Contact

Vittoria Buccina, Assistant Dean Enrollment Management
ph. (315) 443-5074
vabuccin@syr.edu

MS Program Coordinator

Michael Speaks, Ph.D., Dean and Professor of Architecture

Faculty

Michael Speaks, Edgar Rodriguez, Molly Hunker, Erin Cuevas, Nan Wang

Description

Space / Brand / Strategy is a post-professional degree program at Syracuse University that leads to a Master of Science (MS) in Architecture. The program provides candidates a structured course of study focused on the design of commercial and non-commercial spaces and brands and their strategic deployment and management.

As much of our world continues to move online and our interactions are increasingly driven by algorithms and AI, it is not surprising that human-centered activities occurring in real spaces—reading, dining, shopping—have become more desirable, precious, and valued. Today, physical spaces are more important than ever for those focused on designing authentic, robust, and meaningful experiences. This is especially true in the design of branded spaces, whether schools, art galleries, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, or pop-ups.

Space / Brand / Strategy is focused precisely on designing these types of spaces, but also on how the experience of such spaces is crafted as part of a more comprehensive brand identity. The program is concerned with the design of physical spaces—educational, hospitality, retail—but also with the design of the narratives and strategies that shape, define and activate those spaces.

The program includes design studios, design research seminars, and courses in design and business strategy taught at Syracuse University, along with an optional, intensive summer session offered at the Fashion Design Management Program at the Polimoda Fashion School in Florence, Italy. Another distinctive feature is a series of workshops and short courses that allow candidates to collaborate on real-world design and strategy projects with professionals in architecture, interior design, fashion design, retail store design, and brand management. Each workshop or short course is sponsored by an industry partner and provides a microcredential authorized by Syracuse University.

Degree Awarded

This is a 30 credit program leading to a Master of Science in Architecture degree.

Prerequisite for Admission into the MS in Architecture Program

Applicants must elaborate on their current research skills and prior experience in the field in a brief essay, as well as provide a personal statement describing their goals for post-graduate study. 

Applicants holding a professional degree in architecture (B.Arch, M.Arch) are encouraged to apply, though applicants in related disciplines such as interior design, fashion design, graphic design, product design and business, may also be admitted at the discretion of the admissions committee in consultation with program administrators.

The completed application form must be accompanied by an official copy of prior academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation and a portfolio of academic and professional work. TOEFL scores are required for all applicants whose native language is not English.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Raise clear and precise questions, use abstract ideas to interpret information, consider diverse points of view, reach well-reasoned conclusions, and test alternative outcomes against relevant criteria and standards
2. Apply contemporary design research tools and techniques for the purposes of visualization, assessment, and design
3. Explain, compare, and contrast architectural research methods applicable to the program’s concentration area
4. Demonstrate the critical application of current and near-future concepts, trends, and standards for architecture through an applied design+research project
5. Select a topic area relevant to the program’s concentration area and develop research questions within the concentration that form the foundation of an independent design+research thesis.
6. Select and apply learned architectural research methods appropriate to a design problem for an independent thesis
7. Document and communicate a design+research endeavor using discipline-specific modalities (professional and academic presentation formats including academic papers or posters, whitepapers and reports, competition submissions, etc.)

Degree Requirements

Students will complete 30 credit hours of course work. All master’s students must present a final project to their committee members representing a culmination of what they have learned in their research.

Note

The Master of Science in Architecture is a “post-professional” degree, typically earned after completing a NAAB-accredited B.Arch. or M.Arch., and it alone does not qualify as a professional degree leading to eligibility for the Architectural Registration Exam or licensure in the USA.