Course Description: Design IX is the first semester of a yearlong thesis studio working closely with a facultyadvisor. Students assemble comprehensive research on a pre-approved topic. Research includes user needs, precedent studies, site analysis, along with social, cultural, historical and technical implications of a proposed architectural intervention. Thesis research clearly focuses on the selected area of study presenting well-formed arguments to advance student approaches to architectural design and methodology. Students will prepare a comprehensive document that includes their research and analysis, a written project statement along with all design methodology as part of their final presentation.

Course context: The thesis documentation should include: a project statement that clearly outlines the problemto be addressed, its architectural implications, and its projected material results along with all research and analysis to be used to fully develop the design of the project during Design X – the following semester. It is essential that theproposal present a concept, design methodology, site, and program for the project.