Classes

Explore all classes offered by the Department  — use the filters in the right column below to view classes by discipline groups or by semester.

The Department of Architecture is “Course 4.” The method of assigning numbers to classes is to write the course number in Arabic numerals followed by a period and three digits, which are used to differentiate courses. Most classes retain the same number from year to year. Architecture groups its numbers by discipline group.

Please select both Aga Khan and HTC to search for Aga Khan classes. 

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4.421

Space-Conditioning Systems for Low-Carbon Buildings

Consensus understanding of climate change identifies a need to drastically reduce anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases in coming decades, including those associated with buildings. In this course, we seek a thermofluids understanding of the basics of natural and mechanical systems for conditioning high-performance buildings and will develop and assess systems based on this understanding. We will for new and existing buildings. Can these and other buildings, large or small, meet municipal and global goals for decarbonization? Should they simply depend on a decarbonized grid or can energy consumption be substantially reduced relative to current practice? Can they be maintained at a comfortable temperature with little or no use of mechanical systems? Can waste heat at building or community scale be effectively captured and reused – or, at last resort, transferred to the environment with minimal environmental and financial cost?

Topics include the thermal and fluid dynamics of airflow in buildings, application to multi-zone wind- and buoyancy-driven airflows. Building cooling strategies will be motivated by mapping conventional and innovative cooling systems on the psychrometric chart. First-principles analysis and simulations with an equation-based language, Modelica, and with EnergyPlus will be used to quantify the performance of energy recovery systems, membrane- and desiccant-based dehumidification, evaporative cooling, thermal storage at diurnal (building materials) and annual (ground-coupled heat pumps) scales and radiant cooling and heat-rejection systems. Current-practice and advanced district heating and cooling systems will be explored. Working in groups and making use of design workflows under development at MIT and Harvard, we will assess climate- and building-specific systems based on thermal comfort, energy consumption, carbon emissions and resilience to climate change. Project-based testing of speculative proposals, based on natural or man-made systems, will be encouraged.

Spring
2023
3-2-4
G
3-2-7
G
Schedule
Lecture: M 2-3:30
Lab: M 3:30-5
Lab: W 9:30-11
Location
All meetings: 5-415
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.421

Space-Conditioning Systems for Low-Carbon Buildings

Studies the thermofluid principles of, and design strategies for, natural and mechanical systems for conditioning high-performance buildings that are needed to reduce anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases in coming decades. Topics include the dynamics of airflow in buildings in urban areas and the design of natural and mixed-mode ventilation systems, low-energy strategies and systems for dehumidification and sensible cooling, and thermal storage at diurnal and seasonal time scales. System design in leading commercial practice is presented and critiqued by invited practitioners and students. Through a group project, students assess climate- and building-specific systems on the basis of energy consumption, carbon emissions, and resilience to climate change.

Les Norford
Spring
2022
3-2-4
G
3-2-7
G
Schedule
MW 2-3:30
M 3:30-5
Location
5-234
Prerequisites
None
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.431

Architectural Acoustics

Describes interactions between people and sound, indoors and outdoors, and uses this information to develop acoustical design criteria for architecture and planning. Principles of sound generation, propagation, and reception. Properties of materials for sound absorption, reflection, and transmission. Design implications for performance and gathering spaces. Use of computer modeling techniques.

Spring
2024
3-0-6
G
Schedule
W 11-2
Location
5-231
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.431

Architectural Acoustics

Describes interactions between people and sound, indoors and outdoors, and uses this information to develop acoustical design criteria for architecture and planning. Principles of sound generation, propagation, and reception. Properties of materials for sound absorption, reflection, and transmission. Design implications for performance and gathering spaces. Use of computer modeling techniques.

