MHD: Program Specific FAQs

This program is meant for architecture graduates who are genuinely interested in housing and urban living as a design problem. Students who do well here are curious about how housing intersects with design, regulations, economics, technology, and everyday life. It is not meant for students choosing housing by default or those with very weak design skills, as the program is fundamentally design led.

A : No prior experience in housing or related fields is required. What matters is motivation, curiosity, and openness to engaging with complex questions through design.

A : Yes. The program builds on architectural design skills. Theory and research are introduced as tools to strengthen design thinking, not as independent academic pursuits.

A :  Students are expected to engage with these questions throughout the program. The intent is not to prescribe positions but to help students navigate competing forces and translate them into design decisions. The focus will vary based on the studio you choose.

A:  Not at all; the program is grounded in architecture. The program equips students for mainstream practice while also encouraging them to question its assumptions.

A:  There is no single studio model. Students choose from a wide range including speculative studios, developer driven real world projects, participatory and adaptive reuse studios, generative design approaches, and international joint studios. Over four semesters students select four studios from a larger pool.

A:  Practice often exposes architects to housing through limited roles. This program provides space to question assumptions, explore alternatives, and understand housing beyond immediate project constraints.

A: This varies by studio. Some studios are strongly grounded in real sites and constraints while others are more speculative. Research is primarily used to inform design decisions, except for students who choose a dissertation in the final semester.

A:  Design is central. Reading, writing and discussion support design thinking and are not dominant modes of assessment across the program.

A:  The program focuses on housing as an architectural and urban condition rather than large scale urban design or policy making. It does not train students for planning or government roles but for architectural engagement with housing.

A:  The program is relatively young so long term patterns are still emerging. Graduates are expected to move into mainstream architectural practice with a housing focus, housing focused practice, or into design oriented research and academia.

A:  No. The program equips students for mainstream practice while encouraging critical reflection. Graduates are not trained away from practice but are encouraged to engage with it more thoughtfully.

A:  Yes. Students who opt for the Master’s dissertation in the fourth semester are particularly well prepared for research and doctoral pathways.

A:  Housing is a central concern in contemporary practice. Firms tend to value graduates who can handle its complexity. Ultimately the quality of the portfolio and clarity of thinking matter most.

A:  In addition to tuition and living expenses students should account for standard academic costs such as printing and materials. Optional costs include travel for certain studios within India or internationally.

A:  The program is time intensive. Students can manage teaching assistantships of around ten hours per week during the semester. Full time work is typically possible during the fifteen week semester break.

A:  Formal scholarships and teaching assistantships are available and competitive. Students are encouraged to explore these options early.

A:  The committee looks for curiosity, clarity of thinking, and growth potential rather than a polished or housing specific portfolio. There is no interview and the application must communicate motivation and way of thinking clearly.

A:  Whereas work experience is desirable, it is not mandatory for admissions.

A:  Masters of Architecture (Housing Design).

A:  No

A:  Please refer to Evaluation Process  for portfolio requirements

A: Please refer to Evaluation Process  for reference/recommendations requirements

A:  No. For more details see Evaluation process

A:  Please refer to the evaluation process