MSc/MRes Spatial Design: Architecture & Cities Programme Directors: Dr Kayvan Karimi, Dr Sophia Psarra
Teaching Staff Kinda Al-Sayed, Dr Sam Griffiths, Dr Kayvan Karimi, Professor Alan Penn, Dr Sophia Psarra, Dr Kerstin Sailer, Professor Laura Vaughan
The Bartlett School of Architecture 2016 Nazila Maghzian, ‘Rising Rocinha: de-marginalizing the informal through socio-economic solidarities’. 2015-16 E-merging Design Research (EDR) Module 308
The MSc/MRes Spatial Design: Architecture & Cities (MSc SDAC) centres on furthering students’ understanding of architecture and urban design as instruments in the development of contemporary society. The programme offers them a self-directed route of study, concentrating on research skills, enabling them either to take their existing architecture and urban design experience to a higher level, or set them up for a PhD. Using the theoretical and analytical framework of space syntax, the programme involves the study of architecture from individual buildings to small-scale urban design through to planning entire cities. Students develop in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of the built environment and its functions considered as spatial, physical and human systems, and acquire a high level of skill in research and analysis of the built environment and its functions, in support of better, more humane design. Both programmes provide them with a stimulating course focused on the research and analysis of buildings and cities as patterns of space inhabited by individuals, communities and organisations. Instead of confining architecture to the role of designing iconic buildings – and the city to economic development and policy – the course takes a combined theoretical and analytical approach to architecture, urban design and planning, in the service of constructing a better-built environment for society and an improved public realm.