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Course 4: Architecture |
 | | | Architecture Design | | | Architecture Studies | | | Art, Culture and Technology | | | Building Technology | | | Computation | | | History, Theory and Criticism of Architecture and Art | | | Thesis and UROP | | |  |
Building Technology4.401 Environmental Technologies in Buildings
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(Subject meets with 1.564[J], 4.464[J]) Prereq: None Units: 3-2-7 
Introduction to the study of the thermal and luminous behavior of buildings. Examines the basic scientific principles underlying these phenomena and introduces students to a range of technologies and analysis techniques for designing comfortable indoor environments. Challenges students to apply these techniques and explore the role energy and light can play in shaping architecture. Additional work required of students taking the graduate version. C. Reinhart 4.411[J] D-Lab Schools: Building Technology Laboratory
()  Not offered regularly; consult department (Same subject as EC.713[J]) (Subject meets with 4.412) Prereq: Calculus I (GIR) and Physics I (GIR) Units: 2-3-7
Focuses on the design, analysis, and application of technologies that support the construction of less expensive and better performing schools in developing countries. Prepares students to design or retrofit school buildings in partnership with local communities and NGOs. Strategies covered include daylighting, passive heating and cooling, improved indoor air quality via natural ventilation, appropriate material selection, and structural design. Investigations are based on application of engineering fundamentals, experiments and simulations. Case studies illustrate the role of technologies in reducing barriers to improved education. Additional work required of students taking the graduate version. Limited to 20 total for versions meeting together. L. K. Norford 4.412 D-Lab Schools: Building Technology Laboratory
 ()Not offered regularly; consult department (Subject meets with 4.411[J], EC.713[J]) Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged
Focuses on the design, analysis, and application of technologies that support the construction of less expensive and better performing schools in developing countries. Prepares students to design or retrofit school buildings in partnership with local communities and NGOs. Strategies covered include daylighting, passive heating and cooling, improved indoor air quality via natural ventilation, appropriate material selection, and structural design. Investigations are based on application of engineering fundamentals, experiments and simulations. Case studies illustrate the role of technologies in reducing barriers to improved education. Additional work required of students taking the graduate version. Limited to 20 total for versions meeting together. Staff 4.421 Space-Conditioning Systems for Low-Carbon Buildings
( )Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: None Units arranged
Studies the physical principles of, and design strategies for, natural and mechanical systems for conditioning high-performance buildings that are needed to reduce anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases in coming decades. Topics include the dynamics of airflow in buildings in urban areas and the design of natural and mixed-mode ventilation systems, low-energy strategies and systems for dehumidification and sensible cooling, thermal storage at diurnal and seasonal time scales, and district heating and cooling systems. System design in leading commercial practice is presented and critiqued by invited practitioners and students. Through a group project, students assess climate- and building-specific systems on the basis of energy consumption, carbon emissions, and resilience to climate change. Staff 4.424[J] Modeling and Approximation of Thermal Processes
()Not offered regularly; consult department (Same subject as 2.52[J]) Prereq: 2.51 Units: 3-0-9
Provides instruction on how to model thermal transport processes in typical engineering systems such as those found in manufacturing, machinery, and energy technologies. Successive modules cover basic modeling tactics for particular modes of transport, including steady and unsteady heat conduction, convection, multiphase flow processes, and thermal radiation. Includes a creative design project executed by the students. Staff 4.431 Architectural Acoustics
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged
Describes interactions between people and sound, indoors and outdoors, and uses this information to develop acoustical design criteria for architecture and planning. Principles of sound generation, propagation, and reception. Properties of materials for sound absorption, reflection, and transmission. Design implications for performance and gathering spaces. Use of computer modeling techniques. Staff 4.432 Modeling Urban Energy Flows for Sustainable Cities and Neighborhoods
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(Subject meets with 4.433) Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-2-7
