DepartmentofArchitecture+Interiors

GUIDELINES
FOR
ARCHITECTURETHESISPROJECTS
201112

THEARCHITECTURALTHESISPROJECT

THESISPROPOSAL

THESISPROGRAM

THESISADVISOR

GRADING

NAABCRITERIA

ACADEMICINTEGRITYPOLICY

SCHEDULE

BIBLIOGRAPHY/RESOURCES

DrexelUniversityDepartmentofArchitecture+Interiors
ArchitectureThesisGuidelines201112
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 NumberofCourse: ARCH496/ARCH497/ARCH498
TitleofCourse: ThesisI,ThesisII&ThesisIII
Term: Fall2011/Winter2012/Spring2012
QuarterCreditHours: 8cr/quarter
Time: Mondays,6pm10pmandasannouncedbyThesisAdvisor.
Location: 4thFloorArchitectureStudios,DrexelsMainBuilding
Prerequisites: ARCH363Studio63,ARH143,ARCH153,ARCH263,CIVE263
Corequisites: None.
CurriculumCategory: Design
Instructor(s): RachelSchade(ThesisCoordinator),JoanneAiken,ShermanAronson,
JohnBlatteau,EdBronstein,GenaEllis,JahanSheikholeslami,Charles
Dagit,TBA

CourseDescription: CatalogDescription
Anindividuallystructuredyearlongdesignproblemthatenables
studentstoworkindependentlyandexplorecomplexissuesindepth.
Periodicindividualreviewsessionsarescheduledwithfacultyadviser.

StudentPerformanceCriteria: NAAB (National Accreditation Board) Conditions for Accreditation &
Student Performance Criteria: This course addresses student
performance criteria required for professional accreditation of this
architecture program. These criteria consist of specified abilities and
understandings that graduating students must demonstrate. The
followingcriteriaarecoveredinthiscourse:

A1.CommunicationSkills B3.Sustainability
A2.DesignThinkingSkills B4.SiteDesign
A3.VisualCommunicationSkills B5.LifeSafety
A4.TechnicalDocumentation B8.EnvironmentalSystems
A5.InvestigativeSkills B9.StructuralSystems
A7.UseofPrecedents B10.BuildingEnvelopeSystems
A8.OrderingSystemsSkills B11.BuildingServiceSystems
B1.PreDesign B.12BuildingMaterials&
B2.Accessibility Assemblies

The2009NAABConditionsforAccreditationcanbefoundontheNAAB
website at http://www.naab.org/. The descriptions of the Student
Performance Criteria, listed on all course syllabi, can be found in this
document. This link to the NAAB website is also posted on the
Department of Architecture + Interiors website listed in the
Accreditationlinkunder2009Conditions:
http://www.drexel.edu/westphal/academics/undergraduate/architectu
re/naabConditions.asp

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THEARCHITECTURALTHESISPROJECT

ThepurposeoftheThesisistoallowthestudenttopursueanindependentlineofstudyforan
extended period in considerable depth bringing together various skills from studio and
classroom which have been acquired over the previous five or six years. The Thesis is also a
comprehensivesummaryofwhathasbeenlearnedtodate,sotechnicalcompetencemustbe
exhibitedinallaspectsofaThesisproject.Thesisprojectswillnotonlybejudgedonthequality
ofworkpresented,butalsoontheprocessesusedtoproduceit.

A Thesis should include research, program analysis and development, site analysis and
selection, schematic building design, and preliminary building design as its basic scope. The
expectedeffortmustbecommensuratewiththetimecommitmentayearlongprojectand
thelevelofexpertiserequiredofathesisstudent.TheacceptabilityofaProposalwillbepartly
determinedbythelevelofinvestigationrequired.Inalargeandcomplexproject,forexample,
alloftheitemsabovemightnotbeincludedintheworkprogram.Inarelativelysimpleproject,
however,detailedinvestigationsinalltheabovecategorieswouldbeexpected.

Ingeneral,theprojectshouldbelargerthanasinglefamilyhouse.Modestprojects,similarto
programs attempted in Studio 2 or 3, for example, must include investigations at both
Intermediate and Final Reviews that go well beyond those contained in a basic architectural
presentationofplans,sections,andelevations.

