In the final semester of the professional degree programs, the School of Architecture offers several courses that relate to research areas prioritized by faculty, students, and the profession. Each Directed Research course involves students in a collaborative design project and requires student initiative, a willingness to take risks, and an advanced skill set. Course format and output varies depending on the type of research undertaken. The aim of the Directed Research courses is to culminate—with maximum quality, intensity, flexibility and diversity—the aspirations of the B.Arch and M.Arch curricula (including design, design research, technical knowledge, history, theory, critical/creative thinking, and political and cultural awareness) in ways that prepare students for careers in the evolving and increasingly specialized, collaborative, and multi-faceted field of architecture.
Graduating students completing Directed Research are eligible for awards: the Dean’s Citations for Excellence, Citations for Excellence and the James A. Britton Memorial Awards, which acknowledge the accomplishments of graduate and undergraduate students in their final year.
Awards were determined by Invited Guest Jurors, Faculty, and members of the Advisory Board, who evaluated student projects and submited ranked ballots. Dean Michael Speaks announced the winners on May 11, 2024 at the School of Architecture Convocation.
James A. Britton Memorial Awards
Independent Research Prize
Directed Research Prize
Collaborative Research Prize
Students enrolled in the Directed Research course led by Assistant Professor Iman Fayyad
Dean’s Citations for Excellence in design research
- Zhuofan (Kris) Song
- Peiyu (Lucas) Luo & Shengxuan (Hector) Yu
- Yixing Liu & Yaxin (Ashley) Xu
- Georgia Olga Fernandes
