Code: ARTS3104
Credits: 90 ECTS credits
Head of major: Hossam Hewidy

Major description:

The program offers an opportunity for individual development of skills and knowledge in a range of specialization fields such as wood construction, building design and the reuse of buildings, human-centered design and wellbeing, computational design, preservation or urban design and planning. The program is accredited and in line with the professional regulations of the EU directives. All directions of specialization within the program prepare the students to pursue a career in architecture or related fields within Finland or abroad and enables them to work as an employee in the private or public sector, as independent entrepreneur or as post-graduate researcher.

Major's intended learning outcomes:

Architecture is a field at the intersection of technology and art with strong social, cultural, environmental, and economic implications. The Major in Architecture aims at

• deepening the students’ technical, scientific and artistic thinking as foundation for building a socially responsible and sustainable future.
• fostering creative exploration and experimentation as well as multi-disciplinary collaboration.

After completing the degree, the students will have:

• the ability to apply various design strategies in reaction to programmatic, technical, and aesthetic requirements.
• an understanding of the main lines of development in history and theory of architecture and their contextual relevance for critical design thinking.
• the ability of identifying systemic interactions and the transformation of these interactions into design operations for socially responsible and sustainable action.

Code: ARTS3105
Credits: 90 ECTS credits
Head of major: Pentti Kareoja

Major description: The programme is based on an exploratory approach to design-based problem setting, elaboration and solving. It emphasises the skill to manage the entire design process from the beginning to the outcome. An essential part of the education is project-based hands-on learning. In the projects, the students are encouraged to utilise artistic and experimental approaches and find their personal expression and voice as a designer. This is supported by more analytical, research-driven methods and tools.

The key content in master's programme education is to develop and deepen the skills obtained during the bachelor's phase. Studio-based courses in spatial design and furniture design form the core of education. Other topics include history, theory and methodology of interior architecture and teaching of practical design skills and tools. The student can choose selective courses and a minor according to her interests and professional profile. In the final year, the student completes a master’s thesis on chosen topic.

Examples of themes learned during the studies:

• The human experience, body, and senses as basis of interior architecture.
• Experimental, critical, and artistic design practice engaging with the society and instigating change.
• Human-centred, collaborative and conceptual design in interior architecture.
• Strategies for adaptive reuse, sustainability, and flexibility in interior architecture.

Major's intended learning outcomes:

Content outcomes:

In the students deepen the skills learned in bachelor's studies and broaden their knowledge in spatial design and furniture design. Students gain knowledge on

• different design approaches and methods,
• skills to practice interior architecture in the broader operational environment of building and construction, product development, business and culture.
• managing design processes,
• the regulations in construction, and material knowledge
• skills in 3D composition,
• understanding the spatiality of people and products

Skill outcomes:

Students learn to

• interpret and transform living environment and culture through their insight, personal design expression, and professional skills.
• develop an artistic and designerly insight,
• master their creative design process,
• understand the discipline’s tradition and presence as a base for curiosity and experimentation.
• develop their practical skills in spatial and furniture design further.
• deepen their expertise in materials, knowledge of design tradition, and cultural discussion.
• develop technical, aesthetic and research skills to support the design process.
• become competent in exploring technologies and visualising, creating and demonstrating innovative concepts and experiences using the latest technology.
• become professionals versed in multidisciplinary teamwork.

Academic skills:

• Students learn presentation skills in writing and visualisation.

Major structure available on the Finnish site

Students choose 30 ECTS of elective studies. As elective studies, students can complete minor studies and/or take individual courses from other programmes at Aalto University or other Finnish universities, participate in an international student exchange programme, do an internship in Finland or abroad, or take elective courses offered by student’s own programme.

Students can complete a minor as part of their elective studies. Please see all the minors under Minor studies 2022-2024.

NOTE! This concerns major in Architecture. The education shall be based on scientific research and the professional practices of fields requiring expertise in science and technology, and on artistic activity. In addition, the degree of Master of Science (Architecture) shall meet at least the requirements set forth in the Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (7 September 2005). Students must ensure that the Architectural degree (Ba+Ma 5v) has at least 4 years worth of architecture studies to meet the criteria.

Independent studies*

^{*If you already have completed ARK-E0010, ARK-E0011 or ARK.trai, You can't make course 2nd time with the same code due it would “overdrive” that previous credit. In this situation, SISU must apply for the so-called "custom course credit".}