Study at PSA

The History and Theory subject involves the study of the historic architecture and philosophical movements of Paris from Antiquity to the present day, and forward to projected future projects for the city. This is delivered through site visits, lecture series, talks, and seminars in the first two terms of the first year.

The Critical Writing subject follows on from the students History and Theory courses, and affords the opportunity for a single topic research paper of between 15,000 and 20,000 words to be developed and presented. The resulting essay may be related to other subjects studied, or may provide an opportunity for significant divergence from the student’s other work that year. The final paper is presented in the first week of the second year as a paper submission, followed by a presented defence of the topic and paper by the student.

Communication involves the study and development of methods of visually expressing architectural concepts, the agency of drawing and making as forms of representation, and how the language of architectural representation sits within the wider discourse of visual communication and its related fields. This course is delivered as an integrated part of the Studio Research subject, but is assessed separately.

The Studio Research subject involves the production of an architectural project over the period of one academic year. This project is to be based within the greater Paris region, Île-de-France. This subject is delivered through weekly tutorials and termly project reviews. The studio project is developed through a period of several months rigorous research into an area of interest to the student. With support from studio tutors this research is then formulated into a brief identifying and elaborating on a scenario written by the student and presented at the beginning of the Spring Term. In terms two and three, an architectural response to this brief is formulated. As the length of time of the Studio Research project is much longer than many students will have experienced in their undergraduate studies, and it is expected that a greater depth and complexity in their work, and ultimately more sophisticated portfolios will result. The Studio Research project results an architectural output unique to each student, and frames their learning each academic year.

Master Classes augment the Studio Research, and are composed of projects or lectures on a highly specialised subject, and delivered by an expert in the field from industry. Master Classes are an opportunity both to gain specific skills and knowledge or simply broaden the scope of study that term.

Professional Practice commences in the second term of the first year, and introduces students to a range of issues they will face in their future careers in architecture; from the protected title and activity of the architect, establishing a practice, fees and forms of appointment, clients, urbanism authorisations and the planning process, detailed and technical design, pricing and the tender process, and on-site work. This is delivered through a simulated "first project" after graduation, providing the necessary skills for graduates to undertake professional commissions, or to progress towards professional registration. This course covers the process using the systems and regulations in both the UK and France.