M-ARCH-T understands typology as a model of change with a special potential for current challenges: the densification of cities in many regions goes hand in hand with the development of open-use, hybrid building types. In a process of appropriation and use, existing buildings are constantly being adapted to changing requirements. The differentiation of ways of life in an increasingly connected transcultural society affects the shape and organization of buildings. With the technical requirements for buildings, also the potentials of new planning and construction technologies are increasing. As a result, our knowledge of building types is being questioned again today.

The discipline of architecture worldwide is reacting to this development by applying well-known and new typological analysis and design methods. M-ARCH-T is in particular dedicated to this contemporary challenge in architecture. By designing in the interplay with social and technological aspects, the program is aiming at developing innovative building types. Students apply and develop corresponding typological analysis and design methods in a teaching environment that is in close proximity to research and practice at the Institute of Architecture.

Berlin as city and study environment serves as a laboratory for typological developments. It is shaped by a great number of diverse typological approaches. It is well-known worldwide for its open and pluralistic society which is constantly evolving new building prototypes.

M-ARCH-T is a discourse platform and a type-generation laboratory for the Institute of Architecture, thanks to the various typological expertise and views of the teachers. This continues a tradition of typological work of our institute, represented for example by Oswald Mathias Ungers. 1964-65 Ungers developed his morphological and structural building analysis at the TU Berlin. As criticism of modernity, he contributed to the renewal and extension of typological methods. In a different contemporary context, M-ARCH-T continues the tradition of critical questioning and the further development of building types.

For more information please visit our homepage International Master of Typology here.