Department of Architecture

This is an interdisciplinary program open to all candidates holding at least one graduate degree in architecture, restoration, engineering or industrial design. There is a strong emphasis on the application of scientific method, from the inception, design, conduct and evaluation of a germane investigation to the universally-acknowledged format of its report; i.e., the thesis proper.

In more specific terms the program looks into the many-faceted aspects of concerns like building management efficiency, construction systematics, computer aided design and manufacturing technologies in architecture, computer-based library for construction detailing, function- systematics, function-specific spaces, energy in building design, integrated mechanical systems, building system design for sustainability, structures, lighting, environmental and room acoustics, thermal performance of buildings, computer modeling and simulations, etc.

Existing and Evolving Research Tracks

More or less by definition, the particular issues with which the program aspires to deal range over a very wide spectrum. The basic limiting factor is the number and background of subscribing staff available at any given time. Depending on depth of focus, these are necessarily considered with specific reference to one or more of the following building typologies, in so far as they admit of such:

• educational facilities/buildings (elementary, secondary and collegiate);
• healthcare facilities/buildings;
• public facilities/buildings (auditoria, sports arenas, convention/assembly/exhibition halls, museums, etc.);
• white- or blue-collar workplaces (office or industrial buildings);
• commercial facilities (malls, multi-use developments, etc.); and
• multi-unit residential buildings (condominiums, housing estates, public housing developments, etc.).

To cite a few of these in somewhat broad topical terms, the programmes look into the many-faceted aspects of concerns like:

• building management efficiency;
• construction systematics;
• building and construction safety;
• human factors concerns in building design;
• computer aided design and manufacturing technologies in architecture;
• assessment, concerns and/or provision of control over climatic factors;
• performance assessment and/or concerns regarding materials, in terms of origin, derivation and working methods, deterioration potential defects, compatibility and durability, etc.;
• assessment of and/or concerns regarding building technologies and structure;
• design requirements of function-specific spaces (building programming)
• thermal performance and energy concerns in building design;
• integrated mechanical systems and building system design for sustainability;
• environmental and room acoustics;
• computer modeling and simulations;
• sustainability and green building design and delivery;
• project and construction management;
• information and communication technologies for building life cycle; ad infinitum.

Building Science Graduate Program Home Page

3 compulsory and 6 elective course(s) approved by the Building Science Program

Total minimum credit: 24

Integrated Ph.D. in Building Science

6 compulsory and 12 elective course(s) approved by the Building Science Program

(the list of related courses) 

Total minimum credit: 48