BAR Architecture (Morphology)

As part of the Center for Experimental Structures (CES), the Concentration in Morphology builds upon a long-standing interest in form studies, with a focus on exploring the relationships between form and space (geometry and topology), form and force (structural morphology), and form and time (dynamic morphology). These investigations are enabled through computation, fabrication, construction, and emerging technologies. Since D’Arcy Thompson’s pioneering work a century ago, generative principles of form have become central to understanding the diverse structures encountered in natural, constructed, physical, and conceptual systems. This paradigm informs the academic and research activities of the CES within the School of Architecture. The Bachelor of Architecture (Morphology) is a professional degree program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and requires a minimum of five years of full-time study. In most U.S. jurisdictions, an accredited professional degree is required for individuals seeking architectural registration and licensure. The program is structured to prepare students for professional practice and licensure in architecture. 

The Bachelor of Architecture program is structured to prepare students for professional practice and licensure in architecture and requires the completion of 170 credits organized into three curricular categories; Professional coursework in Architecture (107 credits), Liberal Arts (37 credits), and Elective coursework (26 credits). 

As outlined in the yearly plan of study, the required Professional Architecture Foundation, or Core, is completed during the first three years of the program. This coursework provides foundational instruction in architectural design, building technology, graphic communication & representation, and architecture history & theory. 

The Liberal Arts component requires 37 credits, and includes coursework in Humanities and Media Studies (4 credits), Literary and Critical Studies for Architects (6 credits), Cultural and Global History (6 credits), Social Science & Philosophy (6 credits), and Math & Science (6 credits). The remaining (9 credits) are fulfilled through Liberal Arts electives selected from offerings within the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 

The Elective course offerings for Morphology consist of electives selected from the CES course menu (15 credits), including at least one 3-credit course in Architecture History & Theory, and All-Institute Electives (11 credits), selected from courses offered by any school within the Institute. 

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Architecture (Morphology) fulfill the Morphology elective requirement by completing 12 credits from the following approved courses: 

ARCH 563A – Research Topics
ARCH 571A – Form and Space: Analog
ARCH 571B – Form and Space: Digital
ARCH 571C – Form and Force: Analog
ARCH 571D – Form and Force: Digital
ARCH 571E – Form and Time: Analog
ARCH 571F – Form and Time: Digital

Through elective selection, students may pursue areas of focused study within the discipline while developing particular expertise in morphological research and experimentation. 

The program culminates in the fifth-year Degree Project, an advanced architectural design investigation supported by research and developed under the guidance of faculty critics selected by the student.