To qualify as architectural freelance professionals, graduates holding the Master of Science in Architecture Construction and City must take the State examination. Passing it allows them to enrol in Section A of the Association of Architects, Planners, Landscapers and Conservationists. The curriculum of the MSc program in Architecture Construction and City complies fully with the Community directives on «diplomas, certificates and other titles giving access to the activities in the field of architecture with the professional title of architect».
Graduates also can work professionally in all sectors provided for in the EU directives, so they may, in addition to freelance activities, hold high responsibility positions in institutions and public and private institutions operating in the fields of construction and transformation of cities and land, with particular reference to energy, environmental, economic and social themes.
Graduates can also take up the profession of lower and upper secondary school teacher, having the requisites to access the various forms of recruitment.
To apply for our Master’s degree programmes you need to fill out the application form, available on the Apply@polito portal from the section «Segreteria on – line» from your personal page of the Teaching Portal.
You can apply for a maximum of two Master’s degrees programmes and you need to rank them in order of preference: if you are considered eligible for both programmes, you will only be allowed to enrol in the Master’s degree programme which you indicated as your first choice.
You can apply for admission if you have already graduated or if you are still a student and you have earned at least 140 credits within the July 2019 exams session (this is considered to be the minimum number of credits for the assessment of your previous academic records).
The deadlines for the submission of applications are illustrated in the deadlines section.
Failure to comply with these procedure and deadlines will result in your automatic exclusion from admission to our Master’s degree programmes.
REQUIREMENTS:
In order to be admitted to the Master Degree courses each applicant needs to meet the following requirements:
1.-suitable academic performance
2.-curricular requirements
3.-language requirements
We remind you that it is not possible to request an informal evaluation of your previous academic records.
You can enroll in a Master’s degree programme only after you earn your Bachelor’s degree, within the deadlines illustrated in the Deadlines section.
Admissions to the Master’s degree programmes offered by Collegio di Architettura are possible in first semester only.