A Thesis project, which concentrates on issues of largescale development, must include a

minimum of architectural content that demonstrates the relationship of the project to built
form. The clarity of the problem statement, the relative complexity of the problem, and a
judgment of the ability of the student to deal with the problem will determine acceptability.
Projects which are poorly defined or which are too openended to permit the clear
understanding of the limits of the problem will not be accepted. This requirement will be
satisfiedinpartthroughtheselectionofthescaleandtypeofdrawingstobeprovidedatthe
Reviews.TheappropriatearchitecturalcontentforalargescaleThesiswillbedeterminedin
discussionwiththestudent'sThesisAdvisorduringtheinitialmeetingsintheFallQuarter.

All Thesis projects must demonstrate the ability to create architectural form and resolve
relevantissuesofsite,structureandconstruction.Newconstructionshouldformthebasisofa
Thesisproject.Issuesofrenovationcanbeincludedonlyasasecondarytheme.

OTHERCONSIDERATIONS
The project selected should not be a real commission for the student, or have the clear
potentialofbecomingone.Althoughitusuallytakestheformofarealproject,theThesisisan
academic exercise and students must follow academic advice in reaching an acceptable and
successful result. Nor should the project selected be a project, which is currently being
undertaken in the student's office or any other office. It is possible, however, to "redo" a
recent project that the student feels strongly could have been done better. In any case, the
studentisresponsibleforindependentprogrammingasasignificantcomponentoftheThesis.

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THESISPROPOSAL

Thissubmission,intheformofaoneortwopageoutline,shouldidentifyandbrieflydescribe
the project, describe why the project is of interest (specifically mentioning the architectural
issues to be confronted), as well as personal objectives and goals. The project description
should include anestimateofthesizeof theproject(sf),thetypesof spacestobeprovided,
andadescriptionofthesizeandqualitiesoftheproposedsiteorthetypeofsitethatyouhave
selectedorhopetofind.Inaddition,studentsshoulddescribetheexpectedlevelofworkfor
the final product and should submit a tentative schedule explaining what tasks will be
undertaken in each quarter. In order to fully analyze the educational value of the proposed
project, the faculty also asks that students briefly summarize their current responsibilities at
work.

Insummary,theThesisProposalmustcontain:

StatementoftheThesischallenge/hypothesis

Sizeandscopeofprogramspaces

Siteinformation

Apreliminaryschedule

Descriptionofyourprofessionalexperienceandyourcurrentworkresponsibilities

TheProposalismeanttobeabriefdocument(twopagesmaximum).

The Proposal should be emailed as an attachment to architecture@drexel.edu, in a Word

documentorPDFlabeledwithyourlastnameSmith,ThesisProposal.

ExamplesofThesisProposalsfromprioryearswillbemadeavailableforyourreviewinearly
August.

The Thesis Advisors will review proposal submissions. Approximately three weeks after the
submission due date students can expect to be contacted by email by their assigned Thesis
Advisor who will report that your Proposal has been either Approved, Rejected, or needs
RevisionorClarification.ARejectionoraRequestforRevisionorClarificationwillbeexplained
bytheThesisAdvisoralongwithatimetableforresubmission.WhentheProposalisapproved
thestudentbeginsthepreparationoftheProgramwiththeadviceoftheirThesisAdvisor.

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THESISPROGRAM

TheProgrammustincludepreliminaryresearchdealingwiththeThesisidea,casestudiesand
thesite,anassembledbibliographyofyourreadinginsupportofyourresearch,adetailedwork
schedule by quarter, and a detailed statement of the work to be presented at both
Intermediate and Final Reviews. The statement of work to be completed can be amended
during the course of the Thesis in discussions with the Thesis Advisor. Nevertheless, this
statement of presentation requirements should be considered a contract that defines the
Thesis. It becomes a measure of completeness for the Thesis Advisor and Jury to follow. In
summarytheThesisProgrammustinclude:

DETAILEDDESCRIPTIONOFPROJECT

Assumptions/Thesisproposal/ideas
Siteselection(Thisshouldbecompletebythetimetheprogramissubmittedtoallow
timetocollectthenecessarybackgroundinformation)
Existing Regulatory Restrictions (zoning, building code, historical, environmental,
accessibility)
Environmentalimpact(energysources,sustainablepractices)
Existingtopography,watershed,vegetation,wildlife,historicalcontext,climate
Surroundinglanduse
Access:Transportation/parking
Descriptionofuser/client
Spacerequirements(use,sizesandadjacencies)
Precedent/CaseStudies(four,minimum)

DRAFTSUBMISSION
The Draft Program submitted to your Thesis Advisor in August in printed form should
demonstrateastart,atleast,onallthesubjectheadingslistedabove.

