Architecture Program Report Tulane University New Orleans ...

As a part of the preparation for their final thesis projects, students will also take
an advanced level seminar in history/theory, technology, urban design or digital
media concurrent with thesis research. The topics of these advanced classes will
support the focus areas of thesis, research and integrated studios offered in each
year.
Qualified students are expected to undertake the initial research and preliminary
design studies for a Thesis proposition - that is, a generalizable set of ideas not
limited to a specific site or program – that will subsequently be further explored in
the Spring Semester through the medium of an architectural project of some
theoretical, programmatic or formal complexity. While the work may be based
upon a specific site (or sites) and program, it requires an explicit theoretical
grounding, an understood position in relation to current discourse, and a sense of
its own broader implications in order to qualify as a Thesis. The ideas that
constitute the Thesis should be understandable as applicable to other sites and
programs. The ultimate products of the year's working process will be drawings,
models and other means of architectural representation. The Thesis Project may
pursue a proposition that has the scope and scale of a single building; of specific
spaces in buildings; of urban design; or of constructed landscape interventions.
For the completion of 510, each student produces a substantial document
consisting of a thesis precis, thorough documentation of the student’s individual
research, the
comprehensive development of an architectural program and site analysis, a
proposed methodological framework consistent with the thesis research to guide
the design process, and an annotated bibliography. The Instructors must be
convinced by the student’s submissions that (a) they are proposing a topic
worthy of pursuit as a Thesis and (b) that they are demonstrating the
understanding and capabilities necessary to pursue this topic. Without these,
proposals will not be allowed to proceed, and 510 must be passed before 520
can be entered. The pursuit of a Thesis therefore must be seen as something to
be achieved rather than a general expectation or burden.
Work is evaluated on the student's success in fulfilling the general objectives of
the course and the specific objectives of the assignment; quality of writing,
graphics and presentation are part of the basis of evaluation. Intellectual rigor
and critical judgment are expected in each student's work.
The second semester of Thesis year (DSGN 520) commences the design, detail
development, and full presentation and documentation of the final thesis project.
The work of the course proceeds primarily by the further development of the
Thesis, based on the work undertaken in the fall-semester Thesis Research
course, now through the medium of design. Instructors respond to and advise on
the work through desk critiques and discussion in pinup sessions. Students are
expected to pursue their chosen Thesis - that is, a generalizable set of ideas not
limited to a specific site or program –through the vehicle of an architectural
project of some theoretical, programmatic or formal complexity. While the work
may be based upon a specific site (or sites) and program, it requires an explicit
theoretical grounding, an understood position in relation to current discourse, and
a sense of its own broader implications in order to qualify as a Thesis. The ideas
that constitute the Thesis should be understandable as applicable to other sites
and programs. The ultimate products of the year's working process will be
drawings, models and other means of architectural representation. The Thesis