design for sustainable development

master’s programme

Sustainable development is a political vision that entails huge challenges for social and technical innovation all over the world. It has consequences for all professions, not least for urban planning, architectural design and civil engineering, since it is here the full complexity of societal development has to be addressed and managed through design for sustainable development.

design for sustainable development

aim of the programmeThe aim of the programme is to provide skills and methods valid in situations of change in which design approaches are required. Students will be trained to find solutions that support sustainable develop-ment in a large variety of contexts. The per-spective is holistic and systemic, compris-ing system levels and scales from urban structures, buildings and technical support systems to detailed construction elements and products. The programme is based on design studios in which real situations are handled in close contact with local stake-holders and actors.

Who should applyThe programme welcomes students with different backgrounds within the field of ar-chitecture, design, urban and spatial plan-ning and civil engineering, interested in contributing to a sustainable development as design professionals.

Why applyChalmers architecture is noted for:• Its humanistic view of architecture• Design projects based on real tasks and problems in society• Contacts with users in briefings and de-signing• Open interaction between teachers and students• An inspiring atmosphere, free of prestige

Emphasis also lies in:• Integration of research in education• Respect for existing built structures as cultural, social and economic resources• Co-operation with other disciplines

connectionsResearch and education in close coopera-tion with practice has a long tradition at Chalmers Architecture and is also distinc-tive for this master’s programme. This re-sponds to an increasing societal demand for experts able to transform the global vi-sion of sustainable development into con-crete and local action.The local partners in each design studio represent different spheres of the global society, providing students with an extend-ed network of potential future employers and clients:  • Swedish public authorities, municipali-ties and local communities• The Swedish construction industry, land-lords and property developers• Local, National and International univer-sity partners• UN-HABITAT and their different partners, including UN-Habitat Partner universities

• NGO’s and local communities• NASA, ESA and specific design indus-tries The programme is based on experience from the strong research environment at Chalmers, in the forefront for research on the Built Environment and Sustainable Ur-ban Futures.

career opportunitiesThe education leads to a wide range of career opportunities within design and planning for sustainable development as a response to increasing awareness and commitment among both public and pri-vate actors.

The global challenges of resource con-straints and climate change open for new and extensive fields of professional prac-tices. Globally rapid urbanisation, poverty reduction and fair distribution of resources are key issues as manifested in the UN Mil-lennium Development Goals.

In Sweden the existing building stock, not least from the 1960s and 1970s, has to be reconstructed in ways that can address socioeconomic segregation problems as well as deficient environmental per-formance in an integrated manner. Taken together these challenges request a new generation of skilled design professionals that are able to work in cross-disciplinary expert teams and in close contact with lo-cal stakeholders.

undergraduate profileMajor in Architecture, Physical Planning, Landscape Architecture, Interior Architec-ture, Design with a profile in Architecture,

Interior Architecture or Urban Planning, Cultural Geography with a profile in plan-ning, Industrial Design, Architecture and Engineering, Civil and Environmental En-gineering or Engineering with a profile in Architecture or Building Technology.

prerequisitesA design portfolio is requested, demon-strating a documented proficiency in spa-tially contextualized design work.

english language proficiencyThere are three main ways to fulfil English proficiency requirements at Chalmers:• Approved English language tests: IELTS (academic training), 6.5 (with no part of the test below 5.5), TOEFL (paper based): 575 (with a minimum of 4.5 on the written part), TOEFL (Internet based): 90 (with a minimum of 20 on the written part) • English from upper secondary/high school that meet requirements• English from previous university studies that meet requirements.

Information and application at www.chalmers.se/en

design for sustainable development

programme overvieWEach semester consists of a combination of courses and design studios. A course is mostly based on lectures, literature and seminars, but may also contain shorter as-signments. A design studio focuses on the development of a design project. It is nor-mally case study based.

The pedagogical point of departure is to support students to develop their de-sign skills through a series of design stu-dios, dealing with complex design tasks in very different situations and contexts: e.g., neighbourhoods and municipalities in Sweden, informal settlements in devel-oping countries, and technical and social challenges of sustainable building and transformation.

This approach challenges and develops the abilities of the students to analyse and situate local situations in relation to broad-er contexts. Such design studios contain experience-based learning, fieldwork, tai-lored lectures, literature studies, seminars, workshops and exhibitions. A common thread through the studios is the use of a systems approach to design although both problems and potential solutions will vary significantly.

The programme offers a selection of cours-es and design studios, distributed over the fall and spring semesters. These courses and studios should be seen as a palette, from which the individual professional pro-file is shaped during two years.

Compulsory course• Sustainable Development and the Design Professions

Elective courses• Design Systems•  Architectural  Conservation  and  Transfor-mation

Sustainable BuildingIntroduces the concept of “sustainable building”, both as principles and as chosen elements in concrete design assignments. Integrates the environmental issues of sus-tainable building into an architectural pro-ject, combining functional and aesthetical qualities with low environmental impact. Cul-tivates a deeper understanding of selected issues of sustainable building and to devel-op these issues into a thoroughly elaborated design proposal. This studio is a part of Chalmers’ commitment to participate in the international competition Solar Decathlon.

