Architecture Program Report Master of Architecture - Roger Williams ...

Preamble
Roger Williams University’s Architecture Program, since its inception, has had a vibrant and engaging
studio culture that emphasizes mutual respect, professionalism, and shared responsibilities among
students, faculty, administrators and practitioners. This 2011 Studio Culture Policy builds upon this
tradition and seeks to foster an environment of mentorship, collegiality and shared governance.
The Studio Culture Policy is defined by its place within the contexts of the University’s Mission and
values, as well as the School’s Mission and Philosophy.
The Roger Williams University Mission Statement & Core Values
University Civility Statement
School of Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation Mission and Philosophy
Architecture Program’s Mission Statement
The Design Studio – Point of Convergence and Integration
We believe in the importance of the design studio model as an essential point of convergence and
integration for the educational and personal experiences of students. In the design studio, students
synthesize experiences from coursework, research and observation into their work through processes of
critical thinking and understanding. The Studio Culture Policy supports relationships for engaging the
continuum or pre-college and college students, faculty, alumni, emerging professionals, and practice
leaders in Learning Relationships and Design Review Formats intended to nurture the creation of
community, knowledge and career networks. Though the studio model is central to the educational
mission of the School, studio culture is only one component of the multivalent culture of the School of
Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation and of the culture of Roger Williams University as a whole.
The Design Studio in Context – Celebrating multiple approaches to design
The Design Studio is one learning situation among many in the School, inclusive of lecture, seminar, lab
and workshop venues. In addition to serving as the main point of integration for other coursework and
experiences into the design process, the Design Studio serves as a forum for development and
enhancement of the skills needed to prepare the next generation of design professionals for expanding
roles and professional responsibilities within the contexts of increasing cultural diversity, changing client
demands and an expanding knowledge base. Through design studio experiences, students develop an
appreciation of diverse and collaborative roles assumed by architects in practice, and learn to reconcile
the conflicts between architects’ obligations to their clients, the public, and the demands of the creative
enterprise.
The School encourages multiple theoretical positions and form languages to coexist within the Design
Studio, thus engaging students as active participants in the formation and continuing development of their
own architectural ideas and principles. Multiple approaches to design are facilitated through offering
advanced and graduate level topical studios each semester, where students explore issues related to
housing, urban design, community and regional issues, sustainability, etc., and through students
developing a project of their own choosing in the graduate theses.
The Studio Environment – A place of interaction between students, faculty, emerging
professionals, practice leaders, community leaders and other professionals
Architectural design is ultimately an activity intended for the improvement of the environment and the
societies and individuals that occupy it. We believe that design is an activity enhanced by the ability for