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Students in GAUD are immersed in an

exploratory design-studio culture. The

three distinct degrees within the two

programs—Architecture and Urban

Design—share coursework, students,

faculty, and events, thus allowing each

program to draw upon the other’s perspec-

tives and expertise. This mix supports the

ability to integrate diverse theoretical and

technical knowledge in speculative design

work while emphasizing critical think-

ing/critical making. Students and faculty

are engaged in the design of contempo-

rary experimental architectural projects

and the integration of academically rigor-

ous seminar courses in history and theory,

computer media, and technology.

The Graduate Architecture programs

have a diverse faculty of distinguished

educators and practicing architects,

excellent facilities, and trans-disciplinary

connections with the well-known art and

design departments of Pratt Institute.

Distinguished visitors present their work

to graduate students on a regular basis

in research forums, guest studios, and

seminars. Faculty and students in both

programs come from national and inter-

national backgrounds.

A developing research area within

GAUD is the Network for Emerging

Architectural Research (NEAR), which

connects the department to national

and international work. Commensurate

with the complexities of the 21st cen-

tury, NEAR expands beyond traditional

limitations of academic research, and

establishes a space for experimentation

and development in academia, industries,

and public institutions.

The Graduate Architecture programs

at Pratt Institute’s School of Architec-

ture contribute to the progressive design

environment for advanced architectural

research located in New York City. The

school’s New York City location provides

immediate and frequent access to the

city’s extensive range of creative oppor-

tunities. The international study abroad

programs extend the investigation of the

city to Rome and Istanbul with concen-

trated seminars looking at both cities and

their unique contributions to architecture

and urbanity.

Graduate Architecture

and Urban Design

The mission of the Graduate Architecture and Urban Design

(GAUD) programs is twofold. For the first-professional degree

program, students develop expertise to engage and lead

complex architectural projects in the professional practice

of architecture through the exploration and development of

substantive methods of design and inquiry across the discipline.

For the post-professional programs both in architecture and in

urban design, the mission is to expand a student’s established

professional education into new forms of thinking, types of

practices, and areas of expertise. In all cases, each program

promotes a student’s lifelong relationship with his or her field.

Left: Hannibal Newson, Mina Rafiee, Wei Xin, Michelle
Fowler, Paulina Hospod