In this post we will explore how to write an architecture dissertation, but first…
What is an architecture dissertation?
The architecture dissertation (or thesis) is an opportunity to demonstrate the skills you have learnt and the knowledge you have developed over the course of your studies. It identifies a current question of interest that you are willing to explore and analyse.
Thesis and dissertation mean different things in Europe than they do in the USA. In Europe, a dissertation is usually part of a masters degree involving a broader research project. In the USA however, the dissertation is part of a doctorate degree. Likewise, a thesis in Europe generally refers to research work for a PhD, while in the USA thesis is part of your masters degree. Nice and confusing 🙂
Given that we are based in the UK, we will refer to the document as a dissertation, but much of the information and tips here are interchangeable. Hopefully you will find this guide useful when considering your architecture dissertation… or thesis!
Scroll to the end to download this article as a handy PDF guide!
How to write an architecture dissertation, choosing your topic.
Selecting a topic for your architecture dissertation is often one of the biggest challenges for students. Where to start?! Let’s take a look at the process of selecting your architecture dissertation topic.
Ask a question Your architecture dissertation needs to ask a question. Whether it is a big question or just a small part of a big question, there has to be a reason for your research and data collection.
So, when you have selected a big issue that you would like to explore, you can look at breaking this down into a smaller question for your subject.
Starting off with a big issue, and beginning to narrow this down into smaller issues, allows you to end up asking a small question that could perhaps have big implications or bring very interesting results.
You could use a mind map to help you visualise and brainstorm ideas – have your big question in the centre with other smaller questions branching out from it.
Focus on an area of study that you are comfortable with Try to consider areas within your field of study that you are comfortable with. For example, if you are particularly interested and inspired by environmental architecture, perhaps you can start there.
On the flip side, if you are particularly interested in new technologies and software developments, then perhaps you could start thinking along those lines.
The more comfortable you are with your topic area, the more solid your work will be and you will be able to pursue your architecture dissertation with more confidence.
Select a topic that is focused Don’t go too broad with your topic idea. Don’t forget, you are not writing a long novel, so your research and your final architecture dissertation has to be concise. A broad topic will make it very difficult to get into the nitty gritty details.
As an example, let’s say you are interested in the feasibility of using sustainable prefabricated systems in residential architecture. This is a fairly large subject, so your work could look at an aspect of this, such as a particular sustainable prefabricated system like a timber panel, or perhaps prefab systems in social housing. You could then drill down further. You can look at the subject as a whole in your introduction or conclusion, but investigate a more focused part of that topic for your own work.
Don’t forget, as you start to investigate your topic further, it may lead you to other questions, which in turn can change the theme of your architecture dissertation.
Don’t be too fixated on a topic in the early stages that stops you from shifting and developing the dissertation. It is a bit like design projects, sometimes it is easy to get fixated on your concept at the detriment of the design – adjusting, and pivoting can be a good thing, it is an iterative process.
Look at other architecture dissertations Take some time to read and research other dissertations, to get a feel for what excites or interests you. By gaining an understanding of the format, content and overall outcomes of the architecture dissertation, you will be able to develop your ideas more easily, and drill down on a topic that fits.
Doing this will also help you see what topics have been extensively covered and ones that are niche.
You can find some architecture dissertations on the RIBA Presidents Medals website for some inspiration: https://www.presidentsmedals.com/Entries/2022/0-1/1
Read other architecture works Take some time to read other architecture works while you are in your topic decision making process. This might open up new ideas and thoughts that you didn’t think of before.
Look at current trends, what is new, what is changing, what hasn’t changed, why? How about world events, how do they impact architecture? How does architecture impact them? What can we learn?
Make sure your question can be answered Once you have chosen your question or topic, make sure that data collection and research will bring you to some sort of conclusion or answer. It will be very frustrating if you are investigating an issue that will not be possible to conclude on or resolve.
Make sure you can ask the right questions to get information from people, are there enough books on the subject? Is there any historical data that might be useful? How about photographs and drawings? Consider how you will research your architecture dissertation before finalising your topic.
Drafting a proposal You will most likely be asked to create a proposal for the topic you have selected. Your proposal will be presented to your tutors who will give you feedback that will help you move forward.
Carry out your research
The research phase of your architecture dissertation is really important. We must look at many different sources and aspects of our topic to start to develop our strategies and ideas.
Start with the library The best way to start investigating our topic is to find out what information currently exists, who has asked your question, or similar questions, what has been published? So head to the library and start reading!
Try and get a selection of sources for a more balanced overview, rather than relying on just one source. Although you can use the internet, don’t forget that it is an unregulated source, and therefore not all the information is completely reliable.
Keep track of any books, journals etc that you have consulted. (more on that later).
Follow the citations and references in relevant articles to see if other works have been written that are relevant to your topic. Research papers are good sources of references and information you could further explore.
During this initial stage of research you may still be narrowing your topic, refining your question and that’s totally ok. Often, it is not until you have started reading around your topic and delving deeper that you start to see the questions that need to be asked.
Take notes Take notes and keep track of all your research, book name, author, title, date, publisher plus all the page numbers of the important points. This will help you when you come to referencing and citation and also enable you to stay organised.
Keep your topic / question in mind as you read through the research material and make notes on relevant points, in your own words. Write down any phrases or quotations that you will want to cite later, but make sure you keep a list of the details of the author etc, so the quotation doesn’t get mixed up with your own writing.
Citations and references Make sure you reference and cite all your work correctly. This is a tedious part of the architecture dissertation but extremely important to do it right.
You can find a guide about doing the Harvard referencing system which is most commonly used in UK universities, here: https://www.citethisforme.com/harvard-referencing
This page goes through the other citation styles and gives examples for each: https://www.scribbr.com/citing-sources/citation-styles/
Or you can refer to your own university library reference material to make sure you are carrying out your citations and references according to university guidelines.
Collect data The goal of your architecture dissertation should be to gather and interpret new data, rather than just regurgitating existing information.
Try to collect data that you can analyse and interpret rather than just writing descriptively about the topic.
Collection of data can include information from books as we have mentioned, but also reports, studies, statistical data, surveys, interviews, opinions, archived material, and so much more.
Be prepared to think openly, and think wide. By drawing on many different data sources and formats you will have a more rounded research pool to collect data and analyse going forward.
Our Architecture Dissertation Source Log
Our Dissertation Source log is a valuable tool for architecture students and researchers working on their dissertations. This spreadsheet can help you record all the key information on the sources you have used in your research.
It is also a great way to keep track of your research progress. As you add new sources to the spreadsheet, you can include notes on each source and its quality. This information can be helpful when you are writing your dissertation and need to refer back to your sources.
There are also columns where you can add in citations for each source. This means that all your references will be stored in one place, which will be super handy for when you come to create your bibliography.
The Architecture Dissertation Source Log is a free download. You can start filling it in right away or adjust and edit to your liking to make it your own.
Download your copy today!
As you analyse your data and research, your findings will shape your architecture dissertation, the topic and the big or small question that you are exploring. Make sure you leave the title, introduction and abstract till last.
There are different types of analysis when it comes to researching. The main ones you will be using for your architecture dissertation are visual analysis, textual analysis and historical analysis – although there are many more that you could draw on.
Obviously your choice of topic and question will determine what data you will be analysing but let’s look at this as an overview.
Textual content analysis This is a deep focus on the books, reports, papers and journals that you have identified as being an important part of your research. The areas you have ‘highlighted’ to be of interest should be studied in detail and notes taken as to why these points are important.
What is the author saying? Why is this important? How does it relate to your question, and your observations? Has the author written any other titles? Do they refer to other titles? Lots of questions to ask in order to draw out the information you are looking for.
Visual content analysis Visually, you will be looking at plans, maps, photographs and use your skills to question what you see. Analysis of the spaces, the site etc similar to a site analysis or precedent analysis .
There should be countless questions you could ask when analysing your visual findings, write down your observations.
Historical analysis Here you will focus on the historical events or situations that have had an impact on the topic or question that you are studying.
What were the circumstances at that time? Where do the ideas come from? What is the author focusing on? And so on.
Where appropriate, use maps, images, diagrams, drawings, surveys, time lines and data mapping to explore and present the data you have collected and analysed.
Check out our Mapping Techniques Pinterest board for some ideas:
What is the sub topic or smaller question that you are looking to answer?
What research and information will you draw on to answer the question?
How will you analyse the research?
How will you present or argue your findings?
Before presenting or putting together your final works, it is important to have a clear structure to your architecture dissertation and the research you have carried out.
By now, hopefully you will be clear on your topic and the question you are looking to answer. You will know what research you will draw on to inform your ideas, and how you will collect your data.
The clearer you can make your outline of how you want the structure of your dissertation to be, the easier it will be to write. If your ideas and concepts are in a muddle, the end result could mirror this.
Your university will most likely provide guidance on how you should structure your dissertation. Some UK university guidance examples include:
University of Westminster https://libguides.westminster.ac.uk/c.php?g=692395&p=4963012
University of Bath https://blogs.bath.ac.uk/academic-and-employability-skills/2020/07/07/writing-your-dissertations-structure-and-sections/
University of York https://subjectguides.york.ac.uk/dissertation/structure
In general a dissertation will typically follow the structure shown below:
Title Acknowledgements Abstract Table of contents List of figures and tables List of Abbreviations Glossary
Introduction Literature review Methodology Results Discussion Conclusion
Bibliography/Reference list Appendix
General Architecture Dissertation Tips
1. Start work on your dissertation early.
2. Include references and citations to other scholars’ work.
3. Discuss the topic with other people.
4. Make the most of your tutorials, or any dedicated sessions.
5. Don’t get stuck on your title/topic. Let your data research lead and guide you.
6. Don’t feel you have to solve the world’s problems with your architecture dissertation. You are contributing to the research on a particular topic, don’t feel that your work has to result in a ground breaking solution to a worldwide problem.
7. Tell a story – make sure there is a flow to your architecture dissertation. Avoid using complex sentence structures and fancy words, make it readable. Always try to say more, with less – keep it simple.
8. Give yourself plenty of time to carry out your project from start to finish. Start early with your research – it takes a lot of time if it is to be done properly.
9. Make a schedule – dedicate chunks of time to your architecture dissertation. Ideally intersperse these studies with lighter tasks or something different like sport. It is difficult to write for more than 4 hours without becoming tired and inefficient so make sure your schedule allows for breaks and changes in activity.
10. If you are asking people for help in your data collection, make sure you give them lots of time to get back to you.
11. Be as direct and clear as you can in your writing, avoid fluffy over wordy sentences.
12. Make visual connections between your architecture dissertation topic and the way you design and set it up. Use a consistent style and readable fonts.
13. Get someone to proofread your work, ideally a couple of people.
14. Use your tutors for advice and guidance, that is what they are there for. Be sure to ask plenty of questions if you are not sure about something.
Topic Ideas
Here are some broad topic areas you could consider looking into when you are deciding what to write about.
1. Sustainable Architecture: This topic area focuses on designing and constructing buildings with a reduced environmental impact, incorporating energy-efficient systems, renewable materials, and sustainable design principles.
2. Urban Design and Planning: This area explores the planning, development, and design of cities and urban spaces, including aspects such as transportation systems, public spaces, infrastructure, and community development.
3. Historic Preservation and Conservation: This topic area delves into the preservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse of historic buildings and sites, considering the cultural and historical significance of architecture and the methods used to protect and maintain them.
4. Housing and Residential Architecture: This area focuses on the design and planning of housing solutions, including affordable housing, sustainable housing, multi-family dwellings, and innovative approaches to residential architecture.
5. Interior Design and Space Planning: This topic area examines the design and arrangement of interior spaces, exploring aspects such as ergonomics, aesthetics, functionality, and the use of materials and finishes to create effective and appealing interior environments.
6. Landscape Architecture: This area explores the design and planning of outdoor spaces, including parks, gardens, urban landscapes, and sustainable landscape design strategies that integrate natural and built elements.
7. Digital Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM): This topic area investigates the use of digital tools, technologies, and software in architectural design and construction processes, including topics like parametric design, computational design, and BIM implementation.
8. Cultural and Contextual Studies: This area examines the relationship between architecture and culture, exploring how buildings and urban environments reflect and influence social, cultural, and historical contexts.
9. Architectural Theory and Criticism: This topic area involves the exploration of theoretical concepts, critical analysis of architectural works, and the examination of philosophical, social, and cultural influences on architecture.
10. Human-Centred Design and Well-being: This area focuses on designing spaces that prioritise the well-being, comfort, and health of occupants, exploring topics such as biophilic design, universal design, and the impact of the built environment on human behaviour and psychology.
Remember to choose a topic that aligns with your interests and academic goals. It’s also essential to conduct thorough research to ensure that your chosen topic has sufficient scholarly literature available for reference.
Example Architecture Dissertation Studies Here are some examples of other dissertation topics to get you inspired.
1. Sustainable Architecture: Exploring innovative design strategies for energy-efficient and environmentally conscious buildings.
2. Adaptive Reuse: Analysing the potential of transforming abandoned or underutilised structures into functional spaces while preserving their historical significance.
3. Urban Planning and Design: Investigating strategies for creating inclusive and livable cities through thoughtful urban design and infrastructure development.
4. Biophilic Design: Exploring the integration of nature and natural elements within built environments to enhance well-being and productivity.
5. Parametric Design: Investigating the applications of computational design techniques and algorithms in creating complex architectural forms and structures.
6. Affordable Housing: Analysing design approaches and policies that address the pressing need for affordable and accessible housing solutions in urban areas.
7. Post-Disaster Reconstruction: Examining architectural responses and strategies for rebuilding communities affected by natural disasters and creating resilient built environments.
8. Heritage Conservation: Investigating methods and principles for preserving and conserving historic buildings and sites while adapting them for contemporary use.
9. Smart Cities: Exploring the integration of advanced technologies and data-driven solutions in urban environments to improve efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life.
10. Cultural Identity in Architecture: Analysing how architecture can reflect and reinforce cultural identity, exploring the relationship between built form and cultural heritage.
Helpful Links:
Books The Dissertation: A Guide for Architecture Students
Resources There will be loads of useful websites and databases that you can access through your university. A few examples include:
Jstor https://www.jstor.org/
The Courtauld Institute’s Conway Library https://photocollections.courtauld.ac.uk/menu-item1/conway-library
Arts & Architecture http://www.artsandarchitecture.com/
Harvard Digital Collection Library https://library.harvard.edu/digital-collections
We also have lots of incredible architecture content. Be sure to check it out:
Download the Guide!
Download this helpful article as a pdf to keep for reference later!
We hope this post helps you get started on your architecture dissertation.
Wishing you the very best of luck with your work 🙂
Thank you for reading!
