Abstract:

The integrated Master degree in Architecture at the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture of the University of Beira Interior is one of the main degrees of this department. This is a five year program which combines undergraduate and postgraduate study into a single course of 300 ECTS.

The curricular unit Project/Dissertation (30 ECTS) corresponds to the final academic architectural work. There are 3 options of final academic work:
1) Master's Project - final practical work of Project;
2) Master's dissertation: final theoretical work and
3) Master's dissertation: theoretical/practical work.

The final practical work of project option involves the realization of a project as the final work of the Architecture Integrated Master and should be develop on the basis of an architectural research and its contents should be the elaboration of a project of architecture of high degree of complexity. The project should be developed considering the regulatory procedures specific to a work of this nature, covering all stages from the previous study to the execution project.

The work should observe an actual or utopian dimension, however, in any circumstances, must be submitted in complete form (layouts, technical drawings and written text of support) and based on a descriptive and justification document which tackles thoroughly, the issues of the resolution and full justification of the presented solution.

The final theoretical work option consists of a theoretical dissertation elaborated in accordance with the student’s and tutor’s work programme and corroborated by a scientific methodological structure properly framed and under the guidance of a tutor.

The final theoretical/practical work option requires the completion of a theoretical dissertation as described in the previous form and should be complemented by a practical work of architectural project or urban project, at least until the preliminary study phase.

This paper is focused on the integrated Master degree in Architecture and brings to debate the final academic architectural work as preparation for real context as it will be discussed with the analysis of three study cases in the city of Covilhã (Portugal).

One of the examples is a practical work of a rehabilitation project of a former industrial building. The work methodology will be analysed and discussed, since the assessment of the unoccupied building, through the study of the architectural program, and development of the conceptual idea, until the constructive details drawings.

Other final academic research (theoretical/practical work) work covers a period since the late 20th century until the 21st century and addresses the theme of social housing in Portugal. As a result of this research, an academic architectural proposal was designed for social housing in the city of Covilhã complying all the legislation and architectural requirements for this type of building.

The third example of final academic theoretical work is a research that addresses the theme of rehabilitation, also in Covilhã, of a former sanatorium which is today an hotel. The architectural program of the former and rehabilitated building was analysed as well as the history and theory beneath the project decisions.

These study cases are examples of each final work options and will be presented, demonstrating and debating the complexity and degree of development of the final academic architectural work as preparation for real context.

Keywords:

Architecture, Education, Master Dissertation, Theory, Research.