Studies energy flows in and around groups of buildings from individual buildings to complete large-scale neighborhoods. Students use emerging digital techniques to analyze and influence building design interventions in relation to energy use for construction (embodied energy) and operation, access to daylight, and assessing walkability and outdoor comfort at the neighborhood scale. Additional work required of students taking the graduate version. Consult C. Reinhart 4.433 Modeling Urban Energy Flows for Sustainable Cities and Neighborhoods
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(Subject meets with 4.432) Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-2-4
Studies energy flows in and around groups of buildings from individual buildings to complete large-scale neighborhoods. Students use emerging digital techniques to analyze and influence building design interventions in relation to energy use for construction (embodied energy) and operation, access to daylight, and assessing walkability and outdoor comfort at the neighborhood scale. Additional work required of students taking the graduate version. Consult C. Reinhart 4.440[J] Introduction to Structural Design
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(Same subject as 1.056[J]) (Subject meets with 4.462) Prereq: Calculus II (GIR) Units: 3-3-6 Lecture: MW9.30-11 (3-333) Lab: F10-12 (5-233)
Introduces the design and behavior of large-scale structures and structural materials. Emphasizes the development of structural form and the principles of structural design. Presents design methods for timber, masonry, concrete, and steel applied to long-span roof systems, bridges, and high-rise buildings. Includes environmental assessment of structural systems and materials. In laboratory sessions, students solve structural problems by building and testing simple models. Graduate and undergraduate students have separate lab sections. J. Ochsendorf No required or recommended textbooks 4.441 From the Solar House to Net Zero Buildings
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(Subject meets with 4.442) Prereq: 4.401 or permission of instructor Units: 3-2-7
Provides necessary historic awareness and technical skills for becoming agents of change for a carbon neutral building sector by further merging the fields of architectural design and environmental performance analysis. Students are presented with a "typical" building and explore various interventions, from envelope improvements to reduced internal lighting and equipment loads, ventilation and HVAC upgrades as well as onsite deployment of photovoltaics. Discusses which energy flows to pay attention to for different building types and how to productively work with the local microclimate, knowledge which can later promote elevated discussions between architect and environmental consultant. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments. C. Reinhart 4.442 From the Solar House to Net Zero Buildings
()
(Subject meets with 4.441) Prereq: 4.464 or permission of instructor Units: 3-2-4
Provides necessary historic awareness and technical skills for becoming agents of change for a carbon neutral building sector by further merging the fields of architectural design and environmental performance analysis. Students are presented with a "typical" building and explore various interventions, from envelope improvements to reduced internal lighting and equipment loads, ventilation and HVAC upgrades as well as onsite deployment of photovoltaics. Discusses which energy flows to pay attention to for different building types and how to productively work with the local microclimate, knowledge which can later promote elevated discussions between architect and environmental consultant. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments. C. Reinhart 4.450[J] Computational Structural Design and Optimization
()
(Same subject as 1.575[J]) (Subject meets with 4.451) Prereq: ((1.000 or (6.100A and 6.100B)) and (1.050, 2.001, or 4.462)) or permission of instructor Units arranged
Research seminar focusing on emerging applications of computation for creative, early-stage structural design and optimization for architecture. Incorporates computational design fundamentals, including problem parameterization and formulation; design space exploration strategies, including interactive, heuristic, and gradient-based optimization; and computational structural analysis methods, including the finite element method, graphic statics, and approximation techniques. Programing experience and familiarity with structural mechanics necessary. Additional work required of students taking graduate version. Limited to 25 total for versions meeting together. Consult C. Mueller 4.451 Computational Structural Design and Optimization
()
(Subject meets with 1.575[J], 4.450[J]) Prereq: ((1.000 or (6.100A and 6.100B)) and (1.050, 2.001, or 4.440)) or permission of instructor Units: 3-0-9
