Course of Study

Generally the masters study programme, MediaArchitecture, is open to university graduates with a masters or “diplom” in the area of architecture and media, as well as in related disciplines. The Faculty of Architecture awards, in co-operation with the faculty media, the title Master of Science (MediaArchitecture) as a further professional qualifying degree. No study fees are imposed.

The alliance of architecture with media has three phases that generally describe the topic fields in form and content:

First of all architecture is, just as language, text and symbols, itself a medium that not only conveys, processes and saves reality and its meaning, but also produces it. In this sense architecture is always a perception machine, physical technique, semiotic tool, and so on. The best examples are represented by the window as view, image and mirror, glass buildings as panorama or simply the space as a choreography of use. Digital media make the expansion of real space possible and allow for its exchange effect with the virtual space (calculating spaces, information and entertainment spaces, immersion spaces etc.).

Secondly architecture is represented in the media. Architecture circulates in media, which present themselves structurally and discoursely as having the ability to define architecture. Thus the representative forms of architecture (drawing, sketch, diagram, model, book, photography, film, virtual reality) as well as the techniques of their distribution contribute to its constitution. On the other hand architecture effects other media and serves as a model for them itself.

Thirdly architecture doubles itself virtually by making or simulating a completely individual architecture from the „artificial worlds“ based on new technology so that new typologies of immersion spaces are developed. Thereby it in turn becomes clear that architecture is always a prototype of such an immersion space. Here architecture offers the metaphors, the language, as well as the structure for order and for the navigation of knowledge.

The masters programme should provide the students with instrumental, as well as conceptional skills:

• technical mastering of advanced media tools in the context of architecture (construction, presentation, simulation programmes),

• use of new digital technology in space and its interaction with architectural considerations (intelligent building, media facades etc.), 

• complex understanding of architecture as a medium, as well as the media of architecture (theories of architecture, media, art),

• ability for interdisciplinary co-operation between media artists, architects and art academics, 

• development of a debate culture, critical skills, generation of innovative approaches etc.

The course of study builds on the respective qualifications and offers - supplementary to the individual’s profession - experience in the respective other fields. A new interaction space (for instructors and students equally), in which the common fields of research can be pursued. New expressions should be encouraged through co-operation experience, as well as mutual new areas of work. The goal is to increase the competitiveness of the students in their disciplines as well as in crossing borders.