FINALSUBMISSION
Three printed copies of the final Program should be prepared. By the required deadline one
printed and bound copy of the completed Program should be submitted to the Architecture
Departmentoffice,oneboundcopyshouldbesubmittedtotheThesisAdvisordirectly,andone
copy should be retained by the student in a looseleaf notebook. The Program submission
should meet professional standards in format and appearance. It must be prepared in an 8
1/2"x11"format.AlongwiththeprintedcopyoftheProgramsubmittedtotheDepartmenta
digital copy should also be included on disc or sent to architecture@drexel.edu. Please note
thatbothversionsmustbereceivedtomeetthesubmittalrequirement.

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RESEARCHREQUIREMENTS
In architectural schools "thesis" assumes an investigation of architectural principles and the
testing of them in the form of a design exercise. The process assumes that the students will
researchthecriticalprinciplesthatsurroundtheirtopicandthecharacteristicsoftheselected
buildingtypeaswell.Thisresearchshouldformpartofthesummerprogrammingphase,and
will continue throughout the year. Your research should cover the Thesis Idea, Case Studies,
SiteAnalysis,alongwithacompleteBibliographyofthesourcesyouhaveconsultedandintend
toconsultduringtheThesisYear.Theresultsoftheresearchshouldbepresentedingraphic
formattheFallGroupReview,andattheIntermediateandFinalReviews.Thestudentscopy
of the program, in a loose leaf binder, should be brought to each meeting with the Thesis
Advisor.

Each student is required to attend a mandatory Research Literacy program conducted by

DrexelLibrarystaffattheHagertyLibrarypriortotheFallsemester.ContactAlyssonCwykin
theArchitectureOfficetoscheduleasession.

Monday,July25, 5:30pm7:00pm, TimSiftar

Monday,August1, 5:30pm7:00pm, BethTenHave
Tuesday,August2, 5:00pm6:30pm, RebekahKilzer
Thursday,August4,5:00pm6:30pm, LarryMilliken

THESISADVISOR

A member of the Drexel faculty will serve as your advisors for Fall, Winter and Spring
semesters.
Eachadvisorhas36Thesisstudents.

MEETINGWITHTHEADVISOR
AllStudentswillmeetwiththeirThesisAdvisoronMondayeveningsontheFourthFloorofthe
MainBuilding.AFallGroupReviewisscheduledinNovemberwhenstudentsfromtwosections
will present their work to each other. As in previous Architecture studios, attendance at crit
sessionswithassignedworkiscriticaltothelearningprocess.Twoabsencesduringthecourse
oftheyeariscauseforaprobationarywarningandcanresultinthereductionofgrade.Missed
sessionsforanyreasoncanbemadeuponlyatthediscretionandconvenienceoftheThesis
Advisor.TheschedulefortheyearissetatthefirstclassmeetinginSeptember.

WRITTENFEEDBACK
TheThesisAdvisorwillprovidewrittenfeedbacktothestudentfollowingtheFallGroupReview
andtheIntermediateReview,aswellasprovideasummaryofcommentsbyjurors.

DrexelUniversityDepartmentofArchitecture+Interiors
ArchitectureThesisGuidelines201112
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COMMUNICATION
CommunicationwithThesisstudentsduringtheThesisyearwillbeconductedentirelybyemail,
using the students' Drexel email address. It is the obligation of all students to be sure their
Drexelaccountisactive,tochecktheirDrexelemailaccountregularly,ortolinkthemtotheir
primaryaccount.