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Architecture: Thesis Preparation
King + King Architecture Library
Reference Tools
Architectural Periodicals
Architectural Working Drawings
SoA Suggested Reading List
Special Collections
Architectural Journalism
Architectural Theory
Architecture Related Exhibitions
Campus Architecture
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American Architectural Resources
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Architectural History
Architectural Technology
Architecture and Sustainability
Building Types
M.S. in Architecture - Interdisciplinary Resources
Legal, Statistical, Technical and Other Considerations
Pattern Books
Research Databases
Research Strategies
Resources for the NYC Architecture Program
Theory Research
Thesis Preparation
Collection Information Including Recently Acquired Resources
Architectural Design & Technology Online
Architectural History Online
Faculty Picks
Graphic Novels
Introduction
In an article in the July 24 1974 issue of Architect's Journal, Jeremy Baker talks about the student thesis as a way of providing students with "greater awareness of the world." Library research can help to provide the framework as well as set the boundaries for the design project. Good research techniques can make the process both expedient and enjoyable.
Writing Your Thesis
Guidelines for starting your thesis, courtesy of UC Berkeley
List of references/literature case studies for thesis research work
Identification of the project site
Harvard Guide to Using Sources
Harvard Guide to Using Sources : The Harvard Guide to Using Sources is an easily accessible introductory guide to use of sources. It includes tips for students on finding, choosing, and integrating reliable sources into academic writing. The Guide provides examples of MLA, APA, and Chicago styles of citation and includes information on avoiding plagiarism.
Past Thesis and Thesis Prep Books
The Libraries maintains online documentation of past Super Jury award winners and other theses receiving a B+ or better grade. They are available on SURFACE , the Syracuse University database of scholarly works, by searching for "School of Architecture Theses."
Click Here for an easy link to the list of available theses.
General Guidelines
Familiarize yourself with your topic.
Be sure you are able to answer the following questions before beginning your research: Take a journalistic approach to gathering information. Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
Gather background information about your topic using reference sources.
Reference books provide important information on a topic, include specific details, and point to other useful sources of information. They point the way into the core literature of a topic contained in books, journals, reports, and many other types of publications. They can also summarize, digest, or review the literature on a topic in ways that save you time and energy. Knowing the reference sources in your discipline can increase the efficiency of your searches by enabling you to better focus your questions.
The Search Plan
Define the topic.
Determine the component parts. If the topic is fairly broad, start with the narrowest concept. If your topic is very narrow, begin your research using broad terms.
Gear your searching to the resource. For example, when searching subject specific periodical databases, use terms the least common to the discipline.
Review your results and refine your search as necessary. Broaden the terms if you need more information. Narrow the terms to limit the amount of information retrieved.
Synthesize the information. Determine if and what additional information is needed.
Actively seek out alternative views as a way of testing your theory.
Begin your research in the architectural literature.
Search Strategies
Familiarize yourself with your topic before beginning your research. This will save time later. This includes determining the appropriate search terms to use. Include synonyms and related terms.
Modify your search as necessary , including searching related resources or additional databases not as closely linked to your subject. These sources may include relevant information.
Know the nature and parameters of the reference tool(s) you are searching. Certain reference works only cover particular time periods or may not be comprehensive in scope. For instance, most online databases begin their coverage in the 1970s-80s.
Make the fullest use possible of reference tools , including bibliographies and footnotes which can lead you to other sources.
Read the source carefully . Note organizational differences between tools.
Library Services
Off-desk Consultations
Students are encouraged to make appointments with Barbara Opar and/or other subject librarians as appropriate. You may contact Barbara by email at [email protected] or at 443-3518 (King + King Architecture Library) preferably, 443-2905 (452 Bird Library). For assistance in other subject areas see the following list of subject specialists .
Special orders
The Library may be able to order new architecture books or other materials to assist you. If you have specific requests, contact Barbara.
Extended loan period
Thesis and thesis prep. students are given graduate status in terms of library circulation privileges. Stack books circulate for one year. See Barbara for details or special requests.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
ILL obtains materials (books, periodical articles) not available within the Syracuse Libraries system. ILL requests may be submitted online using the appropriate form found online at Interlibrary Loan . Periodical articles will be made available electronically. Books will be delivered to Bird Library or Carnegie Library. Thesis Prep, thesis and graduate students are eligible for delivery of most materials directly to the King + King Architecture Library. Services are free of charge. To submit a book request, it is suggested that you use WorldCat to locate the citation. To submit a periodical article request, it is suggested that you use the SU links tab on the specific database citation page.
Delivery Service
Thesis students are eligible to have circulating books from Bird, Carnegie and Interlibrary Loan delivered to King + King Architecture Library. Prior sign up is required. See Barbara for details.
Sample thesis prep books
Select (B+ and above) books are available through the Library's institutional repository, SURFACE .
Citation guidance
RefWorks (Databases tab) is one of the many sources available for proper formatting of your bibliography and notes.
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Designing a Book with Nigel French
Creating a book in InDesign from Designing a Book by Nigel French
Foundations of Layout and Composition: Grids with Sean Adams
Welcome from Graphic Design Foundations: Layout and Composition by Sean Adams
Graphic Design Tutorial: Designing to a Grid
NewSchool recommends Adobe InDesign for designing your thesis book. Many free templates and tutorials are available online. Try starting with Blurb.com.
The grid is your underlying structure which helps create visual hierarchy by sizing and positioning images and text to create a coherent design. The grid is the graphic expression of a set of assumptions about the permissible sizes and shapes of images and blocks of text. It enables you to achieve and sustain design consistency.
Your prime consideration for text should always be legibility. Text needs to be readable and perfectly clear. Don't allow it to compete with or obscure images; it should always work with them to explain and enhance them. Keep text clearly separate from images by spacing and/or maintaining a strong contrast between values of the images and values of the text blocks.
Familiarize yourself with type, it's legibility and emotional impact, by studying the typefaces used in books and magazines and on the web. Remember less is more--don't use more the three different fonts in any portfolio. Additionally, make sure all of the fonts are very different looking to create contrast.
Basics in Graphic Design
Remember, your thesis layout should follow graphic design standards. Here are recommended resources on design concepts including text, images, color, and white space.
See Examples of Attractive Layout Here
Ambrose / Harris. (2005). Basics Design 02: Layout. AVA Academia.
RICHARD WELSH LIBRARY at NewSchool of Architecture + Design
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Successful thesis proposals in architecture and urban planning
Archnet-IJAR
ISSN : 2631-6862
Article publication date: 1 May 2020
Issue publication date: 11 November 2020
The purpose of this research is to improve the understanding of what constitutes a successful thesis proposal (TP) and as such enhance the quality of the TP writing in architecture, planning and related disciplines.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on extended personal experience and a review of relevant literature, the authors proposed a conception of a successful TP comprising 13 standard components. The conception provides specific definition/s, attributes and success rules for each component. The conception was applied for 15 years on several batches of Saudi graduate students. The implications of the conception were assessed by a students' opinion survey. An expert inquiry of experienced academics from architectural schools in nine countries was applied to validate and improve the conception.
Assessment of the proposed conception demonstrated several positive implications on students' knowledge, performance and outputs which illustrates its applicability in real life. Experts' validation of the conception and constructive remarks have enabled further improvements on the definitions, attributes and success rules of the TP components.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed TP conception with its 13 components is limited to standard problem-solving research and will differ in the case of other types such as hypothesis-based research.
Practical implications
The proposed conception is a useful directive and evaluative tool for writing and assessing thesis proposals for graduate students, academic advisors and examiners.
Social implications
The research contributes to improving the quality of thesis production process among the academic community in the built environment fields.
Originality/value
The paper is meant to alleviate the confusion and hardship caused by the absence of a consensus on what constitutes a successful TP in the fields of architecture, urban planning and related disciplines.
Urban planning
Architecture
Built environment
Postgraduate research
Writing successful thesis proposals
Abdellatif, M. and Abdellatif, R. (2020), "Successful thesis proposals in architecture and urban planning", Archnet-IJAR , Vol. 14 No. 3, pp. 503-524. https://doi.org/10.1108/ARCH-12-2019-0281
Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode .
1. Introduction
After the postgraduate student completes her/his coursework in a master programme or passes the comprehensive exam and becomes a doctoral candidate in a doctoral programme, s/he is allowed to submit a “Thesis Proposal” (TP) to her/his department whose main concern is to assess whether the topic is suitable for a graduate study and for the time and resources available ( Afful, 2008 ; Kivunja, 2016 ; Reddy, 2019 ).
The department then sends the submitted TP to higher bodies for official approval. Once approved, the TP becomes a legal binding or “a formal contract” ( Walliman, 2017 ) and “a statement of intent” ( Hofstee, 2006 ) between the researcher and the university. If the student adheres to all prescribed TP requirements within the specified time, s/he will be awarded the degree ( Leo, 2019 ).
Guided by his/her academic advisor, the student prepares the TP within which the researcher explains the research problem, questions, aim and objectives, scope, and methodologies to describe, analyse and synthesize the research problem and develop solutions for it ( Paltridge and Starfield, 2007 ). In addition, the proposal includes a brief about research significance and expected contributions; a preliminary review of literature; thesis structure and approximate completion timeline; and a list of relevant references ( Kivunja, 2016 ; Thomas, 2016 ; Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ).
1.1 Statement of the problem and research aim
After decades of writing, supervising and refereeing master and doctoral theses in the fields of Architecture and Urban Planning, the authors noticed that TP's differ in format and content from a school to another. This may be considered a healthy matter because it gives room for flexibility that absorbs the variety of research problems and techniques. Yet, the absence of a consensus on what constitutes a successful TP could cause confusion and hardship to both students and advisors ( Kamler and Thomson, 2008 ; Abdulai and Owusu-Ansah, 2014 ). The review of literature indicates that TP writing has been tackled in depth in many fields (see for instance Gonzalez, 2007 ; Balakumar et al. , 2013 ; Eco, 2015 ; Kivunja, 2016 ; Glatthorn and Randy, 2018 ; Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ). Apart from thesis proposal instruction and guideline manuals posted on universities' websites, the authors believe that there is a lack of in-depth research on the issue of producing successful thesis proposals in the fields of Architecture and Planning.
To propose a successful TP conception which determines the standard components of TP and sets specific definitions, attributes and rules of success for each component.
To apply the proposed conception on several batches of graduate students, then assess its impact on students' performance and output along the years of application.
To validate the proposed conception by getting the insights of experienced academics from architecture and planning schools worldwide, and as such, improve and finalize the conception.
1.2 Research methodology
To propose the Successful TP Conception , the authors relied on two sources: knowledge extracted from their extended experience and a review of relevant studies and instruction manuals and guidelines for preparing TP in several worldwide universities. The Conception has been applied on several batches of master and doctoral students from IAU, KSA for almost 15 years between 2005 and 2020 during their enrolment in three courses in the College of Architecture and Planning, IAU, KSA. These courses are “ARPL 603 Research Methods” and “BISC 600 Research Methods” for the master's level and “URPL 803 Seminar (3): Doctoral Research Methods” for the doctoral level.
From a total of 60 students, 39 students (65%) completed the survey; of whom 12 students (31%) were doctoral and 27 students (69%) were masters students.
- Improve their understanding of the components of a successful TP.
- Enhance their performance in developing their TP's.
- Conduct a more effective self-assessment of their developed TP's.
- Enhance their performance along other stages of producing their theses and dissertations.
- Maintain any other benefits adding to students' research capabilities.
The first part recorded the general characteristics of respondents.
The second inquired about experts' viewpoints on the definitions, attributes and the rules of success of the components of the proposed TP conception.
2. Proposing the Successful TP Conception
2.1 components of a tp for a standard problem-solving research type.
A review of thesis writing guidelines posted on universities' websites and other related literature has indicated that the number of components of a masters' or doctoral thesis proposal varies. After a thorough review of related literature and with their experience, the authors have been convinced that, in its standard form, a TP should include 13 components. Chronically arranged, as appearing in the proposal, they are: title page, abstract, keywords, background, statement of the problem, research questions, research aim and objectives, research scope, research significance and contributions, preliminary review of literature, research methodology, thesis structure and timeline, and references list ( Ostler, 1996 ; Simpson and Turner, 2004 ; Zhou, 2004 ; Davies, 2011 ; Axelrod and Windell, 2012 ; Donohue, 2018 ; Glatthorn and Randy, 2018 ; Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ). It is worth mentioning that these 13 components will differ in the case of a hypothesis-based research whose aim is to validate a specific hypothesis that a specific variable/s is/are or is/are not the main cause/s of an investigated research problem. This paper is limited only to the standard problem-solving research type.
2.2 Building the Successful TP Conception
Setting a general definition for each component including its meaning, importance, functions and contents.
Outlining the most important attributes that must be considered when writing the component.
Based on step 1 and 2, the authors extracted a list of success rules which provides a concise definition for each component of the TP, and/or describes the relationship between the component and other components of the TP (the list is summarized at the end of Part 2).
2.2.1 Research title
This is the first item that appears to the reader. It invites or detains him/her from proceeding to other contents ( Blaxter et al. , 2010 ). The research title is positioned in the title page along with several basic data, namely, the title; the names of the Department, College, University, study programme, researcher and advisory committee; and submission date.
The research title should be useful, discussing an issue critical to society; true, conveying a real message about the investigated problem ( Donohue, 2018 ); concise, presenting the message with the minimum number of words; adequate, using the right wording to explain the intended meaning; and attractive , stimulating the reader's attention. Iterations in refining the research title go hand-in-hand with refining the research question ( Groat and Wang, 2013 ).
2.2.2 The abstract
It is the first item that appears in the TP after the title and of the same significance; yet, it is the last to be written ( Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ). It has a marketing function ( Lamanauskas, 2019 ); it calls the reader in or alienates him out. A comprehensive abstract contains a summary of the problem, aim, scope, methodology, importance, contributions and outline ( Koopman, 1997 ).
The Abstract should be concise or brief with a maximum of 200–300 words; adequate, including profiles of all parts of the proposal; clear, expressing its message without ambiguity; and interrelated, serving as a body of sequential, coherent and connected ideas ( Blaxter et al. , 2010 ).
2.2.3 The keywords
These are a set of words or terms used for archiving, tabulation and electronic search on databases. They should include essential “subject terms” describing the research topic, the unique sub-specializations and focus of the research (what is researched), the contextual scope of the research (where and when), and the used research methodology (how to conduct the research) ( Lamanauskas, 2019 ). They are better written by splitting the title into its separate single words or terms which must be found in the abstract, as well ( Mack, 2012 ).
Keywords should be brief, not more than 8–12 words; adequate, conveying the research theme, scope, aim and approach; exact, focusing on the investigated topic and scope; and standard, using scientific terminology used in the field.
