Architecture Department Courses

The Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Architecture at Yeditepe University offers a four-year course that centres on design studios and brings together theoretical knowledge, technical proficiency and professional practice within a holistic educational framework. The programme aims to enable students to develop solutions to architectural problems at various scales that are well-grounded in critical thinking, creativity and technical expertise. Thanks to a curriculum that progressively delves deeper into the fields of design, technology, history, theory and professional practice from the very first year, students graduate with the knowledge and skills to adapt to the changing social, cultural and environmental conditions of architecture.

Year 1 | Fundamentals of Design Thinking

In the first year of the programme, students acquire the fundamentals of architectural thinking, design culture and representational skills. Whilst creative thinking, spatial perception and design processes are developed through the Fundamental Design and Design Studies studios, the fundamental knowledge and skills of architecture are imparted through courses in technical drawing, digital representation tools, building materials and building science. At the same time, students’ critical and cultural perspectives are supported through courses in architectural ethics, the history of civilisation and an introduction to architectural theory.

Year 2 | Developing an Understanding of Place, Architecture and History

In the second year, whilst architectural design studios focus on more complex scales and programmes, courses in building systems, structural analysis and building physics reinforce the link between design and technical knowledge. In the architectural design studios run this year, students explore the relationships between spatial organisation, user requirements and the built environment through various design problems such as housing, mixed-use buildings and spatial critique. Courses in architectural history and theory enable students to evaluate architectural production within its historical and cultural context. Through site and office placements, students gain early exposure to professional practice.

Year 3 | The City, Conservation and the Integration of Professional Knowledge

The third year is the stage at which the urban, social and professional dimensions of architecture are integrated into the design process. In architectural design studios, students address design problems at various scales through a holistic approach, working on the integration of structural systems into design, buildings requiring large spans, and issues relating to the urban scale and housing. Courses such as urban design, architectural conservation, planning practices, structural engineering and building services systems enable students to evaluate their design decisions in terms of their technical, legal and environmental dimensions. The course on contemporary architectural theory, meanwhile, fosters critical thinking through an examination of current architectural debates.

Year 4 | Professional Specialisation and Comprehensive Design

In the final year, students integrate the theoretical, technical and design knowledge they have acquired in previous years into holistic projects within the Architectural Design V and VI studios. Whilst the fourth-year studios focus on the design of large-scale public buildings and public spaces, the Istanbul Studio – the culminating phase of the programme – takes the form of a comprehensive final-year project in which students interpret Istanbul’s complex urban fabric, cultural heritage and contemporary spatial challenges through design. Seminars on building design, project management and architectural practice focus on professional practice processes, whilst a wide range of elective courses enables students to specialise according to their areas of interest. The programme aims to graduate students as architects who are prepared for the architectural profession and postgraduate research, capable of critical thinking and producing designs at various scales.

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