SCHEDULINGMONDAYCOURSESINCONFLICTWITHTHESIS
OccasionallyastudentmusttakeaMondayclassinordertograduateattheendofthethesis
year. Since thesis review sessions are organized individually with the Thesis Advisor it is
possibletodothisalthoughcarefulplanningandcoordinationwiththe ProgramDirectorand
AcademicAdvisorisrequired.Pleasenote,however,thattheUniversitycomputerwillseesuch
ascheduleasaconflictandwillautomaticallyrejectnotonlytheadditionalMondaycoursebut
the rest of your schedule as well. If you are considering such a schedule, you should pre
register for the additional Monday course only. Thesis can then be added by following the
appropriateoverrideprocedures.IfyouintendtotakeacourseonMondaynightsyoushould
contactthedepartmentAcademicAdvisorassoonaspossibletolearnhowtoproceed.

GRADING

REVIEWS
The Intermediate Review occurs in earlyJanuary, more than half way through the project. A
formal presentation of all work to date is expected. The jury will be composed entirely of
membersofthefacultyplusinvitedalumni.ThesamejurywillreviewbothIntermediateand
Finalpresentations.AftertheIntermediateReview,thejurycanmakethreerecommendations:

(1) ProceedtotheFinalReview;

(2) ProceedtotheFinalReviewwithReservations;Additionalsessionswillbescheduled
withtheThesisAdvisors

(3) DoNotProceed;thestudentmustwithdrawfromThesisandstartacompletelynew
topicbysubmittinganewProposalinthefollowingyear.

HavingbeenclearedtopresentattheFinalReviewdoesnotguaranteesuccessfulcompletion
of the Thesis. Students who receive a failing grade at the Final Review must also attempt a
completelynewprojectinthefollowingyear.StudentswhowithdrawfromtheThesisatany
point for any reason must also attempt a completely new project with a new Thesis Advisor.
Theymustregisterandpayforall3quartersofthesis,eveniftheyreceivedapassinggradefor
ThesisIandThesisII.Allthreestudiosmustberetakentodemonstrateageneralimprovement
before continuing in the program. (Grades earned in retaken studios will replace previous
gradesforthepurposesofcalculatingstudioaveragesonly.Allgradesremainonthetranscript
andarepartofoverallGPAcalculation.)Studentswhofailasecondtimetomeettheminimum
studiorequirementswillbedroppedfromthearchitecturemajorandadvisedtoselectanother
degreeprogram.
GRADESThecontentonwhichthegradeswillbebasedwillbethefollowing:
DrexelUniversityDepartmentofArchitecture+Interiors
ArchitectureThesisGuidelines201112
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FallQuarterTheprogram(15%),research,initialdesignstudies,andtheIntermediateReview.
Winter & Spring Quarters Subsequent design development, and the Final Review plus the
StewardsonCompetition(15%ofWintergrade).

GradesforFallQuarterwillbeawardedaftertheIntermediateReviewinmidJanuary.An"In
Progress"gradeforFallwillberecordeduntiltheIntermediateReview.TheWinterandSpring
QuartergradeswillbeawardedaftertheFinalJury.An"InProgress"gradewillberecordedfor
WinterQuarteruntiltheFinalReviewiscompleted.

TocompletetheThesissuccessfullyastudentmustreceiveapassinggradeineachquarter.A
passinggradeisnecessaryintheFallQuartertoproceedtotheFinal.Therefore,anincomplete
gradefortheFallQuartermustbeclearedwithintwoweeksoftheIntermediateRevieworthe
student cannot go forward. Students who abandon or fail the Thesis must register and pay
tuition for all quarters of the second attempt even if the Intermediate Review and the Fall
Quarter might have been passed successfully in the first attempt. They must also propose a
newtopictoundertakeforwhichtheywillbeassignedanewadvisortoguidethem.

THESTEWARDSONCOMPETITIONTheStewardsonCompetitionisopentoallseniorstudents
inaccreditedarchitectureschoolsinPennsylvania.Thewinnerreceivesagenerousstipendfor
extendedforeigntravel.Sincethisdesignexercisehassignificantacademicvalue,completingit
isarequirementoftheThesisyear,andacomponentoftheWinterQuartergrade.This10day
design competition will be scheduled in the Winter Quarter, after the Intermediate Reviews,
whereitservesasachangeofpacefortheThesisclass.

