The Berlage
2015–2016 Prospectus
The Berlage Center for Advanced Studies in Architecture and Urban Design
Network The Berlage is an educational
platform where students from all
over the world research and
design architectural and urban
design projects for the
twenty-first century world.
Student Mohd Fairus Bin Kholid during a
first term presentation at the Berlage.
October 2014
Greenlight Review with Joe Addo. June 2014.
Studio tutorial with Matthijs Bouw. “Artificial Life in
a Seasonal Landscape: Westland”. November 2013
Students during an office visit at AWP, Paris.
Studio work presentation by Matthias
Armengaud. September 2014.
Students during the second term field work in Oslo.
Studio Norway, with Johanne Borthne. April 2014
Studio tutorial with Rients Dijkstra. “The Complete
Ghana Mobility Guide and Handbook”. May 2014
Ido Avissar, Freek Persyn and Beatrice Galilee
during the public presentation and discussion
of the Final Thesis projects. January 2014
Student in discussion with Madelon Vriesendorp during
the Master class “The Idol Tower”. November 2013
Personal Growth
Guided and inspired by a global
network of designers, practitioners,
scholars, and experts, students
learn to sharpen their individual
interests, ambitions, and obsessions
as they question and imagine the
contemporary built environment.
Filmmaker Mauricio Freyre, during the theory master class
“Environment, Time, and Architecture” by Sebastién Marot. March 2014
2015–2016 The Berlage Prospectus
Contemporary The Berlage facilitates an
experimental and collaborative
setting to challenge our disciplinary
tools, not only to learn how to
understand the complexities of our
contemporary built environment,
but also how to operate and
innovate within them.
“Antwerp Urban Ring”
Thesis Project, “Generic Form After Carbon
Added Tax”, Thesis advisor: Freek Persyn
By Xiao Liu
Dutch The Berlage draws on its rich
Dutch context. Not only as a
reference to learn from its tradition
to think and see design, planning
and society as an integrated whole,
but also from its contemporary
innovations in design and research.
Public lecture
by Toyo Ito.
November 1999
Head of Education Salomon Frausto moderating
a discussion between Jean-Louis Cohen, Marcel
Smedts and Antoine Picon on “Systems Urbanism”,
“Infrastructure Things” conference. TU Delft May 2014.
Steven Holl
“Art and
Architecture”
master class,
May 1993.
With Wiel Arets,
Eleni Gigantes,
Victor Mani,
Elia Zenghelis
and Herman
Hertzberger.
Public lecture by
Rem Koolhaas.
May 2011
George Descombes and Giancarlo de
Carlo discussing the design master class
“A Market Place for Ahmedabad” by
Balkrishna Doshi, over lunch. Spring 1991
Kazuyo Sejima
answering
questions from
the audience
after her public
lecture at the
Berlage Institute
Rotterdam.
November 1998
Zaha Hadid public
lecture during
her master class
“A Place with
a Memory”.
Together with Ben
van Berkel, David
Chipperfield,
Winy Maas
and Pero Puljiz.
October 1993
Martino Tattara,
lecture on “The
Problematics
of Large-scale
Design”.
October 2012
International The Berlage activates the
crosscultural character
of its students, tutors,
and invited guests to
introduce the next level
of debate and reflection
on architecture, urbanism
and its related fields.
Studio tutorial with
Elia Zenghelis.
Winter 1992
Master class review “A Market Place
in Ahmedabad” with Balkrishna
Doshi. Together with Giancarlo de
Carlo, Georges Descombes, Rajeev
Kathpalia, Lucien Lafour, Alain Viaro
and Mirjam IJsseling. Spring 1991
Public lecture by
Ma Yansong
entitled
“Shanshui City”.
November 2013.
Kenneth Frampton at the theory
Master Class “Contemporary
Criticism”. With Hans van Dijk,
Yorgos Simeoforidis, Ignasi de
Sola-Morales, Wilfried Wang
and Max Risselada. March 1991.
Aldo van Eijck, Tadao Ando and
Herman Hertzberger, at the master class
“Art and Architecture 1”, June 1991
Public Lecture
“The Idol Tower”
by Madelon
Vriesendorp.
November 2013
Kengo Kuma
lecturing on
“Power of Place”,
June 2014.
Public lecture “Neutra’s Architecture and
Modernism in California” by Julius Shulman at the
Berlage Institute Rotterdam. November 2000
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2015–2016 The Berlage Prospectus
Table of Contents
About the Berlage
14Introduction
15 Directors note
General Information
16 About the Berlage,
history, institutional aims
and education
2015–2016 Program
18 Postgraduate program
19 Curriculum structure
People and Topics
24 Organization
26 Staff
26 Recent teachers
26 Recent lecturers
Application
29 Application procedure
and requirements
2015–2016
Program
14
Introduction.