Benjamin Markham
Spring
2022
3-0-6
G
Schedule
W 11-2
Location
36-372
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.432
4.433

Modeling Urban Energy Flows for Sustainable Cities and Neighborhoods

Spring
2022
3-2-7
U
3-2-4
G
Schedule
TR 9:30-11
R 11-12
Location
1-150
3-442
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Restricted Elective
BSA, A minor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.440 J
1.056 J
4.462

Introduction to Structural Design

UG: 4.440, 1.056; Grad: 4.462

Introduces the design and behavior of large-scale structures and structural materials. Emphasizes the development of structural form and the principles of structural design. Presents design methods for timber, masonry, concrete and steel applied to long-span roof systems, bridges, and high-rise buildings. Includes environmental assessment of structural systems and materials. In laboratory sessions, students solve structural problems by building and testing simple models. 

Graduate and undergraduate students have separate lab sections.

Spring
2024
4.440: 3-3-6
U
4.462: 3-2-4
G
Schedule
MW 9:30-11
4.440 Lab: F 10-12
4.462 Lab: W 5-7
Location
Lecture: 3-333
4.440 Lab: 5-233
4.462 Lab: 8-205
Prerequisites
4.440: 18.02, 4.462: permission of instructor
Required Of
BSA
Restricted Elective
Arch Minor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.440 J
1.056 J
4.462

Introduction to Structural Design

Note: 3/8/23 - 4.462 lab schedule changed to W 5-7 in room 8-205

UG: 4.440, 1.056; Grad: 4.462

Introduces the design and behavior of large-scale structures and structural materials. Emphasizes the development of structural form and the principles of structural design. Presents design methods for timber, masonry, concrete and steel applied to long-span roof systems, bridges, and high-rise buildings. Includes environmental assessment of structural systems and materials. In laboratory sessions, students solve structural problems by building and testing simple models. Graduate and undergraduate students have separate lab sections.

Spring
2023
4.440: 3-3-6
U
4.462: 3-2-4
G
Schedule
MW 9:30-11
4.440 Lab: F 10-12
4.462 Lab: W 5-7
Location
Lecture: 3-333
4.440 Lab: 5-233
4.462 Lab: 8-205
Prerequisites
4.440: 18.02, 4.462: permission of instructor
Required Of
BSA
Restricted Elective
Arch Minor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.440 J
1.056 J
4.462

Introduction to Structural Design

Introduces the design and behavior of large-scale structures and structural materials. Emphasizes the development of structural form and the principles of structural design. Presents design methods for timber, masonry, concrete and steel applied to long-span roof systems, bridges, and high-rise buildings. Includes environmental assessment of structural systems and materials. In laboratory sessions, students solve structural problems by building and testing simple models.

John Ochsendorf
Spring
2022
4.440: 3-3-6
U
4.462: 3-2-4
G
Schedule
MW 9:30-11
4.440 Lab: F 10-12
4.462 Lab: W 7-9
Location
3-333
4.440 Lab: 5-233
4.462 Lab: 5-134
Prerequisites
4.440: 18.02, 4.462: permission of instructor
Required Of
BSA; restricted elective for A Minor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.441
4.442

From the Solar House to Net Zero Buildings

UG: 4.441; Grad: 4.442

Provides necessary historic awareness and technical skills for becoming agents of change for a carbon neutral building sector by further merging the fields of architectural design and environmental performance analysis. Students are presented with a "typical" building and explore various interventions, from envelope improvements to reduced internal lighting and equipment loads, ventilation and HVAC upgrades as well as onsite deployment of photovoltaics. Discusses which energy flows to pay attention to for different building types and how to productively work with the local microclimate, knowledge which can later promote elevated discussions between architect and environmental consultant.

Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

Spring
2023
3-2-7
U
3-2-4
G
Schedule
TR 11-12:30
Location
1-150
Prerequisites
UG: 4.401 or permission of instructor; Grad: 4.464 or permission of instructor
Restricted Elective
BSA, Arch Minor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.450
1.575
4.451

Computational Structural Design and Optimization

Cancelled

4.451 U / 4.450, 1.575 G

Class canceled for Fall 2023.

