Master of Design Studies
The post-professional MDesS program serves students with specialized interests to pursue advanced studies in fields including design history, theory and technology; urban and land planning and development; and real estate and project management. These programs have been enhanced with new content, and restructured into four focused areas of study. These areas of study complement the traditional elements of the GSD curriculum – architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and urban planning – and allow students to design a cross-disciplinary course of study that enables a high level of specialization.
History and Theory
In the History and Theory concentration, the history of modern and contemporary architecture and urbanism is emphasized, as are new methodologies for the analysis and interpretation of architectural culture.
Technology and Design
Technology and Design focuses on advanced materials and systems, digital design and manufacturing, design computation, environmental technologies at the building scale, and product development processes.
Real Estate and Project Management
Real Estate and Project Management focuses on both private and public real estate development, including finance, project management, regulation and permitting, and other aspects of implementation.
Check out the Harvard Real Estate Development Club.
Urbanization and Housing
Urbanization and Housing examines the conceptual approaches, techniques and measures for successful city-making, including land planning and housing design.
These changes are designed to reflect the diversity and evolving interests of the students participating in the MDesS program, as well as the changing nature of professional practice and scholarly research in the field of design. Please visit the Graduate School of Design Catalog for more detailed information, and feel free to contact the program administrator at mdes@gsd.harvard.edu.