Sustainable Building CompetitionThe aim is to practice design for sustain-able building, to introduce findings from design for energy and environmental ef-ficiency, to promote cooperation between architects and engineers and to implement this knowledge into a competition. This stu-dio is a part of Chalmers’ commitment to participate in the international competition Solar Decathlon.

Design for Extreme EnvironmentsBasic human needs of everyday life be-come visible where life support systems are required. If resources are very scarce and one needs to sacrifice something, what are the basic requirements for physical and mental health? The studio is focusing on what architecture and design do over time.(This studio is not offered every year).

Master ThesisThe last semester is assigned for the Mas-ter’s thesis. The aim is to display knowl-edge and capability for independent work, and related to the students undergradu-ate profile, within the field of design for sustainable development.

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• Design Thinking in Research• Nordic Architecture• Design Processes and Management• Building Design Lab•  Leadership  in  Architectural  Professions (Master’s thesis preparation course)• Advanced Theory and Methodology (Master’s thesis preparation course)

Design studiosPlanning and Design for Sustainable Development in a Local ContextThe thematic of the studio is planning and de-sign for sustainable development in a small or medium sized municipality in Sweden.

Design & Planning for Social Inclusion (previously Suburbs)Gives knowledge about the significance of the social dimension of sustainable devel-opment, focusing on urban development in suburban areas built in the 1960s and 70s in Sweden. Public participation of citizens is a central aspect.

Reality Studio Kisumu at Lake Victoria, KenyaFor students of different disciplines in the form of a real-life project in Sub-Saharan Africa.Reality Studios are simultaneously student projects and real projects where the students act as consultants and research-ers to improve the quality of daily life.

Architectural Heritage and Urban TransformationAims at introducing the students to the field of architectural and urban conserva-tion and transformation in a historic and contemporary context and to test new knowledge in a critical and reflective way.

chalmers university of technology

Chalmers conducts research and edu ca tion in engineering and natural scien ces, architec ture, technology-relat ed mathe-mati cal scienc es and nautical sciences – in close collaboration with industry and society. Chalmers is one of Sweden’s largest universities of technology with about 12 000 students and 2 200 em ployees.

Approximately 40 percent of Sweden’s graduate engineers and architects are educated here. Chalmers has formed partner-ships with major industries mostly in the Gothenburg region such as Ericsson, Volvo and SKF. The Master’s Programmes at Chalmers are strongly linked to advan c ed research in areas of particular strength. Upon comple-tion of studies, candidates will be granted a Master’s degree. The programmes are taught in English and open to applicants from the whole world. Chalmers has eight areas of advance where the aim is to bring together research, education and innovation across departmen-tal boundaries and to co-operate with bodies and organisations out side Chalmers: Materials Science, Produ c tion, Information & Communica tion Technology, Transport, Built Environment, Nano-science & Nano technology, Life Science and Energy. The eight key areas also have a firm foundation in the basic sciences. The pursuit of new knowledge and improved technology has characterized Chalmers ever since its foundation in 1829.www.chalmers.se/en

the small metropolis – gothenburgMore than 60 000 are currently studying in Gothenburg. In many ways, their decision to choose Gothenburg when the time came to take the next step into the future isn’t surprising. Gothenburg is an attractive major city with a maritime atmosphere and within easy reach of outdoor activities in the rest of West Sweden. Gothenburg is an uncommonly inviting city for students, with a great deal to offer: You’ll find an exciting cultural and entertainment scene worthy of any major city, as well as a friendly atmosphere that will help you to quickly feel at home.

Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden, Phone +46 31 772 1000

Founded in 1621, Gothenburg is a young city by European stand-ards. Since formative years it has been an important port of in-ternational trade and today it is the largest in Scandinavia. With a population of about half a million, it is both friendly and cosmo-politan. www.goteborg.com

sWeden – a culture of innovationOne of the world’s most modern countries, Sweden is the birth-place of many successful international corporations. Innovative research at Swedish universities and companies has resulted in a number of successful inventions. Some examples are: the computer mouse, Bluetooth for internet mobility, the pacemaker, the ball bearing, the Tetra Pak beverage packaging system, the dialysis machine and internet applications such as the online music streaming service Spotify and the free internet calling ser-vice Skype.These fairly recent inventions build on a long history of excellence in academia and research. Sweden is the home of the prestigious Nobel Prize, awarded in Stockholm every year. Sweden has a number of large multinational corporations, such as telecom supplier Ericsson, automotive companies Volvo and Scania, household appliances corporation Electrolux, bear-ing manufacturer SKF, and high-tech engineering groups Sand-vik and Atlas Copco. The deep-rooted creative environment has made Sweden a strong nation in the areas of design, fashion and music, with well-known international brands such as furni-ture giant IKEA and clothes retailer H&M. Sweden is also one of the largest music-exporting countries in the world.www.studyinsweden.se

Karin Markides, president

“Chalmers – for a sustainable future is a vision which exudes the long-term approach, the acceptance of responsibility and the trust I feel is worthy of Chalm-ers. At the same time, it is obvious that this vision has to be shared by many and that Chalmers has to co-operate across disciplines in order to promote the whole of society’s commitment to our future.”

“Chalmers – for a sustainable future is a vision which