Doctoral Program in Architecture Research

The Doctoral Program in Architecture at Michigan enables students of exceptional ability to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to conduct substantive, innovative and original research that contributes to the theoretical and methodological foundation of architecture and to disseminate this knowledge through teaching, publication and practice.

The Doctoral Program encompasses three areas of specialization that reflect the scholarly interests and expertise of its faculty. These include Building Technology (BT), Design Studies (DS) and History/Theory (HT). The program currently offers two degrees: the M.Sc. and the Ph.D. Overall, the doctoral education process is exciting and demanding, undertaken within an intellectual community that is both supportive and challenging for students.

Building Technology

The aims of the Building Technology specialization are (1) to conduct pioneering research and education in newly developing areas of knowledge through the process of selective collaborations with the profession and industry and (2) to develop fundamental ideas, processes and areas of exploration that push the frontiers of building technologies. Sub-areas of research within this specialization include materials and construction, structural systems, lighting and daylighting, acoustics, heating and air-conditioning, energy conservation, sustainable design, and intelligent buildings. Typically, research in these areas requires physical testing of building components, computer simulation of systems performance, and statistical evaluation.

Design Studies

As designed products become more pervasive in our society, it is imperative that we consider the ways in which the design and formal properties of our buildings and urban spaces shape experience, patterns of usage, and cultural expression. The Design Studies specialization focuses on research and knowledge of the design process, decision-making and the cultural and behavioral context of these activities. The intent is to develop theories and tools to assist designers, planners and decision-makers in creating more exciting, effective and responsive places. New kinds of knowledge representations, particularly information models, are often vital to this research.

History/Theory

The specialization in History/Theory emphasizes the study of buildings and cities in terms of the various social formations, intellectual and practical traditions, and theoretical lenses through which architecture and urbanism have developed as distinctive fields of endeavor. The faculty, along with a growing number of affiliated members in cognate disciplines across campus, work in a variety of settings: from Medieval and Early Modern Europe and Western Asia to nineteenth and twentieth century venues in North America, Europe, the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia.