Delft University of Technology (Technische Universiteit Delft, TUD)
Delft University of Technology (Technische Universiteit Delft, TUD) is located in Delft, Netherlands. It is the oldest and largest technical university in the Netherlands, with a wide range of engineering science disciplines. TUD is one of the world's top technical universities.
The Faculty of Architecture at TUD was established in 1904 and is one of the largest architectural schools in Europe, consistently ranked among the top ten architectural schools globally. TUD's architecture faculty operates on the concept of a "Network Faculty," utilizing information technology to integrate multiple research and teaching institutions both within the university and globally, with a strong emphasis on an international atmosphere and global perspectives.
Alumni and Faculty Insights
Delft University of Technology (Technische Universiteit Delft, TUD) is the largest technical university in the Netherlands. The Faculty of Architecture (Faculteit Bouwkunde, BK) at TUD is the most comprehensive architecture school in the country. The Master's program in Architecture, Urbanism, and Building Sciences typically lasts for two years, leading to a Master of Science (MSc) degree. In addition to Architecture, the BK offers programs in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Building Technology (for students interested in curtain wall design).
The BK has its own separate building, located closest to the city center of Delft, featuring well-equipped and expansive model studios, a bookstore where model materials and books can be ordered, a two-story architecture library with a rich collection of
books (for self-study), the famous Orange Hall designed by MVRDV, and the BOUWPUB café and bar on the ground floor. The overall learning atmosphere at BK is relatively relaxed, with an emphasis on self-directed learning. If students manage their schedule well, they can have a highly fulfilling two years at BK.
The two-year graduate program consists of two semesters in the first year, where students must choose two programs, along with required and elective courses to earn credits. In the second year (following the normal process, though students can choose to extend their studies to explore other studios), students select their graduation program and complete six months of research and six months of design. The research part of each program involves teamwork, while the design part is done individually.
BK offers a wide range of architectural studio directions, including classical architecture and atmosphere-oriented Interior, philosophy-focused Public Building, Heritage with an emphasis on architectural preservation and transformation, Complex focusing on the relationship between cities and architecture, Methods & Analysis emphasizing architectural research, design, and expression methods, as well as Parametric and even robotic architecture. Each semester, every studio offers multiple programs, and information sessions are held to distribute brochures for students to learn about and choose from. There are no restrictions on the selection, and students can freely choose each semester. These programs are based on the teaching philosophy of the studio and vary in terms of faculty, design sites, and design goals. Most programs also include an excursion (self-funded). In addition to the regular programs, there are special programs that involve collaboration with students from other disciplines such as Civil Engineering (CE) and Building Technology (BT). The elective courses at BK are diverse, ranging from writing papers on the history of banknotes to creating model presentations, offering great flexibility.
In summary, BK provides students with maximum freedom while teaching them various thinking methods and approaches. The relaxed environment fosters self-discipline, rigor, and independent thinking among students.