MDE Awards & Prizes
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Master in Design Engineering Program
Master in Design Engineering Program
Option Studio Enrollment
This page provides information related to the Option Studio enrollment process. If you have questions about your eligibility, or about the enrollment process, please contact your program coordinator for guidance.
Current Option Studio information, including enrollment deadlines, studio offerings, presentation videos, and other details.
OPTION STUDIO ENROLLMENT information
To participate in the option studio lottery, students must be enrolled in one of the following:
- MArch I, 5th or 6th term
- MArch II, any term
- MLA I, 5th or 6th term; MLA II, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th term
- MAUD or MLAUD, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th term
- MUP, 3rd or 4th term
Students in MArch I or MLA I may take no more than one option studio outside of their department (except by Program Director approval). MAUD and MLAUD students in their second term must take a studio offered in the Department of Urban Planning and Design. MLA II students must take at least one option studio offered by the Department of Landscape Architecture. MArch II students must take at least two option studios offered by the Department of Architecture. If you have any questions concerning your eligibility, please consult your Program Director.
Descriptions for option studios are posted to the GSD Course Bulletin. You will find the studios’ scheduled meeting times there as well. Please note that the course bulletin is an active document; updates to the course bulletin will take place until the lottery, and in some cases, after the start of the academic term.
Option studio presentations will be prerecorded and accessible through the Option Studio Presentations page. Presentations generally consist of thorough studio descriptions, pedagogic objectives, appropriateness to students in programs outside the department offering the studio, course schedule, instructor attendance, and travel plans. Please pay close attention to these details and consider them when you rank your choices on your ballot.
To enable cross-disciplinary collaboration, all GSD studio courses are, by default, open to studio-eligible students from all departments. However, some studios may require students to have prior training to participate successfully. See this semester’s Option Studio page for more information. Please note that “required academic background” means that a student is currently enrolled in a specific degree program in the discipline at the GSD (A, LA, UD, UP), or previously obtained a professional degree in the corresponding discipline (BArch; BLA, etc.). This information should be considered when students rank choices on the lottery ballot. Failure to select studios for which a student is eligible will result in the student being randomly assigned to a studio in which they are eligible. If any special skills or knowledge is recommended or required for successful participation in a studio, instructors are asked to specify accordingly in their studio description–please read each studio description carefully.
Some studios will incorporate a trip/site visit into the curriculum. Participating in a programmed studio site visit is a requirement, and therefore students should only select traveling studios after verifying their ability to travel during the dates indicated; obtain the necessary visas, immunizations, and other travel documentation; and confirm they are comfortable with any costs or risks associated with such travel. Harvard Global Support Services (GSS) is available to advise on all travel matters, including specific visa requirements. Any student unable or unwilling to travel will be assigned alternative work in lieu of participation in the trip. Students interested in a studio with a travel component should carefully review the GSD Travel Safety and Guidelines. Please be sure to investigate and fully understand the implications of travel. Please note that travel is always accompanied by certain risks. All studio trips are subject to security and safety considerations and may be canceled at any time.
Students are expected to cover their own meals and incidentals for all GSD-related travel. Incidentals can include taxis, airport taxes, meals, fees, immunizations, and other costs associated with the trip. These costs are in addition to the amount of term-bill listed. Please note that there will be one set itinerary planned and arranged for all students in a studio. Any modifications are the individual student’s responsibility (including costs incurred). For more information on specific sites for each studio, please see this semester’s Option Studio page.
Teaching Assistants are not permitted to travel unless they are enrolled in the course/studio that is traveling.
You must cast your ballot online via my.Harvard . Note that you will be allowed to adjust your ballot between the time the lottery opens and closes—please make sure your submitted choices are accurate before the deadline. The results of the lottery will be shared via my.Harvard . You will be automatically enrolled in the studio in which you are lotteried. Lottery ballot submissions and results are binding. A student’s failure to properly submit a lottery ballot will result in a random assignment to a studio.
A petition process is available to address rare situations in which an extenuating circumstance warrants a modification to a student’s studio assignment. Petitions are reviewed by a committee consisting of the Program Directors, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Assistant Dean for Academic Administration, and Program Coordinators. Students may submit a petition by writing a formal appeal to their Program Coordinator (Sarah Hutchinson for UPD, Briana King for LA, and Renee Kalan for Arch). Petitions are rarely approved and are generally not accepted for reasons related to an inability to participate in a site visit, or a preference to work with a particular instructor.
While there may be an advantage in certain cases to stacking your lottery choices by placing what you think will be popular studios behind your first choice, this approach is unreliable as your perception about which studios are popular may not be accurate.
If you have questions about the lottery procedure or your eligibility, please contact your departmental Program Coordinator.
The GSD lottery algorithm is designed to assign students to their highest-possible studio choice, limited by the enrollment capacity of individual studio courses. This computer program seeks to generate the highest-possible average assignment score across all students. Assignments that are not first-choice are weighted by how far they are from first-choice, so a fourth-choice assignment is differentially less desirable than a second-choice assignment, for example. This is not the same as maximizing the total number of first-choice assignments, although the effect is similar. However, a single first choice may be sacrificed to increase the average assignment score based on the differential weighting of ranked choices. Whenever there is a tie, a random choice is made.
The algorithm is agnostic to all information other than numerical rankings; no priority is given based on department, degree program, progress-to-degree, or any personal information of individual students such as names, gender identity, racial or ethnic background, and lottery results in prior semesters.
The lottery is supervised each semester by the program directors and witnessed by a Student Forum representative.
Takenaka Summer Internship
Award Status
The submission period for this award is now closed.
Eligibility
Continuing (non-graduating) students in the GSD’s MArch I and MArch II programs.
Winner Deliverables
No deliverable is expected from the recipient.
Notification of Recipients
March for Summer Internship
Application
Interested students must submit their applications as a single PDF file which must include:
- A statement of interest
- A current portfolio of work (please see below for more details)
- A current CV/resume
- A letter of recommendation from a faculty member
Portfolio Guidelines
Portfolios can include work done prior to the GSD and non-studio projects (e.g., competitions, outside collaborations) done while at the GSD, though the focus should be on GSD work. Please make sure you label each project accordingly. Here are the requirements:
- Portfolios must be in PDF format and designed to be legible when using digital projection as well as if printed on 8.5″ x 11″ paper.
- Images compiled in portfolios should not contain vector files — these should be saved as flattened JPGs or TIFs.
- Maximum portfolio file size: 50MB
- Maximum number of pages/slides: 40
- Display: standard PC or Mac proportions (horizontal)
- Resolution: 150 dpi
- Suggested minimum font size: 8 pt
Please label your application file in this format: Last Name_First Name_Program_2025 Takenaka Application (e.g. Kalan_Renee_MArch I_2025 Takenaka Application).
Questions? Contact Renée Kalan at [email protected].
Rafael Moneo Rome Travel Award
Rafael Moneo Rome Travel Award
Award Status
The submission period for this award is now closed.
Eligibility
Master of Architecture students in their second year of study
Winner Deliverables
A report that summarizes your travels and what was learnt during the 3-months in Rome must be submitted in September upon your return
Notification of Recipients
January for Summer travel
How to Apply and Evaluation Criteria
Eligible students will be notified by email that they are able to apply and must submit a digital portfolio and statement of interest.
Questions? Contact Renée Kalan at [email protected].
KPF Traveling Fellowship
The submission period for this award is now closed.
Description of Award
Kohn Pedersen Fox Foundation (KPF) will present three $10,000 awards to students who are in their penultimate year at one of the design schools with whom KPF has chosen to partner. The goal of the award is to allow students to broaden their education through a summer of travel before their final year at school.
Please note: this traveling fellowship is administered and awarded by KPF; however, as KPF requires that participating institutions nominate their students, there is an internal departmental selection process that occurs prior to the final submission of materials to KPF.
Eligibility:
All MArch I, MArch I AP, and MArch II students in their penultimate (second to last) year at the GSD.
Notification of Recipients
Spring
Questions? Contact [email protected].
Julia Amory Appleton Traveling Fellowship in Architecture
Julia Amory Appleton Traveling Fellowship in Architecture
Award Status
The submission period for 2025 is now closed.
Eligibility
Open to all MArch I, MArch I AP, and MArch II students graduating in the current academic year.
Notification of Recipient
The prize recipient will be announced at the GSD Awards and Diploma Ceremony as part of Commencement in May.
Evaluation Criteria
Applicants will be considered based on the following criteria:
- Completed Julia Amory Appleton Traveling Fellowship Application, which includes the following:
- Personal Information
- 2-5 page original proposal for travel based research addressing the following (detailed descriptions provided on the application form):
- i. Clearly identified intellectual inquiry and objective(s).
- ii. Detailed travel itinerary and budget, and additional commentary related to travel feasibility (ex – visa requirements or safety considerations).
