Architectural Design courses

DSGN 1010 Research + Analysis
Research + Analysis
onstruct the theoretical concepts, research, and methodology for their upcoming design thesis project in the spring semester. Emphasis is on each student's individual preparation for their final project, as guided through regular consultations with a thesis director, and through an acquaintance with other students' progress. During the fall, students undertake the documentation, development and analysis of precedents, site, program, and technologies specific to their thesis and research topics as well as a set of strategies and methodologies that will direct their design projects. As a part of the preparation for their final thesis projects, students will also take an advanced level seminar in history/theory, technology, urban design or digital media concurrent with thesis research. The topics of these advanced classes will support the focus areas of thesis, research and integrated studios offered in each year. For the completion of 510, each student produces a substantial document consisting of a thesis precis, thorough documentation of the student's individual research, the comprehensive development of an architectural program and site analysis, a proposed methodological framework consistent with the thesis research to guide the design process, and an annotated bibliography.
Co-requisites: (Advanced architectural elective in the student's area of research).
credit hours: 3
Research + Analysis

DSGN 1020 Design Studio
Design Studio
In the spring semester of fifth year, following the fall semester of research and analysis, is the design, detail development, and full presentation and documentation of the final thesis project. In all of the curricular streams for the final project, independence and responsibility are encouraged and supported by the thesis instructor, a faculty member available in regular studio sessions. Public presentation and a juried review of the thesis projects at the end of the second semester allows for the assessment of student accomplishments, both individually and collectively.
Co-requisites: (Advanced architectural elective in the student's area of research).
credit hours: 3
Design Studio

DSGN 1100 Architecture Design Studio
Architecture Design Studio
As an introduction to the basic fundamental methods and principles of architectural design, students are given an immediate experience of the design process, developing their capacity to conceive, manipulate and analyze architectural form and space. An emphasis on verbal skills, and graphic and material techniques for architectural representation, enable students to express and communicate their ideas. The studio develops the students' capacity for critical thinking through constructive evaluation.
credit hours: 4
Architecture Design Studio

DSGN 1200 Architecture Design Studio
Architecture Design Studio
As an introduction to the basic fundamental methods and principles of architectural design, students are given an immediate experience of the design process, developing their capacity to conceive, manipulate and analyze architectural form and space. An emphasis on verbal skills, and graphic and material techniques for architectural representation, enable students to express and communicate their ideas. The studio develops the students' capacity for critical thinking through constructive evaluation.
credit hours: 4
Architecture Design Studio

DSGN 2100 Architecture Design Studio
Architecture Design Studio
Second year studio concentrates on developed architectural form and design methodologies through processes of analysis, synthesis and transformation. Students work on the conceptual frameworks for their designs, with emphasis on issues of environmental context, urban design, and cultural and technological systems and their impact on architectural form. Different approaches to the making of form are investigated, along with principles of organization, such as spatial hierarchy, circulation, structure, and site relationships. Second semester will emphasize the relationship of design to cultural precedents, site conditions, programs, and material tectonics through the study of housing. Second year studios will be fully integrated with digital media classes to ensure that students gain fluency in computer aided design processes, drawing, spatial modeling and digital design techniques.
credit hours: 6
Architecture Design Studio

DSGN 2200 Architecture Design Studio
Architecture Design Studio
Second year studio concentrates on developed architectural form and design methodologies through processes of analysis, synthesis and transformation. Students work on the conceptual frameworks for their designs, with emphasis on issues of environmental context, urban design, and cultural and technological systems and their impact on architectural form. Different approaches to the making of form are investigated, along with principles of organization, such as spatial hierarchy, circulation, structure, and site relationships. Second semester will emphasize the relationship of design to cultural precedents, site conditions, programs, and material tectonics through the study of housing. Second year studios will be fully integrated with digital media classes to ensure that students gain fluency in computer aided design processes, drawing, spatial modeling and digital design techniques.
credit hours: 6
Architecture Design Studio

DSGN 3100 Architecture Design Studio
Architecture Design Studio
The first semester of third year will introduce students to urbanism and the city, focusing on the larger environmental context for architectural design. The second semester of third year is the culmination of the required studio sequence and is fully integrated with coursework in history/theory, technology, visual/digital media and professional concerns. Architecture 320 provides an opportunity for the student to synthesize the skills and ideas developed through two and a half years of work and apply these to the comprehensive development of a design project. Students will engage in a complex architectural project situated within an urban environment. The studio will include analysis and design at the scale of the neighborhood or the city, as well as thorough and detailed design of a large building with a complex program. Emphasis is placed on a comprehensive process including the thorough analysis of site issues and architectural precedents, detailed design development of the project, and the coordination and integration of structural, environmental and material systems in the design-work. Students will also develop skills in programming, building information modeling and management, digital fabrication methods and the production of complex digital models and working drawings through fully integrated coursework which will act as a support for the design process.
credit hours: 6
Architecture Design Studio

