The Center for Experimental Structures is unique within schools of architecture and design in the United States. You will participate in forms research through various academic and professional routes.
As part of the Center for Experimental Structures (CES), the Concentration in Morphology leverages the long history of interest in form studies with a focus on exploring the relationship between form and space (geometry, topology), form and force (structural morphology), form and time (dynamic morphology) enabled by computation, fabrication, construction, and emerging technologies. Within this overview, different course offerings focus on any combination of these topics. Since D’Arcy Thompson’s pioneering work a century ago, the generative principles of form have become central to our understanding of the diverse structures we encounter in nature and man-made constructs, physical and even conceptual. This paradigm has percolated within many fields of knowledge since and guides the academic and research activities at the CES at Pratt Institute’s School of Architecture.
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Professional Knowledge: Each student will demonstrate the ability to transform an idea to an architectural proposition by incorporating all skills developed from core to advance design. (Design Excellence)
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Social & Cultural Thinking: Students at Pratt learn that architecture is a meaningful cultural contribution dedicated to the sustenance of the imagination and the necessity for material embodiment within a larger social and ethical context. (Critical Thinking/Cultural and Social Knowledge)
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Technology: Students will demonstrate the critical use of digital technology, fabrication, and environmentally responsible design in relationship to contemporary design and practice. (Technology: Computation and Digital Fabrication)
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Urbanism: Students will demonstrate the ability to integrate sustainable practices, material research, and interdisciplinary approaches to find sustainable design solutions. (Ecological Design)
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Critical Thinking: Students will demonstrate creative and intellectual independence to applied architectural research. (Research)
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Professional Knowledge: Pratt seeks to instill aesthetic judgment, knowledge, collaborative skill, and technical expertise which can blend theory with creative applications in the preparation of students to become leaders in the profession. (Professionalism)
