Master in Urban Vision & Architectural Design

Duration 1 Year
Ects 60
Language English

Starting periods

FebSepOct

The Course

The Master in Urban Vision & Architectural Design offers new techniques of inquiry into the methods, tools, and topics that define contemporary urban and architectural projects. In this program, you will study design-based strategies for transforming cities and regenerating metropolitan areas.

Taking factors like the environment, social equity, and economic viability into consideration, you will design concepts for private and public spaces and collaborate on projects that define a better urban future.

Step-by-step admission and enrollment process
Download

Application form
Download

Who Should Apply

The program is addressed to candidates who have a first-level degree and/or professional experience in architecture, urban planning, landscape design, civil engineering, or equivalent.

It is also open to candidates who hold a degree/diploma in other disciplines, if they are motivated by interest in the program’s topics and a strong portfolio.

All courses are taught in English. A high level of proficiency in the English language is required.

Requirements

How to Apply

Career Paths

Graduates can find employment in design, architecture, and engineering studios; regional development agencies; urban planning departments; or real estate or construction companies.

Job titles include:

Architect
Architectural assistant
Urban planner
Urban designer
Project researcher
Project manager
Landscape architect
Landscape designer

Explore the Program

The Master in Urban Vision & Architectural Design program is workshop-based, supported by seminars, lectures, tutorials, and fieldwork. Industry professionals, the program leader, and project leaders will guide you via individual coaching and mentorship.

The program consists of four customizable course/workshop modules, followed by a professional experience period and a final portfolio presentation.

Graduates of Domus Academy’s Master’s Programmes earn a degree that is recognised throughout Europe and the world, receiving an Academic Master’s Degree (60 ECTS credits) accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR)*, in addition to a Domus Academy Master’s Diploma. The combination of accredited coursework and real-life professional projects gives students the opportunity to build on their academic foundation, while gaining valuable work experience directly applicable to their future careers.

* The academic Master’s Degree is awarded by NABA, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti.

Master in Urban Vision & Architectural Design Overview PDF
Download

Courses

Coursework focuses on critical research methods, design theory, strategic thinking, and historical and contemporary design practices—all within the broader context of urban and architectural design studies.

Workshops

Guided by industry professionals and faculty project leaders, you will work with leading companies on projects such as developing a strategic vision for solving a specific urban issue, designing parts of open spaces, or drafting a proposal for an architectural intervention.

Professional Experience

To gain real experience working in your field, you will choose from an internship at a company site, a work project on campus in collaboration with a company, or an entrepreneurship module. In each case, you will benefit from mentorship, an inside perspective on your field, and valuable career connections.

Companies

Several prestigious companies and design studios collaborate with the Master in Urban Vision & Architectural Design program, actively participating in courses, workshops, internships, and international competitions organized by the department.

Bayer MaterialScience

Check out some projects that our students have completed with top brands.

See all Projects

Wanderlust

See the Project

Wanderlust

Due to this pandemic, Luliang Chen chose the photographer as the user of his project. Photographers need to frequently work outdoor, therefore functions and lifestyles need to change accordingly.

See the Project

Love in Time of Epidemic

Three Domus Academy students, one powerful project created during the Design of Spaces workshop.

See the Project

Insight Flow

Sacred homes

See the Project

See All Projects

Meet your faculty

Your Program Leader

Elisa Poli

Co-founder of Cluster Theory Research Group, Elisa Poli is an architectural historian, critic, and curator. She received her Ph.D. in 2009 in Architectural History from the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. She has co-authored or contributed to several books about contemporary architecture theory, including Hybrid Living.

Elisa was trained as a teacher at the Architectural Association in London and has taught at several Italian schools of design and architecture. She writes for architectural magazines—including Domus, Abitare, Arch’it, Paesaggio Urbano, and Archphoto—and is editor of Opere. She joined Domus Academy’s faculty in 2014 as course leader of the Master in Urban Vision and Architectural Design.

Visiting Professors

Other visiting professors and collaborators include architects, urban planners, urban designers, and project managers such as:

Luca Astorri, Giovanni Avosani, Andrea Balestrero, Gianandrea Barreca, Alessio Battistella, Francesca Benedetto, Carlo Berizzi, Marco Boffi, Paolo Brescia, Marco Brizzi, Elisa Cristiana Cattaneo, Federico Cassani, Elisa Chiodo, Alfredo Cisternino, Paolo Ciuccarelli, Roberto Maria Clemente, Nigel Coates, Antonella Contin, Matteo Costanzo, Maddalena De Ferrari, Manfredo di Robilant, Davide Tommaso Ferrando, Alberto Francini, Francesco Franchi, Matteo Ghidoni, Guido Incerti, Richard Ingersoll, Caterina Lunghi, Ludovico Migliore, Davide Mottes, Walter Nicolino, Fabio Nonis, Caren O’Rourke, Filippo Pagliani, Cristina Perilli, Roberta Pezzulla, Marco Quaggiotto, Nicola Rainisio, Massimo Randone, Davide Rapp, Chiara Rizzica, Elvira Vannini, Andrea Vercellotti, Mariella Zoppi.