The Berlage postgraduate
Master in Architecture and
Urban Design
Since its establishment in 1990 the Berlage has provided a unique and
exclusive international study program for architects, urban designers
and landscape architects that seeking disciplinary excellence.
Focussing on design-based research in architecture, urbanism and
other issues related to the built environment, the program is open to
applications from graduated and experiences architects, urban planners,
landscape architects, and other researchers.
The Berlage Center for Advanced Studies in Architecture
and Urban Design has created an educational program to meet the
challenges of globally oriented practice by expanding the range
of education architects receive and by redefining the methods,
instruments, and approaches of research and design practice.
15
2015–2016 The Berlage Prospectus
Research Agenda
The Berlage
In the second decade of the twenty-first century,
global shifts of culture, economy, and geopolitical
power structures continue to redefine the built
environment on an unprecedented scale. The
practice of architecture and urban design has
been under a continuous pressure from these
‘shifts’ over the last two decades.
The practice become increasingly globalized
as the spread of professional skills and new
technologies around the world has expanded
the market for international design services.
At the same time, different regions around
the world are dealing with similar questions
such as urban sprawl, rapid urbanization, the
consequences of aging, and the challenges of
the middle class. It is tempting to view architects
and urban designers as members of a global,
cosmopolitan culture that transcends national
boundaries and identities. Drawings, technologies,
clients, and workforces flow easily between continents and cultures. Yet designers still confront the
sometimes intractable characteristics of local
conditions.
The organization of the construction industry
varies widely from nation to nation, with profound
consequences for building design. National and
local governments continue to define specific
legal frameworks with a large impact on building
practice. And, significantly, value systems remain
strongly bound to culture: particular social and
cultural norms continue to effect dwelling patterns,
models of collective and public space, and notions
of privacy.
How can we learn from different cultures of
building all over the globe? How can a designer
perform within the clash of cosmopolitanism and
localism? Which design strategies and research
approaches allow for mediation between international and local conditions? How can a globally
oriented designer engage with local mores and
trades? Do practitioners who operate internationally have an ethical duty to assist in the
transfer of new skills to local architects?
These questions underscore the new reality of
architectural practice: globalization affects every
practitioner, even those practitioners who never
leave their home nations.
The Berlage has created an educational program
to meet the challenges of globally oriented
practice by expanding the range of education
architects receive and by redefining the methods,
instruments, and approaches of research and
design practice. Based in Delft, the Netherlands,
the Berlage is situated within the heart of the
Dutch architectural landscape, known for its
innovative practices with strong international
profiles. At the basis of the program is the explorative nature of research and intellectual curiosity.
The Berlage Master of Science in Architecture
and Urban Design program aims for a unique,
international postgraduate education within this
context. Building upon its legacy of international
research, along with its excellent global network of alumni, students, practitioners, and scholars,
the Berlage provides students with the knowledge
and skills to enter more advanced levels of globally
oriented architectural practice. Its mission is to
create an environment to test and communicate
models, insights, and principles from a global
perspective, educating architects and urban
designers as global professionals engaged
in reality-based research and design.
The Program
The Berlage offers an international, one-and-ahalf-year-long English-language postgraduate
Master of Science-degree program in architecture
and urban design, as well as complementary
public programming of distinctive lectures,
exhibitions, and other events. As a small-scale
institution, the Berlage’s students work very
closely with a distinguished network of
scholars, professionals, and innovators.
Studying at the Berlage prepares students for
a more international future. Students not only
to learn how to understand the complexities of
the contemporary built environment but they also
learn how to operate and innovate within them.
Nanne de Ru,
Director
Salomon Frausto,
Head of Education
16
The Place.
About The Berlage
and its Agenda
2015–2016 The Berlage Prospectus
Over its 25 years of operation, the Berlage facilitated its graduates in
developing advanced forms of research that can offer the basis for the
formulation of innovative design strategies. The resulting body of work
and knowledge has been internationally gained attention through the
many publications and exhibitions.
As a study center for critical reflection through critical speculation,
the Berlage maintains a special position next to other advanced design
research and theory-based master tracks, by deeply connecting critical
design with projective research. In a similar manner it interweaves the
architectural and urban scale that are usually kept apart.
BK City, the Faculty of Architecture and
the Built Environment, TU Delft.
The Faculty library, in addition to the Campus
library, is only one of the campus’ great facilities.
The Berlage Center for Advanced Studies in Architecture and Urban
Design—“The Berlage” for short—is an independent institution at the
Delft University of Technology (formerly named the Berlage Institute
until 2012). It offers an international one-and-a-half-year-long,
English-language post-master’s-level Master of Science degree
program in architecture and urban design. Preparing architects and
urban designers to meet the challenges of globally oriented practice,
the program aims at redefining and expanding the methods and
instruments for research and design on the built environment.
