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6.28. Capstone project I (Mandatory)

6.28.1. Justification ↑ Back to top

Thesis I: Research and Program introduces students to the systematic process that precedes architectural design development: selecting and scoping a thesis topic, conducting a rigorous review of precedents, case studies and literature, building a theoretical and conceptual framework, and – where applicable to the chosen thesis approach – formulating research hypotheses and operationalizing their variables. The course closes by applying design research methods to translate these findings into an architectural program (design brief) that will directly drive the preliminary design developed in Thesis II (AR402).

6.28.2. Generales Goals ↑ Back to top

1. Select and scope a thesis topic within the field of architecture, identifying its relevance and feasibility.
2. Conduct a systematic review of precedents, case studies and scientific/technical literature relevant to the chosen topic.
3. Build a theoretical and conceptual framework that positions the thesis's contribution and identifies a knowledge gap.
4. Formulate research hypotheses and operationalize their variables, where applicable to the thesis's research approach.
5. Apply design research methods (research through design, case study, evidence-based design) to translate research findings into an architectural program (brief) that will guide the preliminary design developed in Thesis II.

6.28.3. Contribution to Outcomes ↑ Back to top

AG-A01) Evaluates the impact of architectural solutions on sustainable development, economy, health and safety, the legal framework, architectural-urban heritage, and the environment. (Assessment)

AG-A04) Communicates effectively and inclusively with the architecture community and society through reports, design documentation, and presentations tailored to different audiences. (Assessment)

AG-A09) Creates architectural designs that satisfy aesthetic and technical requirements. (Assessment)

AG-A10) Conducts studies of complex problems using research methods, experimental design, data analysis, and information synthesis to reach valid conclusions. (Assessment)

6.28.4. Content ↑ Back to top

6.28.4.1. Research Design and Methodologies (10 hours) [Skills AG-A01,AG-A04,AG-A09,AG-A10] ↑ Back to top

Bibliography: (Groat and Wang, 2013; Creswell and Creswell, 2018; Zeisel, 2006)

Topics

1. Formulating research questions in architecture: descriptive, relational, causal; turning design problems into researchable questions
2. Choosing a research methodology: quantitative (hypothesis testing, statistical), qualitative (interpretive, case study), mixed methods,
3. Validity and reliability in architectural research: internal validity, external validity (generalizability), construct validity,
4. Research ethics in architectural research: informed consent, privacy (anonymization of building users), institutional review board (IRB) protocols,
5. Mixed methods research: sequential (qualitative then quantitative) and concurrent designs; integrating qualitative findings (user interviews) with quantitative data (occupancy

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the main research methodologies in architecture - quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, practice-based - and explain their appropriate applications [Familiarity]
2. Develop a research design for an architectural inquiry, including research question, literature review, methodology selection, data collection protocol, and analysis plan [Usage]
3. Evaluate the research design of a published architectural study for validity, reliability, and ethical soundness, identifying methodological strengths and weaknesses [Assessment]

6.28.4.2. Theoretical Framework and Literature Review (10 hours) [Skills AG-A01,AG-A04,AG-A09,AG-A10] ↑ Back to top

Bibliography: (Groat and Wang, 2013; Creswell and Creswell, 2018; Zeisel, 2006)

Topics

1. Systematic search of scientific and technical literature: specialized databases (Scopus, Web of Science, ASCE Library), keywords, and Boolean operators
2. Critical reading and synthesis of scientific articles, technical standards, and prior research reports
3. Building the conceptual and theoretical framework: defining key concepts, relationships between variables, and reference theoretical models
4. Identifying knowledge gaps (research gap) and justifying the originality of the proposed contribution
5. Bibliographic reference management and citation styles (APA, IEEE) using tools such as Zotero or Mendeley

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the structure and purpose of a theoretical framework within a civil engineering research project [Familiarity]
2. Conduct a systematic search of scientific and technical literature on a chosen research topic using specialized databases [Usage]
3. Synthesize the state of the art of a research topic into a coherent theoretical framework that identifies a knowledge gap [Assessment]

6.28.4.3. Research Hypotheses and Variables (8 hours) [Skills AG-A01,AG-A04,AG-A09,AG-A10] ↑ Back to top

Bibliography: (Groat and Wang, 2013; Creswell and Creswell, 2018; Zeisel, 2006)

Topics

1. Types of hypotheses: null, alternative, directional, and non-directional, and their relationship to research questions
2. Classification of variables: independent, dependent, control, and confounding
3. Operationalizing variables: defining measurable indicators and measurement scales (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio)
4. Relationship between hypotheses, variables, and statistical significance tests: significance level, Type I and Type II error
5. Graphical representation of the relationship between variables through conceptual or operational models

Learning Outcomes

1. Distinguish between null and alternative hypotheses, and between independent, dependent, and control variables, in a civil engineering research problem [Familiarity]
2. Formulate a testable research hypothesis and operationalize its variables for a specific problem in the chosen specialization area [Usage]
3. Evaluate the consistency between the theoretical framework, the stated hypothesis, and the proposed data-collection design [Assessment]

6.28.4.4. Design Research Methods (10 hours) [Skills AG-A01,AG-A04,AG-A09,AG-A10] ↑ Back to top

Bibliography: (Groat and Wang, 2013; Creswell and Creswell, 2018; Zeisel, 2006)

Topics

1. Research through design: using the design project itself as a research instrument; documenting, reflecting on, and theorizing the design process as a form of knowledge production
2. Architectural case study methodology: selecting, documenting, and analyzing built projects as evidence; comparative case studies across typology, culture, or climate
3. Evidence-based design: drawing on post-occupancy evaluation data, environmental psychology research, and user behavior studies to inform spatial and material design decisions
4. Literature review and theoretical framing in architectural research: identifying relevant scholarship, positioning a design project within architectural discourse,
5. Architectural criticism and evaluation frameworks: applying formal, phenomenological, typological, and sociocultural lenses to critically assess architectural works and proposals
6. Dissemination of design research: writing architectural essays, preparing conference papers and journal submissions, and presenting design-research projects to academic

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the main modes of architectural design research - research through design, case study, and evidence-based design - and explain how each produces architectural knowledge [Familiarity]
2. Apply a design research methodology to frame, conduct, and document an investigation into an architectural design problem, producing a structured argument supported by evidence [Usage]
3. Critically evaluate an architectural design research project for the rigor of its methodology, the quality of its evidence, [Assessment]

6.28.5. Bibliography ↑ Back to top

Groat, L. N. and Wang, D. (2013). Architectural Research Methods. Wiley, 2nd edition.

Creswell, J. W. and Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. SAGE Publications, 5th edition.

Zeisel, J. (2006). Inquiry by Design: Environment/Behavior/Neuroscience in Architecture, Interiors, Landscape, and Planning. W. W. Norton, revised edition.