The four focus areas of the MSc ISD
2 I N T E G R AT E D P R O J E C T S T U D I O C O U R S E S
4 LECTURE COURSES
The imperative of density is deliberated;
programme are integrated into a curriculum
questions are raised on how new forms of
structure that fleshes out the challenges of
high-density urbanism might lead to solutions
Asia and offers an approach to tackling them.
for Asia.
The centrepiece of the programme are two
This course relies on project-based learning
This course takes a critical look at the rise of
project-based courses in which students are
to develop skills for systems-thinking.
the Green building movement in tropical Asia,
ISD5106
tasked with a complex real-world problem.
Students are grouped into teams to work on
asking if it has, in recent decades, addressed
SUSTAINABILITY MODELS AND BIO-CENTRIC
These two courses are backed by four lecture
problems at the building scale (ISD5101) or the
the challenges of climate change and
DESIGN FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
courses in which sustainability-related
neighbourhood/precinct scales (ISD5102).
urbanisation. Tracing the environmental
The project presents a problem of spatial,
trend from the 20th century to present day,
The course looks at past, present and
paradigms, principles, and strategies are critically examined.
technological, and material systems, and
students are exposed to various principles
specific economic, social and ecological
and positions. A deep dive into the Green
To be awarded the degree, a candidate
imperatives. Singapore-based experts are
movement reveals its underlying worldview.
must attain 40 units made up of the following:
invited to guide students along the way in
Alternate perspectives are reviewed.
areas requiring specialist knowledge,
Multiple examples of built projects in Asia are
with industry partners often called in to
presented and debated.
participate in discussions. Visits to local
exercise are varied and reflect, in part, cohort mix and individual backgrounds. Most students investigate a deeper integration of architecture, urban design and planning with energy, water and food systems. Some generate new typologies, morphologies and infrastructure to accommodate these systems; others formulate new policies to drive cities towards self-sufficiency and resilience. All are taught to frame the impact of their decisions in both quantitative and
approach to design and development. Here, the purposeful union of social and ecological systems is investigated as an approach. The role of nature, in particular,
For more information on the programme, please visit bit.ly/nusdoa_mscisd
is summarised and expanded to include drivers of design-thinking.
This course explores energy demand at the scales of the building and neighbourhood, and
4 UNITS EACH = 16 UNITS
its relationship to spatial form and choice of mechanical-electrical systems. It probes how power is generated, transmitted, utilised, and
2 ELECTIVES
reclaimed. It questions reliance on fossil fuels which is a primary cause of global warming. It paints a broad picture of energy in its various
Electives are courses students select to
forms, how demand is shaped by decisions at
augment core learning. Most MSc ISD students
the drawing-board. Several high-performing
opt for courses from postgraduate courses in
buildings are visited and discussed.
the College of Design and Engineering, related to environmental design and sustainable
qualitative ways, and appraise problems from
development. At the start of each semester,
multiple vantage points.
the Programme Director releases a list of This course examines the challenge of
8 UNITS EACH = 16 UNITS
movement with emphasis on the regenerative
biomimicry and ecosystem services as
projects are scheduled in this and other courses. The proposals that emerge from this
future paradigms of the global sustainability
preapproved electives.
urbanisation in Asia. The Singapore model of urbanism is introduced and reviewed, as a launch pad for discussion. It is coupled with an overview of historical and economic forces that have shaped the growth of Asian cities, by way of decisions that have had a direct and indirect social and environment impact.
4 UNITS EACH = 8 UNITS
CONTACT PROGRAMME DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE PROF. DR. NIRMAL KISHNANI EMAIL — AKINTK@NUS.EDU.SG RESEARCH ASSOCIATE MR. ALAKESH DUTTA EMAIL — ADUTTA@NUS.EDU.SG DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE 4 ARCHITECTURE DRIVE, SINGAPORE 117566 WEBSITE —
CDE.NUS.EDU.SG/ARCH/