M.F.A.

Building Science

This research track deals with environmental quality in buildings. Interactions between occupants and environmental attributes like lighting, acoustics, and thermal comfort are examined to understand how well a building is performing. Lighting topics include daylighting, artificial lighting, and color. Acoustics topics cover room acoustics, building acoustics, and noise control. Thermal comfort topics comprise heat, bioclimatic comfort, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), energy efficiency, and condensation. Building materials, components, and subsystems are also covered, along with their impact on building performance.

Design Theories and Methods

This research track tries to answer questions such as: What is design? What is a design process? What type of knowledge do the designers use in the design process? What methods do the designers use in proposing alternative solutions? What methods and theories that are developed in other disciplines (education, social science, computer science, etc.) can be used in design? How can the quality of design education be improved? How are design ideas communicated and presented?

Design Theories and Methods, as an interdisciplinary area of study, seeks the theoretical background of design and the methods designers use to explore, generate, and develop alternative design solutions. The tools and techniques used in design practice are also investigated. A computer is a widely used tool in the design process and in data and knowledge representation. Therefore, current digital opportunities in design are also explored, such as collaborative design, virtual design environments, data modeling, and visualization.

Environmental Psychology and Design

This research track examines human interactions with(in) the built environment, and their implications for design. The concepts such as personal space, privacy, territoriality, and control are utilized in the analysis of human-space interaction. Spatial factors, which influence perception, cognition, and the resulting understandings and behavior, are studied at both individual and societal levels. Transformations in society and spaces are also covered to the extent of their impact on human behavior, particularly in public spaces.

History of Interior Architecture/ Architecture

This research track explores the history and theory of interior architecture, as well as the history of design and modern architecture as cultural, spatial, and interdisciplinary practices. It considers interiors as dynamic sites where identity, social relations, and changing cultural patterns are shaped and contested. Topics of study include museum studies, visuality, historic interiors, housing, dwelling, home-making practices, gender, urban and public interiors. Approaching ideology and the politics of space, research areas also encompass adaptive reuse, heritage, material histories, vernacular traditions vis-a-vis innovative craft technologies as ways of addressing contemporary spatial challenges.