THEMICHAELPEARSONPRIZE
TheMichaelPearsonArchitecturePrizeshonorMichaelPearson,a1988architecturegraduate,
whoselifesofullofpromisewastragicallycutshortin1989.TheMichaelPearsonPrizesare
presented annually to the architecture students "who produce the best Thesis Projects, and
who,inthecourseofthethesisyear,showexceptionalspiritinpursuingthework."Thewinner
receivesagoldmedalandastipendforextendedtravelinthestudyofarchitecture.Second
and Third Prize winners receive medals. The Pearson Prizes are awarded at the Final Thesis
Reviewsbythevoteofthefaculty.

Award:Winner:GoldMedal&travelstipend
2ndPlace:SilverMedal
3rdPlace:BronzeMedal

DrexelUniversityDepartmentofArchitecture+Interiors
ArchitectureThesisGuidelines201112
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ACADEMICINTEGRITYPOLICY

ThepursuitofaprofessionaldegreeinInteriorsorArchitecturebringswithitthedemandfor
integrity, for integrity is at the heart of professional practice. Your commitment to integrity
begins here at Drexel University and the work that is required of you. The personal
commitmentthatyoumaketoupholdthispolicynotonlypreservestheintegrityofthedegree
youwillearn,butalsohonorstheprofessionsyouwillserve.Thusitisvitallyimportantthatyou
understand and adhere to both the letter and the spirit of the Department of Architecture +
InteriorsAcademicIntegrityPolicy.

ThefollowingistohelpclarifywhatconstitutesaviolationoftheAcademicIntegrityPolicy:

Copying another students answers or use of cheat sheets, electronic resources, etc
duringanexam.
Submissionofacopyormodifiedversionofaprojectpreparedforanotherclasswithout
explicitpermissionoftheinstructor.
Assistancewiththefabricationofaprojectincludingbutnotlimitedtothepreparation
ofmodelsordrawingsunlessapprovedbytheinstructor.
Copying of another persons designs, compositions, data, research, writings, printed
material, electronic material or original ideas without proper acknowledgement is
plagiarism.Thisincludeseventheuseofpartsorfragmentsofsomeoneelsesworkor
ideas.

Youmustneverpresentsomeoneelsesworkasyourown.

It is your responsibility to educate yourself on what constitutes plagiarism and acceptable

academicpractices.DrexelUniversitysLibrarywebsiteoffersausefultutorialontheissuesat:
http://www.library.drexel.edu/tutorials/plagiarism.html

Anystudentfoundviolatingthispolicywillreceive,atminimum,anFfortheassignmentin
question, be reported to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, and be
subjectedtoUniversitydiscipline.AsecondviolationoftheAcademicIntegrityPolicycanresult
inexpulsionorsuspension,whichisstandardUniversitypolicy.TheUniversitysproceduresfor
dealing with accusations of academic dishonesty can be found at:
http://www.drexel.edu/judicial/honesty.html


OTHERUNIVERSITYPOLICIES

StudentswithDisabilityStatement:http://www.drexel.edu/ods/student_reg.html

DroppingaCourse:http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/course_drop.asp

DrexelUniversityDepartmentofArchitecture+Interiors
ArchitectureThesisGuidelines201112
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SCHEDULEFOR201112THESISYEAR

ThesisProposaldue: Monday,July11,2011,9:00AM
1digitalcopytoDepartmentofArchitecture
officearchitecture@drexel.edu
RevisedThesisProposal

MANDATORYRESEARCHLITERACYSESSION BySeptember19,2011

DraftProgramdue: Monday,August22,20114:00PM
1digitalcopytoThesisAdvisor

Programdue: Monday,Sept.12,2011
1digitalcopytoDepartmentofArchitecture
officearchitecture@drexel.edu
+1hardboundcopy
1digitalcopytoThesisAdvisor+1hardboundcopy
1looseleafcopytoberetainedbystudent

FirstClass Monday,September19,2011,
6:00PM

FallGroupReview Monday,November14,2011
6:00PM
UploadpresentationmaterialstoAWStorage1 MondayNovember21,2011
4:00PM