17
Institutional aims Characterized by projectbased learning, the Berlage promotes the ability
of young professionals to critically assess research
and design methods, draw conclusions on various
scales and reformulate and refine these methods
in relation to specific (cultural, political and
economic) conditions. Having itself adapted
to shifting contemporaneous discourse and
changing cultural and socio-economical
contexts, the current curriculum re-emphasizes
the Berlage’s unique educational agenda to
understand and theorize the built environment
by means of architecture.
Education The Berlage’s educational principles
targets at young professionals’ self-edification,
in-between “thinking, projecting and acting”.
To prepare practitioners for a globally-oriented
practice, students will position themselves in
regard to the changing role of the architect in
relation to other stakeholders in the design of the
built environment. This individual development
takes place in a collaborative framework, aiming
to advance team work capabilities, by challenging
architects” ability to communicate and present
design ideas within and to an interdisciplinary
and cross-cultural audience.
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The Program.
The Berlage postgraduate
Master in Architecture and
Urban Design
19
2015–2016 The Berlage Prospectus
Program aims
Prospective students are facilitated in improving and sharpening
their scholarly and research skills, as well as critical thinking
abilities, beyond their professional qualification. They are
expected to be eager to research, and better understand, the
contemporary built environment; while, at the same time, eager
to link theoretical research to design speculations. Admitted
candidates will participate in design-research-based projects,
theory seminars, fieldwork, and master classes.
Curriculum Structure
The one-and-a-half-year-long, English-language program is
structured into three thematic terms that culminate in a designbased final thesis project in the last term. The curriculum is
structured in the following way:
Tutorial during the fist-term project
“From Grain Republic to Blue City: Oldambt”
with Sanne van den Breemer. October 2013.
The Berlage offers a post-master program, aimed at both young
professionals seeking to deepen their research and design skills
as well as recent master’s-level graduates that are eager to explore
advanced modes of research and design for future practice, as much
as it prepares architects interested in an academic career.
The unique educational program is aimed at curious professionals
and scholars who seek an intense study setting, in which to pursue
a predetermined design-research interest. During their studies at
the Berlage, the individual interests of the prospective student will
be developed further within a partly collective framework.
Term 1: Cultures, Methods, and Instruments In the first term
of study, students are exposed to various methods of advanced
critical thinking and research, to historical and contemporary
design instruments, and to emerging digital technologies and
platforms in order to establish a common language for use
in future exploration. They work together on a broad range
of methods, tools, and topics that define the contemporary
architectural project, examining the relationship between
architectural thought and practice to the cultures and contexts
in which they exist and which they must serve.
Communication is explored as a tool for education, research,
design, and visualization. Through a set of Design Projects
based on three Dutch site, that serve as benchmarks for
global developments, as well as a related Theory Seminar,
students will investigate the cultural instrumentality of built
environment. A Research Colloquium, exploring forms,
methods, and instruments of inquiry that prepares students to
perform advanced academic work in architecture and urban
design. This term aims to strengthen the students’ background
and refine their skills in research, historical interpretation, and
critical analysis.
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Don Murpy in conversation with Sanaa Degani
during the final presentations of June 2014.
Artificial Life in a Seasonal Landscape: Westland,
tutored by Matthijs Bouw and Diederik de Koning
Settlements on Reclaimed Land: Noordoostpolder,
tutored by Victoria Easton, Marcus Kempers, and
Nelson Mota
From Grain Republic to Blue City: Oldambt,
tutored by Matthias Armengaud, Alessandra Cianchetta,
Daniel Jauslin, and Sanne van den Breemer
use this course as the point of departure for developing initial
topics for thesis work to be undertaken in the third term. In
the Thesis Preparation Seminar students conduct in-depth,
self-guided research to develop a critical and theoretically
informed position on a design-related thesis topic within the
fields of architecture and urban design. Students work closely
with educational staff to advance critical thinking skills and
to identify appropriate resources for each individual area of
interest, so as to concretize a precise research hypothesis.
In Fall 2014 projects and seminars included:
-
-
-
–
Project Oslo: A Land-Use Manual, tutored by
Johanne Borthne and Marcus Kempers
Project: Seoul: A Dwelling Biography, tutored by Diederik de Koning and Don Murphy
Project Accra: The Complete and Grand Ghana Mobility
Guidelines Handbook, tutored by Sanne van den Breemer and Rients Dijkstra,
Media and Architecture, tutored by Alessandra Cianchetta
2015–2016 The Berlage Prospectus
Thesis exhibition of select material from
the thirty-one thesis projects completed
during the 2013 fall term. January 2014
–
­–
–
Term 2: Societies, Environments, and Economies Students build on the knowledge they gained in the previous
term by focusing on the impact of societal, environmental,
and economic determinants on contemporary architecture
and urban design during the second term. Working on Design
Projects that take into account how design considerations
relate to these determinants, students individually develop
a project in one of three selected international locations,
and within a collectively defined frame. The Theory Seminar
reframes the content and topics being pursued in these
project-based studios. Students actively participate in a Thesis
Preparation Lecture Series, which explores the phenomenon of
contemporary architecture and urban design within the broader
development of Western thought and the forces shaping the
built environment in the twenty-first century. Students will
Final presentations January 2014. A daylong event of
roundtable discussions, film screenings, Q&A sessions
inspired by conversations in the 2013 thesis projects.