- iii. Intended mode(s) of research, including why travel is necessary to achieve the proposed research objectives (eg. research cannot be completed without accompanying travel component).
- iv. Topics’ relevance to applicant’s development as an architect, or its potential interest to the architectural profession.
- Academic Record
- Finalists will also be required to submit a portfolio of academic work done at the GSD (may include competition and professional work).
How To Apply
The application process is in two parts:
Round 1 (Application/Proposal):
Students must submit an application form along with a 2-5 page travel proposal. Application forms can be requested from [email protected].
Round 2 (Portfolio):
A selection of semi-finalists from round 1 will be asked to submit a portfolio, which will be due in May.
A faculty committee will review the submitted applications from round 1 and select a group of finalists to submit portfolios for round 2.
Guidelines and the exact deadline for the submission of the portfolio will be communicated to semi-finalists after the round 1 selection process has been completed.
Questions? Email [email protected].
James Templeton Kelley Prize
Award Status
The submission window for this award is currently closed.
Eligibility
MArch I and MArch II students who having just completed their final project (thesis or option studio) may be eligible to apply if they meet one of the following criteria:
- They have receieved a HP or Distinction on the final project.
- Their advisor or option studio instructor has nominated them.
Winner Deliverables
Exhibition of student work in Loeb Library Lobby
Notification of Recipients
The prize recipient will be announced at the GSD Awards and Diploma Ceremony as part of Commencement in May.
How to Apply and Evaluation Criteria
- MArch I/MArch II Thesis Students: Students who receive a grade of High Pass or Distinction on their thesis project are eligible to be nominated by their thesis advisor. The final thesis submission from these students is reviewed and voted upon by the department faculty.
- MArch II Option Studio Students: Students who receive a grade of High Pass or Distinction on their final option studio project are eligible to be nominated by their option studio instructor. Nominated students are contacted by the department and asked to submit their final design project. The deadline for submission of these materials will be in May (further submission details will be communicated to nominated students by the Program Manager).
- A deciding vote will be made at the final departmental meeting of the academic year and winning students will be personally notified at the close of the meeting and shortly thereafter contacted by the Exhibitions office to prepare an exhibit. Winners will be publicly announced and awarded during the GSD Class Day awards ceremony.
Questions? Contact Renée Kalan at [email protected]
ETH Zurich Exchange Progam
Award Status
The submission window for this award is currently closed.
Eligibility
The exchange program is open to MArch I and MArch I AP students who will be entering their 4th or 6th semester in Spring of that year.
Winner Deliverables
No deliverable is expected from the recipient.
Notification of Recipients
October
How to Apply and Evaluation Criteria
- Eligible students will be notified by email that they are eligible to apply and must submit a digital portfolio, letter of intent/motivation and indication of German language skills.
- A jury of Architecture Faculty will make the selection based on the overall merits of the applicants.
Questions? Contact Renée Kalan at [email protected]
Department of Architecture Faculty Design Award
Department of Architecture Faculty Design Award
Award Status
The submission window for this award is currently closed.
Eligibility
Applicants must be MArch I, MArch I AP, or MArch II students in their final year of their program.
Winner Deliverables
No deliverable is expected from the recipient.
Notification of Recipients
The prize recipient will be announced at the GSD Awards and Diploma Ceremony as part of Commencement in May.
How to Apply and Evaluation Criteria
- Eligible students will be notified by email that they are eligible to apply and must submit a digital portfolio, which can include any and all design work completed at the GSD.
- A faculty committee will review submitted portfolios to determine a winner on the basis of “significant achievement throughout the relevant program’s design sequence”.
Questions? Contact Renée Kalan at [email protected]
Araldo A. Cossutta Annual Prize for Design Excellence
Araldo A. Cossutta Annual Prize for Design Excellence
Award Status
The submission window for this award is currently closed.
Eligibility
March I and MArch I AP students having just completed the core studio sequence may be eligible to apply if they meet one of the following criteria:
- MArch I student with 2 or more High Passes in Core Studio
- MArch I AP student with 1 or more High Passes in Core Studio
Winner Deliverables
No deliverable is expected from the recipient.
Notification of Recipients
Late May
How to Apply and Evaluation Criteria
- Eligible students will be notified by email that they are eligible to apply and must submit a digital portfolio with work from all four semesters of the core studio sequence (two semesters for MArch I AP students).
- A faculty committee will review submitted portfolios to determine a winner “whose design work consistently shows outstanding promise.”
Questions? Contact Renée Kalan at [email protected]