Architectural Design MArch explores the frontiers of architecture and design through emerging technologies that are transforming architectural design, production, and research. Taught through a studio-based design research culture, you develop innovative architectural systems and speculative design propositions through advanced computation, AI, robotics, fabrication, simulation, and material experimentation.
You work within Research Clusters , specialist teaching groups led by internationally renowned researchers and practitioners, each with its own research agenda, design methodology, and technical focus. Within your cluster, you work collaboratively in a team while developing your own research focus and contribution. The clusters connect emerging technologies with technological, environmental, social, and cultural questions, with recent themes exploring autonomous systems, climate futures, the housing crisis, platform economies, post-humanism, material lifecycles, ecological systems, and new forms of architectural practice.
Your work progresses through iterative, research-driven investigations that collectively develop a year-long design research thesis project, supported by tutorials, workshops, and design reviews. You test ideas through physical and digital methods, including computation, AI and machine learning, generative design, robotic manufacturing, game engines, material experimentation and prototyping. Alongside technical exploration, theoretical, historical, and cultural research helps frame design questions and position your work within wider architectural debates.
Architectural Design MArch equips graduates with advanced design, research and technical skills for careers at the intersection of architecture, design research and emerging technologies. You develop interdisciplinary practice through computational design, AI, machine learning, robotics and prototyping.
Through the collaborative Design Thesis Project, you define and communicate a clear individual contribution within a research team. You produce original work that integrates technical innovation with theoretical, cultural and environmental enquiry, building skills in independent research, critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and communication.
You also produce an individual Design Thesis Report that demonstrates intellectual authorship and research rigour. By the end, you develop a distinctive portfolio and advanced skillset relevant to architecture, computational design, design research, digital fabrication, creative technology, academia and emerging technology-driven fields.
93.8% of Architectural Design MArch respondents were in work or study 15 months after graduation.
Graduates progress into architecture, design research, computational design, fabrication, creative technology, further study and related fields. Employer destinations include architecture and design studios such as Zaha Hadid Architects, Foster + Partners, Adjaye Associates, MAD Architects, Studio Seilern Architects, Woods Bagot and Populous.