ARCH 9500 Studio 10: Thesis
Wentworth Institute of Technology | Department of Architecture | Spring 2016
ANNEX NORTH 137 | M & TH 12 – 5:50pm
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Students pursue a final thesis design of a project of their own definition, as developed during
the fall semester in ARCH9200 Thesis Preparation I and ARCH9300 Thesis Preparation II.
Prerequisite: M-Arch status, ARCH9000 Studio VII: Special Topics, ARCH9200 Thesis Preparation I,
and ARCH9300 Thesis Preparation II; Corequisite: ARCH9700 Advanced Topics. Please refer to the
Design Studio Grade Requirement regarding the final grade for this course.
6.000 Credit hours
12.000 Lab hours
COURSE OVERVIEW
Students build directly upon the work produced during their fall Thesis Prep I and Thesis Prep II
courses working with a single primary advisor through regular desk crits. Students each take on
the role of “principle investigator” pursuing a design research project of their own conception.
While advisors play a supporting role suggesting possible approaches, techniques, methods,
directions, or resources, each student retains primary authorship of the work produced. The thesis
is an opportunity to demonstrate passion, explore a special interest, develop specific skills,
pioneer new methods of architectural analysis/synthesis through the careful development of a
design research process directly matched to an area of exploration.
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ARCH 9500 Studio 10: Thesis
Wentworth Institute of Technology | Department of Architecture | Spring 2016
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The content of the course is as varied as the thesis projects students bring to it. The more
central area of common interest shared by instructors and students lies in the area of
methodologies that have proven most effective in advancing the understandings and capacities of
architecture and related disciplines. Students will be challenged continuously to ground their
work in the larger context of the profession, the culture, and an increasingly global society.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Throughout this course students are expected to:
● Develop the draft thesis into a sophisticated architectural proposal.
● Demonstrate critical thinking through advanced design methods and representation.
● Develop projects in direct relation to explicit self-initiated design criteria.
● Examine relevant precedents and incorporate their principles in an original proposal.
INSTITUTE LEARNING GOALS
The eight points listed below are established by Wentworth as the learning outcomes that must be
achieved by each program’s curriculum. This course will specifically address the goals shown in
bold:
1. Locate information and evaluate it critically for its appropriateness and validity
2. Communicate effectively in written and spoken formats
3. Acquire and use analytical tools and skills for evaluating information and solving problems
4. Identify the traits of good leadership
5. Acquire and use the skills needed for effective teamwork
6. Recognize and apply concepts of ethical behavior to personal and public issues
7. Explain the sustainable use of human, physical, and economic resources
8. Recognize and identify historical and contemporary societal and global issues.
NAAB CRITERIA
The National Architectural Accrediting Board accredits Wentworth’s architecture program. The NAAB
has
26 criteria that must be covered by any architectural curriculum to attain their approval. This
course satisfies (all or in part) the following criteria:
A.2 Design Thinking Skills: Ability to raise clear and precise questions, use abstract ideas to
interpret information, consider diverse points of view, reach well-reasoned conclusions, and test
alternative outcomes against relevant criteria and standards. Architectural Design Skills:
A.4 Architectural Design Skills: Ability to effectively use basic formal, organizational and
environmental principles and the capacity of each to inform two- and three-dimensional design.
B.1 Pre-Design: Ability to prepare a comprehensive program for an architectural project that
includes an assessment of client and user needs; an inventory of spaces and their requirements; an
analysis of site conditions (including existing buildings); a review of the relevant building codes
and standards, including relevant sustainability requirements, and an assessment of their
implications for the project; and a definition of site selection and design assessment criteria.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGIES
While the process may seem highly individualized it is at the same time very much a collective
endeavor
in which students are expected to share progress, struggles, tricks, and insights with each other
along the way. Your own success or failure will be greatly impacted by the engagements with the
larger community of instructors, advisors, colleagues, employers, and the larger Wentworth
community. The thesis project
is an opportunity to develop a specific area of specialization for the benefit of your colleagues,
future employers and the discipline in general. As in Thesis Prep I & II, your thesis will proceed
along a path that
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ARCH 9500 Studio 10: Thesis
Wentworth Institute of Technology | Department of Architecture | Spring 2016
intertwines research, design development, and exploring novel means of representation – each of
which will inform and inspire the other.
