Master of Architecture

Our Master of Architecture program draws from its long history to advance pioneering research in housing, fabrication, sustainability, and socially engaged practice. We offer a practice-oriented experience that focuses on the role of architects in society and culture.

Photo of students in a spacious studio area with white desk spaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows in the corners, looking out onto the Washington University campus.

Students working in the William A. Bernoudy Architecture Studio in Weil Hall. Photo: James Ewing/BSBA.

Architecture is more than an addition to our built environment—it is a translation of aspirations into space. As part of a metabolic system, buildings are responsive to the environment surrounding them and speak to the poetics of human endeavors, contributing to cultural and social enterprises.

We believe in craft, in risk, and in delivering sophisticated strategies that push architectural ideas and abilities to the edge.

Our students learn to create spaces that are both beautiful to inhabit and designed responsively, in consideration of the environment, technology, and people. Their projects reflect the complexity of contemporary concerns, working at the confluence of environmental and social issues.

About St. Louis

Studios & Facilities

Student Resources & Opportunities

MArch Curriculum

Student working carefully on a ligher-colored architectural model, sitting atop a gray raised topo map. Architectural work is pinned up on a board behind her.

Programs at a Glance:

MArch 3: 6 semesters/3 years
MArch 2: 4 semesters/2 years
Dual Degrees: MArch/MLA | MArch/MUD
Joint Degrees: MArch/ MBA | MArch/MCM | MArch/MEng | MArch/MSW | MArch/MPH
International Programs (see below)

The MArch 3 is designed for students of diverse academic backgrounds. The MArch 2 is an advanced track designed for students with an academic background in architecture.

All of our MArch programs are STEM-designated and offer a NAAB-accredited first professional degree. You can pursue dual degrees in Landscape Architecture or Urban Design, or joint degrees in areas such as Business Administration, Construction Management, Engineering/Computer Science, Social Work, and Public Health.

See the full curricula for all programs

Group of students standing outdoors, in front of an old stone wall in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with the waterfront in the background.

International Programs

We work closely with practitioners and partners around the world, engaging them through instruction, lectures, invited essays, and reviews to bring diverse global perspectives into our studios. Our studios abroad are team-taught by a local practitioner and Sam Fox School faculty. We also bring those internationally based architects and designers to St. Louis, so your connection to them doesn’t end when your time abroad is over.

Learn More

Faculty

Our core faculty have pioneered research in building technology, cultural arts, housing, history, and urban sustainability. And each semester, we engage with cutting-edge architects, designers, and researchers from around the world. Through lectures, workshops, and studio instruction, you’ll learn firsthand from global leaders in their field.

Modular single-family housing units with two levels, rustic wood siding, large windows, and sky lights.

Wyly Brown, “Everything Under One Roof!” A community building resides at the core of these multigenerational houses. The team developed several housing typologies that promote social interaction in response to the local historic context, and which are highly energy efficient.

Master of Architecture Faculty

Monica Rivera (chair) / Ryan Abendroth / Chandler Ahrens / Michael Allen / Julie Bauer / Melisa Betts Sanders / Wyly Brown / Gia Daskalakis / Eric Ellingsen / Catalina Freixas / Patty Heyda / John Hoal / Derek Hoeferlin / Philip Holden / Richard Janis / George Johannes / Carl Karlen / Petra Kempf / Sung Ho Kim / Don Koster / Gavin Kroeber / Stephen Leet / Zeuler Lima / Bruce Lindsey / Emiliano López Matas / Adrian Luchini / Robert McCarter / Dennis McGrath / Allison Méndez / Bob Moore / Pablo Moyano / Eric Mumford / Kelley Van Dyck Murphy / Linda C. Samuels / Aaron Schump / Jim Scott / Phillip Shinn / Jonathan Stitelman / Hans Tursack / Constance Vale / Jess Vanecek / Henry Webber / Michael Willis / Heather Woofter / Hongxi Yin

View work + bios for our faculty

Faculty research + publications

Events & Workshops

Learn More

Visiting Faculty & Critics

Learn More

Student Work

Computer rendering of the exterior corner of a large apartment building with tropical plants in the foreground. The building has large vertical panel facade system with an interior spiral stair open to the outside.

International Housing Studio: 'Barcelona: La Barceloneta Port'

Ke Chen

Black-and-white sectional perspective drawing of a theater.

Options Studio: 'Narratives Come and Narratives Go'

Shangfeng Rao

Computer rendering of an exterior building view of a wood and glass building with an internal exterior promenade set in a wooded mountainous site.