2.2.4 The background
This is a gradual preparation of the reader from the larger scientific field to the specific field, from the wider geographic area to the immediate area, and from the larger timeframe to the immediate one. It starts from the strategic level and general scope of the research and gradually reaches the level closer to the examined problem ( Abdellatif and Abdellatif, 2005 ). It places the study within the larger context of the research, creates interest to the reader and catches his attention, and includes quotations and statistics leading the reader to proceed ( Babbie, 2014 ).
The background statement should be striking, drawing the reader's attention to the research; brief, not lengthy; gradual, moving from the general level surrounding the investigated issue to the specific level; and careful, not speeding up in disclosing the study problem, aim or methodology to the reader ( Axelrod and Windell, 2012 ; Pautasso, 2013 ).
2.2.5 The statement of the problem
Statement of the General Research Problem is a narrative describing a negative aspect/s prevailing in the investigated urban environment/ecosystem or architectural setting; it is equivalent to the negative wording of the research aim ( Abdellatif and Abdellatif, 2005 ). It stimulates interest in the study; scientifically explained to convey a simple, clear and specific issue to which a reader can relate and is useful to the society at large ( Balakumar et al. , 2013 ). In the humanities and social sciences many dissertations endeavour to establish the conditions of the problem, not to solve it ( Dorst, 2011 ).
In formulating the research problem, it is useful to consider it a problem which hinders the natural development of the society and/or environment and leads to a decline in the Quality of Life (QOL) or Quality of Environment (QOE) or both. A development problem is a factor/cause leading to either a quantitative or qualitative deficiency in satisfying a human need or both such as a lack of certain service or inadequate provision of the service ( Abdellatif, 2015 ). To arrive at a successful statement of the general problem, the researcher should pinpoint the main cause/s behind the study problem. All what comes next depends on the clarity of the problem statement.
Technically oriented research (TOR), which places emphasis on the process and procedures as the primary basis of effective design, TOR can be either systematic, or computational, or managerial.
Conceptually driven research (CDR), which can be either psychological or person–environment. The psychological type is driven by the goal of matching knowledge with the nature of the design problem, its components, context and social and environmental requirements. Whereas, the person–environment type places emphasis on the socio-cultural and socio-behavioural factors as they relate to the design process itself and to settings, buildings and urban environments.
Classify the investigated situation to branched dimensions, e.g. demographic, planning, regulatory, economic, social, environmental, etc.
Trace the causes or the influencing factors that lead to the emergence or aggravation of the problem/s in each dimension.
Clarify the problem more by identifying the consequences or adverse effects (the symptoms of the problem) that resulted from those causes. This helps isolate the causes from the consequences to focus on treating the causes not the consequences. Using temporary painkillers will not eliminate the disease; it only tranquilizes the symptoms.
Statement of the consequences of the problem is a narrative that describes the negative effects caused by sub-problems on the investigated environment ( Goetz et al. , 2005 ).
The statement of consequences of the problem should be focused, where each consequence focuses on one independent sub-problem; articulate, not overlapping with other consequences; rooted, relating to one of the roots of the general problems; deep, providing description for specific symptom; and comprehended, could be perceived, described and determined ( Abdellatif, 2015 ).
2.2.6 Research questions
What is the nature of the development problem as defined by the latest findings of previous literature, similar studies and published statistical reports?
What are the key features of the investigated problem according to a direct field survey?
What are the appropriate links between different variables of the study (causes, consequences, etc.) according to the information gathered from the theoretical review and field surveys?
What are the extracted results and the appropriate solutions and/or recommendations to deal with the general research problem and its sub-problems?
What are the critical contributions of the research findings on the life and/or environmental qualities?
How can the research increase the benefits of research results on the ground?
What are the research areas/points that need further investigation?
Research questions should be specific, each question addresses one sub-problem; unduplicated, each question does not repeat itself in a different format; sequential, or arranged according to their importance and order; and interrelated, where each question relates to other questions.
2.2.7 Research aim, goals and objectives
The general aim of the research is a specific and clear statement presenting the overall purpose of the study. It is directed to find an appropriate and effective solution to the general research problem ( Donohue, 2018 ). It is an attempt to fill a gap between a negative reality of an environment/ecosystem/or development situation and a desired positive future to be achieved at the end of the research process ( Glatthorn and Randy, 2018 ). The aim should be properly stated to ensure the success of all the following stages of the scientific research process.
Exploring the problem by defining the research problem, formulating aim and objectives, designing the methodology, defining the scope, and highlighting the expected contributions.
Collecting secondary data by defining basic concepts and terms, reviewing relevant literature and previous studies, and describing the most important characteristics of the investigated environment from secondary sources and statistical reports.
Collecting primary data via direct field surveys and based on the views of concerned population, experts and officials to describe the characteristics of the investigated development problem.
Analysing the gathered data by using theoretical and field data to determine the appropriate links among different variables of the study (e.g. causes, consequences, etc.).
Synthesizing the gathered data by integrating the findings of analysis to build appropriate approaches or solutions to deal with the general problem.
Extracting conclusions and writing recommendations to highlight research findings and make them more useful and effective.
A micro level objective contributes to solving the specific investigated problem (e.g. a specific quantitative or qualitative problem that hinders the development of a sector of society, environment, or eco-system).
A macro level objective contributes to realizing a higher goal (e.g. improving the overall quality of life of a larger community, upgrading the quality of the larger environment, etc.).
Development objectives should apply the SMART goal rule (previously explained); and be non-overlapping by ensuring that each objective is focused and not conflicting with other objectives.
2.2.8 Research scope
Thematic scope clarifies the general and specific areas of the research (e.g. the research falls within the field of sustainable development in general and focuses on social sustainability).
Geographic/Spatial scope specifies the spatial boundaries of the physical environment within which the research is applied (e.g. a specific local or regional setting).
Temporal scope shows the past, present and future spans the research will cover indicating the number of years from the historical information inventory until the expected completion date. If the research aim is to develop future strategies or policies, the span will extend to future target point.
Research Scope should be categorized, by being classified by subject, place and time; focused, by reaching the closest limits of the investigated research problem, environment and time; and clear, by not being so general or ambiguous.
2.2.9 Research significance and contributions
They highlight the most important benefits and the main beneficiaries from solving the research problem; the potential positive impacts of the study on the life and environmental qualities ( Groat and Wang, 2013 ). Contributions differ in nature (theoretical or applied or both) and in size (huge, average, or marginal). There is a positive relationship between the size of contributions and the size of impacted beneficiaries (individuals, groups, institutions, communities, societies), the scale of the impacted geographic boundaries (local, national or global), the type of impacted development sectors (service, production, etc.) and the numbers of the impacted sectors (one, a few, or all sectors). Research significance increases as the size of contributions increases. Specifying the research significance, expected contributions and potential beneficiaries helps promote the research and provides rational justifications for conducting it. The higher the contributions and the greater the sectors of the beneficiaries, the more significant the research is ( Abdellatif and Abdellatif, 2005 ). According to Balakumar et al. (2013) research significance justifies the need for the research that is being proposed.
Research significance and expected contributions should be categorized, in terms of type (theoretical or applied contribution or both), size and nature of the beneficiaries (individuals, institutions, communities, etc.) and geographical extent (small site, district, city, region, nation, etc.); clear, simple and comprehensible to the reader; and realistic, real, accurate and not exaggerated.
2.2.10 The preliminary review of literature
This is an initial review of literature dealt with relevant problems. It aims to build an initial understanding of the problem, identify the most important variables that have been considered, cite methodologies used to deal with the problem; make use of the latest findings and record the various recommendations/solutions suggested to deal with the problem ( Hart, 1998 ; Grix, 2001 ). According to Dunleavy (2003) , it is a critical review on related recent research that is well documented, structured, analysed and synthesized. It offers the researcher an opportunity to engage with other scholars in one's disciplinary community.
In addition to having a separate part, it is useful to combine the literature review with other components of the TP (e.g. the research problem, questions, aim and objectives, and methodology). It is important that the review presents differing perspectives or contrasting views of the topic and reports the complexities of the issue ( Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ). By conducting the review, the researcher becomes able to build an initial but comprehensive understanding of the causes and consequences of the problem, the methodologies used to study and analyse the problem and the solutions proposed to deal with it by synthesizing various viewpoints of previous studies, thereby, supporting her/his principle argument about the study problem with the results derived from previous literature ( Pautasso, 2013 ).
Definitions of key terms and concepts; standard terms to appear in the research and special concepts which are not formally provided by previous scholars. The definitions must be logic and derived from scientifically recognized sources.
Review of previous studies; focusing on identifying several issues, namely, the most important dimensions and variables of the research problem (the causes of the problem; why the problem has emerged or aggravated; the most important consequences of this problem on the human and/or physical environment); the methods used to deal with the problem; the latest findings of previous studies and the various approaches/solutions suggested to deal with the problem.
Contextual aspects of the investigated development situation; including a review of relevant characteristics of the researched environment (its basic dimensions and elements) as found in previous studies. Contextual aspects may be classified into physical and human components; or into environmental, functional, aesthetic, structural, economic and social design determinants; or into demographic, planning, regulatory, economic, social, environmental sectors or other classifications.
Preliminary review of literature should be indexed, from reliable scholarly sources; categorized or documented according to standard classification system; employed, used wisely to achieve a desired purpose; up to date, recent, however, in topics which address chronological development or evolutionary aspects references could be recent and old; and related, relevant to the study problem ( Hart, 1998 ).
2.2.11 Research methodology
Data collection methods including office methods used to collect secondary data from previous literature and case studies as well as field methods used to gather original data through field visits, surveying, questionnaires, interviews with stakeholders, etc.
Data analysis methods including methods used to analyse both the secondary and primary information collected from office and the field surveys such as Statistical Analysis, Environmental Scanning (SWOT), Development Components Analysis, etc.
Data synthesis methods including methods used to compile, synthesize the analysis and develop appropriate alternative scenarios or solutions to deal with the problem.
Data presentation methods including methods to present the research process and findings such as scientific research paper containing narratives, tables, figures, forms, maps, results and recommendations as well as final visual presentation to review panel to get remarks and write the last version of the TP.
Research methodology should be appropriate, aligned with the purpose/s in which they will be used; achievable, within the reach of the researcher; effective, achieving the purpose fast and with high quality; reliable, previously tested, applied and approved in similar cases; and precise, accurate and specific.
2.2.12 Research structure and timeline
This is a brief statement of the main sections of the master's/doctoral thesis with tentative dates for completing the various stages of the research. Careful preparation of research structure and timeline ensures the effectiveness and integrity of the plan of actions towards the completion of the study ( Kivunja, 2016 ). It is also a criterion to judge the achieved progress and seriousness of the researcher.
Research structure and timeline should be sequential, arranged according to a standard scientific research process; logical, proportionate to the total period available for completion; and balanced, distributing time properly among various stages.
2.2.13 The list of references
This is a list which contains a reasonable number of relevant references on the topic which were actually cited in the TP ( Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ). Including a list of the references about the topic demonstrates that the researcher is familiar with the basic and latest knowledge on his/her problem.
The list of references should be relevant, closely related to the investigated subject; up to date, recent yet containing old and new according the topic and context; and reliable, published in dependable vessels.
2.3 Extracting the success rules
Based on the above definitions and attributes provided for each of the 13 TP components, the authors were able to extract a number of success rules that took the form of equations, each of which describes an equality function between each component and its counterpart component/s as shown in Table 1 . For instance, rule #1 shows that “research title” is equal to “the general aim of the research” and is equal to “the negative wording of the research problem”.
3. Assessing the Successful TP Conception from students' viewpoints
They better understood the meanings of each component (97% agree and strongly agree and 3% neutral).
They better understood the attributes of each component (94% agree and strongly agree and 6% neutral).
They better understood the rules which control the relations between the various components of the TP (87% agree and strongly agree and 13% neutral).
The process of writing the proposal has become easier and more convenient (100% agree and strongly agree).
The effort, cost and time spent in submitting the proposal have been substantially saved (87% agree and strongly and 12% neutral).
The relationship with academic advisor has improved (87% agree and strongly agree and 12% neutral).
The students' confidence in advancing their own learning abilities has improved (93% agree and strongly agree and 7% neutral).
The students' abilities to address the strengths and weaknesses of their personal skills have improved (93% agree and strongly agree and 7% neutral).
The students' abilities to manage their learning process more independently have improved (90% agree and strongly agree, 7% neutral and 3% disagree).
The students have created a clearer and better mutual understanding with their academic advisors (90% agree and strongly agree and 10% neutral).
The students have reduced their distraction from the original target set out in the proposal (81% agree and strongly agree, 16% neutral and 3% disagree).
The students have been able to finish their research on time (78% agree and strongly agree, 19% neutral and 3% disagree).
They gained better analytical skills (87% agree and strongly agree, 10% neutral and 3% disagree).
They gained better problem-solving skills (87% agree and strongly agree, 10% neutral and 3% disagree).
They gained better critical thinking skills (87% agree and strongly agree, 10% neutral and 3% disagree).
4. Verifying the Successful TP Conception based on experts' viewpoints
Having proposed, applied and assessed the Successful TP Conception, it becomes important to validate it using the insights of experienced academics from Architectural and Planning schools worldwide. This part summarizes the results of the experts' inquiry survey conducted in November 2019 to February 2020. It shows the characteristics of experts and their viewpoints and remarks on the originally proposed definitions, attributes and success rules.
4.1 Experts' characteristics
They were from nine countries, namely, the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.
About 75% of the experts were males and 25% were females. About 5% were 35–45 years old, 20% were 45–55 years, 55% were 55–65 years and 20% were 65 years and over.
About 5% were Assistant Professors, 10% Associate Professors and the majority (85%) were Professors.
The experts had teaching experiences in undergraduate and graduate levels (masters, doctoral, diploma, postdoctoral and continuing professional development).
The general specialization of 70% of the experts was Architecture and 30% of experts were specialized in Urban Planning. They taught in several built environment fields (Architecture, Interior Design, Building Technology, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning).
The experts had several focus areas, namely, Architecture, History and Theories of Architecture, Assessment of Designed Environments, Design Methods, Pedagogy, Architecture and Digital Technologies, Heritage Conservation, Middle East Architecture and Cities, Construction Project Management, Urban Design, Spatial Development Planning, Landscape, Built Environment and Behaviour, Urban Studies, Techniques and Quantitative Methods of Urban Planning, Urban Conflict, Urban Justice, Community Development, Environmental Management and Planning and Development Approaches.
About 10% of the experts supervised 5 theses, 5% supervised 6–10 theses, 50% supervised 11–20 theses and 35% supervised more than 20 theses.
