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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