Architecture Program Report Tulane University New Orleans ...

In the fourth-year students are introduced to two other innovations in the School
of Architecture curriculum: the URBANbuild studies of the Tulane City Center and
a series of Foreign Study programs. The vast majority of students choose a
fourth-year abroad experience for their ‘first’ of ‘second’ semester of fourth year
(which is, with the exception of the Rome Studio, taught in the summer). These
studios include foreign study in the Netherlands (our “Watercities” program),
Vienna-Prague-Basel-Berlin, and Vietnam and Brazil (the latter two under the
aegis of the Preservation Studies Program).
In the Fall and Spring, students may also choose from one of several studios
offered under the umbrella of the Tulane City Center: the URBANbuild studio
(macroscale or microscale), for instance, allows them to develop an
understanding of Urban Study as part of their design curriculum on the
macroscale, while they may choose design/build on the microscale. In the
design/build portion of URBANbuild, the students actually design and build a
house over the course of two semesters. Students may also choose an Options
Studio, which offer areas of specialization including Sustainable Design
(Klingman), Green Building (McNaughton) and Urban Design Programs (G.
Mouton). Other studios include Advanced Digital Fabrication and Preservation
Studies. In this sense, Fourth Year is akin to the former curriculum’s platform
studio approach.
There are usually several options studios offered, including, for instance, an
Urban Design Studio, a Sustainability and Tectonics studio, Preservation Studios,
or an Advanced Digital Fabrication Studio. In this sense, the fourth year is akin
to the former curriculum’s platform studio approach.
Students also take required electives in Advanced Technology, Digital Media, and
Advanced History/Theory during this year. At the same time, they are
encouraged to take the opportunity to engage several elective courses that are
arrayed across the curriculum, with particular emphasis on those areas they may
wish to pursue for thesis year.
During the summer term, students must take an internship with an architectural
firm (as outlined above). This occurs before the Fourth and Fifth Year of the
curriculum.
Fifth-year (Thesis Year)
In the School of Architecture, thesis year is regarded as the capstone of a
student’s educational career. While there is ongoing debate regarding the
structure of thesis year, it remains a given that all students are granted the
opportunity to do a thesis project.
The first semester of Thesis (DSGN 510) implements of a flexible yet rigorous
framework within which students construct the theoretical concepts, research,
and methodology for their upcoming design thesis project in the spring semester.
Emphasis is on each student’s individual preparation for their final project, as
guided through regular consultations with a thesis director, and through an
acquaintance with other students’ progress. During the fall, students undertake
the documentation, development and analysis of precedents, site, program, and
technologies specific to their thesis and research topics as well as a set of
strategies and methodologies that will direct their design projects.