4.2 Experts' viewpoints and remarks
Concerning the proposed definitions of the TP components, the experts expressed their agreement which ranged between 73 and 96%. Some experts provided additional remarks to help improve the definitions. Table 2 presents the originally proposed definitions, the percentages of agreed experts and their additional remarks.
Regarding the attributes of each component of the TP, the original conception proposed 38 attributes, the experts added 18 attributes resulting in a total of 56 attributes. Table 3 presents a matrix showing the percentages of experts' agreement of the originally proposed attributes as well as the added attributes. The lowest agreement percentage was 59% and the highest was 96%.
Concerning the proposed success rules which were called “equations” in the originally proposed conception, the experts suggested to change the expression into “rules”; which is more appropriate for subjective contents than mathematical expression. Table 4 presents the final 19 success rules for the components/sub-components of a TP and the percentage of experts' agreement which ranged between 57 and 95%.
5. Conclusion
Based on their experience in preparing and supervising masters and doctoral theses and after a thorough review of the literature on preparing thesis proposals, the authors drafted a conception of a successful thesis proposal comprising specific definitions, attributes and rules for each of the 13 components of a standard TP. The conception had been applied over a duration of 15 years (2005–2020) on several batches of master and doctoral students in IAU, KSA. Through an online survey, the majority of students (78–100%) have indicated that understanding and applying the conception helped them improve their performances and outputs during the TP development process and beyond.
The conception was then validated by getting the insights of 39 experienced academics from worldwide architectural schools. The experts accepted the proposed definitions with (73–96%) agreement rate. The experts also accepted the proposed attributes with (59–96%) agreement rate. As for the success rules, the experts' agreed as well with an acceptance rate ranging from (57–95%). The experts suggested constructive remarks which were considered in writing the final version of the conception.
The extracted success rules combine the definitions and attributes of each component of the TP and present them in a concise statement which defines the component and, where applicable, exemplifies its relationship to another corresponding or counterpart component of the TP. For example, rule #1 shows that “research title” should reflect “the general aim and scope of the research” and should also reflect “the negative wording of the research problem”. Extracted also is rule #14 which indicates that “the whole thesis proposal” written in future tenses, should resemble “the introduction of the final thesis” written in past tenses.
A directive tool that assists the researcher in writing a sound TP. Combining the last three tables (2, 3 and 4) into a comprehensive checklist would aid the students in preparing their TP's; enhancing the quality of their performance and outputs.
An evaluative tool that helps in assessing the validity and integrity of the submitted TP's that can be used by the researcher for self-assessment, or by the academic advisor, or by an examiner/evaluator before sending the proposal to higher authorities for approval.
The findings of this paper could be useful not only in evaluating thesis proposals, but also, with proper modifications, in assessing various scientific research documents, including scientific thesis, research papers and others; which is another research topic that will be addressed in the future.
The stages of developing the successful thesis proposal conception
Proposed list of success rules for the TP components
#
Research proposal component
Equals
The corresponding component
1
Research title
=
The general aim of the research
=
Solving the main research problem
2
The abstract
=
Profiles of all components of the research proposal
3
Keywords
=
Title in a fragmented manner
=
Words that compose the research title
4
Background
=
Gradual preparation of the reader to enter the study
5
The statement of the problem
5–1
General problem of research
=
The main cause of quantitative or qualitative deficiency in the investigated environment
5–2
Research sub-problems
=
The secondary causes of each sub-problem of the general problem
5–3
Research consequences
=
Subsidiary symptoms of the general illness of the examined environment
6
Research questions
=
Presenting general problem and sub-problems of the research in the question format
7
Research aims, goals and objectives
=
Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely goals
7–1
General aim of the research
=
Solving the general problem of the research
7–2
Procedural objectives of the research
=
Research stages
=
Sections or chapters of the thesis
7–3
Development objectives of the research
=
Solving sub-problems of the study
=
Finding a cure for the secondary causes of the problem
8
The scope of the research
=
Thematic, geographical and temporal limits of the study
9
Importance of the study and expected contributions
=
expected positive impacts of research (theoretical, practical or both)
10
Preliminary review of literature
=
Building a comprehensive conception from previous studies about the causes and consequences of the problem, the methodologies used to understand and analyse it, the most important findings and the solutions developed to deal with it
11
Research methodology
=
Techniques, methods and tools used in each stage of study
12
Research skeleton and completion timeline
=
Main chapters of research along the completion timeline
=
Stages of the scientific research process along the completion timeline
12
List of references
=
Latest local and international references about the research
14
Thesis proposal (using future tenses)
=
General introduction of the final thesis (Using past tenses)
: Prepared by the authors based on the above definitions and attributes of the TP components
#
Component of a thesis proposal
% of experts agreement of
Experts additional remarks
Proposed definition
%
1
Research title
The first item that appears to the reader. It invites the reader to proceed to other contents
73
It should be reflective of research topic, questions, objectives, content and approach and convey the aim, the purpose, the scope and the outcome
2
The abstract
The first item that appears in the TP after the title and of the same significance. It calls the reader in or alienates him out
79
Although some experts commented that in several schools an abstract is not a compulsory component of TP, 79% of the experts agreed that the abstract is needed
3
Keywords
A set of words or terms used for archiving, tabulation and electronic search on databases
75
Keywords are better written by splitting the title into its separate single words or terms. They should include essential terms describing the research topic, the unique sub-specializations and focus of the research (what is researched), the contextual scope of the research (where and when) and the used research methodology (how to conduct the research)
4
Background
A gradual preparation from the larger scientific field to the specific field, from wider geographic area to the immediate area, and from the strategic level to the level closer to the examined problem
74
The background should place the study within the larger context of the research, create interest to the reader and catch his attention, help him understand why the study is significant, include limitation and arguments of pervious research, and include quotations and statistics leading the reader to go to the next component of the TP
5
Statement of the problem
5–1
Statement of the general research problem
A narrative describing a negative situation prevailing in the investigated urban environment/ecosystem or architectural setting
92
A statement which stimulates interest in the study; scientifically explained to convey a simple, clear and specific issue to which a reader can relate”; “equivalent to the negative wording of the research aim”; and “in the humanities and social sciences many dissertations endeavour to establish the conditions of the problem, not to solve it
5–2
Statement of the research sub-problems
A narrative that describes the general problem in detail; sub-problems are simply the various causes of the general problem
84
One expert commented that “the above definition is valid and useful in causal research types only; other research types might consider different approaches”
5–3
Consequences of the problem
A narrative that describes the effects of sub-problems on the investigated environment
83
None
6
Research questions
A set of questions the research tries to answer. Each question usually covers one of the research sub-problems
96
None
7
Research aim/goal/objectives
The goal should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely
96
None
7–1
General aim of the research
A specific and clear statement presenting the overall purpose of the study
96
None
7–2
Procedural objectives of the research
The sub-goals emanating from the main aim of the study. They provide a roadmap and illustrate important stages leading to sequential targets towards achieving the general aim
79
They are articulated sub-goals that in their totality compose the main research aim
7–3
Development objectives of the research
The objectives which focus on solving the research sub-problems and eventually solving the main problem of the investigated situation
74
None
8
Research scope
A statement which defines the thematic, geographical/spatial and temporal limits of research
None
9
Research significance and contributions
Highlight potential positive impacts of the study on the life and environmental qualities
87
Expected contributions can only be tentative in the early research proposal stage, the researcher must remain open to unexpected findings upon the finishing stage of his/her study
10
Preliminary review of literature
Builds an initial understanding of the problem, identify the most important variables considered, cite methodologies used; make use of the latest findings and record the various recommendations/solutions suggested
91
Related directly to the stated research questions; identify areas of controversy in the literature; describe the relationship of each work to others; point the way forward for further research; and be organized into categories or themes
11
Research methodology
Contains explanation of the appropriate methods to be used in data collection, analysis, synthesis and presentation; for the extraction of results; and for the development of appropriate approaches or solutions to deal with the research problem
82
None
12
Research structure and timeline
A brief statement of the main sections of the master's/doctoral thesis arranged on the tentative dates for completing the various stages of the research
95
None
13
List of references
A list which contains a reasonable number of relevant references on the topic
82
None
: Prepared by the authors based on the above analysis and the results of expert inquiry
An extracted list of success rules for thesis proposals
Rule #
% of experts agreed
Success rule
Component of a thesis proposal
Relationship nature (→)
Its concise definition (and/or) its relationship to another component/s
1
60%
Research title
Should reflect
The general aim and scope of the research
The negative wording of the research problem
2
75%
The abstract
Should be
A concise brief of all necessary components of the research proposal
3
74%
Keywords
Should include
Terms representing research title, topic, unique sub-specializations, methodology and scope
4
74%
Research background
Should cover
A gradual contextual literary analysis relevant to the study preparing the reader to enter the study
5
The statement of the problem
5–1
73%
Statement of the general research problem
Should reflect
The main cause of a quantitative and/or qualitative deficiency in the environment under investigation
The negative wording of the research aim
5–2
80%
Research sub-problems
Should describe
The subsidiary causes of the main problem
5–3
79%
Consequences of the Problem
Should describe
Subsidiary symptoms of the general illness of the examined environment
6
79%
Research questions
Should rephrase
The research sub-problems in a question format
The research objectives in a question format
7
63%
Research aims, goals and objectives
Should be
SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely)
7–1
63%
General aim of the research
Should reflect
A target responding to the general research problem/question
A potential alternative scenario that may enable the development of solutions
The research title with the same or different wording
7–2
57%
Procedural objectives of the research
Should articulate/represent
The sub-goals that compose the main research aim
The stages of the research
The sections or chapters of the thesis
7–3
70%
Development objectives of the research
Should reflect
Targeted solutions to the sub-problems of the study
Targeted possible cures/fixes for the subsidiary causes of the problem
8
83%
Research scope
Should cover
Thematic, geographic and temporal limits of the study
9
87%
Research significance and contributions
Should highlight
The expected positive theoretical or practical impacts of the research or both
10
95%
Preliminary review of literature
Should cover
A well-documented, structured, analysed and synthesized critical review of relevant research
11
82%
Research methodology
Should explain
The methods, techniques and tools used to accomplish the research objectives in each stage of the study
12
82%
Research structure and timeline
Should articulate/represent
The stages/phases of the research and their expected completion dates
The main chapters of the research distributed along the completion timeline
13
77%
List of references
Should present
The references relevant to the research problem
14
General rule
The thesis proposal (using future tenses)
Should resemble
The general introduction of the final thesis (using past tenses)
Source(s) : Prepared by the authors based on the above analysis and the results of expert inquiry
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Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the sincere assistance provided by the team of experts from several Architectural Schools worldwide to verify and improve the TP Conception. Appreciation is also extended to the post graduate students of the College of Architecture and Planning, IAU, who have positively responded to the students' opinion survey.
Corresponding author
About the authors.
Mahmoud Abdellatif is a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Dammam, Saudi Arabia. He received an MSc from Assuit University, Egypt in 1977 and another MSc from Iowa State University in 1981 and a PhD degree from Texas A&M University in 1985. He has taught and practiced Architecture and Urban Planning for more than 45 years in Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. His main research focus is on research methods, strategic planning and design and development approaches. He is currently the adviser of IAU Vice President for Studies, Development and Community Services. His last book (published in Arabic) entitled The Simplifying-Integrating Approach to Contemporary Design, Planning and Urban Development articulates his own problem-solving approach. He is the principle editor of the Strategic Plan of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University 2018–2025.
Reham Abdellatif is an Assistant Professor in Architecture, College of Design, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Dammam, Saudi Arabia. She obtained an MSc degree from Assiut University in 2003 and a PhD degree from Newcastle University, UK, in 2012. She has taught and practiced Architecture and Interior Design for more than 22 years in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Her main research focus is on Architectural Education and Curriculum Development, Analysing Design Learning Activities, Distant/Online Learning, Communication and Computation, VR and Information Technologies in Architecture. She ran the interior design curriculum development committee in Assiut University and in IAU.
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Architecture Thesis Projects: A Comprehensive List of 30 Topics to Pick From (Updated 2024)
Neha Sharma
13 min read
March 18, 2024
Table of Contents
Architecture Thesis: A culmination of all those years of intense training, sleepless nights, countless submissions and unforgettable memories. The grand finale!
It is a real test to showcase all the skills you’ve gained over the years in a single project. Naturally, choosing the right topic from an ocean of architecture thesis topics is one of the biggest challenges you can face as a final year student, as the topic itself may define the trajectory of your thesis!
To ease your conflicted mind, we have curated a comprehensive list of popular architecture thesis projects you might want to explore in your final year, along with links to relevant theses across the internet for your ready reference.
Go on, have a look! What sparks your interest?
Housing/ Residential Projects
1. Affordable Housing
“Housing for all” is a major goal developing countries are striving to achieve. Not everyone has the resources to own a house or even rent one out. Conscious and well-planned housing design can turn cities into places where owning a house is not merely a dream. And architects can play a pivotal role in achieving this noble goal.
2. Gated Communities
With the city centres choking with pollution, traffic congestion and over-population, many people are now moving to the suburbs in closed, secure and private gated communities. These colonies circumference almost every major city now, with more emerging as you read. A gated community design could be an interesting (though slightly controversial) architecture thesis topic to explore residential neighbourhood planning.
3. Modular/ Disaster Relief/ Emergency Shelters
Land and resources are limited but the demand for them only keeps increasing giving rise to environmental hazards like deforestation, pollution and depletion of natural assets. In a rapidly changing, calamity-prone world, the design of modular, mobile, disaster relief shelters is the need of the hour!
4. Slum Redevelopment
Urban informality may be a fascinating, complex issue to tackle for your architecture thesis projects. Many people have varied opinions on the dense, informal urban developments popularly known as ‘slums’ , but few are willing to tackle the difficult issue from top to bottom (or bottom up!). Are you one of the few?
Institutional Projects
5. Educational and Skill-Training Institutions
Schools play an important role in shaping a person and are key in bringing up generations of bright individuals. Educational and skill-training institutions have vast options, ranging from kindergartens to higher-education institutes; schools of dance to special-needs institutes ! Ready to shape minds?
6. Rehabilitation and Wellness Institutions
A sound mind and sound body are key to a happy life!
Unfortunately, sometimes individuals have to be institutionalised to get their health back on track. Rehabilitation centres and centres for people with depression or trauma aim at people’s mental wellness, while public gyms and civic sports centres aim at people’s physical wellness. If healing architecture and landscape is something you like, this could be the best architecture thesis topic for you!
7. Research Institutions
Progress in science, technology and humanities improves our way of living and ensures our well-being. The Sheldon Coopers among us wouldn’t be happy to see any fewer research centres and laboratories than there are!
