Architecture: Advanced Architectural Design

This three-semester Master of Science in Design with a concentration in Advanced Architectural Design [MSD-AAD] is for architecture students with five-year professional bachelor degrees from the US and around the world. This course of study does not lead to a professional degree in architecture. The MSD-AAD program builds on its success as a program focused on innovation in architecture design.

The purpose of the MSD Advanced Architectural Design program is four-fold. First, to prepare students for high level design research in the profession or academy in contemporary issues that affect the architecture discipline. Second, to develop skills in emerging design and cross-disciplinary tools. Third, to critically engage the theoretical dimensions of the contemporary architectural discourse around these tools; and fourth, to integrate advanced digital modeling techniques into a design methodology that has direct bearing on the development of material, production, fabrication and construction processes and their aesthetics.

The advanced architectural design-based program starts with a mandatory ten-day workshop in design technique. A coordinated semester of advanced architectural design and courses follow after which the students join the Master of Architecture program for one year. During this year students pursue an individually directed course of study by choosing from a wide range of options in advanced architectural design studios, and elective courses offered within the Master of Architecture program.

Offline Recommendation

Penn strongly prefers that recommenders submit letters of recommendation online through the admissions system. If, however, your recommender is unable to submit an online recommendation, please follow these instructions:

1) Select the “Recommendation Form PDF Download” and download the form.
2) Complete the first section. Be sure to include the address of the appropriate admissions office — refer to the "Contact Graduate Admissions" list below. 
3) Print out the form and provide it to your recommender.

Please note:

• If you are applying to a program in Nursing, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.
• If you are applying to a program in the School of Social Policy & Practice, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.

4) Your recommender should send the form directly to the admissions office you designate, along with the letter of recommendation.