Study Program Master of Arts in Architecture

The Master’s program in Architecture at HSLU is organised in modules: each semester consists of six modules, which are completed and assessed as independent units. Students may begin the program at the start of any semester.

The program can be completed in two study models. The full-time program, including the Master’s thesis, takes a minimum of four semesters and comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The part-time program extends over five to six semesters, depending on the individual distribution of modules. During the semester, professional employment may not exceed a workload of 40%. Part-time students have the opportunity to continue their professional work in the office on Wednesdays and Fridays.

The curriculum closely interweaves project and theory modules. While the project modules deepen architectural design as a core practice, the theory modules create space for reflection, research, and the development of an independent architectural position. Design and theoretical inquiry are understood as interconnected processes and continuously inform one another.

In the third semester, students have the opportunity to complete an exchange semester at one of our international partner universities. The program is further complemented by the study trip, which is closely linked to the Indepth study module during the spring semester and developed in relation to its thematic focus.
The Master’s thesis spans an entire semester. Students pursuing an independent thesis begin developing their individual research question already in the third semester. The thesis is supervised by lecturers from the Institute of Architecture.

The program is bilingual, offered in both German and English. Theoretical lectures are held in English. Coursework and examinations may be submitted in either German or English.

Focus Projects
The Focus Projects form a central component of the Master’s program. In three studios led by practicing architects, students engage with the pressing questions of contemporary architecture. Under annually changing themes, the studios address spatial, social, and ecological challenges with a particular focus on Central Switzerland.
Our projects are locally grounded while maintaining an international outlook. We understand architecture as a dialogue between site-specific engagement and global relevance. Through collaboration with external experts as well as local stakeholders, the projects gain both professional and societal relevance.
Each of the three studios offers distinct themes, methods, and perspectives. At the core lies the individual development of each student and the cultivation of an independent architectural position. All studios share a common approach of working across multiple scales:
Elements: At the smallest scale, students investigate the fundamentals of architectural design and construction. The focus lies on materials, structures, detailing, and the integration of emerging technologies into the design process.
Habitat: At the scale of living environments, students develop innovative concepts for the use and design of spaces. Central themes include social interaction, collective forms of living, and sustainable ways of inhabiting space.
Ecologies: At the larger territorial scale, students engage with questions of urbanism, biodiversity, inclusivity, and ecological systems. They explore how architecture can contribute to the quality of urban and natural environments and develop strategies for resilient, inclusive, and ecologically responsible projects.

Thesis Projects
Together with the thesis book, the thesis project forms the culmination of the Master’s program. As we consider the development of an individual architectural position and the capacity for agency to be at the core of our program, we strongly encourage students to pursue an independent thesis.
In the preceding semester, students develop their own project brief based on their individual interests and areas of inquiry. This process is closely supported through the Indepth Studies module and by design tutors from the institute. During the thesis semester itself, students work simultaneously on their design project and the theoretical reflection developed in the thesis book. The resulting projects are distinguished by their remarkable depth and individuality.
Alternatively, students may choose a more traditional thesis format, in which the project brief is defined within the framework of the respective annual theme.
Both paths share the same ambition: the thesis is understood as a contribution to current and pressing questions in architecture and urbanism. It is the place where students articulate and consolidate the understanding of responsibility, agency, and situated yet universally minded architectural thinking developed throughout their studies.

Basic Lectures
The Basic Lectures module introduces key concepts in contemporary architectural theory and architectural history, understanding architecture as part of a broader cultural discourse. Through projects, texts, and references, architectural positions are examined not only in terms of their formal and spatial qualities, but also within their social, economic, and ecological contexts.
At the core of the module is a critical engagement with the conditions, impacts, and meanings of architecture. Theories, ideologies, and interdisciplinary perspectives are connected and discussed, fostering a deeper understanding of architecture as a cultural practice that is continuously evolving and being redefined.
Lectures, guest contributions, excursions, and collective discussions support the development of an independent and reflective architectural position. The module encourages students to consciously engage with diverse cultural perspectives, methods, and tools, and to position themselves as responsible architects within contemporary discourse.

Focus Lectures
The Focus Lectures provide the theoretical and practical foundation for the thematic areas of the Master’s program and are closely connected to the Focus Projects within the design studios. Within a curated framework, current architectural questions are explored in depth, while different positions, attitudes, and working methods are discussed and critically examined.
The module fosters an understanding of the cultural, social, and interdisciplinary complexity of architecture. Historical references, theoretical approaches, and contemporary perspectives are brought into dialogue and related to the respective annual themes.
The Focus Lectures support students in building their own conceptual framework, critically comparing different architectural positions, and drawing conclusions for their own design work. The aim is the development of a reflective and independent architectural stance.

Keynote Lectures
The Keynote Lectures open up new perspectives on architecture at the intersection of society, art, culture, and technology. In six full-day seminars, international guests from architecture and related disciplines present contemporary positions, methods, and modes of thinking drawn from professional practice.
The module focuses on strategic, methodological, and performative processes, as well as on engaging with future-oriented and disruptive developments. Through lectures, workshops, and individual and group work, students explore alternative approaches and reflect on new ways of thinking and working.
The Keynote Lectures encourage students to look beyond the boundaries of their own discipline and broaden their cultural, social, and economic understanding of architecture. They strengthen flexibility, critical thinking, and the ability to productively integrate diverse perspectives into one’s own architectural practice.

In-depth Studies
The In-depth studies module is dedicated to engaging with architectural-historical and theoretical issues. Scientific working methods are taught and research-oriented, critical thinking is encouraged. In each semester, students write a text paper within a self-selected research field that is connected to the thematic focus of the respective academic year.
Based on guest lectures, seminar readings, and study trips, students develop discipline-specific knowledge and formulate their own independent, discursive position. The aim is reflective engagement with one’s own actions as an architect or architecture professional.
The In-depth studies strengthens the ability to analytically examine complex topics, apply theoretical knowledge in practice, and communicate one’s own findings precisely in texts and presentations. At the same time, it forms an important foundation for the development of the Master’s thesis.

Study Trip
The Study Trip offers an intensive engagement with architecture, urbanism, and cultural contexts through direct on-site experience. By analysing significant buildings and urban spaces, students gain insight into the conception, history, and realisation of architectural projects, as well as their integration within broader urban contexts.
The module focuses on the observation and interpretation of built environments through specific thematic perspectives, while encouraging reflection on different cultural contexts and viewpoints. Experiences and findings are documented through texts, photographs, and sketches, and discussed collectively within the group.
The Study Trip broadens both professional and cultural horizons, sharpens the critical understanding of architecture, and fosters exchange and collaboration among students.

Summer School Ticino
The Summer School Ticino combines research, design, and teaching through an intensive process of working on site. In direct engagement with landscape, society, and the built environment, students develop interdisciplinary perspectives and collaboratively explore strategies and concepts for complex questions.
At the core of the program is the investigation of site-specific conditions and the relationship between architecture, landscape, and social contexts. Through collaborative work, projects emerge that respond to current challenges affecting both place and society.
The Summer School encourages independent and critical thinking, collaborative working methods, and a design practice that is both inspired and systematic.