Research seminar focusing on emerging applications of computation for creative, early-stage structural design and optimization for architecture. Incorporates computational design fundamentals, including problem parameterization and formulation; design space exploration strategies, including interactive, heuristic, and gradient-based optimization; and computational structural analysis methods, including the finite element method, graphic statics, and approximation techniques. Programing experience and familiarity with structural mechanics necessary. Additional work required of students taking graduate version. Limited to 25 total for versions meeting together. Consult C. Mueller 4.453 Creative Machine Learning for Design
()
Prereq: 6.1010 or permission of instructor Units: 3-0-9 Lecture: W2-5 (1-242) +final
Focuses on applications of machine learning (ML) for creative design generation and data-informed design exploration, with an emphasis on visual and 3-D generative systems. Explores how recent advances in artificial intelligence, and specifically machine learning, can offer humans more natural, performance-driven design processes. Covers a wide range of machine learning algorithms and their applications to design, with topics including neural networks, generative adversarial networks, variational autoencoders, dimensionality reduction, geometric deep learning, and other ML techniques. Includes an open-ended, applied research or design project demonstrating an original, creative use of machine learning for design, architecture, engineering, or art. Limited to 20. R. Danhaive No required or recommended textbooks 4.462 Introduction to Structural Design
()
(Subject meets with 1.056[J], 4.440[J]) Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-2-4 Lecture: MW9.30-11 (3-333) Lab: W EVE (5-7 PM) (3-442) +final
Introduces the design and behavior of large-scale structures and structural materials. Emphasizes the development of structural form and the principles of structural design. Introduces design methods for timber, masonry, concrete, and steel applied to long-span roof systems, bridges, and high-rise buildings. Includes environmental assessment of structural systems and materials. Laboratory to solve structural problems by building and testing simple models. Graduate and undergraduate students have separate lab sections. Consult J. Ochsendorf No required or recommended textbooks 4.463 Building Technology Systems: Structures and Envelopes
()
Prereq: 4.440, 4.462, or permission of instructor Units: 3-2-4
Addresses advanced structures, exterior envelopes, and contemporary production technologies. Continues the exploration of structural elements and systems, expanding to include more complex determinate, indeterminate, long-span, and high-rise systems. Topics include reinforced concrete, steel and engineered-wood design, and an introduction to tensile systems. The contemporary exterior envelope is discussed with an emphasis on the classification of systems, performance attributes, and analysis techniques, material specifications and novel construction technologies. C. Mueller 4.464[J] Environmental Technologies in Buildings
()
(Same subject as 1.564[J]) (Subject meets with 4.401) Prereq: None Units: 3-2-4
Introduction to the study of the thermal and luminous behavior of buildings. Examines the basic scientific principles underlying these phenomena and introduces students to a range of technologies and analysis techniques for designing comfortable indoor environments. Challenges students to apply these techniques and explore the role energy and light can play in shaping architecture. Additional work required of students taking the graduate version. C. Reinhart 4.481 Building Technology Seminar
()
Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 2-0-1
Fundamental research methodologies and ongoing investigations in building tehnology to support the development of student research projects. Topics drawn from low energy building design and thermal comfort, building systems analysis and control, daylighting, structural design and analysis, novel building materials and construction techniques and resource dynamics. Organized as a series of two- and three-week sessions that consider topics through readings, discussions, design and analysis projects, and student presentations. Consult L. R. Glicksman, C. Mueller, C. Reinhart, L. K. Norford, J. Ochsendorf 4.488 Preparation for S.M.B.T. Thesis
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged [P/D/F] Lecture: TBA
Selection of thesis topic, definition of method of approach, and preparation of thesis proposal. Independent study supplemented by individual conference with faculty. Fall: T. Haynes IAP: T. Haynes Spring: T. Haynes Summer: T. Haynes No textbook information available (IAP 2025); No required or recommended textbooks (Spring 2025) 4.489 Preparation for Building Technology Ph.D. Thesis
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged [P/D/F] Lecture: TBA
Selection of thesis topic, definition of method of approach, and preparation of thesis proposal. Independent study supplemented by individual conference with faculty. Fall: T. Haynes IAP: T. Haynes Spring: T. Haynes Summer: T. Haynes No textbook information available (IAP 2025); No required or recommended textbooks (Spring 2025) 4.491 Independent Study in Building Technology
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged TBA.