Instruction will include:
● Advising on your design process, content, and means of execution
● Presentations and pin ups to solicit constructive criticism and to facilitate peer-to-peer
learning
● Offer insight and criticism/expertise at crucial points of the exploration process
● Share readings and other resources that might prove relevant to the project
It is your responsibility to:
● Manage your time maintaining a schedule of milestones for decision making and production
● Develop the project keeping different perspectives in mind
● Attend class/studio
● Keep defining and refining the thesis
● Continuously document successful and less-successful work so it can be examined for insights
● Maintain a process log/journal/sketchbook that can be reviewed to enhance the process
● Make decisions in a timely manner so your vision can actually be executed
● Communicate with your instructor and your peers, to take maximum advantage of their feedback
● Keep narrowing your focus: continue to intensify your research without falling into the trap
of
starting over
READINGS / REFERENCES / LEARNING MATERIALS
Readings and online resources will be assigned or suggested by either a coordinator or individual
Thesis Advisors as relevant to themes of research and areas of expertise. All required readings
will be posted to the Blackboard or NuVu course site and available for print/download.
GRADING POLICY
Students will be graded according to the degree by which learning outcomes and course requirements
as outlined above are satisfactorily met. Late submissions will result in grade penalties, per
instructor..
Exercises 20% Interim Reviews & Book Drafts
40% Final Review & Book 40%
COURSE POLICIES & PROCEDURES
● As much as possible, students are encouraged to use original drawings.
● Images in Draft & Final Thesis Books must be clearly labeled so as to identify the work and
credit
the creator/rights holder. If there is a rights tag (copyright ©, Creative Commons CC3, Public
Domain PD, etc.) associated with the image, this must be passed along with the image.
● Each student is required to independently seek and engage a secondary advisor. This advisor
may come from work, the community, or from other WIT faculty. A student may not solicit a
secondary advisor from current group of primary advisors.
● Students are required to attend and present at reviews as specified by the instructor.
● Students are required to submit a Thesis Poster w/Abstract (specific parameters provided at
a
later date).
● Students are required to submit a Thesis Book for the library archive (specific parameters
provided at a later date).
● Students are required to participate in the End-of-the-Year Exhibition.
THESIS BOOK STRUCTURE
The Thesis Book is to include each of the elements listed below. Other elements can be added as
long as they do not diminish the function of these required parts. In consultation with your
Advisor, you are encouraged to replace the functional names in this outline with chapter titles and
headings more directly reflective of the quality and character of the work as long as the roles of
the elements in relation to each other are maintained. Further guidelines regarding the design,
format, and production aspects of the book will be issued in the context of the Pre-Press Workshop.
Title Page (template)
Abstract, Key Terms & Key Image
1. Introduction
Thesis Statement (one sentence) Argument (one paragraph) Relevance
Personal Statement (Positionality)
Structure of the Book (four paragraphs covering the four sections that follow)
2. Literature Review
Topic Area (framing the territory of concern)
Bibliographic Essay (first paragraph identifying key insights and anchor points of the work)
Criteria (coordinated with Criteria Testing)
3. Design Research
Method
Frames & Probes
Criteria Testing (drawing/modeling method for evaluating each iteration)
4. Design Outcomes
5. Reflection & Critical Evaluation
Bibliography
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ARCH 9500 Studio 10: Thesis
Wentworth Institute of Technology | Department of Architecture | Spring 2016
ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Grading Policy
Refer to the Wentworth catalog for the Institute grading standards and policies. As stated in the
WIT Course Catalog, under Good Academic Standing; Students in the Master of Architecture program
must earn a grade of B or higher in all required courses to be in good academic standing. See MArch
grading scale on next page.
Requirements for Documentation
Each student is required to upload all final work on NuVu. Materials should include research,
writing, and design work, including important study models and sketches. Studio faculty will
further define how this work should be organized and presented before the end of the semester.
Failure to submit the required documentation in usable format will result in a grade reduction in
the final grade of the semester. Documentation of the studio work is essential for the
N.A.A.B accreditation process and assessment of the architecture program.
Department Policy on Social Equity and Diversity Our mission is to provide an environment
where people can learn, teach and work with a shared sense of purpose, core values and respect
without bias towards individual beliefs, values and areas of difference. We do this in an effort to
create a community that respects and values the full and equal inclusion of its members. Our goal
is to provide an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of all.
Environmental Responsibility
Studio projects shall be designed in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. All
projects should demonstrate the manner by which they reduce dependencies on nonrenewable
resources.
Communication
Students are advised to meet with their instructors during posted office hours. Facetoface
communication in discussing and resolving problems is preferable to email exchanges. Additionally,
meetings must be scheduled in advance using email correspondence. Email correspondence must be
written in a respectful and professional manner.