Comprehensive Options Studio: 'Extreme Environments: Radical Architecture'

Dennis Dine

Computer drawings of two sections of the transverse and longitudinal views of a tapered multi-story building adjacent to the Eads Bridge in St. Louis.

Options Studio: 'Eads Bridge Tower'

Yifan Sun

Computer rendering of an axonometric building and wall section of a classroom and adjacent spaces.

Comprehensive Options Studio: A Montessori School: Space and Learning in Contemporary Elementary Education

Rachel Reinhard

Computer drawing of a building section of a two-story sanctuary of buildings and exterior pathways.

Options Studio: 'Ghost Sanctuary'

Larissa Sattler

Computer rendered image of a modern white building built within an elevation change in a wooded area. A long brown twisting stair is next to the building on the elevation change.

Options Studio: 'A Flirtation With Castlewood'

Yixuan Wang

Computer rendering of black and white elevation of a large building with cantilevered faceting forms on various levels.

Options Studio: 'Horizontal Skyscraper'

Junhao Li

Hand drawn site sketches of various buildings connected by paths through a forested area.

Degree Project

Man Gao

Multiple diagonal thin and long green shapes on top of a white background. The green shapes pierce triangular orange and red rectangular pieces of paper

Seminar: 'Fabricated Drawings'

Ruizhu Han

Fabricated Drawings

Computer rendering of a white and grey futuristic city with winding roads going into a building

Seminar: 'Architectural Representation II'

Sheng Li

Architectural Representation II: Image Fictions

See All

Y.E.S. 11.0: Architecture's Annual Year-End Show

Student Groups

Alumni + Careers

From founding major architectural and development practices, to starting award-winning landscape design and public art firms, to teaching at top universities, Sam Fox School graduates are making a positive impact in the world.

Because we maintain close ties with our alumni and have a dedicated architecture Career Development team, you will graduate with a built-in network of peers around the globe. Our programs foster leadership skills for expansive, ambitious careers. We will help get you wherever you want to go.

Alumni spotlight

Bijoy Jain, MArch ’90

Internationally renowned architect Bijoy Jain, founder of the Indian architectural practice Studio Mumbai, is the 2021 Dean’s Medal recipient.

Alumni spotlight

Megan Berry, MArch '15/MBA '15

In this Q&A, MArch/MBA alum Megan Berry discusses the inspiration for her company, by REVEAL, the importance of understanding the financial aspects of a project, and more.

Alumni spotlight

Brian Vitale, MArch ’95

Brian Vitale is the co-managing director, design principal, and inspirational leader of the 300-plus-person Chicago office of the global design firm Gensler.

Alumni spotlight

Surgene Troost, MArch '18/MBA '18

Currently an architect and associate at Populous, MArch/MBA alum Surgene Troost discusses his work on elite athlete training facilities at the collegiate and professional levels.

Exterior view of a house with a wooden louvered structure anchored to a stone platform. Multiple palm trees can be viewed to the left of the house.

Pop-up space, showing two faces of the structure, which is framed in black with arched, backlit windows showing clothing inside. The space is set up inside a red-brick building, to the left of a skinny fireplace and larged, paned window.

Exterior photo of a building with a curvilenear roof. The lower level features wood to the left side with dramatic lighting, and a bank of floor-to-ceiling windows wrapping around the right side, with the interior brightly lit. The roof appear to be a silver color with small rectangular plates, brick-like in look. The foreground of the photo is a reflection of the building.

Exterior facade of the Carolina Panthers Training Facility and Headquarters. The irregularly shaped building has a gray roofline that branches off to two triangular sections. Lots of windows are featured on the facade of the multi-story building, which is surrounded by trees and walkways, as well as football practice fields to the left.

Internationally renowned architect Bijoy Jain, founder of the Indian architectural practice Studio Mumbai, is the 2021 Dean’s Medal recipient.

In this Q&A, MArch/MBA alum Megan Berry discusses the inspiration for her company, by REVEAL, the importance of understanding the financial aspects of a project, and more.

Brian Vitale is the co-managing director, design principal, and inspirational leader of the 300-plus-person Chicago office of the global design firm Gensler.

Currently an architect and associate at Populous, MArch/MBA alum Surgene Troost discusses his work on elite athlete training facilities at the collegiate and professional levels.

Career Development Office

Publications: Student Work + Program Viewbooks

Graduate Approach 2019-2020

Cover of 419 International Housing Studio publication. The cover is chipboard with "419" printed in neon pink ink.

International Housing Studio: 2017-2019

Graduate Approach 2018–2019

Accreditation