IntermediateReview Saturday,January7,2012TimeTBA
UploadpresentationmaterialstoAWStorage1 Monday,January9,20124:00PM
CompleteandsubmitNAABSPCreport2 Monday,January9,20124:00PM

StewardsonCompetitionIssued Thursday,January12,2012@6:00PM
ArchStudios,4thfl.MainBldg.,andonline.
Attendanceoptional

StewardsonCompetitionDue: Monday,January23,2012@6:00PM

FINALREVIEW Saturday,May5,2012TimeTBA
UploadpresentationmaterialstoAWStorage1
CompleteandsubmitNAABSPCreport2

Commencement FridaySaturday,June1516,2012

1
WorkmustbereceivedonAWStoragesitebeforegradesareissued.Ifyoucannotuploadremotely,pleaseputthedata
ontoaUSBstoragedeviceanduploaditinthecomputerlabs.
2
Studentselfevaluationformsmustbecompletedbeforegradesareissued

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ArchitectureThesisGuidelines201112
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BIBLIOGRAPHY/RESOURCES

Oneofthefollowingisrequiredreading:TheyareonreserveattheHagertyLibrary.

*Cherry,EdithProgrammingforDesign:FromTheorytoPractice,2008,Wiley
Groat,LindaandDavidWangArchitecturalResearchMethods2002,Wiley
*Pena,W.M.andParshall,Steven.ProblemSeeking:AnArchitecturalProgrammingPrimer,
FourthEdition,NewYork:JohnWileyandSons,2001.

Thefollowingresourcesarehighlyrecommended:

*Alexander,Christopher.TheTimelessWayofBuilding.OxfordUniversityPress,1969.
*Alexander,Christopher.APatternLanguage.OxfordUniversityPress.1977.
Brown,DeniseScottHavingWords,2011AAPress
Clark, Roger and Michael Pause Precedents in Architecture: Analytic Diagrams, Formative
Ideas,andPartis,2004Wiley
Ching,FrancisD.K.,Architecture:Form,Space,andOrder,2007,Wiley
*Duerk, Donna. Architectural Programming: Information Management for Design. New York:
JohnWileyandSons,1993.
Farrelly,LorraineConstruction&Materiality,2009,AVAPublishing
Farrelly,LorraineRepresentationalTechniques,2008,AVAPublishing
Goldberg,PaulWhyArchitectureMatters,2009,YaleUniversityPress
Harbeson, John, with Introduction by John Blatteau and Sandra Tatman, The Study of
ArchitecturalDesign.2008W.W.Norton
*Kumlin, R. Architectural Programming: Creative Techniques for Design Professionals. New
York:McGrawHill.1995.
*Lang, J., Burnette, C., Moleski, W. and Vachon, D., editors. Designing for Human
Behavior:ArchitectureandtheBehavioralSciences.Dowden,HutchinsonandRoss,1974
Langdon,PhilipABetterPlacetoLive;ReshapingtheAmericanSuburb1994UMassPress
*Moleski, Walter. Guidelines for Programming, ERG/Environmental Research Group, 1996
(electronicreserve)
*Palmer,M.TheArchitect'sGuidetoFacilityProgramming.ArchitecturalRecordsBooks,1981.
*Preiser,W.F.E.FacilityProgramming,NewYork:VanNostrandReinhold,1978.
*Preiser,W.F.E.,Rabonowitz,H.andWhite,E.PostOccupancyEvaluation.NewYork:Van
NostrandReinhold,1988
Sandaker,BjornS.etal,TheStructuralBasisofArchitecture,2011Routledge
*Sommer, R. Personal Space: The Behavioral Basis of Design. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice
Hall,1974
ThiisEvanson, Thomas Archetypes of Urbanism: A Method for the Esthetic Design of Cities,
1992UniversitetsforlagetAS
*White,E.IntroductiontoArchitecturalProgramming,Tucson,AZ:ArchitecturalMedia,1972.
*Zeisel,J.InquirybyDesign,Monterey,CA:Brooks/Cole,1981.

* IndicatestextusedinArchitecturalProgrammingcourse

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