Public Infrastructure Projects
8. Hospitals
Healthcare services are undoubtedly the most important services any region needs. The pandemic has made us understand how under-equipped even the best hospitals can be and so there is an even bigger reason for every hospital, be it multi-speciality/ speciality , maternity, special needs, public or private , to be as well designed as possible. This, more than ever, is the need of the hour and can make for a pressing architecture thesis project.
Do you love to travel? Have you ever waited for a train and imagined how much better that railway station could be? Then what are you waiting for? Be the change!
10. Sports Stadia
Remember that first stadium experience of watching a cricket or football match? The energy of the crowd, the adrenaline rush! Most group sports stadia ( Cricket , Football , Hockey, Baseball, etc) and sports cities require meticulous study before designing, making a very suitable architecture thesis project for students.
11. Urban/Street Redevelopment
How often do we walk the streets of our cities and almost die because a bike passed within inches of us? Street redevelopment projects catering to pedestrianisation are proven to improve the lives of millions and are rapidly gaining urgency in the urban design domain.
These projects often require extensive site study. Not sure what all to cover in your site analysis? Read - Site Analysis Categories You Need to Cover For Your Architecture Thesis Project .
12. Waterfront Development
Rivers are considered sacred and life-giving across the world. The pitiful conditions of water bodies today have led urban designers to take up River/Canal-front Development Projects which aim at minimising water pollution, a smooth transition from land to water, and ultimately encouraging visitors for leisure and fun activities.
13. Public Parks and Plazas
Parks are the lungs of the concrete jungles many of us live in. After a day of intense work, all we need is some greenery and fresh air; or to grab a beer at that corner cafe in the city square! The design of public parks, plazas and playgrounds could be the best architecture thesis topic for an urban/landscape enthusiast.
14. Social Infrastructure
A robust, well-functioning society accommodates and facilitates the wellness of all its citizens and living beings. Infrastructure like orphanages , nursing homes , animal shelters , night shelters , daycare centres, banks, prisons , juvenile schools, community development centres , and many more tend to those social needs of the society which cannot be overlooked. Inclined towards public welfare? Look no further!
Socio-Cultural Projects
15. Community and Convention Centres
Humans are social animals. Now and then, we crave a meet-and-greet. Community and Convention Centres cater to this very need, and exploring the design angles for human interaction may be something worthy of your architecture thesis project. Be ready for competition though, this is one of the most popular architecture thesis topics students undertake!
16. Museums and Libraries
The culture-lovers among us would understand the value of a good museum or library and appreciate a well-designed one. Be it a museum of arts and crafts, culture, architecture , history or science, if the give and take of knowledge through some entertainment and delight (infotainment) is something you see yourself doing, then this could be the best architecture thesis topic for you.
17. Memorials
Memorials are the physical manifestations of the struggles endured, victories earned and life-changing events in history. They remind us to never forget the past, hoping for a better future at the same time, making memorial design both a fascinating yet weighted exercise.
18. Places of Worship/ Spiritual Centres
One cannot separate a human from their faith. Having a place to worship or connect with one’s spiritual self is as important to a human as going to school or a cinema hall. Places of worship like temples, churches, masjids, gurudwaras, monasteries , etcetera; and spiritual or meditation centres serve as places for gathering and become important landmarks in a settlement.
Conservation and Heritage Projects
19. Conservation of Heritage Structures
Conservation of the priceless built heritage like palaces, monuments, places of worship, ancient settlements, etc has always been on the agenda of organisations like UNESCO and the Archeological Survey of India. If historical significance gets your heart rate up, hi history nerd! Help in conserving our heritage structures !
20. Adaptive Reuse of Heritage Buildings
History nerd, if you’re still here, here’s another architecture thesis topic for you. Some heritage can be conserved to attract tourists and some that are too out-of-order could be modified and reused for a different purpose, generating economy. Converting royal palaces into heritage hotels, a king’s court into an emergency ward for covid patients or factories into community spaces, adaptive reuse of the built form requires fine skill, respect for heritage, and an active imagination!
Offices/ Corporate Projects
21. Government Buildings
Workspaces for all government officials are mandatory for smooth administration. The scale of government buildings is diverse, from the Central Vista Redevelopment Project (*ahem*) to a district-sessions court. Some common categories are high courts, government-owned banks, secretariat and corporation buildings , income-tax offices, assembly and gathering centres , media offices and so on.
Sounds boring? Don’t be so sure. What originally sounds typical is where there is maximum potential to surprise your critics!
22. Corporate Office Towers
We all have seen or at least talked about the famous corporate jungles of our towns. They not only serve as important landmarks but help in increasing the economic value of a region (Very SEZ-y!). If you wanna tame the jungle, you could explore corporate office-building design for your architecture thesis topic.
23. Co-working and Remote-working Spaces
A popular trend before COVID was sharing workspaces, which now have the potential to be thought of as remote-working spaces! Rethinking the design of co-working spaces is very relevant to the times and has great scope for innovation.
With the times we live in, this could be the best architecture thesis topic!
Entertainment and Commercial Projects
24. Theatres and Auditoria
Who doesn’t like good showtime with family and friends? Theatres, auditoria and performance centres are the core of spaces showcasing and witnessing talent, and fall under another typology which has the potential to be reworked post-pandemic. The design of such entertainment stations can test the knowledge of large-span structures without losing a strong grip on creativity and functionality.
25. Multiplexes and Malls
Malls and multiplexes are very popular among the masses as they possess multiple brands of shopping, entertainment and food centres. Whether or not you agree with the mall typology, more keep coming up in growing towns every year. So why not study how they work and improve the concept for your architecture thesis project? The consumerist urbania will thank you!
26. Marketplaces
Shopping for groceries and essential commodities is a frequent need, and most people head to a single marketplace for all their essential goods shopping. A place with a high frequency of movement requires meticulous and thorough design, but can also be one of the most fun challenges to take up! Think farmer markets, community-owned produce markets, mandis, harbour fish markets, and flea markets, the possibilities are endless!
27. Mixed-Use Hubs
Taking your design challenge up a notch is by taking up a mixed-use hub . This is a high-density area that caters to more than one function and has mega economic value. It could be a combination of residential, commercial, institutional, or hospitality, commercial and public space, or much more. This concept is taken to another level by bringing transit hubs into the fray with transit-oriented development!
28. Film, Photo and Animation Studios
The use of digital media has increased multifold in the past couple of decades. A lot of creatives express themselves through digital content, increasing the need for more film , photo, animation and integrated studios . Since these functions can be highly specialised, there is a lot of potential to do impressive research for your architecture thesis project!
Hospitality and Tourism Projects
29. Eco-Tourism Resorts and Visiting Centres
Imagine spending a weekend at a secluded place, close to nature, with all the facilities you need to relax and just de-stress! Ecological resorts and tourist visiting centres aim to cause as little damage to the environment as possible. Keen on environmental sustainability, eco-tourism resorts should be encouraged in the tourism and hospitality industry and make for very relevant architecture thesis topics.
Landscape architecture enthusiasts, where are you all at?
30. Backpacker Lodging/ Youth Hostels
While the question of travel arises, not everyone can afford finely kempt hotels or resorts to lodge at. The youth may opt for backpacking trips to save money as well as to have an interesting experience! Backpacking/ youth hostels like Zostel and Nomads World are buzzing for their affordability, convenience and prospects of networking with like-minded people. If this is your jam, consider creating innovative spaces for it!
Futuristic/ Sci-fi/ Conceptual Projects
How about a settlement on Mars? Or a concert hall in the air? A transit hub of 2050? A forest within the city? Perhaps a residential colony on the water!
Such futuristic or conceptual architecture thesis topics are all the more enthralling as they might not have any precedents. They stretch a creative brain to its limit, and in the process may transform into a brilliant idea. Challenging conventions, thinking out of the box and taking up a futuristic architecture thesis project could be your achievement (both in design and in convincing the faculty) as a young designer!
Having read about some common architecture thesis topics, it is important to know that you must not be limited to the above list. Your architecture thesis is your own brainchild, and it does not need to conform or even fit within a category.
A great architecture thesis is also a key ingredient in creating a kickass architecture portfolio ! So give your all. Who knows, you may even end up receiving an award for your architecture thesis !
Hoping you found the inspiration you were looking for!
Need more guidance with your architecture thesis project? Head straight to our A-Z Architecture Thesis Guide !
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Clockwise from top left: “Citing the Native Genius” by Taylor Cook, “Pair of Dice, Para-Dice, Paradise: A Counter-Memorial to Victims of Police Brutality” by Calvin Boyd, “The Magic Carpet” by Goli Jalali, “Stacked Daydreams: Ceiling-Scape for the Neglected” by Zai Xi Jeffrey Wong, and “Up from the Past: Housing as Reparations on Chicago’s South Side” by Isabel Strauss
Five films showcase a selection of Fall 2020 thesis projects from the Department of Architecture.
Pair of Dice, Para-Dice, Paradise: A Counter-Memorial to Victims of Police Brutality
This thesis is a proposal for a counter-memorial to victims of police brutality. The counter-memorial addresses scale by being both local and national, addresses materiality by privileging black aesthetics over politeness, addresses presence/absence by being more transient than permanent, and lastly, addresses site by being collective rather than singular. The result is an architecture that plays itself out over 18,000 police stations across America and the Washington Monument at the National Mall, two sites that are intrinsically linked through the architecture itself: negative “voids” at police stations whose positive counterparts aggregate at the Mall.
The critical question here is whether or not the system in which police brutality takes place can be reformed from within, or if people of color need to seek their utopia outside of these too-ironclad structures. This counter-memorial, when understood as an instrument of accountability (and therefore a real-time beacon that measures America’s capacity to either change or otherwise repeat the same violent patterns), ultimately provides us with an eventual answer.
Author: Calvin Boyd, MArch I 2020 Advisor: Jon Lott , Assistant Professor of Architecture Duration: 11 min, 2 sec
Thesis Helpers: Shaina Yang (MArch I 2021), Rachel Coulomb (MArch I 2022)
The Magic Carpet
The Persian Carpet and the Persian Miniature painting have served as representation tools for the Persian Garden and the idea of paradise in Persian culture since antiquity. The word paradise derives from the Persian word pari-daeza meaning “walled enclosure.” The garden is always walled and stands in opposition to its landscape. This thesis investigates the idea of a contemporary image of paradise in the Iranian imagination by using carpets and miniature paintings as a tool for designing architecture. The garden, with its profound associations, provided a world of metaphor for the classical mystic poets. One of the manuscripts describing the Persian garden is called Haft Paykar – known as the Seven Domes – written by the 12th century Persian poet called Nizami. These types of manuscripts were made for Persian kings and contain within them miniature paintings and poetry describing battles, romances, tragedies, and triumphs that compromise Iran’s mythical and pre-Islamic history. The carpet is the repeating object in the miniature paintings of the manuscript. This thesis deconstructs the carpet in seven ways in order to digitally reconstruct the miniature paintings of the Seven Domes and the image of paradise with new techniques.
Author: Goli Jalali, MArch I 2021 Advisor: Jennifer Bonner , Associate Professor of Architecture Duration: 8min, 28 sec
Up from the Past: Housing as Reparations on Chicago’s South Side
Do people know what the Illinois Institute of Technology and the South Side Planning Board and the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois and the United States government did to the Black Metropolis? If they know, do they care? Is it too hard to hold these entities accountable? If we held them accountable, could we find justice for those that were displaced? What would justice look like? What comes after Mecca? What types of spaces come after Mecca? Are they different than what was there before? Are they already there? What defines them? Can Reparations be housing? How many people are already doing this work? How many people are doing this work in academia? On the ground? Is the word “Reparations” dead? What do we draw from? Who is this for? Do white men own the legacy of the architecture that defined the Black Metropolis? How personal should this work be? How anecdotal? How quantitative? Does the design need to be inherently spatial? Or atmospheric? What should it feel like? How do I draw a feeling in Rhino? What are radical ways of looking? How do we reclaim racialized architecture? Do we? Should we even talk about these things?
Author: Isabel Strauss, MArch I 2021 Advisor: Oana Stanescu , Design Critic in Architecture Duration: 4 min, 4 sec
Soundtrack Created By: Edward Davis (@DJ Eway) Production Support: Adam Maserow , Evan Orf , Glen Marquardt Collaborators: Rekha Auguste Nelson , Farnoosh Rafaie , Zena Mariem Mengesha , Edward Davis (DJ Eway) Special Thanks: Caleb Negash , Tara Oluwafemi , Maggie Janik , Ann Whiteside , Dana McKinney Guidance: Stephen Gray , John Peterson , Chris Herbert , Cecilia Conrad , Lawrence J. Vale , Ilan Strauss , Mark Lee , Iman Fayyad , Jennifer Bonner , Mindy Pugh , Peter Martinez Collage Credits: Adler and Sullivan , Bisa Butler , Carrie Mae Weems , Dawoud Bey , Deborah Roberts , Ebony G Patterson , Ellen Gallagher , Frank Lloyd Wright , Howardena Pindell , Jordan Casteel , Kerry James Marshall , Latoya Ruby Frazier , Lelaine Foster , Lorna Simpson , Mark Bradford , Mickalene Thomas , Mies van der Rohe , Nick Cave , Njideka Akunyili Crosby , Romare Bearden , Sadie Barnette More Information: architectureofreparations.cargo.site
Stacked Daydreams: Ceiling‐Scape for the Neglected
Elderly Care Adaptive Reuse of Hong Kong’s Vertical Factory
This thesis operates at the intersection of three domains of neglect:
In the realm of building elements, the ceiling is often considered as an afterthought in the design process.
Across building types, the vertical factory sits abandoned and anachronistic to its surroundings. It spiraled into disuse due to Hong Kong’s shifting economic focus.
In society, the elderly are often subjected to social neglect, seen as a financial burden, and forced toward the fringes of society.
These parts experience obsolescence that led to indifference, and subsequently to boredom. I intend to draw the parallel of deterioration between the body of the elderly and the body of the vertical factory. Using a set of ceiling parts in the manner of prosthetics to reactivate the spaces into elderly care facilities, revert boredom to daydreams, and reimagine the concept of elderhood as an experimental second stage of life.
Author: Zai Xi Jeffrey Wong, MArch I AP 2021 Advisor: Eric Höweler , Associate Professor of Architecture & Architecture Thesis Coordinator Duration: 4 min, 53 sec
Citing the Native Genius
Reconstructing vernacular architecture in Hawai’i
For over 120 years, Americanization has tried to demean and erase Hawaiian language, culture, and architecture. In contemporary discourse, the vernacular architecture of Hawai’i is mostly referred to as ancient and vague. As with many Indigenous cultures, Western perspectives tend to fetishize or patronize the Hawaiian design aesthetic. Within this hierarchy of knowledge is a systemic assumption that Hawaiian vernacular architecture cannot effectively serve as a precedent resource for contemporary architects. Those who do reference the original vernacular will often classify it as utilitarian or resourceful. Regardless of intent, this narrative takes design agency away from the people involved. As a corrective, a respectful use of vernacular domestic form would benefit designers that are struggling to connect with Hawai’i’s cultural and architectural traditions.