In Fall 2013 and 2014 projects and seminars included:
Tutorial with Matthijs Bouw and Diederik de Koning.
“Artificial Life in a Seasonal Landscape: Westland”.
November 2013.
Program
Akshara Verma at the first-term final reviews.
January 2014.
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Term 3: Final Thesis The final term of study challenges
students to position themselves by articulating a Final Thesis
project in detail, demonstrating their capacity to critically
synthesize knowledge in a relevant format. Thesis students
engage in primary archival or scholarly research, conceptualize
and shape content, and design and execute work in an
innovative presentation (which could take the form of a book,
a film, an app, among other formats). During this self-directed
term, students are placed in dialogue with thesis advisors in an
inspiring setting to develop their projects. Students complete
their term with a public presentation, exhibition, and discussion
of their thesis work.
Predefined
designresearch
interest
The complete curricular structure with all course descriptions
can be found here: www.theberlage.nl/programs/courses_12377
2015–2016 Winter semester
2016 Summer semester
2016–2017 Winter semester
Term 1 : Cultures, Methods,
and Instruments (30 ECTS)
Term 2 : Societies, Environments, and Economies (30 ECTS)
Term 3 : Final Thesis (30 ECTS)
Projects NL (12 ECTS)
Projects Global
(12 ECTS)
Thesis Project
(30 ECTS)
Theory Seminar (6 ECTS)
Theory Seminar (6 ECTS)
Postgraduate Research
Colloquium (8 ECTS)
Thesis Prep.
Lectures
(4 ECTS)
Thesis Prep.
Seminar
(4 ECTS)
Public Lecture Series
Design
Master class
(4 ECTS)
Theory
Master class
(4 ECTS)
Final Presentation and
Graduation
23
“Idol Tower” Master class participants
with Madelon Vriesendorp Fall 2013
Group crit with Sébastien Marot and
Mauricio Freyre, Spring 2014
The next master class that will take place from 13 to 20
November 2014, will be led by Ben van Berkel under the
Title “Architecture without Architects. Architects without
Architecture?” This master class will promote a design-driven
discourse on the changing role of the architect in order to
define new fields and conditions of work.
This master class is open to a limited of external participants.
To apply check: http://www.theberlage.nl/news/2014
Fieldwork Students actively take part in fieldwork that is
integrated into the Project curriculum during the first two terms
of study. They perform fieldwork to their project locations
to gain valuable knowledge in order to better address sitespecific issues and formulate new questions of architectural
and urban design inquiry. At the same time, they broaden and
expand their acquaintance with international practices, cultural
institutions, and universities. Activities during the fieldwork
include design charrettes, seminars with expert speakers, and
visits to significant sites. The fieldwork is organized in close
association with local authorities and practitioners.
Excursion Students participate in an excursion to visit
canonical and contemporary examples of architecture and
urban design projects in Europe during the first term.
Presentations Students learn how to publicly state their
ideas and learn how to present research work and work
in progress to a professional audience. A wide range of
practitioners, scholars, stakeholders, and experts are to attend
the presentations and reflect upon the work. This creates a
unique atmosphere of critical reflection and cultural exchange
between the students and the visiting architects, scholars and
thinkers.
Form Study Hall at the TU Delft
faculty of Architecture
Master Class Twice a year the Berlage organizes two intensive two-week master classes led by distinguished architects,
scholars, and professionals from related fields. During the
two weeks, students work closely with the master, attend
complementary lectures related to the assignment, and
participate in presentations, creating a high-intensity week
of content and production.
Each fall, the master class is organized around a design
assignment; and the spring classes emphasize a theoretical
issue. In the 2013–2014 academic year, Madelon Vriesendorp
built an “Idol Tower” and Sébastien Marot connected
“Environment, Time, and Architecture”. Previous masters
included a.o. Dominique Perrault, Rem Koolhaas, Toyo Ito
and Ole Bouman.