DSGN 3200 Architecture Design Studio
Architecture Design Studio
The first semester of third year will introduce students to urbanism and the city, focusing on the larger environmental context for architectural design. The second semester of third year is the culmination of the required studio sequence and is fully integrated with coursework in history/theory, technology, visual/digital media and professional concerns. Architecture 320 provides an opportunity for the student to synthesize the skills and ideas developed through two and a half years of work and apply these to the comprehensive development of a design project. Students will engage in a complex architectural project situated within an urban environment. The studio will include analysis and design at the scale of the neighborhood or the city, as well as thorough and detailed design of a large building with a complex program. Emphasis is placed on a comprehensive process including the thorough analysis of site issues and architectural precedents, detailed design development of the project, and the coordination and integration of structural, environmental and material systems in the design-work. Students will also develop skills in programming, building information modeling and management, digital fabrication methods and the production of complex digital models and working drawings through fully integrated coursework which will act as a support for the design process.
credit hours: 9
Architecture Design Studio

DSGN 4100 Advanced Elective Design Studios
Advanced Elective Design Studios
Once having completed the core comprehensive design curriculum in the first three years, in the fourth year students are encouraged to engage the city, both locally and globally, by taking one design studio at the Tulane City Center, and a second studio either as part of a semester abroad travel program or as an advanced elective studio. TCC studios, such as URBANbuild, will range in focus from urban design and landscape issues to housing and design-build. These studios, which provide a larger context for architecture, will introduce students to real projects that engage the fabric of the city while emphasizing the importance of professional service and social responsibility. In travel abroad programs (refer to section on International Study) students will have the opportunity to study architecture within foreign environmental contexts, to explore cities and individual buildings as complex cultural artifacts. Advanced elective studios, taught by both fulltime and visiting faculty, offer a range of topics and projects which explore a variety of architectural issues and areas of research. Students choose elective studios that suit their interests, needs and goals, in order to focus their studies while gaining experience within a broader cultural and disciplinary field. This concentration develops areas of expertise beneficial to future professional growth.
credit hours: 6
Advanced Elective Design Studios

DSGN 4200 Advanced Elective Design Studios
Advanced Elective Design Studios
Once having completed the core comprehensive design curriculum in the first three years, in the fourth year students are encouraged to engage the city, both locally and globally, by taking one design studio at the Tulane City Center, and a second studio either as part of a semester abroad travel program or as an advanced elective studio. TCC studios, such as URBANbuild, will range in focus from urban design and landscape issues to housing and design-build. These studios, which provide a larger context for architecture, will introduce students to real projects that engage the fabric of the city while emphasizing the importance of professional service and social responsibility. In travel abroad programs (refer to section on International Study) students will have the opportunity to study architecture within foreign environmental contexts, to explore cities and individual buildings as complex cultural artifacts. Advanced elective studios, taught by both fulltime and visiting faculty, offer a range of topics and projects which explore a variety of architectural issues and areas of research. Students choose elective studios that suit their interests, needs and goals, in order to focus their studies while gaining experience within a broader cultural and disciplinary field. This concentration develops areas of expertise beneficial to future professional growth.
credit hours: 6
Advanced Elective Design Studios

DSGN 5100 Master of Architecture Thesis
Master of Architecture Thesis
The final degree project is the culmination of the architectural design curriculum and the capstone project for architecture students. Students undertake one of three streams for their final research and design project: Thesis Studio, Research Studio or an Advanced Integrated Studio. Students who elect to do an independent Thesis Studio must fulfill specific academic requirements (see section on policy), have prepared a thesis proposal by the beginning of the fall semester, and have approval for this proposal by the thesis directors. Independent Research Theses may also be undertaken by those students who have a demonstrated record of academic excellence (with a cumulative and design grade point average of 3.6-4.0), and have prepared a research proposal approved in advance both by a faculty sponsor and the thesis directors. Each of the curricular streams for the Master of Architecture Thesis will consist of DSGN 510: Thesis Research + Analysis and DSGN 520: Thesis Design Studio.
credit hours: 6
Master of Architecture Thesis

DSGN 5200 Master of Architecture Thesis
Master of Architecture Thesis
The final degree project is the culmination of the architectural design curriculum and the capstone project for architecture students. Students undertake one of three streams for their final research and design project: Thesis Studio, Research Studio or an Advanced Integrated Studio. Students who elect to do an independent Thesis Studio must fulfill specific academic requirements (see section on policy), have prepared a thesis proposal by the beginning of the fall semester, and have approval for this proposal by the thesis directors. Independent Research Theses may also be undertaken by those students who have a demonstrated record of academic excellence (with a cumulative and design grade point average of 3.6-4.0), and have prepared a research proposal approved in advance both by a faculty sponsor and the thesis directors. Each of the curricular streams for the Master of Architecture Thesis will consist of DSGN 510: Thesis Research + Analysis and DSGN 520: Thesis Design Studio.
credit hours: 6
Master of Architecture Thesis