Good Grad Schools?

I am planning to go to grad school to get Master of Science in Architecture with an emphasis in computational design methods. I have a Bachelor of Architecture. I am wanting to go Europe where it seems algorithmic design is more welcome. I am considering the AA in London, Bartlet in London, and Stuttgart. Are there other English speaking schools in Europe at a very high level in computational design methods? Which schools are best?

Thanks for any suggestions or advise.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David Rutten on February 4, 2013 at 4:41am

It seems Innsbruck is quite good as well.

David Rutten

david@mcneel.com

Poprad, Slovakia

Permalink Reply by Stan Carroll on February 4, 2013 at 6:44am

I didn't know Innsbruck had a computational focus.

Thanks

Permalink Reply by Allison Weiler on February 5, 2013 at 4:57am

Stan,

Innsbruck has a specific structure that allows for a fairly large range of focuses. While it is not as known as Vienna, there have been some recent developments, including a new robotics lab, that have helped bolster the program. It is not an English speaking university, per se, but there may be opportunities to do work in English there. If you want more information, feel free to contact me directly.

Permalink Reply by David Stasiuk on February 4, 2013 at 5:07am

I am a PhD fellow at CITA in Copenhagen. Until this year we have been a research centre focused on computational and generative design techniques, but starting this year we have also added a two-year master's program.

https://www.facebook.com/citacph

http://cita.karch.dk/

http://www.grasshopper3d.com/profiles/blogs/citastudio-installation...

Permalink Reply by Stan Carroll on February 4, 2013 at 6:43am

Yes, CITA

Thanks

Permalink Reply by Luis Fraguada on February 4, 2013 at 7:29am

Hello,

I would suggest you evaluate what you want the degree to mean for you. For example, do you plan to get licensed in Architecture in a certain country? You should check if the licensing procedure requires certain types of credits from your higher learning institution.

That being said, how high level are you talking about? Some chairs at ETH CAAD are doing some interesting stuff with neural nets and machine learning.

Permalink Reply by Stan Carroll on February 4, 2013 at 7:58am

Hi Luis,

Thank you for your response.

Excellent points Luis. I currently have an architectural license in the US so licensing is not a goal. My main goal is to be a better algorithmic designer of complex geometries.

How high level am I talking about? Mostly exploring large scale fabricate-able complex geometries. My current practice is centered on designing/fabricating Public Art via abstract sculpture. I fabricate all my work, mostly in metal. I am currently engaging computational methods in nearly all of my sculptural work. I live in Oklahoma City, USA where there is a huge lack of knowledge regarding high level digital methods, consequently, I have hit a plateau on my learning since virtually all the knowledge I possess has been self acquired via my own initiative and a great beginner seminar early on at Acadia 2009 with Akos and Parsons.

I have two primary goals: Priority 1) to extend my knowledge/methods regarding fabricate-able complex geometry to the next level and secondarily, I have an interest in someday teaching full time at the university level which typically requires at least a masters degree. I am currently an adjunct Professor at University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University.

I hope this additional information might focus your and other responses to my question. My direct email is scarroll@beyondmetal.com if anyone would like to contact me offline.

Thanks again,

Stan Carroll

Permalink Reply by djordje on February 4, 2013 at 8:43am

Hi Stan,

I may not be able to help you with your issue, but I would like to express my opinion in a couple of sentences, if that's ok. It is not directed towards you, btw.

I am not saying that a couple of years at the university are just waste of time. But, from my personal experience, and experience of some of my colleagues from my country, a lot of things connected directly or indirectly with my profession - I learned by myself and this beautiful thing called the internet.
Higher education institutions, are simply there to guide you in the right direction (although in most cases, they won't even do that). Give you some basic knowledge and point out the direction in which your pursue for further development could go through.

Like I said, just my opinion on this issue, it does not need to be correct.

Great topic, thank you for starting it.

Permalink Reply by Stan Carroll on February 4, 2013 at 9:21am

Hey Djordje,

Excellent perspective, I agree totally it is up to each student to be motivated to learn on their own. What I see as the benefit to a Masters program is to place you in a disciplined environment among knowledged resources that challenge the students and provide guidance toward fruitful processes and well reasoned conclusions.

Thanks for focusing in on this important aspect in academia.

Permalink Reply by Ivan Lo on February 5, 2013 at 6:40pm

I agree with what you said. University provides opportunities and a pool of access to certain resources but at the end of the day it is what you want to make out of these. Without a vision and personal motivation, time could be wasted especially for people who just want to get a certificate to satisfy other's expectations. I have seen people who went through years of university and keep dreaming once they go out or end out doing something totally random. I am also very grateful community like this brings people from all walks of life with the same passion to learn. Most of the time I think informal learning is better than formal training or education especially if you know how to "architecture" a custom program for yourself.

Permalink Reply by djordje on February 6, 2013 at 3:59am

I agree.

The problem starts when those people you mentioned become professors. I have seen a lot of those examples in my country.
But that's totally different topic...

Permalink Reply by Ivan Lo on February 6, 2013 at 4:10am

I have some idea of what you are saying.... This is like a karma thingy... the problem is anyone can be a lecturer through networking after graduation and it is a cultural generational spiral. Academics is full of risky giant bubbles that wait to be pin bursted by the reality pin. The whole environment is much complicated if politics and business involved. Education makes money and noone will give a heck for students these days. It is a tragic joke a matter of money to buy a piece of paper. No wonder people like Steve job got pissed off and leave college and create its own world.