2015–2016 The Berlage Prospectus
Berlage students on fieldwork
The Berlage Keynotes invites speakers at the forefront
of contemporary design discourse and innovation to present
their most recent design work or scholarship. The series
produces an eclectic selection of speakers from multiple
disciplines, including architects, artists, filmmakers, engineers, and theorists. The Berlage Sessions is focused on
critical approaches to contemporary architecture and urban
design as well as cutting-edge scholarly research. The series
provokes dialogue and debate, engaging the audience in
linking architectural thinking and practice to the history of
ideas and changing social and cultural conditions. Given the
Berlage’s intimate size, students have ample opportunity to
directly debate at these sessions.
Faculty Library at the TU Delft
Public Program Over the past decades, the Berlage has
established a famed, multiformat public program of lectures,
seminars, and conferences. Speakers consisting of internationally innovative practitioners, thinkers, public authorities,
and institutional representatives. Insisting on the importance
of communicating and debating ideas, the Berlage’s public
programming comprises two major series:
The Berlage Keynotes, a series of evening events with
high-profile and internationally prominent architects,
designers, and thinkers; and
The Berlage Sessions, a thematic series of Friday afternoon
lectures by leading and emerging scholars and practitioners.
Pin-up of a big collective map during
presentations at the Berlage
Director Nanne de Ru in conversation
with Ma Yansong (MAD)
Program
Public lecture by
Adrian Geuze (West 8)
22
Collaborations In the last years, the Berlage collaborated
with the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam; the
Shenzhen Urban Border Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism and
Architecture 2013; and the New Institute in Rotterdam.
Facilities and services Facilitated by the Faculty of
Architecture and the Built Environment, students will be able to
profit from interaction with the TU Delft’s community, facilities,
and resources.
Exhibitions The year-end exhibition of the thesis work is
displayed in the Faculty’s exhibition space. The thesis work
of the current students will be on display during the first weeks
of February 2015.
Opening hours The Berlage Office is open Mondays through
Fridays, from 8:30 am to 5.00 pm, and closed on public
holidays. Access to the Faculty and the studio space is provided
Mondays through Fridays, from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm during the
academic terms. The Faculty is closed on weekends and on
public holidays.
Visiting address The Berlage Center for Advanced Studies
in Architecture and Urban Design
Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment,
Delft University of Technology
Julianalaan 134, Room BG.OOST.600
2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands
24
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2015–2016 The Berlage Prospectus
The People.
Organization
and Facilities.
A privately funded, small-scale institution, the Berlage consists of a
small number of permanent staff but a large international network of
renowned architects, designers, and thinkers at the forefront of innovation.
These individuals, whom are engaged with the most recent developments
in architectural practice and thinking, teach, lecture, and contribute
through shared publications and exhibitions.
Program Advisory Committee The Berlage defines both its
educational and public programming in close consultation with
its program advisory committee, ensuring that its activities are
current and relevant to architectural education, discourse, and
profession; as well as to society in general.
The committee assists in identifying future trends in the fields
of architecture and urban design, in the development of the
curriculum, and advising on the selection of visiting tutors
and guest lecturers. Committee members consist of leading
practitioners, scholars, educators, and affiliated professionals,
which also act as key liaisons in assisting graduates in finding
employment following graduation.
Jean Luis Cohen, during the Infrastructure
Things Symposium. May 2014
Henk Ovink, during the Inauguration
Event of the Berlage. October 2012
The Berlage offers a post-master program, aimed at both young
professionals seeking to deepen their research and design skills
as well as recent master’s-level graduates that are eager to explore
advanced modes of research and design for future practice, as much
as it prepares architects interested in an academic career.
The unique educational program is aimed at curious professionals
and scholars who seek an intense study setting, in which to pursue
a predetermined design-research interest. During their studies at the
Berlage, the individual interests of the prospective student will
be developed further within a partly collective framework.