Fall
2023
3-0-6
G
3-0-9
U
Prerequisites
1.000 or 6.0001 and 6.0002 and 1.050 or 2.001 or 4.440J or permission of instructor
Restricted Elective
BSA, BSAD, A minor, D minor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.450
1.575
4.451

Computational Structural Design and Optimization

4.451 U / 4.450, 1.575 G

Research seminar focusing on emerging applications of computation for creative, early-stage structural design and optimization for architecture. Incorporates computational design fundamentals, including problem parameterization and formulation; design space exploration strategies, including interactive, heuristic, and gradient-based optimization; and computational structural analysis methods, including the finite element method, graphic statics, and approximation techniques. Programing experience and familiarity with structural mechanics necessary.

Additional work required of students taking graduate version. 

Fall
2022
3-0-6
G
3-0-9
U
Schedule
W 2-5
Location
3-133
Prerequisites
1.000 or 6.0001 and 6.0002 and 1.050 or 2.001 or 4.440J or permission of instructor
Restricted Elective
BSA, BSAD, A minor, D minor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.450
1.575
4.451

Computational Structural Design and Optimization

4.451 U / 4.450, 1.575 G

Research seminar focusing on emerging applications of computation for creative, early-stage structural design and optimization for architecture. Incorporates computational design fundamentals, including problem parameterization and formulation; design space exploration strategies, including interactive, heuristic, and gradient-based optimization; and computational structural analysis methods, including the finite element method, graphic statics, and approximation techniques. Programing experience and familiarity with structural mechanics necessary.

Additional work required of students taking graduate version. 

Fall
2024
3-0-6
G
3-0-9
U
Schedule
W 2-5
Location
3-133
Prerequisites
1.000 or 6.0001 and 6.0002 and 1.050 or 2.001 or 4.440J or permission of instructor
Restricted Elective
BSA, BSAD, A minor, D minor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.453
4.s48

Creative Machine Learning for Design

Focuses on applications of machine learning (ML) for creative design generation and data-informed design exploration, with an emphasis on visual and 3-D generative systems. Explores how recent advances in artificial intelligence, and specifically machine learning, can offer humans more natural, performance-driven design processes. Covers a wide range of machine learning algorithms and their applications to design, with topics including neural networks, generative adversarial networks, variational autoencoders, dimensionality reduction, geometric deep learning, and other ML techniques. Includes an open-ended, applied research or design project demonstrating an original, creative use of machine learning for design, architecture, engineering, or art.

Renaud Danhaive
Spring
2022
3-0-6
G
3-2-7
G
Schedule
F 9-12
Location
4-265
Prerequisites
6.009 or permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.453

Creative Machine Learning for Design

This class is a pre-approved Computation elective for Spring 2023.

Focuses on applications of machine learning (ML) for creative design generation and data-informed design exploration, with an emphasis on visual and 3-D generative systems. Explores how recent advances in artificial intelligence, and specifically machine learning, can offer humans more natural, performance-driven design processes. Covers a wide range of machine learning algorithms and their applications to design, with topics including neural networks, generative adversarial networks, variational autoencoders, dimensionality reduction, geometric deep learning, and other ML techniques. Includes an open-ended, applied research or design project demonstrating an original, creative use of machine learning for design, architecture, engineering, or art.

Renaud Danhaive
TA: Natasha Hirt
Spring
2023
3-0-9
G
3-2-7
G
Schedule
W 2-5
Location
4-265
Prerequisites
6.009 or permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.463

Building Technology Systems: Structures and Envelopes

Addresses advanced structures, exterior envelopes, and contemporary production technologies. Continues the exploration of structural elements and systems, expanding to include more complex determinate, indeterminate, long-span, and high-rise systems. Topics include reinforced concrete, steel and engineered-wood design, and an introduction to tensile systems. The contemporary exterior envelope is discussed with an emphasis on the classification of systems, performance attributes, and analysis techniques, material specifications and novel construction technologies.

Fall
2024
3-2-4
G
Schedule
Lecture: MW 9:30-11
Lab/Recitation: F 10-12
Location
Lecture: 5-234
Lab/Recitation: 3-133
Prerequisites
4.462 or 4.440 or permission of instructor
Required Of
MArch
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.463

Building Technology Systems: Structures and Envelopes

Addresses advanced structures, exterior envelopes, and contemporary production technologies. Continues the exploration of structural elements and systems, expanding to include more complex determinate, indeterminate, long-span, and high-rise systems. Topics include reinforced concrete, steel and engineered-wood design, and an introduction to tensile systems. The contemporary exterior envelope is discussed with an emphasis on the classification of systems, performance attributes, and analysis techniques, material specifications and novel construction technologies.