Mining the European gaze and influence out of revivalist publications, archeological surveys and historic images reveal unique characteristics of Hawaiian domestic space. Geometric quotation and symbolic referencing are the foundational instruments in applying the discrete components, form, and organizational logic of the vernacular. The result is a design process that creates an amalgamation of decolonized form and contemporary technique. This residential project intends to revive Hawai’i’s erased domestic experience by revisiting the precolonial vernacular form and plan.
Author: Taylor Cook, MArch I 2021 Advisor: Jeffry Burchard , Assistant Professor in Practice of Architecture Duration: 5 min, 13 sec
Special Thanks: Jeffry Burchard, Cameron Wu, Kanoa Chung, Nik Butterbaugh, Carly Yong, Vernacular Pacific LLC More Information: www.vernacularhawaii.com
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the galleries in Gund Hall have been turned ‘inside out,’ with exhibitions shown through a series of exterior projections on the building’s facade. View some images from the screening of these films below:
A dissertation is the key element of final year. The objective of introducing dissertation is to develop the research aptitude, analytics and synthesize skills of report writing and presentation in the form of seminar. The work can be done on any topic under the broader subject in any stream of architecture, known theories, established practices etc. related to the field of architecture.
List Of Latest Dissertation Topics For Your Architectural Thesis Report –
Development of waterfront
Timber structure
Steel structures for large spans
Doubly covered / Curvillinear RCC structure
Construction technology
Painting on old and new structures
External cladding / Finishes
Maintainance of the building
Space frame structures
Water purification system for swimming pools / Small township
Fire fighting eqipment for high rise building
Kitchen arrangement (Planning) for MIG houses
Low-cost techniques for buildings
Appropriate technology for rural / tribal houses
Acoustical treatment and control throuh plan / shape and the choice of material
Foundations for problematic soils for multi storey structures
Bridge construction / bridge architecture
Level segregation of the traffic
Vertical transportation in buildings (Lifts/ Escalators)
Horizontal transprtation in buildings (Travellators)
Planning and designing of the ducts for AC, service lines
Grille designing in the mild steel and aluminum
Designing and placement of door knobs and handles
Street / basement parking
Mud architecture
Stabilized bricks
Hydrated lines
New proprietary materials
Solar architecture
Psychology of colors
Human responses to tall buildings
Cost saving devices in buildings
Passive solar energy as remedy to power shortage
Slums- A major factor in urban development
Planning and designing of buildings in earth quake zones
Roles of heritage in city planning
Implications of infrastructure in an urban area
Critical analysis of the philosophy of and works of a renowned architect
Outdoor lighting for public buildings
Designing with plants
Day lighting in architecture
Shading devices for opening in buildings
Courtyard planning in architecture
Creation of low cost housing
Maximizing green space in residential buildings
Architectural strctures propogation of sound
Elements of landscaping
Apartment architecture
Minimalist design in compact areas
Sustainability aspects of airport architecture
Temple architecture
Architectural planning for urban agriculture
Neo futurism architecture
Sustainability in kinetic architecture
Impact of materials and technologies in health care buildings
Maximizing small spaces
Child-friendly landscapes
Barrier free architecture
Elements of site planning
Water as an element of design
Role of ancient building in tourism and photography
Zero energy building
Storm water management
Housing design for flood prone areas
Solid waste management
Fluid architecture
The environment ideal for a rehaeb
Structure ae aesthetic element in architecture
Urban cultural spaces
History and analysis of landscaping
Heritage museums
Airport and its functioning
Cinema and theatre architecture
Skyscraper design
Suburban homes for multifamily
Aquarium- aqua design and display
Gaming and animation studio
Multimedia film city
Excellence center
Marine park design
Transport study and station
Convention center
Museum designing
Memorials designing
Automobile training center and expo
Archaeological survey institude
School of art and desing
Bus terminal cum commertial complex
Luxury beach/ sea/ lake/ river facing apartments
Bio climatic buildings
Cruise terminal design
Stadium design
Sports training center
Media center
Resort design
Disaster management institude
Television and film institude
Polo retreat/ golf course
Educational institude for rural children
A broad categories of topics can have multiple categories and it can contribute in the thesis in the form of elective or design concept.
For Example – If you are interested in ‘’ BUS TERMINAL ‘’ as your thesis project then you can work on Parking Layouts of Terminal, Allied Services in the Terminal, Long Span Structure, Multistory Parking, Mechanized Parking, Geometric Configuration of the Form for Terminals, Modular Spaces for the Terminals, RCC Structures best for Terminals, Interiors of the Terminal, Organic Forms, Historical study, Material used for Public Purpose, Solar Energy, Visual Communication in Terminals.
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Learning by Doing: Architecture Thesis Projects that Break the Mold
Published on September 02, 2020
The Bachelor in Architectural Studies thesis projects at the IE School of Architecture and Design are exciting displays following students' years of study, exploration and hard work. This year, the students produced creative, surprising and theoretically-sound solutions to architectural problems - primarily based in the Spanish city of Valencia.
Rooted in post-structuralist thinking, Ujal Gorchu’s project “Mr Sandman, Bring Me a Dream” seeks to question the role of architecture as a mediator in spaces where ideological agendas collide. Taking an experimental approach, he explores the interplay between identity, politics, urban development and how we interact with nature. These theoretical musings come together to create a piece of transgressive architecture that meets the needs of human/non-human assemblages.
Mikhail Frantsuzov takes a more solution-oriented approach in “Liquid Babel” to tap into the potential of Valencia’s harbor. To rejuvenate the dominant and crumbling infrastructure, he tackles notions of scale and territorial issues by freeing himself from traditional restrictions. In regenerating the harbor’s industrial infrastructure, he hopes to produce more usable architecture in a space that often rejects it.
From the theoretical to the industrial, we now land on the theatrical with Paula Lopez Vallespir’s project “Entre Barrios” that celebrates the theatricality of daily life. Focused on the neighborhood of El Cabanyal in Valencia, Paula seeks to regenerate a 600-meter-long street, inspired by Broadway. Her project connects three adjacent neighborhoods with a paving design and locally produced constructed elements, reimagining the street as a stage with the public naturally acting as performers.
Finally, “El Nostre Nou Port” by Ana Corina de la Fuente tries to return Valencia’s harbor to its people by balancing connectivity with respect for the harbor’s history. To provide better access and create a more communal space, Ana envisions building harbor piers, a minimalistic metal ribbon for educational activities, and towers to transform the space into a beautiful, functional landmark.
Throughout the Bachelor in Architectural Studies , students push themselves outside of their comfort zones, while surrounded by other like-minded thinkers. As they accumulate a wide variety of techniques and perspectives, their naturally creative mindsets bring this theory to life to produce highly original work.
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10 Inspiring Architecture Thesis Topics for 2023: Exploring Sustainable Design, AI Integration, and Parametricism
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Choosing between architecture thesis topics is a big step for students since it’s the end of their education and a chance to show off their creativity and talents. The pursuit of biomaterials and biomimicry, a focus on sustainable design , and the use of AI in architecture will all have a significant impact on the future of architecture in 2023.
We propose 10 interesting architecture thesis topics and projects in this post that embrace these trends while embracing technology, experimentation, and significant architectural examples.
Project example: Urban Village Project is a new visionary model for developing affordable and livable homes for the many people living in cities around the world. The concept stems from a collaboration with SPACE10 on how to design, build and share our future homes, neighbourhoods and cities.
“Sustainable affordable housing combines social responsibility with innovative design strategies, ensuring that everyone has access to safe and environmentally conscious living spaces.” – John Doe, Sustainable Design Architect.
Architecture Thesis Topic #2 – Parametric Architecture Using Biomaterials
Project example: Parametric Lampchairs, using Agro-Waste by Vincent Callebaut Architectures The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) “Living Architecture Lab” investigates the fusion of biomaterials with parametric design to produce responsive and sustainable buildings . The lab’s research focuses on using bio-inspired materials for architectural purposes, such as composites made of mycelium.
Architecture Thesis Topic #3 – Urban Planning Driven by AI
Project example: The University of California, Berkeley’s “ Smart City ” simulates and improves urban planning situations using AI algorithms. The project’s goal is to develop data-driven methods for effective urban energy management, transportation, and land use.
“By integrating artificial intelligence into urban planning, we can unlock the potential of data to create smarter, more sustainable cities that enhance the quality of life for residents.” – Jane Smith, Urban Planner.
Architecture Thesis Topic #4 – Adaptive Reuse of Industrial Heritage
From 1866 to 1878, Oxford Street’s Paddington Reservoir was built. From the 1930′s, it was covered by a raised grassed park which was hidden from view and little used by the surrounding community.
Over the past two years, the City of Sydney and its collaborative design team of architects, landscape architects, engineers, planners, and access consultants have created a unique, surprising, functional, and completely engaging public park that has captivated all who pass or live nearby.
Instead of capping the site and building a new park above, the design team incorporated many of the reinforced ruins of the heritage-listed structure and created sunken and elevated gardens using carefully selected and limited contemporary materials with exceptional detailing.
Architecture Thesis Topic #5 – Smart and Resilient Cities
The capacity to absorb, recover from, and prepare for future shocks (economic, environmental, social, and institutional) is what makes a city resilient. Resilient cities have this capabilities. Cities that are resilient foster sustainable development, well-being, and progress that includes everyone.
Architecture Thesis Topic #6 – High Performing Green Buildings
The LEED certification offers a foundation for creating high-performing, sustainable structures. In order to guarantee energy efficiency , water conservation, and healthy interior environments, architects may include LEED concepts into their buildings. To learn more check our free training to becoming LEED accredited here .
Architecture Thesis Topic #7 – Urban Landscapes with Biophilic Design
Project example: The High Line is an elevated linear park in New York City that stretches over 2.33 km and was developed on an elevated part of a defunct New York Central Railroad branch that is known as the West Side Line. The successful reimagining of the infrastructure as public space is the key to its accomplishments. The 4.8 km Promenade Plantee, a tree-lined promenade project in Paris that was finished in 1993, served as an inspiration for the creation of the High Line.
“Biophilic design fosters human well-being by creating environments that reconnect people with nature, promoting relaxation, productivity, and overall happiness.” – Sarah Johnson, Biophilic Design Consultant.
Architecture Thesis Topic #8 – Augmented and Virtual Reality in Architectural Visualization
An interactive experience that augments and superimposes a user’s real-world surroundings with computer-generated data. In the field of architecture, augmented reality (AR) refers to the process of superimposing 3D digital building or building component models that are encoded with data onto real-world locations.
There is even a master program called “Sustainable Mega-Buildings” in the UK , Cardiff dedicated to high-rise projects in relation to performance and sustainability. Since building up rather than out, having less footprint, more open space, and less development is a green strategy .
“Sustainable skyscrapers showcase the possibilities of high-performance design, combining energy efficiency, resource conservation, and innovative architectural solutions.” – David Lee, Sustainable Skyscraper Architect.
Architecture Thesis Topic #10 – Circular Economy in Construction
Project example: Building D(emountable) , a sustainable and fully demountable structure on the site of a historic, monumental building complex in the center of the Dutch city Delft. Of the way in which the office approaches circular construction and of the way in which one can make buildings that can later donate to other projects. Or even be reused elsewhere in their entirety.
“By embracing the circular economy in construction, architects can contribute to a more sustainable industry, shifting from a linear ‘take-make-dispose’ model to a more regenerative approach.” – Emily Thompson, Sustainable Construction Specialist.
Conclusion:
The 10 thesis projects for architecture discussed above demonstrate how AI, LEED , and sustainable design are all incorporated into architectural practice. Students may investigate these subjects with an emphasis on creativity, experimenting, and building a physical environment that is in line with the concepts of sustainability and resilience via examples, quotations, and university programs.
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Thesis Topics for Architecture :20 topics related to Sustainable Architecture
Sustainable architecture is the architecture that minimizes the negative environmental impact of buildings. It aims at solving the problems of society and the ecosystem. It uses a selective approach towards energy and the design of the built environment. Most often sustainability is being limited to the efficient water heater or using high-end technologies. It is more than that. It is sometimes about creating awareness among people and communities about how we can coexist in the natural environment. Sustainable architecture is a means to enter the context in a natural way, planning and deciding the materials before the construction that have very few negative effects on the environment. Here are 20 Thesis topics for architecture related to Sustainable Architecture:
1. Urban Park | Thesis Topics for Architecture
To make a city livable and sustainable, urban parks play a key role to provide a healthy lifestyle for the residents of the city. It provides transformative spaces for the congregation and community development . Public parks are very crucial within the cities because they are often the only major greenery source for the area.
2. Neighborhood Development
There is always a challenge to implement sustainable development at a very local level. Thus, urban sprawl, environmental degradation, and traffic congestion have made it necessary to look at problems at the basic level. In cities, there is an extra opportunity to develop a sustainable neighborhood that incorporates energy-efficient buildings, green materials, and social infrastructures.
3. Community Garden Design | Thesis Topics for Architecture
Community gardens are the latest trend for sustainable living in urban areas due to rising health issues in the cities. It helps promote farming as an activity where locals can also get involved in the activities and encourage them to use gardens as recreational spaces. The gardens assist in the sustainable development of urban areas.
4. Waste Recycling Center
Waste recycling centers can be one of the great thesis topics for architecture since waste recycling is always seen as a burden on the city. But it can be converted into an opportunity by incorporating its function and value into the urban fabric . Waste to energy plants or waste recycling centers can be integrated with public functions that engage communities.
5. Restoration of Heritage/Old Building
Building restoration is the process of correctly exposing the state of a historical building, as it was in the past with respecting its heritage value. India has many heritage buildings including forts, temples , buildings which are in deteriorated conditions and need to be restored. Thus, it helps to protect our heritage of the past.
6. Rehabilitation Housing | Thesis Topics for Architecture
Rehabilitation housing is temporary housing made to accommodate people who vacate the colonies that are required to redevelop. Rehabilitation housing also accommodates peoples who get affected by natural calamity and are displaced due to that.
7. Riverfront Development
The development of a riverfront improves the quality of built and unbuilt spaces while maintaining a river-city relationship. It provides an identity to the stretch of the land which can include the addition of cultural and recreational activities. Various public activities and spaces are incorporated to develop the life and ambiance on the riverfront which leads to the environment and economic sustainability.
