It has been a joy to welcome students and practitioners as the School returned to campus in September, after 18 months of teaching online. This year the Master of Architecture programme (MArch) has continued to strengthen its global reputation and expand its associated trans-disciplinary regional and international collaborative networks. To enrich expertise, acquired through deep subject investigation, as well as prepare graduates for industry or further study, the programme’s eight units combine practice, research, and research-through-practice agendas. Our student body remains incredibly diverse, and this is reflected in the breadth of study options offered across the programme’s units through the Ateliers, Research Methods Workshops, MSA Live projects, Dissertation themes, and Professional Studies III groups. Each atelier, workshop, or study option approaches architecture from a different research position to respond to emerging or pertinent global issues.
In MArch1, Professional Studies 1 and 2 symposia addressed the climate emergency and life safety. Research Methods Workshops and MSA Live (formerly Events) enabled community outreach and consultation, in and beyond the city.
In MArch2, our annual Open Review (@msaopenreview) has remained a highlight of the academic year. This year, hosted in-person and online, the event united graduating students with local, national, and international practitioners to receive constructive and critical comments on their final year thesis projects. These conversations followed construction industry experts facilitating debate surrounding contemporary practice in Professional Studies III.
Although travel opportunities for the majority have been limited to the UK, some students have been fortunate to participate in the Caribbean Winter School and Student Exchange programme. We have also welcomed international exchange students visiting from partner institutions.
It has been a thoroughly enjoyable first year as programme leaders and we look forward to the return of the physical degree show to celebrate the MArch students’ achievements.