Do you want to design for the real city? Do you want the opportunity to ask what urban users want and weigh it against the interests of different stakeholders and thus contribute to solving real urban problems? As a Masters’ student in Architecture and Urban Planning, you can conduct practical research and make a design that actually meets the demands and needs of a Rotterdam neighbourhood with the Veldacademie. You design your project yourself, in consultation with your mentors from the university and the practical mentor from Veldacademie. This allows you to work on your own fascination for a particular subject or area in the city.
"The research methodology and strategy of Veldacademie, in which students from various disciplines go into neighbourhoods to study socio-spatial problems, appeals to me greatly. You get the chance to integrate the real human side into your design and engage with what's really going on in Rotterdam".Guus Speelberg, student of the Master Architecture at TU Delft, 2020
Current topics include health, inclusiveness, diversity, talent development and sustainability. You are free to choose your own subject, as long as it is socially relevant. During the introductory meeting, we will jointly formulate a project that matches your interests and current developments in the city.
In the first semester (MSc 3), you have the opportunity to conduct research and define the relevant frameworks for your design assignment. You will work together with fellow students on an assignment that we call 'professional practice'. During this specific assignment, you will learn to make a neighbourhood analysis according to Veldacademie's methodology, enter into discussions with residents and clients, and organise a meeting to discuss the findings. You will gain skills and insights that are also relevant to your individual project. Together with the graduation group, you will organise an excursion to visit relevant sample projects at home and abroad.
In the second semester (MSc 4) you can work out your design. This could be a neighbourhood building or school, a housing complex for people in need of care or a redevelopment of a park. During the process, you will test your design by presenting it to various practical experts.
The studio is suitable for students who are fascinated by social challenges, are curious about everyday life in Rotterdam's neighbourhoods, are looking for an interdisciplinary research and design approach, and are open to collaborating with multiple stakeholders such as residents, entrepreneurs, housing corporations, project developers, researchers, and civil servants.
At the Veldacademie graduation studio, the regular rules of the examination committee of TU Delft apply. The practical mentor from the Veldacademie is part of the faculty's mentoring team. This consists of a research mentor, a design mentor and a building construction mentor.
FACTS
- Start studios: Q1 and Q3
- Duration: 2 semesters
- Credits: 55 EC
- Enrolment: course code AR3RE100
- Maximum number of students: 15
- Responsible supervisors: Dr. Ir. Machiel van Dorst and Ir. Otto Trienekens
Questions or more info? Mail to andrea@veldacademie.nl
graduation projects