The Learning Center
The Learning Center (TLC) assists all Wentworth students with academic challenges in the areas of
math, science, technical courses specific to majors, and writing. The Learning Center is a
supportive and safe learning environment for students looking to improve or maintain their academic
standing. In this studentbased learning environment, students can receive individual help with their studies, meet and work in study groups, or find resources to assist them in meeting their
goals for academic success. It includes tutors in many subjects, writing assistance and workshops.
Make appointments at www.wit.edu/tlc. Room: BEATTY402; Phone:
6179894573
Add/Drop
The drop/add period for day students ends on Friday of the first week of classes. Dropping and/or
adding courses is done online. Courses dropped in this period are removed from the student’s
record. Courses to be added that require written permission, e.g. closed courses, must be done
using a Drop/Add form that is available in the Student Service Center. Nonattendance does not
constitute dropping a course. If a student has registered for a course and subsequently withdraws
or receives a failing grade in its prerequisite, then the student must drop that course. In
some cases, the student will be dropped from that course by the Registrar. However, it is the
student’s responsibility to make sure that he or she meets the course prerequisites
and to drop a course if the student has not successfully completed the prerequisite. The student
must see his or her academic advisor or academic department head for schedule revision and to
discuss the impact of the failed or withdrawn course on the student’s degree status.
Grievance Protocol
Students should use the following protocol for questions, grievances, or general concerns about
coursework and the studio environment:
1. Health and safety concerns and emergencies should immediately be directed to the studio monitor
and public safety officers (6179894444 for emergencies and
6179894400 for nonemergencies).
2. Academic concerns should be directed first to the student’s studio instructor or to the studio
coordinator. If further consultation is required, the student is advised to meet with Kelly
Hutzell, Director of Graduate Programs. The architecture department’s administrative staff and the
Dean of the College should only be contacted as last resort.
Class Syllabus & Structure
While every effort will be made to follow the outline of the published syllabus, course structure
and calendar may be changed at the instructor or coordinator’s discretion. Announcements will be
made if such changes occur. Students who miss class are responsible for tracking any such
announcements.
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ARCH 9500 Studio 10: Thesis
Wentworth Institute of Technology | Department of Architecture | Spring 2016
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to take advantage of all scheduled course time through regular attendance at
every class meeting. Faculty may choose to record attendance and include this as a factor in
grading, as indicated in their course syllabi. Refer to the Wentworth catalog for the Institute’s
full policy on attendance.
Makeup Policy
Any illness or emergency should be reported to your instructor, preferably before you miss the
class, by leaving a message at the architectural office, (tel.
9894450), or by emailing the instructor. Written documentation (doctor’s note etc.) is required
for an excused absence, and should be submitted to your instructor at the next class meeting.
Extended absence due to medical issues, family issues, etc. should be reported to the Dean of
Students’ office for appropriate documentation. Students who anticipate absence due to religious
observance or similar commitments should talk with their instructor at the start of the term to
review all dates in question and develop a plan to meet all course requirements.
Student Accountability Statement: Studio Culture The studio environment is an essential
component in learning to become an architect. The goal of the department is to create a vibrant,
exploratory, safe and respectful learning culture for students. Only through respect between
faculty and students, as well as students among themselves, can a healthy educational studio
culture be fostered. Students are required to uphold high standards of behavior and academic
discipline while in
the studio. See the full Studio Guidelines and Studio
Culture Policy for more information.
Center for Wellness and Disability Services
Any student who thinks s/he may require a disabilityrelated accommodation for this course should
contact Disability Services privately to discuss their specific needs. Disability Services
coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. They are located
in Watson Hall 003 (the Counseling Center) and can be contacted at 6179894390 or
counseling@wit.edu. For more information on acceptable documentation and the Disability Services
process, visit the Disability Services website at www.wit.edu/disabilityservices.
College of the Fenway
If you are enrolled in this course through COF Cross Registration, notify your course instructor.
Please provide her/him with your email address to be sure that you receive course information in a
timely way. You should also discuss how to access online applications that might be used in the
course. Please note that crossregistered students who
wish to drop or withdraw from this course must complete the necessary paperwork according to the
Wentworth calendar.
Academic Honesty Statement
“Students at Wentworth are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors.
Academic dishonesty includes cheating, inventing false information or citations, plagiarism,
tampering with computers, destroying other people’s studio property, or academic misconduct”
(Academic Catalog). See catalogue for full explanation.
Architecture Graduate Program Grading Scale
Grade Weight
Numerical Definition Definition A
4.00 96100
Distinction A 3.67
9295 High Pass B+
3.33 8891
Pass
B 3.00
8487 Low Pass B
2.67 8083
Provisional F 0.00
079 Fail
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