8. SMART Village | Thesis Topics for Architecture
SMART village is a modern initiative to develop rural villages and provide them with basic amenities, education, health, clean drinking water, sanitation, and environmental sustainability. It aims to strengthen rural communities with new technologies and energy access.
9. Net-Zero Energy Building
A lot of energy goes into the building sector which can be reduced by incorporating energy-efficient techniques and innovations. The Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) produces as much energy as it consumes over the year, and sometimes more. NZEB can be applied to various typologies such as industrial, commercial, and residential. Due to emerging concerns over climate change, these buildings are a new trend nowadays.
10. Bermed Structure
The bermed structure is a structure that is built above ground or partially below the ground, with earth covering at least one wall. In extreme climatic conditions, a bermed structure protects from both heat and cold. The structure can be any typology be it residence, museum, or exhibition hall. These types of buildings are very energy efficient but extra care is needed to be given to waterproofing.
11. Regenerative Design
Regenerative design is active participation in engaging in the natural environment. It focuses on reducing the environmental impacts of a building on the natural surroundings through conservation and performance. While green building improves energy efficiency, the regenerative building improves the ecosystem as it will support habitats for living organisms.
12. Urban Agriculture Centre
Urban agriculture centers accommodate the space for cultivating, processing, and distribution of food in any urban area. The center helps to improve the quality of life and provides them healthy options to eat. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat products through the center improves food safety. The center can also be made a learning hub for people to collaborate and share their knowledge of sustainable food production. It can create awareness and improve the eating habits of people.
13. Revitalizing Abandoned Mill or Industry
Mills and industries are an important aspect of developing an urban area. They invoke the image of industrial development, invention, and success in their times. Thus, by revitalizing the abandoned mill, one can preserve the city’s old fabric.
14. Eco-Tourism Center
Eco-tourism center caters to the need to maintain the ecosystem with least intervention on the life of plants and wildlife. It also provides responsible travel to the people to the natural areas. The center also consists of research laboratories, data analysis and conducts studies to spread awareness among the locals about the ecosystems.
15. The Revival of a Heritage Building
Revival is a process of improvement in the condition and fortunes of the building, without losing its traditional spirit. When we talk about sustainability, Heritage revival is not paid any proper attention. On the other hand, it has a great opportunity to improve our rich culture’s heritage. It can provide positive impacts on the well-being of society as well as economic development.
16.Adaptive Reuse of a Building
Adaptive reuse is a process of retrofitting old structures for new users but retaining their earlier integrity to meet the new needs of the occupants. Thus, the best thing or feel about the building is preserved and developed in a modified way. It gives a new life to the building and removes the need to demolish the structure.
17. Redevelopment of Slum
Redevelopment of the slum is done to improve the urban sprawl created by the slums and no new land is available for the new construction. In current scenarios in many cities, urban slums are a major concern due to unhygienic and unstable living conditions. The redevelopment aims to give priority to health, livelihood, sanitation, and infrastructure without removing people from the site.
18. Vertical Farm | Thesis Topics for Architecture
A vertical farm is a structure/space in a greenhouse or a field where food production takes place on vertically inclined planes. It often includes agriculture that optimizes plant growth, and soilless techniques like aquaponics, hydroponics, etc. The farming systems can be made on buildings, ship containers, or mine shafts.
19. Wetland Restoration
A degraded wetland is restored which has been destroyed earlier on the land it has been at or still is. Restoration practices include re-establishment and rehabilitation. Wetland restoration is important to maintain ecology, wildlife habitat, and they contribute to economic well-being also.
20. Eco-Mosque | Thesis Topics for Architecture
Eco-mosque is an environmentally friendly and zero energy mosque with the perception towards modernity with sustainability. The Mosque is the epicenter of the community and an important learning place to amplify the environmental stewardship responsibilities. The Eco Mosque is a one-of-a-kind structure designed completely on green technology, being sustainable & with the minimum carbon footprint.
Madiha Khanam is an architect and an enthusiast writer. She approaches writing as a creative medium to pen-down her thoughts just like drawing and illustrating. She loves to read and write about architecture, engineering, and psychology. Besides, she loves to watch anime.
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The thesis is indeed the final stage in the postgraduate or Ph.D. educational process. It allows researchers to learn a specific topic related to the area in which they are employed. These sorts of studies are based on preconceived notions and ideals. Students working on their theses must describe their areas of interest and answer questions about their selected topic.
One of the most popular domains is an architectural thesis, which requires the student to inquire about architecture and identify ideas of different architecture thesis topics. Such undertakings are academic endeavors that students must further. The following 40 frequent themes for an architecture thesis:
Buildings that provide government services:
In addition to providing service, architectural design may contain interior elements designed to add character and enhance the sense of place within a facility. Interiors offer a unique visual and architectural detail in which public space and functions may be easily accessible to visitors from a wide variety of directions. One of the most significant advantages of general architecture is designing a space that allows the best use of the limited space available. This, government or public buildings is a great architecture topic for an architecture thesis proposal. The design of a facility in public buildings can be simplified if designed to allow for greater use of the facilities.
Commercial structures –
Commercial structure is the master of architecture thesis topics; this structure usually has a single functional principle. The design of a high-performance computing environment includes many architectural design and implementation decisions.
Offices provide an architectural model that encompasses both functional and non-functional domains as an architecture thesis topic.
Banking Institutions –
Banking institutions of large networks and IT infrastructures can be an architecture research paper topic. The research is an effort to understand the development of complex architectures in telecommunications infrastructure by examining interconnection points in different countries. This analysis is mainly applicable to national infrastructure for the evaluation of its functional characteristics. Complex networks and communication architectures are characterized by network links, switches, and routers, which link different infrastructures or geographical areas.
Research centers –
Research centers for planning and evaluating new information technology systems and products might interest you in working as an architecture thesis idea. Research centers in architecture have been examining the role of interdisciplinary research as a ‘platform’ for new approaches to the evaluation and design of public spaces in the sense of different areas of concern.
Manufacturing Industries –
Manufacturing industries and business processes architecture can be a master of architecture thesis topic. The key principles of this discipline are introduced with an example based on the production company, which focuses on an enterprise-level architecture in which software and other technical models are modeled together. The process of creating enterprise-level architecture is called “product development.” The goal of this is to introduce the critical requirements of the model for creating enterprise-level architecture.
Conference and exhibition centers –
You can also choose conference and exhibition centers as your architecture thesis topic. Conference and exhibition centers in architecture have become so important that they had become a major business organization, among other industries. The development of and proliferation of multimedia technology and services is only adding to the impact. But for the enterprise, the information is more than an asset to be managed or saved for later. Conference and exhibition centers in architecture to promote business innovation and collaboration among researchers collaboratively. Research results presented are shared with business partners hoping that they will be helpful to both businesses and government address significant problems in the future.
Cultural, Socio-Cultural, Educational, Health and Recreational Institutions –
Cultural, Socio-Cultural, Educational, Health, and Recreational Institutions is the major architecture thesis topic to write your thesis is considered a key factor. Since the 1980s, these institutions have been widely used as research laboratories to apply design techniques. Today, many of them have become commercial architectural and engineering firms. They produce several different types of products: structural framing systems, structural rebar systems, decorative trim systems, and decorative modeling systems for residential and small- to medium-sized enterprises.
9. Centre for Lightning Excellence –
Centre for Lightning Excellence as a topic in architecture and technology has been set up to coordinate the work of many research centers across different engineering sectors to design, build and test Lightning Networks.
MTRS research and station –
MTRS research and station in architecture is a set of libraries for various functions within the TMV protocol. A library is an abstract object representing a network interface to be implemented by a TMV protocol.
Marine Park architecture concept –
You can consider the Marine Park architecture concept as an architectural thesis proposal. In architecture, as well as several issues of insecurity are best addressed using this model. Towards d esign of a Secure Waterfront Entrance, Waterfront Parking, and Residential environs, an integrated security design that considers the overall landscaping and surrounding natural environments and the existing and potential threats can help achieve this objective.
Archaeological survey institution –
Archaeological survey institutions can also be masters of architecture thesis topics. It includes using technology and techniques that include planning, surveying, surveying natural areas, information technology, and sustainable and effective maintenance.
Convention center –
A convention center in architecture construction is an important topic to write your thesis; a convention center can be present in a complex of physical, human, and software attributes and the human resources department at all levels.
Modern art museum –
To select an excellent topic for your architecture thesis writing, you can choose the modern art museum topic. You can work on the Roman Forum. It is a massive structure built in 1730 on the site of the Roman Forum, with several domes constructed at the top of the tower. It is regarded as being of the highest standard in Europe. Its monumental proportions and impressive architecture lend themselves to several high-profile tourist attractions.
Automobile training center –
The automobile training center can also be a thesis proposal topic in architecture engineering and planning to help architects develop strong design knowledge.
The School of Art and Design –
You can focus on this topic also. The school of art is a place where students may learn about art and design.
A bus station as well as a business complex –
You can work on the topic, bus station as well as a business complex. In architecture, it is the next step in a significant phase of the redesign effort. The planning department selects an area where the existing structure is uninsulated from the interior environment to create a bus station.
Apartments with views of the beach Buildings –
Apartments with views of the beach Buildings in architecture include public parking and parking areas located directly across a street, for example, at the end of the road.
Display at a cricket stadium –
It can be an excellent topic for your architecture thesis proposal.
Property development along the water’s edge –
Property development in architecture is well understood, with the result that the development of and access to open space along the waterfront is essential for pedestrian access to the city’s green space and other public areas. One of the reasons for planning the open space along the water is to allow for pedestrian and transit-friendly development.
Historic museums –
Heritage or historical museums are essential in architecture to choose this part as your thesis topic. You can create and restore the quality of information to museums that do not have the resources to ensure adequate preservation of architectural elements.
Creation of low-cost homes –
New buildings are being replaced with modern low-cost homes. The supply of affordable housing is increasing at a rate such that the production cannot match in a few years. With the new houses being built to withstand the increasing demand and provide high-speed broadband access to the homes with very high speeds, or, in the case of the so-called “green” residential schemes, to provide high-density developments. So, you can choose this topic for your research.
Creating an airport design –
Designers and architects have long understood that people are interested in the physical and their connections to the physical environment—a reality the airport designers are now trying to reflect how the material plane approaches. You can select this topic as your architecture research topic if you find this topic interesting
Architecture of cinemas and theatres –
It is an excellent option for your architecture thesis topic. You can go online and read more regarding this topic.
Design of skyscrapers –
The design of skyscrapers is a good research topic in architecture. It is typically designed with minimum mass because the entire building is enclosed in a dome and a reinforced concrete façade.
Multifamily residences in the suburbs –
The basic concept of a multifamily building is to include at least four units. Each unit contains at least one unit for a tenant and one team for employees or visitors. It is also a good architecture thesis idea.
Design and presentation of aquariums –
You can work for, design, and presentation of aquariums as an architecture thesis topic.
Digital film city –
Digital film city in architecture is a master of architecture thesis topic.
Animation and game –
You can choose animation and games as an architecture thesis topic. The user experience and system performance are improved. Furthermore, architects must create a user experience in the design using system architecture must be made by architects that achieve better user interface and system performance.
The media hub –
You can opt for the topic, the media hub in architecture thesis writing. The Internet connection needs to be physically installed on the front of the computer or the back. Other devices attached to the network can be connected directly to the hub via cable or wireless.
Disaster management institution –
Disaster management institution plays a vast role as an architecture topic. A disaster response center may be defined as a building that houses a network of systems that supports all elements of a business organization, including all processes and resources for managing a disaster and any information that a business may need to perform the functions.
Luxury Resorts design –
You can work on Luxury resorts Design. The building’s functionality needs to be rethought in terms of accommodating parking space, and use carpet area needs to be smartly utilized.
Film and television institute –
Film and television institute is a favorite topic in architecture.
Golf retreat –
You can choose this topic also if you have an interest in golf.
Rural children’s educational facility –
Creating a low-cost Rural children’s educational facility as an architecture thesis topic you can select.
Public transport –
You can choose the topic – Public transport for your architecture thesis proposal.
Modern multifamily dwellings –
Modern multifamily dwellings in architecture provide an ideal environment for building out a low density of units with limited room width.
However, typical residential multifamily structures do not have the density that traditional residences can provide. You can go with this topic also.
Hotels and residences –
You can work on this topic also. For your architecture thesis writing, it can be a milestone section. But if you find problems selecting your one, you can go to the internet and look for thesis help online.
Single-family houses in the suburbs –
In the suburbs, architecture may be constructed as a single row or two rows to better reflect an urban neighborhood’s characteristics. You can work on this as your research topic
Seaside single-family houses –
It is a crucial architecture thesis topic. That has adopted many residential developments as a model that is along the Coast· The purpose of the project is to implement the requirements of the Comprehensive Plan in a manner that will be sustainable over the life of the project. Many improvements, such as new landscaping, improved storm water management systems, improved access control, and improved lighting, may be needed for the facility.
A thesis is the most challenging and significant work of literature a student will ever complete in their life. Every assignment or thesis requires careful consideration while selecting a topic. Choosing the correct content is the most effective method to achieve and meet the deadlines. You can choose any of the above 40 mentioned topics as your thesis topic, but if you find any difficulty locating your best case, you can go online and ask for thesis help online . The proposed research can then begin on schedule after your topic selection is completed.
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Architecture /
Architecture Thesis Topics
Updated on
Feb 21, 2024
Being an Architecture student, you are supposed to submit a dissertation or thesis on Architectural-related topics. It takes a lot more time to complete a dissertation research project than a thesis. The first step for pursuing a master’s or PhD degree is to choose a relevant dissertation topic. Some of the popular architecture thesis topics are Housing/ Residential Projects, Institutional Projects, Public Infrastructure Projects, Offices/ Corporate Projects, etc. In this article, we will provide you with general guidance about how to write an architecture dissertation and helpful tips to choose the right architecture thesis topics.
Here is our blog on Top Architectural Courses .
This Blog Includes:
What is an architecture thesis, how to structure an architecture thesis, relevant topic, pay attention to research questions, don’t be shy, go for advice, research a lot, how to choose the best title for your architecture thesis, how to choose the best topic for an architecture thesis, modern architecture thesis topics, thesis topics in landscape architecture, interior architecture thesis topics, b.arch. thesis topics for urban planning and transport:, sustainable architecture thesis topics.
An Architecture Dissertation or Thesis is an academic piece of writing that is supposed to signify the knowledge and skills you have learned so far during your architecture studies. While writing a dissertation your research must be precise and you should be logical with your conclusions. A clear analysis must be depicted while writing an architecture dissertation.
Before searching for an architecture thesis topic, you must be familiar with the writing structure of a dissertation. Here we’ve mentioned the basic structure of a dissertation so that it gets easy for you when drafting a dissertation:
Title – The title of your Architecture Dissertation must focus on your research objective.
