Top Schools in Architecture: Harvard University

Harvard University (Architecture)

The Graduate School of Design’s Gund Hall was designed to eliminate a siloed approach to disciplines and foster an atmosphere of sharing and inspiration among the students and faculty.

Discipline: Architecture
Location: Cambridge, USA
Graduate: Master of Architecture

Number of students: 315
Number of faculty: 49

Strengths

Multidisciplinary learning focused around open-concept studio “trays” that forms the “physical and pedagogical core” of the Graduate School of Design

Overview

The singular tiered studio structure of the Graduate School of Design’s Gund Hall was designed to eliminate a siloed approach to disciplines and foster an atmosphere of sharing and inspiration among the students and faculty. From desks spread over various levels, students in the architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, urban planning and design studies programs can examine and give feedback on each other’s projects. This vibrant learning environment is enhanced further by a sophisticated information infrastructure, media-enriched presentation spaces, vast library resources and open access to fabrication technologies. Additionally, studies capitalize on the school’s noted visiting critics, theorists and instructors (such as Jacques Herzog, Rem Koolhaas and Toshiko Mori), other respected Harvard departments and those at the nearby Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (MArch I is a four-year program and MArch II is a two-year program.)

Notable alumni

Thom Mayne, Joshua Prince-Ramus, Jeanne Gang, Henry Cobb, Fumihiko Maki