Current members include Tom Avermaete, Yung Ho Chang,
Jean-Louis Cohen, Ellen van Loon, Henk Ovink, Michelle
Provoost and Daan Roosegaarde
Nanne de Ru
Marc Schoonderbeek
Lara Schrijver
Heidi Sohn
Laurens Tait
Oliver Thill
Pier Paolo Tamburelli
Madelon Vriesendorp
Jung Hyun Woo
Elia Zenghelis
David van Severen, during the public lecture on
their “Built Work” with Kersten Geers. April 2012
Enriqueta Llabres
Sébastien Marot
Francesco Marullo
Stefano Milani
Nelson Mota
Billy Nolan
Don Murphy
Freek Persyn
Mark Pimlott
Giorgio Ponzo
Andrej Radman
Eduardo Rico
Responsible professors
Tom Avermaete
Dick van Gameren
Dirk Sijmons
Experts and discussants
Kunle Adeyemi
Sanderyn Amsberg
Emre Arolat
Guus Beumer
Mark Brearley
Herman van Bergeijk
Gro Bonesmo
Pippo Ciorra
Lieven De Cauter
Henk Engel
Beatrice Galilee
Christoph Gantembein
Anne Holtrop
Arjan van de Lindeloof
Kees Kaan
Tracy Metz
Kiel Moe
Iradj Moeini
Bert Mulder
Sander Mulders
Billy Nolan
Joe Osae-Addo
Michelle Provoost
Cornelia Redeker
Michiel Riedijk
Vincent de Rijk
Joost Schrijnen
Dirk Sijmons
Martin Sobota
Martino Tattara
Arjan van Timmeren
Rene van der Velde
Jan de Vylder
Thijs Welman
Saskia de Wit
Lecturers
Emre Arolat
Petra Blaisse
Adriaan Geuze
Maarten Gielen
Go Hasegawa
Hilde Heynen
Kengo Kuma
Aglaia Konrad
Jesse Lecavalier
Zuler Lima
Nicolas Lobo Brennan
Nicolas de Monchaux
Stanislas von Moos
Joan Ockman
Valerio Olgiati
Jose Oubrerie
Beatriz Ramo
Daan Roosegaarde
Charles Rice
Deane Simpson
Joel Tettamanti
Georges Teyssot
Nicola Twilly
Peter Wilson
Ma Yansong
Mirko Zardini
Graduation Ceremony, Head of Education
Salomon Frausto and Thesis advisor Freek
Persyn, with graduate Ye Han. January 2014
Ulf Hackauf
Alexandra den Heijer
Herman Hertzberger
Dirk van den Heuvel
Daniel Jauslin
Marcus Kempers
Hamed Khosravi
Diederik de Koning
Jorn Konijn
Sang Lee
Dietmar Leyk
Sylvia Libedinsky
2015–2016 The Berlage Prospectus
Apply Now!
Applications open for the
2015–2017 Academic Year
“On Domesticity” public lecture by
Hilde Heynen, 6 March 2014.
Matthias Armengaud
Tom Avermaete
Ido Avissar
Laura Baird
Henriette Bier
Ole Bouman
Johanne Borthne
Matthijs Bouw
Sanne van den Breemer
Alessandra Cianchetta
Jean-Louis Cohen
Brendan Cormier
Rients Dijkstra
Amir Djalali
Victoria Easton
Georgios Eftaxiopoulos
Salomon Frausto
Gary Freeman
Mauricio Freyre
Filip Geerts
Olaf Gipser
Reinier de Graaf
Alessandra Cianchetta, public lecture November 2013.
Recent teaching staff
Matthijs Bouw during studio tutorials. November 2013
27
Tutor Freek Persyn with Berlage graduates.
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The Berlage admits a maximum of 18 to 24 students per academic year
to ensure an exclusive learning environment. Candidates are accepted
on a rolling admission policy, and all applications are reviewed in order
of submission. Therefore, prospective students are encouraged to
apply as soon as possible to increase their chance of admittance.
For all admission requirements and application procedures,
please check www.theberlage.nl.
Tuition Fees The application period for the
2015–2016 academic year commences on 1 October
2014 and closes 15 May 2015 for non-EU applicants
and 15 June 2015 for EU applicants and the tuition fee
for 2014–2015 is set at €16,350 per academic year,
thus €24,525 for all three terms.
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Admission requirements To be considered for The Berlage
program, you must meet the following requirements:
1. You have distinguished yourself in your professional degree in
the following disciplines: architecture, urban design, landscape
architecture, spatial planning, town or urban planning or an allied
discipline.
2. You have a master’s degree (equivalent to a Dutch Msc degree)
or a 5-year bachelor’s with a proven academic level
of a master’s degree through your portfolio in one of the
disciplines mentioned above. Or you have a master’s degree in a
different discipline in combination with relevant work experience.
Exceptions are considered on an individual basis.
3. Proof of English proficiency
- A TOEFL test with a minimum of 21 points for every section
and an overall Band score of at least 90. We only accept
internet based test.
- IELTS with a minimum of 6.0 for each section
and an overall band score of at least 6.5
- University of Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English,
or the University of Cambridge Certificate in Advanced
English.
4. A motivation essay in English of 2.000 – 3.000 words.
It should include your goals, areas of design and research interests
related to study, description of prior academic and professional
graduation/thesis topics. A motivation essay is an integral part
of your application. We use the motivation essay to evaluate your
interests, writing skills and ability for critical thinking.
5. 2 Letters of reference in English
6. Extensive Curriculum Vitae
7. Proof of identity
8. A portfolio
9. Payment of €100 application fee
Please note that you are not assured of admission simply by
meeting our requirements and sending us all the required
documents. Your application will be evaluated by at least two
expert members of the admissions committee. They will then
decide if you qualify for admission based on the information and
materials provided in your application. Applications will only be
evaluated once during an academic year; it is not possible to send
new documents for re-evaluation in the same academic year.