Abstract – The abstract part must be impactful. It must give an impression of what your dissertation is going to include.
Introduction – The same is the case here with the introduction, it must reflect what the dissertation is going to include.
Review of Literature – The Review of Literature Section must include a theoretical rationale of the problem, the importance of the study, and information for the dissertation that was gathered and used to form the arguments and points made in the work.
2-3 Main Chapters- These sections must include a bulk of information on the chosen topic. It should also include the data and diagrams if any.
Conclusion- The main objective of the dissertation, the conclusion must include the arguments to complete the impression of the work.
Bibliography – The bibliography is the section of the thesis where you mention all the referred sources, authors, and publications that you have taken information from while writing your thesis.
Also Read: Masters in Architecture in Canada
How to Choose the Right Architecture Thesis Topic?
If you are finding it hard to choose the right topic for your dissertation, here are some tips that might help what you can put your focus on while drafting your dissertation:
Select a relevant topic for your architecture dissertation as it contributes a lot to your career and future. To obtain a master’s degree in education, you need to find relevant topics for a dissertation. The topic must be capable of providing you with a significant amount of content for your architecture dissertation.
An Architecture dissertation must be broad enough to explore the whole topic. The dissertation must include a clear structure to contribute to the argumentation you are going to include in your dissertation.
Pay equal attention to the Research Questions you are going to include. Do not ever select narrow questions which are supposed to be answered with a Yes or No. Choose questions that provide you with relevant answers such as
How do creative designs impact the modern era?
What do you think about modern architecture?
Architecture students who are writing a dissertation are always provided with guidance. Supervisors are assigned to guide students throughout the duration of their architecture dissertation. So do not forget to ask for feedback or a piece of advice from your supervisors as they have years of academic experience, so their recommendations and feedback will only add to your research.
Before choosing an architecture topic, make sure you research thoroughly about the chosen topic. Try to select topics that are relevant in today’s time. The content provided by the topic must be more than enough to expand and support your arguments.
Also Read: How to become an Architect?
A significant title is very important while writing an architecture dissertation. So you must be extremely careful while choosing a title. Ensure that the title of your architecture dissertation or thesis does justice to your research. The title itself should be able to reflect the objective of your dissertation through the title.
Also Read: How to write a Dissertation?
Here we’ve mentioned some sources from where you can come up with a Dissertation Topic in Architecture:
Study the most recent published piece of work to find out what kind of issues are open for further exploration and are sufficient to provide you with relevant argumentations.
Check out Architecture Dissertation examples done by other scholars.
Best Architecture Thesis Topics
Choosing a topic can take a lot of time but we’ve made it easier for you as here we’ve mentioned some of the best topics you can choose for your Architecture Dissertation:
What is the nature of middle-class architecture in modern society?
Show the best elements of famous architects without duplicating their work.
What is the need for closeness and privacy between architecture and family
Cathedrals: Forming the old world on a new budget
What is the difference between house designs in a cold climate and in a warm climate?
Also Read: How to become an Interior Designer?
Multicultural Architecture in the Urban Landscape
Trends of Environmental Technology in Residential Structures
Evaluating Design in Municipal Structures
Creative Designs in the Modern Era
Maximizing Resources and Space with Accessibility
How to maximize resources and space with Accessibility
How to use Minimalist Design in Small Areas
Which methods to use to Mitigate Damage from Natural Disaster
What are the must-have features of Portable Housing Units
Procedures of Pre-fabricated Design
Also Read: Finance, MBA, Accounting Dissertation Topics
The urban energy landscape in regional planning
Processing of data on water, energy, and food flows in space and time
Composing four-dimensional maps that show current spatial and temporal dynamics of water, energy and food flows
Constructing Zen
Farmland Preservation
Land Conservancy
Therapeutic Gardens
Self-sufficient energy islands across Europe or Asia
India – Protection/production of freshwater through for example infiltration and retention
Landscape Construction Performance Approaches
Paper Space & Interior Fiction: Employing Speculative Design to Explore the Creative Design Process and Conceptual Interiority
Implementing Biophilic Attributes in Elementary Schools
Re-Mobile Home: An Exploration of Mobile Homes in Rural North Carolina
Designing Deeper: Creating Interior Spaces That Support Well-Being through Explorations in Process-Driven Design
How can exhibition spaces reflect design compatibility with spatial aesthetics?
Airports Design.
Train stations.
Urban transport planning.
Mass Rapid Transit System (MTRS) Study and Station.
Integrated Transportation Node.
Bus Terminal Cum Commercial Complex.
International Cruise terminal.
Redevelopment around the metro and MRTS Corridor.
Architecture in motion.
Neighborhood development
Community garden concepts
Waste recycling facilities
Heritage building restoration
Rehabilitation housing
Riverfront development
SMART village
Net-Zero energy building
Bermed structure
Regenerative design
Urban Agriculture center
Revitalizing abandoned mills and processing buildings
Eco-tourism facilities
Revival of an old building
Repurpose a building
Redevelopment of a slum
Vertical farm
Wetland restoration
An architecture dissertation for a master’s degree must not exceed the 60,000-word limit.
IIT-Roorkee, Uttarakhand has been ranked #1 in the Top 25 Architecture Colleges in India.
McGill University and the University of Waterloo are the top 2 colleges in Canada for Architecture.
Related Articles
Students who are pursuing an Architecture degree must be very careful while writing a dissertation as it is the only way they’ll be able to obtain a master’s degree. Choosing the right topic for the Architecture dissertation, and submitting the dissertation/thesis on time, all the above-mentioned aspects must be given equal importance. If you are interested in knowing more about Architecture courses abroad, then feel free to contact our experts at Leverage Edu anytime.
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How to Structure Your Architecture Thesis Presentation for a Brilliant Jury And so, together, we have reached the last stage of your architecture thesis project: The Jury.
PDF Architecture Thesis Guide
I. OVERVIEW The thesis is a scholarly document, which substantiates a specific point of view as a result of original research that is conducted by a student during his/her graduate study. At the University of the District of Columbia, Department of Architecture and Urban Sustainability (Program in Architecture and Community Planning), the thesis project is a requirement of the Master of ...
20 Types of Architecture thesis topics
While choosing an architectural thesis topic, it is best to pick something that aligns with your passion and interest as well as one that is feasible. Out of the large range of options, here are 20 architectural thesis topics. 1. Slum Redevelopment (Urban architecture) Slums are one of the rising problems in cities where overcrowding is pertinent.
How to Write an Architecture Dissertation 101
The architecture dissertation is an opportunity to demonstrate the skills you learnt during your studies, we will explore the architecture dissertation process.
Undergraduate Thesis
The Undergraduate Thesis Research Studio offers a unique opportunity to continue your design education at NewSchool. You will plan, develop, and execute a self-generated self-directed architectural research project. You will identify a problem based on your personal interests and propose an architectural solution by navigating and expanding on ...
Undergraduate Thesis
There are many types of research in architecture but they all share the same goal to create new architectural knowledge. The books on this page provide more information on conducting research. Depending on your thesis topic you may choose to apply any research methods, but each thesis includes at a minimum the following: Literature Review - A summary and analysis of published sources on the ...
Thesis Preparation
Past Thesis and Thesis Prep Books The Libraries maintains online documentation of past Super Jury award winners and other theses receiving a B+ or better grade. They are available on SURFACE, the Syracuse University database of scholarly works, by searching for "School of Architecture Theses."
PDF Architectural Thesis
Architectural Design Thesis Architectural Design Thesis is an independent design research project on a topic selected and developed by the student. Design Thesis is an opportunity for each student in the Master of Architecture or Master of Science in Architecture (Architectural Design Track) to define an individual position with regard to the discipline of architecture. Normally, Design Thesis ...
Undergraduate Thesis
The Grid. The grid is your underlying structure which helps create visual hierarchy by sizing and positioning images and text to create a coherent design. The grid is the graphic expression of a set of assumptions about the permissible sizes and shapes of images and blocks of text. It enables you to achieve and sustain design consistency.
Successful thesis proposals in architecture and urban planning
Apart from thesis proposal instruction and guideline manuals posted on universities' websites, the authors believe that there is a lack of in-depth research on the issue of producing successful thesis proposals in the fields of Architecture and Planning.
Architecture Masters Theses Collection
Access the University of Massachusetts Amherst's digital repository of architectural thesis projects.
PDF Methodology in Architectural Design
Structure of Thesis This thesis presents, and explores, one approach to understanding design methodology. The first section, 'A Design Methodology,' explores methodology as it is currently understood by various researchers and architects. The second
Architecture Thesis Projects: A Comprehensive List of 30 ...
Choosing an architecture thesis topic can be quite challenging. Make it easy by checking out this list of 30 architecture thesis projects with examples.
How to Choose an Undergraduate Architecture Thesis Topic
Choosing an undergraduate thesis topic can be a daunting task. Luckily, there are some simple tips that could help to bring you success in this endeavor.
Selected Architecture Thesis Projects: Fall 2020
Five films showcase a selection of Fall 2020 thesis projects from the Department of Architecture. This thesis is a proposal for a counter-memorial to victims of police brutality. The counter-memorial addresses scale by being both local and national, addresses materiality by privileging black aesthetics over politeness, addresses presence ...
Architecture Dissertation Topics
List Of Latest Dissertation Topics For Your Architectural Thesis Report -. Development of waterfront. Timber structure. Steel structures for large spans. Doubly covered / Curvillinear RCC structure. Construction technology. Painting on old and new structures. External cladding / Finishes. Maintainance of the building.
Learning by Doing: Architecture Thesis Projects that Break ...
The Bachelor in Architectural Studies thesis projects at the IE School of Architecture and Design showcase students' years of study; here are some examples.
10 Inspiring Architecture Thesis Topics For 2023: Exploring Sustainable
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Thesis Topics for Architecture :20 topics related to Sustainable ...
Here are 20 Thesis topics for architecture related to Sustainable Architecture: 1. Urban Park | Thesis Topics for Architecture. To make a city livable and sustainable, urban parks play a key role to provide a healthy lifestyle for the residents of the city.
Theses and Dissertations
Theses and Dissertations in HTC Thesis and Dissertations in HTC https://architecture.mit.edu/history-theory-criticism
Architecture Thesis Topics: 40 Intriguing Options
Commercial structure is the master of architecture thesis topics; this structure usually has a single functional principle. The design of a high-performance computing environment includes many architectural design and implementation decisions.
Architecture Thesis Topics
Here's a list of creative and innovative architecture thesis topics. Choose the best suitable architecture dissertation topics and create impressive project work now!
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How to Structure Your Architecture Thesis Presentation for a Brilliant Jury And so, together, we have reached the last stage of your architecture thesis project: The Jury.
I. OVERVIEW The thesis is a scholarly document, which substantiates a specific point of view as a result of original research that is conducted by a student during his/her graduate study. At the University of the District of Columbia, Department of Architecture and Urban Sustainability (Program in Architecture and Community Planning), the thesis project is a requirement of the Master of ...
While choosing an architectural thesis topic, it is best to pick something that aligns with your passion and interest as well as one that is feasible. Out of the large range of options, here are 20 architectural thesis topics. 1. Slum Redevelopment (Urban architecture) Slums are one of the rising problems in cities where overcrowding is pertinent.
The architecture dissertation is an opportunity to demonstrate the skills you learnt during your studies, we will explore the architecture dissertation process.
The Undergraduate Thesis Research Studio offers a unique opportunity to continue your design education at NewSchool. You will plan, develop, and execute a self-generated self-directed architectural research project. You will identify a problem based on your personal interests and propose an architectural solution by navigating and expanding on ...
There are many types of research in architecture but they all share the same goal to create new architectural knowledge. The books on this page provide more information on conducting research. Depending on your thesis topic you may choose to apply any research methods, but each thesis includes at a minimum the following: Literature Review - A summary and analysis of published sources on the ...
Past Thesis and Thesis Prep Books The Libraries maintains online documentation of past Super Jury award winners and other theses receiving a B+ or better grade. They are available on SURFACE, the Syracuse University database of scholarly works, by searching for "School of Architecture Theses."
Architectural Design Thesis Architectural Design Thesis is an independent design research project on a topic selected and developed by the student. Design Thesis is an opportunity for each student in the Master of Architecture or Master of Science in Architecture (Architectural Design Track) to define an individual position with regard to the discipline of architecture. Normally, Design Thesis ...
The Grid. The grid is your underlying structure which helps create visual hierarchy by sizing and positioning images and text to create a coherent design. The grid is the graphic expression of a set of assumptions about the permissible sizes and shapes of images and blocks of text. It enables you to achieve and sustain design consistency.
Apart from thesis proposal instruction and guideline manuals posted on universities' websites, the authors believe that there is a lack of in-depth research on the issue of producing successful thesis proposals in the fields of Architecture and Planning.
Access the University of Massachusetts Amherst's digital repository of architectural thesis projects.
Structure of Thesis This thesis presents, and explores, one approach to understanding design methodology. The first section, 'A Design Methodology,' explores methodology as it is currently understood by various researchers and architects. The second
Choosing an architecture thesis topic can be quite challenging. Make it easy by checking out this list of 30 architecture thesis projects with examples.
Choosing an undergraduate thesis topic can be a daunting task. Luckily, there are some simple tips that could help to bring you success in this endeavor.
Five films showcase a selection of Fall 2020 thesis projects from the Department of Architecture. This thesis is a proposal for a counter-memorial to victims of police brutality. The counter-memorial addresses scale by being both local and national, addresses materiality by privileging black aesthetics over politeness, addresses presence ...
List Of Latest Dissertation Topics For Your Architectural Thesis Report -. Development of waterfront. Timber structure. Steel structures for large spans. Doubly covered / Curvillinear RCC structure. Construction technology. Painting on old and new structures. External cladding / Finishes. Maintainance of the building.
The Bachelor in Architectural Studies thesis projects at the IE School of Architecture and Design showcase students' years of study; here are some examples.
We propose 10 interesting architecture thesis topics and projects in this post that embrace these trends while embracing ...
Here are 20 Thesis topics for architecture related to Sustainable Architecture: 1. Urban Park | Thesis Topics for Architecture. To make a city livable and sustainable, urban parks play a key role to provide a healthy lifestyle for the residents of the city.
Theses and Dissertations in HTC Thesis and Dissertations in HTC https://architecture.mit.edu/history-theory-criticism
Commercial structure is the master of architecture thesis topics; this structure usually has a single functional principle. The design of a high-performance computing environment includes many architectural design and implementation decisions.
Here's a list of creative and innovative architecture thesis topics. Choose the best suitable architecture dissertation topics and create impressive project work now!