Where is North? This question is crucial to humankind’s ability to orient ourselves in time and place. It is not only important for navigation, but also fundamental to aligning our places of being. This course seeks to engage in one possible origin of architectural thought: Polar Alignment. There are a range of methods that align with north in the northern hemisphere. Some are terrestrial and magnetic while others are celestial and observant. Each method brings with it a set of biases, error tolerance, and cultural meaning. To address the various anomalies of each method, scale becomes essential to build accuracy, confirm observations, and build cultural significance. Orienting ourselves involves geometry (earth measure) as much as it does geography (earth drawing). 

Students will build upon methods developed in the Crop Circle Kit to impart cardinal direction. This will involve historic analysis, geometric experimentation, and computational development. The workshop will culminate in a colossal field drawing that inscribes the earth with knowledge about orientation. 

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

Though industrial robotic arms are common tools for automotive and engineering practices, they are an emerging subfield in architecture and design. Academic research labs and explorative design practices have demonstrated the power of robotic fabrication for mass-customized design and construction. Still, there is a high barrier to entry to the computational methods used to control these machines.

Understanding the fundamentals of robotic programming is key to unlocking the potential applications of robotics in architecture and design. This workshop introduces the MIT Department of Architecture's robotic arm through parametric design tools and digital fabrication. We will explore architectural robotics through a series of short projects that will introduce users to the basic operations of robotic arms.

Research and project activities, which cover the range represented by the various research interests and projects in the department. Students who wish a letter grade option for their work must register for 4.URG.

Research and project activities, which cover the range represented by the various research interests and projects in the Department.

Program of thesis research leading to the writing of an SB thesis. Intended for seniors. Twelve units recommended.

Program of research and writing of thesis; to be arranged by the student with supervising committee. 

Required for doctoral students in HTC as a prerequisite for work on the doctoral dissertation. Prior to candidacy, doctoral students are required to write and orally defend a proposal laying out the scope of their thesis, its significance, a survey of existing research and literature, the methods of research to be adopted, a bibliography and plan of work. Work is done in consultation with HTC Faculty, in accordance with the HTC PhD Degree Program guidelines.

Preliminary study in preparation for the thesis for the SMArchS degree in History, Theory and Criticism. Topics include literature search, precedents examination, thesis structure and typologies, and short writing exercise.

Preliminary study in preparation for the thesis for the SMArchS degree in the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture. Topics include literature search, precedents examination, thesis structure and typologies, and short writing exercise.

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