Note: Computation students now register for 4.588 instead of 4.288

Students select thesis topic, define method of approach, and prepare thesis proposal for SMArchS degree. Faculty supervision on an individual or group basis. Intended for SMArchS program students prior to registration for 4.THG.

Introduces critical theories and contemporary practices in the field of urbanism that challenge its paradigms and advance its future. Includes theoretical linkages between ideas about the cultures of urbanization, social and political processes of development, environmental tradeoffs of city making, and the potential of design disciplines to intervene to change the future of built forms. Events and lecture series co-organized by faculty and doctoral students further engage and inform research.

“[I]t has seemed to me that two questions we should ask of any strong landscape are these: firstly, what do I know when I’m in this place that I can know nowhere else? And then, vainly, what does this place know of me that I cannot know of myself?” Robert Macfarlane’s twinned questions frame our exploration of the urban form. By walking the city, studying historical and contemporary approaches to life on the streets, and investigation our relationship to our environs through writing and other artistic responses, participants will explore how feet give form to the city.

Gives a critical orientation towards a career in architectural practice. Uses historical and current examples to illustrate the legal, ethical and management concepts underlying the practice of architecture. Emphasis on facilitating design excellence and strengthening connections between the profession and academia. 

Aims to create a discourse across the various SMArchS discipline groups that reflects current Institute-wide initiatives; introduce SMarchS students to the distinct perspective of the different SMarchS discipline groups; and provide a forum for debate and discussion in which the SMarchS cohort can explore, develop and share ideas. Engages with interdisciplinary thinking, research, and innovation that is characteristic of MIT's culture and can form a basis for their future work. 

8/30/24: Room change to 9-217

Through formal analysis and discussion of historical and theoretical texts, seminar produces a map of contemporary architectural practice. Examines six pairs of themes in terms of their recent history: city and global economy, urban plan and map of operations, program and performance, drawing and scripting, image and surface, and utopia and projection.

Preparatory research development leading to a well-conceived proposition for the MArch design thesis. Students formulate a cohesive thesis argument and critical project using supportive research and case studies through a variety of representational media, critical traditions, and architectural/artistic conventions. Group study in seminar and studio format, with periodic reviews supplemented by conference with faculty and a designated committee member for each individual thesis.

The term "megalith" simply refers to a 'big stone,' but behind this seemingly simple definition lies centuries of human ingenuity and cultural significance. In this course, we delve into the cultural act of bringing a stone to life, exploring the techniques and technologies used by ancient civilizations to transport and position these monumental structures.
Through a combination of theoretical learning and hands-on practical exercises, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of calculus-based curvature modeling and solver computation, necessary to drive the location of a megalith's center of mass. By mastering these concepts, participants will unlock the secrets of effortlessly moving massive objects and performing feats of spectacular prowess.
Students will embark on a journey of discovery, learning how to design, compute, and execute the precise movements required to transport megalithic stones. From principles of leverage and mechanical advantage to employing cutting-edge computational techniques, participants will explore a range of strategies for overcoming the logistical challenges inherent in moving objects of such monumental scale.

Moreover, this course goes beyond mere technical proficiency, encouraging students to consider the broader cultural and historical contexts surrounding megalithic engineering. Through engaging discussions and interactive activities, participants will explore the societal implications of megalithic construction, examining how these monumental structures have shaped human civilizations throughout history.

KIT FOR A BIT: Architectural Assemblage and Leisure is part of a series of studios interested in flexible architectures that are adaptable to programmatic changes. The studio will ask students to design future-ready architectural kits that incorporate material temporalities in both ecologically responsible and culturally rich ways.

Materially, KIT FOR A BIT: Architectural Assemblage and Leisure will be looking at flexible architectures, paying particular attention to the assemblage techniques, the tectonic approaches and construction systems that make a built environment that is adaptable, reconfigurable, reprogrammable… our precedents will range from readymade building systems, to long span warehouses, to open plan buildings, to flat pack systems and other parts-thinking architectures.

Programmatically, KIT FOR A BIT: Architectural Assemblage and Leisure will focus on public recreation and exercise, looking into the relationship between our bodies and all scales of the material and digital environments in which we leisure. We will be designing spaces for physical enjoyment, whether indoor or outdoor, collectively or alone, spaces where the bodily and the architectural come together through materials, objects and social protocols.

To this end, we will be visiting gyms, sporting clubs, recreation centers, public parks, courts and fitness studios. Spaces that are designed to withstand wear and tear, sweat, friction, impact, heavy equipment or exposure to the elements, often requiring the use of durable and robust materials, making it all the more important to design them through flexible material and programmatic strategies that allow for their use and future reuse.

Architecturally then, this studio will look closely at the material intelligence and equipment required to create polyvalent spaces. In KIT FOR A BIT, we will favor assemblage, layering, modularization, long spans and open plans to design architectural kits with a disposition towards flexible programming and material reconfiguration. Given the program, a distinct design challenge will be to imbue these utilitarian kits with social appeal, body readiness and engagement.

In addition, leisure environments often combine the physical and the digital, with immersive sound systems, remote workouts, digital trainers, point-of-view track shots, obstacle course simulations or interactive technologies. The studio will dedicate a small but distinct portion of the semester to incorporating these mediums to the projects. Students enrolled in this studio will have access to the media production equipment, from greenscreen systems to XR gear, available through the faculty’s Lab.

The studio is not interested in team evangelism, in body exclusionary fitness paradigms, in gargantuan stadiums for global attraction, nor is it interested in elite performance oriented training but rather in the design of spaces and protocols for physical activity, public play, collective well-being, inclusive embodiment and just feeling good.

KIT FOR A BIT: Architectural Assemblage and Leisure will be traveling to Governors Island in New York City, per invitation from the Institute for Public Architecture (IPA) where we will be staying for 4 nights / 5 days. The IPAs Headquarters and residences are located on the Block House which is a historically landmarked building in the exceptional context of Governor’s Island. Also a historically landmarked island which is within 5 min. Ferry distance from NYC yet undeveloped. The island is a national park whose only tenants are a spa, a dance club and luxury camping ground and the only full time tenants are the guests and residents of IPA. Students will have the unique opportunity to be, in addition to the luxury campers, the only overnight residents of this protected island. Governor’s Island will also serve as the site for the studio projects this semester.

We will be meeting Tues + Thurs from 1-5pm and a few scheduled Fridays. The course welcomes SMarchs students.. Mandatory lottery process.