Portfolio Requirements The digital portfolio should include
samples of work from your previous educational program. Working
experience may be added to the portfolio. A portfolio should reflect
the scope and variety of your previous training and experience
with specific emphasis on your personal interests as well as your
academic and practical skills particularly in drawing, writing and
analysis.
Neatness and clarity of presentation are extremely important
as they reflect both your attitude towards your work as well as
your ability to communicate your work in a comprehensive and
deliberate manner.
What to include in your post-master portfolio: The portfolio cover
should include your full name and contact information.
29
Number and nature of projects:
- Include a total maximum of five projects, either from your
previous education or practice. “Projects”: demonstrate your
experience and capabilities, and might comprise examples
of design or planning projects, extracts of written reports,
publications, or research and analytical work such as spatial
analysis or mapping
- Include at least one single authored project
- Include your final project (or include your most recent)
- At least one of the projects included should clearly
demonstrate your capabilities with respects to analytical and
reasoning skills.
Project Documentation:
The five projects can include (either a or b):
a) Design or planning projects:
- Concept sketches and/or diagrams, showing preliminary
visual development of ideas, approaches and methods and
showing how you organize your ideas.
- Finished drawings of original design or planning work
- A written explanation (in English) of the problem, the goals
and objectives of the project, overall concept, how the
solution was reached and your contribution to team work.
b) Research projects, publications, or research and analytical
work: Extract of the material which give a good impression
of the overall project including the problem questions, the
method of analysis and findings; which may include drawings,
text, maps, or other examples.
A summary explanation (in English) of the objectives, findings and
conclusions of the work and an explanation of your contribution.
Please note that for all projects shown we require you to include
the name(s) of the author(s)
Per project define:
- Name and location of the project
- If it is academic or professional
- If it is individual or group work
- Your role in the process
- Your exact contribution to the project
- The level of the project, if academic (year/semester of your
study in which the project was carried out)
- Date when the project was carried out
- Name and e-mail address of the supervisor of the project
The size of your portfolio
Please be aware that quality is more important than quantity.
Note that portfolios are evaluated digitally and should be easily
readable without zooming or scrolling. Therefore:
- The size of your portfolio should not exceed 20 MB
- The size of the pages should not exceed A4
- The number of pages should not exceed 30 A4 size pages
- It is not allowed to show more than one A4 size page per screen
- It is not allowed to use the booklet format because that is two
pages per screen
- The document format should be pdf
- Be aware that landscape layout suits our requirements best
These requirements are very strict. If you do not meet them, your
portfolio will not be evaluated and you will not be given another
chance to apply this academic year.
Please note: Though we take the utmost care with all submitted
documentation, we cannot be responsible for files that have been
sent either corrupted, incomplete, or beyond the maximum size
accepted by our system (see below: ‘How to send your portfolio’).
Therefore, we highly advise you to check and double check your
PDF documents before sending.
2015–2016 The Berlage Prospectus
Application Documents You can send the application documents
to info@theberlage.nl through WeTransfer. (www.wetransfer.com).
You will receive instructions where to send the hard-copy
documents.
1. A filled out application form. The form can be downloaded at the bottom of this page
2. A certified copy of your diploma or proof that you have nearly
completed your studies. If your diploma is in another language
than English, French, German or Dutch, you must also provide a
certified translation of your diploma.
3. A certified copy of your transcript (or transcripts) in the original
language. Is the document in a language other than English,
French, German or Dutch? Then please also provide a certified
translation of your academic transcript (or transcripts) in one of
these 4 languages. Please note that you need to bring a certified
copy of this document with you when coming to Delft. E.g. if you
are in the last year of your undergraduate studies you need to
provide a certified copy of your provisional transcript as well as a certified translation of the transcript if it is not in English, French, German or Dutch.
4. An official copy of your English proficiency test.
- A TOEFL test with a minimum of 21 points for every section and an overall Band score of at least 90. We only accept
internet based test.
- IELTS with a minimum of 6.0 for each section
and an overall band score of at least 6.5
- University of Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English,
or the University of Cambridge Certificate in Advanced
English.
The Admission committee regards English proficiency as crucial
for a successful career at The Berlage. Therefore, we do not
accept a lower score than the requirement. In order to meet
the admission deadline, we recommend to take the IELTS or
TOEFL on the earliest possible date. In the case that you are
close to a deadline, we do accept a print screen of your results.
However, we do need the official proof before the start of the
academic year. Nationals from the USA, U.K., Ireland, Australia,
New Zealand and Canada are exempt from the proof of English
requirement.
5. A motivation essay is an integral part of your application.
We use the motivation essay to evaluate your interests, writing
skills and ability for critical thinking. The motivation essay should
therefore be in English and between 2000 and 3000 words in
length.
6. 2 letters of recommendation. The letters should be in
English or translated into English
7. A passport picture
8. Proof of identity. A photocopy of your passport pages (preferably
in color) which state your name, date of birth, place of birth and
the passport expiration date.
9. An extensive curriculum vitae
10. A document that proves payment of the non-refundable
application fee (€100). The application fee has to be transferred
to the bank account of The Berlage.
IBAN: NL32ABNA0462256200, BIC/SWIFT: ABNANL2A
In the name of: The Berlage Center for Advanced Studies
in Architecture and Urban Design
Please mention ‘application fee’’ and state your full name
11. Portfolio.
30
31
Recent Alumnus Profile
Remarks from Graduated Students
Name Sarah Nichols
Home Country United States
Residence Zurich, Switzerland
Current job Independent architect,
teaching assistant at ETH Zurich
Websites in-specter.ch, dieweinhalde.ch
Why did you choose the Berlage?
The Berlage offered a unique, advanced program
focusing on architecture as an intellectual pursuit rather
than a profession. Emphasis is put on developing logical
and ideological argumentation, instead of technical
skill—on the why rather, than just on how to build.
Was there a course you found particularly difficult?
Rather than a particular course, what is most challenging is the nature of group work in an international
program. The experience, expectations, and skills
of students are extremely varied and leave very little
common ground for consensus in the first year.
What was the most important thing you learned
here?
That architecture requires more expertise than just
design to have an impact. Stemming from a strong
tradition of democratic and state engagement in the
built environment that defines the Netherlands, I feel the
Berlage taught me the skills to engage with those whose
support we require to construct, through research and
clear communication.
Any words of advice for future students?
You must be self-motivated to push your own work
forward while understanding your responsibility to the
group. The school is so small that the engagement of all
students is needed to keep the intellectual level high—
not just your own experience, but the quality of the
group deteriorates without full participation.
What subject do you wish you paid more attention
to?
The theory program is composed of a series of seminars
that bring in intellectual giants from across Europe and
the United States for short sessions. This is an incredible
opportunity but I now wish I had more of my own
production from that period.
Are you still in contact with your fellow students?
Yes, some are now colleagues of mine at ETH Zurich,
others are friends who are scattered across Europe and
whose work is interesting to follow.
Was the transformation from graduation to working
life a smooth one?
I was offered my current position teaching at ETH Zurich
upon graduation, and for me this was a comfortable
transition. The high level of the theory curriculum seems
to prepare graduates well for academic positions, with
many alumni going on to teach or pursue a doctorate.
2015–2016 The Berlage Prospectus
“Finding a place to live
is generally easy. The
staff from the Berlage
connected me with three
other students, and
through a local agency
we easily found a place
to live.” —Aleksandar
Joksimović (Serbia)
“My favorite hang
outs in the center
of Delft are Coffee
Company, Blueberry,
DOK Mediatheque, and
Kobus Kuch, where
Wi-Fi is available and
the atmosphere is very
inspiring for work.”
—Shruti Omprakash
(India)
“I chose the Berlage
because, rather than
being tailored to a specific
approach, the flexibility
of the program allows
students to explore and
address different issues
from a global and crosscultural perspective
through the offered
research and design
projects.”
—Ahmad Nazmi (Malaysia)
“My favorite project, called
Ecological Modernity,
dealt with the changing
nature of the city from the
condition of being nonnatural to developing an
ecology on its own.”
—Anna Sissela (Denmark)
“I chose a postgraduate
program where I
could strengthen my
architectural knowledge in
order to apply it to my own
architectural practice.”
—Felipe Guerra
(Colombia)
“The only way to get
around Delft is by bicycle!
Cycling you can get
anywhere in the city
and—in nice weather—it’s
very popular to ride along
the canals to the nearby
cities.”
—Ye Han (China)
Taksim Square, The Animist City.
Research project, 2012-2013
Tutors: Emre Arolat, Ido Avissar, with Marcus Kempers
Students: Alejandra Arce Gomez, Yoonhee Bae,
Jinsun Baik, Saran Chaiyasuta, Xiaoting Chen, Xiaofeng
Fu, Ye Han, Ryang Huh, Young-Hun Kwon, Congxiao Liu
“Taksim Square, The Animist City” will use the
redevelopment of Taksim Square in Istanbul as
a framework for research and design projects. It
will focus on conflicts between political forces,
stakeholders, inhabitants and interest groups as
well as on reading and representing the multilayered
complexity of this iconic urban space.
The Berlage Center for Advanced Studies
in Architecture and Urban Design
Faculty of Architecture
Delft University of Technology
Julianalaan 134
Room BG.OOST.600
2628 BL Delft
The Netherlands
First Edition, November 2014