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. 

Filter by
Groups
Year
Semester
Thesis
Sort by
4.246
11.246

DesignX Accelerator

Students continue to work in their venture teams to advance innovative ideas, products, and services oriented to design, planning, and the human environment. Presented in a workshop format with supplementary lectures. Teams are matched with external mentors for additional support in business and product development. At the end of the term, teams pitch their ventures to an audience from across the school and MIT, investors, industry, and cities. Registration limited to students accepted to the MITdesignX accelerator in the fall.

Spring
2025
2-4-6
G
Schedule
F 9-1
Location
9-451
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Enrollment
Limited to 30
Preference Given To
Students in DesignX program
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.248
11.329

Advanced Urban Design Skills: Observing, Interpreting, and Planning the City

Through a studio-based course in planning and urban design, builds on the foundation acquired in 11.328 to engage in creative exploration of how design contributes to resilient, just, and vibrant urban places. Through the planning and design of two projects, students creatively explore spatial ideas and utilize various digital techniques to communicate their design concepts, giving form to strategic thinking. Develops approaches and techniques to evaluate the plural structure of the built environment and offer propositions that address policies and regulations as well as the values, behaviors, and wishes of the different users.

Eran Ben-Joseph
Marie Law Adams
Mary Anne Ocampo
Fall
2022
5-3-4
G
Schedule
Lecture: F 9-1
Lab/Recitation: W 5-7:30
Location
Lecture: 10-485
Lab/Recitation: 9-554
Prerequisites
4.240/11.328
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.248
11.329

Advanced Urban Design Skills: Observing, Interpreting, and Planning the City

Through a studio-based course in planning and urban design, builds on the foundation acquired in 11.328 to engage in creative exploration of how design contributes to resilient, just, and vibrant urban places. Through the planning and design of two projects, students creatively explore spatial ideas and utilize various digital techniques to communicate their design concepts, giving form to strategic thinking. Develops approaches and techniques to evaluate the plural structure of the built environment and offer propositions that address policies and regulations as well as the values, behaviors, and wishes of the different users.

Eran Ben-Joseph
Trish Cafferky
Mary Anne Ocampo
Fall
2023
5-3-4
G
Schedule
Lecture: F 9-1
Lab/Recitation: W 5-7:30
Location
10-485
Prerequisites
4.240/11.328
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.248
11.329

Advanced Urban Design Skills: Observing, Interpreting, and Planning the City

Through a studio-based course in planning and urban design, builds on the foundation acquired in 11.328 to engage in creative exploration of how design contributes to resilient, just, and vibrant urban places. Through the planning and design of two projects, students creatively explore spatial ideas and utilize various digital techniques to communicate their design concepts, giving form to strategic thinking. Develops approaches and techniques to evaluate the plural structure of the built environment and offer propositions that address policies and regulations as well as the values, behaviors, and wishes of the different users.

Eran Ben-Joseph
Mary Anne Ocampo
Fall
2025
5-3-4
G
Schedule
Lecture: W 5-7:30
Lab/Recitation: F 9-1
Location
10-485
Prerequisites
4.240/11.328
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.248
11.329

Advanced Urban Design Skills: Observing, Interpreting, and Planning the City

Through a studio-based course in planning and urban design, builds on the foundation acquired in 11.328 to engage in creative exploration of how design contributes to resilient, just, and vibrant urban places. Through the planning and design of two projects, students creatively explore spatial ideas and utilize various digital techniques to communicate their design concepts, giving form to strategic thinking. Develops approaches and techniques to evaluate the plural structure of the built environment and offer propositions that address policies and regulations as well as the values, behaviors, and wishes of the different users.

Eran Ben-Joseph
Mary Anne Ocampo
Fall
2024
5-3-4
G
Schedule
Lecture: W 5-7:30
Lab/Recitation: F 9-1
Location
10-485
Prerequisites
4.240/11.328
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.250
11.001

Introduction to Urban Design and Development

Examines the evolving structure of cities and the way that cities, suburbs, and metropolitan areas can be designed and developed. Surveys the ideas of a wide range of people who have addressed urban problems. Stresses the connection between values and design. Demonstrates how physical, social, political and economic forces interact to shape and reshape cities over time.

Andres Sevtsuk
Spring
2022
3-0-9
U
Schedule
MW 11-12:30
Location
4-370
HASS
E/H
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.250
11.001

Introduction to Urban Design and Development

Examines the evolving structure of cities and the way that cities, suburbs, and metropolitan areas can be designed and developed. Surveys the ideas of a wide range of people who have addressed urban problems. Stresses the connection between values and design. Demonstrates how physical, social, political and economic forces interact to shape and reshape cities over time. Introduces links between urban design and urban science.

Andres Svetsuk
Spring
2025
3-0-9
U
Schedule
MW 11-12:30
Location
4-370
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.250
11.001

Introduction to Urban Design and Development

Examines the evolving structure of cities and the way that cities, suburbs, and metropolitan areas can be designed and developed. Surveys the ideas of a wide range of people who have addressed urban problems. Stresses the connection between values and design. Demonstrates how physical, social, political and economic forces interact to shape and reshape cities over time.

Larry Vale
Fall
2025
3-0-9
U
Schedule
MW 11-12:30
Location
2-105
HASS
E/H
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.250
11.001

Introduction to Urban Design and Development

Examines the evolving structure of cities and the way that cities, suburbs, and metropolitan areas can be designed and developed. Surveys the ideas of a wide range of people who have addressed urban problems. Stresses the connection between values and design. Demonstrates how physical, social, political and economic forces interact to shape and reshape cities over time.

Larry Vale
Fall
2024
3-0-9
U
Schedule
MW 11-12:30
Location
2-105
HASS
E/H
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.250
11.001

Introduction to Urban Design and Development

Examines the evolving structure of cities and the way that cities, suburbs, and metropolitan areas can be designed and developed. Surveys the ideas of a wide range of people who have addressed urban problems. Stresses the connection between values and design. Demonstrates how physical, social, political and economic forces interact to shape and reshape cities over time.

Larry Vale
Fall
2022
3-0-9
U
Schedule
MW 11-12:30
Location
2-105
HASS
E/H
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.250
11.001

Introduction to Urban Design and Development

Examines the evolving structure of cities and the way that cities, suburbs, and metropolitan areas can be designed and developed. Surveys the ideas of a wide range of people who have addressed urban problems. Stresses the connection between values and design. Demonstrates how physical, social, political and economic forces interact to shape and reshape cities over time. Introduces links between urban design and urban science.

Andres Sevtsuk
Spring
2023
3-0-9
U
Schedule
MW 11-12:30
Location
4-370
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.250
11.001

Introduction to Urban Design and Development

Examines the evolving structure of cities and the way that cities, suburbs, and metropolitan areas can be designed and developed. Surveys the ideas of a wide range of people who have addressed urban problems. Stresses the connection between values and design. Demonstrates how physical, social, political and economic forces interact to shape and reshape cities over time. Introduces links between urban design and urban science.

Andres Svetsuk
Spring
2024
3-0-9
U
Schedule
MW 11-12:30
Location
4-370
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.252
11.301

Introduction to Urban Design and Development

Cancelled

Canceled for fall — to be offered in the Spring 2023 term.

Fall
2022
3-0-9
G
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.253
11.302

Urban Design Politics

Examines ways that urban design contributes to distribution of political power and resources in cities. Investigates the nature of relations between built form and political purposes through close study of public and private sector design commissions and planning processes that have been clearly motivated by political pressures, as well as more tacit examples. Lectures and discussions focus on cases from both developed and developing countries.

Lawrence Vale
Spring
2023
3-0-9
G
Schedule
M 3-6
Location
5-231
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.253
11.302

Urban Design Politics

Examines ways that urban design contributes to distribution of political power and resources in cities. Investigates the nature of relations between built form and political purposes through close study of public and private sector design commissions and planning processes that have been clearly motivated by political pressures, as well as more tacit examples. Lectures and discussions focus on cases from both developed and developing countries.

Lawrence Vale
Spring
2024
3-0-9
G
Schedule
M 3-6
Location
10-401
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.253
11.302

Urban Design Politics

Examines ways urban design contributes to distribution of political power and resources in cities. Investigates the nature of relations between built form and political purposes through close study of a wide variety of situations where public sector design commissions and planning processes have been clearly motivated by political pressures. Lectures and discussions focus on specific case studies of 20th-century government-sponsored designs carried out under diverse regimes in the US, Europe, and elsewhere.

Lawrence Vale
Spring
2022
3-0-9
G
Schedule
M 3-6
Location
10-401
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.253
11.302

Urban Design Politics

Examines ways that urban design contributes to distribution of political power and resources in cities. Investigates the nature of relations between built form and political purposes through close study of public and private sector design commissions and planning processes that have been clearly motivated by political pressures, as well as more tacit examples. Lectures and discussions focus on cases from both developed and developing countries.

Lawrence Vale
Spring
2025
3-0-9
G
Schedule
M 3-6
Location
10-401
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.254
11.303

Real Estate Development Studio

Focuses on the synthesis of urban, mixed-use real estate projects, including the integration of physical design and programming with finance and marketing. Interdisciplinary student teams analyze how to maximize value across multiple dimensions in the process of preparing professional development proposals for sites in US cities and internationally. Reviews emerging real estate products and innovative developments to provide a foundation for studio work. Two major projects are interspersed with lectures and field trips. Integrates skills and knowledge in the MSRED program; also open to other students interested in real estate development by permission of the instructors.

Kairos Shen
Spring
2025
6-0-12
G
Schedule
Lecture: MW 2:30-5:30
Lab: M 6-7:30
Location
10-485
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Restricted Elective
PhD Adv Urb
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.254
11.303

Real Estate Development Studio

Focuses on the synthesis of urban, mixed-use real estate projects, including the integration of physical design and programming with finance and marketing. Interdisciplinary student teams analyze how to maximize value across multiple dimensions in the process of preparing professional development proposals for sites in US cities and internationally. Reviews emerging real estate products and innovative developments to provide a foundation for studio work. Two major projects are interspersed with lectures and field trips. Integrates skills and knowledge in the MSRED program; also open to other students interested in real estate development by permission of the instructors.

Kairos Shen
Spring
2023
6-0-12
G
Schedule
Lecture: MW 2:30-5:30
Lab: M 6-7:30
Location
10-485
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Restricted Elective
PhD Adv Urb
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.254
11.303

Real Estate Development Studio

Focuses on the synthesis of urban, mixed-use real estate projects, including the integration of physical design and programming with finance and marketing. Interdisciplinary student teams analyze how to maximize value across multiple dimensions in the process of preparing professional development proposals for sites in US cities and internationally. Reviews emerging real estate products and innovative developments to provide a foundation for studio work. Two major projects are interspersed with lectures and field trips. Integrates skills and knowledge in the MSRED program; also open to other students interested in real estate development by permission of the instructors.

Kairos Shen
Spring
2024
6-0-12
G
Schedule
Lecture: MW 2:30-5:30
Lab: M 6-7:30
Location
10-485
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Restricted Elective
PhD Adv Urb
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.254
11.303

Real Estate Development Studio

Focuses on the synthesis of urban, mixed-use real estate projects, including the integration of physical design and programming with finance and marketing. Interdisciplinary student teams analyze how to maximize value across multiple dimensions in the process of preparing professional development proposals for sites in US cities and internationally. Reviews emerging real estate products and innovative developments to provide a foundation for studio work. Two major projects are interspersed with lectures and field trips. Integrates skills and knowledge in the MSRED program; also open to other students interested in real estate development by permission of the instructors.

Kairos Shen
Spring
2022
6-0-12
G
Schedule
MW 2:30-5:30
M 6-7:30
Location
10-485
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Restricted Elective
PhD Adv Urb
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.255
11.304

Site and Environmental Systems Planning

Introduces a range of practical approaches involved in evaluating and planning sites within the context of natural and cultural systems. Develops the knowledge and skills to analyze and plan a site for development through exercises and an urban design project. Topics include land inventory, urban form, spatial organization of uses, parcelization, design of roadways, grading, utility systems, off-site impacts, and landscape strategies.

Eran Ben-Joseph
Mary Anne Ocampo
Spring
2023
6-0-9
G
Schedule
Lecture: MW 2:30-3
Lab: MW 3-5
Location
Lecture: 9-450
Lab: 5-231
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.255
11.304

Site and Environmental Systems Planning

Introduces a range of practical approaches involved in evaluating and planning sites within the context of natural and cultural systems. Develops the knowledge and skills to analyze and plan a site for development through exercises and an urban design project. Topics include land inventory, urban form, spatial organization of uses, parcelization, design of roadways, grading, utility systems, off-site impacts, and landscape strategies.

Eran Ben-Joseph
Mary Anne Ocampo
Spring
2024
6-0-9
G
Schedule
MW 2:30-5:30
Location
7-434
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.255
11.304

Site and Environmental Systems Planning

Introduces a range of practical approaches involved in evaluating and planning sites within the context of natural and cultural systems. Develops the knowledge and skills to analyze and plan a site for development through exercises and an urban design project. Topics include land inventory, urban form, spatial organization of uses, parcelization, design of roadways, grading, utility systems, off-site impacts, and landscape strategies.

Mary Anne Ocampo
Spring
2022
6-0-9
G
Schedule
W 5:30-7:30
F 9-1
Location
10-485
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.255
11.304

Trash to Treasure: Landscape, Planning, Design and Development at Bordo Poniente Mexico (Part 2 of 2)

This is the second in a 2-class project; register for 15 units. You must also register for 6 units of 11.s938 for the IAP 2025 term (21 units total).

INFO SESSION: Friday Nov 15 @ 1:10PM Stella Room 7-338 (also on zoom: https://mit.zoom.us/j/96150219429)

Format: Studio ; Required IAP Travel - Intensive workshop in Mexico City in January (01/20- 01/30) (Expenses covered)* 

The studio is an international collaboration with UNAM School of Architecture, Sustainable Environments Lab  (LES) and Generadora FENIX, S.A.P. an energy company that manage and run Bordo Poniente. It is part of a long-term partnership between DUSP, the Leventhal Center for Advanced Urbanism (LCAU) MIT and the Mexico City Government with the purpose of addressing the city's environmental, and planning goals through research, innovation, design and civic discourse.  

Building on the Spring 2024 Mexico City practicum studio, this year's effort will explore landscape planning, alternative energy, and potential industrial development at Bordo Poniente—Latin America's largest urban landfill.  Identified through collaborations with partners in Mexico, the project will test new design ideas, landscape strategies, and energy transition approaches for Bordo Poniente, situated in Mexico City's outskirts. This 1,000-acre capped waste site, closed in 2011, offers redevelopment and ecological restoration opportunities despite its environmental challenges. Methane gas and leachate wastewater production continue, presenting economic development potential. The project's objective is to apply innovative planning, ecological restoration, and integrate production through an "industrial remix." The strategy combines industrial urbanism, landscape restoration, and energy transition, leveraging the site's energy potential, natural environment, and proximity to disadvantaged communities. This work aims to provide insights and expertise applicable to other disturbed sites in Mexico and globally. 

Some specific goals include:

  • To explore landfill zones focusing on site planning, infrastructure, ecological systems, design and policy recommendations.
  • Examine Mexico City’s environmental and industrial history, highlighting the spatial impacts of hydrology, ecology, and industrial development.
  • To contribute to a strategic plan proposing sustainable design for the integration of energy production and urban development of Bordo Poniente.
  • To provide new insights and design techniques in areas such as site planning, clean energy integration and industrial urbanism that can be utilized for the future development of the city.

Application Process

Please submit by November 19th by 5pm in PDF format and as one file : a one-page letter of interest, a one-page CV, as well as up to three 8.5" x 11" pages of visual material/portfolio (class or professional work).

* Note that per sponsored travel policies if an enrolled student decides to drop the course after the paid trip, they will be
responsible to reimburse the department for all covered expenses.
† The studio will count both as an M.Arch option studio and fulfill the studio requirement for SMArchS Urbanism

Eran Ben-Joseph
Mary Anne Ocampo
Spring
2025
15 units Spring (+6 units of 11.s938 over IAP)
G
Schedule
MW 2:30-5:30
Location
9-451
Prerequisites
Urban Design Skills (advanced preferred) and/or design background. Knowledge of Spanish is highly desirable.
Enrollment
Limited to 12-15 graduate students in DUSP or Architecture †
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No