Fall
2023
3-2-4
G
Schedule
Lecture: MW 9:30-11
Lab/Recitation: F 10-12
Location
Lecture: 5-234
Lab/Recitation: 3-133
Prerequisites
4.462 or 4.440 or permission of instructor
Required Of
MArch
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.463

Building Technology Systems: Structures and Envelopes

Note: Lecture room is now 5-234

Addresses advanced structures, exterior envelopes, and contemporary production technologies. Continues the exploration of structural elements and systems, expanding to include more complex determinate, indeterminate, long-span, and high-rise systems. Topics include reinforced concrete, steel and engineered-wood design, and an introduction to tensile systems. The contemporary exterior envelope is discussed with an emphasis on the classification of systems, performance attributes, and analysis techniques, material specifications and novel construction technologies.

Fall
2022
3-2-4
G
Schedule
Lecture: MW 9:30-11
Lab/Recitation: F 10-12
Location
Lecture: 5-234
Lab/Recitation: 3-133
Prerequisites
4.462 or 4.440 or permission of instructor
Required Of
MArch
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.481

Building Technology Seminar

Fundamental research methodologies and ongoing investigations in building tehnology to support the development of student research projects. Topics drawn from low energy building design and thermal comfort, building systems analysis and control, daylighting, structural design and analysis, novel building materials and construction techniques and resource dynamics. Organized as a series of two- and three-week sessions that consider topics through readings, discussions, design and analysis projects, and student presentations.

Fall
2023
2-0-1
G
Schedule
R 3-5
Location
5-415
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
SMArchS BT, SMBT, PhD BT
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.481

Building Technology Seminar

Fundamental research methodologies and ongoing investigations in building tehnology to support the development of student research projects. Topics drawn from low energy building design and thermal comfort, building systems analysis and control, daylighting, structural design and analysis, novel building materials and construction techniques and resource dynamics. Organized as a series of two- and three-week sessions that consider topics through readings, discussions, design and analysis projects, and student presentations.

Fall
2022
2-0-1
G
Schedule
R 3-5
Location
5-415
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
SMArchS BT, SMBT, PhD BT
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.481

Building Technology Seminar

Fundamental research methodologies and ongoing investigations in building tehnology to support the development of student research projects. Topics drawn from low energy building design and thermal comfort, building systems analysis and control, daylighting, structural design and analysis, novel building materials and construction techniques and resource dynamics. Organized as a series of two- and three-week sessions that consider topics through readings, discussions, design and analysis projects, and student presentations.

Fall
2024
2-0-1
G
Schedule
R 3-5
Location
5-415
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
SMArchS BT, SMBT, PhD BT
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.488

Preparation for BT Thesis

Selection of thesis topic, definition of method of approach, and preparation of thesis proposal. Independent study supplemented by individual conference with faculty.

Advisor
Fall
2024
TBA
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
SMBT
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.488

Preparation for BT Thesis

Selection of thesis topic, definition of method of approach, and preparation of thesis proposal. Independent study supplemented by individual conference with faculty.

Advisor
Spring
2022
TBA
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
SMBT
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.488

Preparation for BT Thesis

Selection of thesis topic, definition of method of approach, and preparation of thesis proposal. Independent study supplemented by individual conference with faculty.

Advisor
Fall
2023
TBA
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
SMBT
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.488

Preparation for BT Thesis

Selection of thesis topic, definition of method of approach, and preparation of thesis proposal. Independent study supplemented by individual conference with faculty.

Advisor
Spring
2024
TBA
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
SMBT
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.488

Preparation for BT Thesis

Selection of thesis topic, definition of method of approach, and preparation of thesis proposal. Independent study supplemented by individual conference with faculty.

Advisor
Fall
2022
TBA
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
SMBT
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes