Under the direction of architect-developers Ted Smith and Jonathan Segal
Woodbury University offers a graduate program designed to teach the art and practice of real estate development to architects and graduates of professional programs in architecture. This program seeks to build upon the unique perspective and ethos of the architect. While architects design the way a building looks and works, they are seldom involved in the decision of exactly what to build. In most developments, the architect is considered only one of the numerous players, and is often relegated to a role of carrying out a pre-established vision for the development, rather than playing a leadership role in its determination from the start.
The M.Arch RED program is unlike a typical real estate development program where the curriculum is offered in a traditional classroom or lecture setting. Instead, the entire curriculum of the twelve-month, three-semester program is delivered through a hands-on studio-based format.
This course of study will introduce more than the typical elements of development. In addition to learning from a broad array of building industry professionals, MArch RED students work with architects who have been successful as developers through innovation and the invention of specific strategies to overcome financial shortcomings and policy roadblocks. These strategies will be shared and studied in the studios.
In the first semester a case studies design studio is offered in which architect-developers present their successful developments. Students have the opportunity to consider alternative designs for these existing developments, while they become familiar with and manipulate the specific business plans or pro-formas of the projects. Industry professionals, including bankers, contractors, building officials, lawyers, market analysts and sales representatives, teach a parallel professional studio. Their presentations are tied to a series of sketch problems that integrate specific learning outcomes and real world examples.
In the second semester, with the direction and advice of industry professionals who continuously participate in the learning process, the parallel professional studio supporting the design studio continues. In the design studio, students survey possible alternatives for new developments and are directed toward a specific project proposal for the final thesis semester with the potential to be successfully pursued after graduation.
For the thesis students develop and prepare finished presentation packages for the project including market analysis, partnership agreements, funding proposals, architectural designs, and sales and leasing strategies. |