Supplementary work on individual or group basis. Registration subject to prior arrangement for subject matter and supervision by staff. Fall: T. Haynes IAP: T. Haynes Spring: T. Haynes No textbook information available (IAP 2025); No required or recommended textbooks (Spring 2025) 4.492 Independent Study in Building Technology
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged [P/D/F] TBA.
Supplementary work on individual or group basis. Registration subject to prior arrangement for subject matter and supervision by staff. Fall: T. Haynes IAP: T. Haynes Spring: T. Haynes No textbook information available (IAP 2025); No required or recommended textbooks (Spring 2025) 4.493 Independent Study in Building Technology
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged TBA.
Supplementary work on individual basis. Registration subject to prior arrangement for subject matter and supervision by staff. Fall: T. Haynes IAP: T. Haynes Spring: T. Haynes No textbook information available (IAP 2025); No required or recommended textbooks (Spring 2025) 4.494 Independent Study in Building Technology
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged [P/D/F] TBA.
Supplementary work on individual basis. Registration subject to prior arrangement for subject matter and supervision by staff. Fall: T. Haynes IAP: T. Haynes Spring: T. Haynes No textbook information available (IAP 2025); No required or recommended textbooks (Spring 2025) 4.S40 Special Subject: Building Technology
(, ) Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: None Units arranged
Seminar or lecture on a topic in building technology that is not covered in the regular curriculum. Requires original research and presentation of oral and written reports and/or design projects, varying at the discretion of the instructor. Staff 4.S41 Special Subject: Building Technology
(, ) Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: None Units arranged [P/D/F]
Seminar or lecture on a topic in building technology that is not covered in the regular curriculum. Requires original research and presentation of oral and written reports and/or design projects, varying at the discretion of the instructor. Staff 4.S42 Special Subject: Building Technology
()
Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged Lecture: M2-5 (5-415)
Seminar or lecture on a topic in building technology that is not covered in the regular curriculum. Requires original research and presentation of oral and written reports and/or design projects, varying at the discretion of the instructor. Ali Irani, Benjamin Kai Taube No required or recommended textbooks 4.S43 Special Subject: Building Technology
() Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged
Seminar or lecture on a topic in building technology that is not covered in the regular curriculum. Requires original research and presentation of oral and written reports and/or design projects, varying at the discretion of the instructor. Staff 4.S44 Special Subject: Building Technology
(, ) Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged [P/D/F]
Seminar or lecture on a topic in building technology that is not covered in the regular curriculum. Requires original research and presentation of oral and written reports and/or design projects, varying at the discretion of the instructor. Staff 4.S45 Special Subject: Building Construction
() Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged
Seminar or lecture on a topic in building construction that is not covered in the regular curriculum. Requires original research and presentation of oral and written reports and/or design projects, varying at the discretion of the instructor. Staff 4.S46 Special Subject: Energy in Buildings
() Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged
Seminar or lecture on a topic in energy in buildings that is not covered in the regular curriculum. Requires original research and presentation of oral and written reports and/or design projects, varying at the discretion of the instructor. Staff 4.S47 Special Subject: Architectural Lighting
(, ) Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged
Seminar or lecture on a topic in architectural lighting that is not covered in the regular curriculum. Requires original research and presentation of oral and written reports and/or design projects, varying at the discretion of the instructor. Staff 4.S48 Special Subject: Structural Design
() Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged
Seminar or lecture on a topic in structural design that is not covered in the regular curriculum. Requires original research and presentation of oral and written reports and/or design projects, varying at the discretion of the instructor. Staff |
| | | Architecture Design | | | Architecture Studies | | | Art, Culture and Technology | | | Building Technology | | | Computation | | | History, Theory and Criticism of Architecture and Art | | | Thesis and UROP | | | |
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