STRUCTURE

The MAArC focuses on the various demands and expertise of the profession: policy and management; design in the historic urban context; and materials and technology linking them directly to various aspects of heritage conservation in Asian cities. A candidate will have an opportunities to choose courses as per his/ her specialisation.

To qualify for the MAArC degree, a candidate must successfully attain 40 units. To qualify for a Graduate Diploma in Architectural Conservation, a candidate must successfully earn 24 units. To qualify for a Graduate Certificate in Architectural Conservation, a candidate must successfully earn 8 units.

Essential Courses

The critical analysis of the contemporary discourses on heritage conservation and management that are directly related to the climate crisis, social justice, economic viability, cultural authenticity, and environmental sustainability, especially in Asia, occupies the central theme in the curriculum. Essential courses include conservation approaches and philosophies, conservation of twentieth-century buildings, architectural heritage management, historic building conservation survey and recording, and dissertation.

Elective Courses

Elective courses will further deepen the broader knowledge gained from the essential courses while accommodating the diversity of students’ interests and the evolving Architectural and heritage conservation field. By expanding the range of courses available and providing more flexibility in course choices, students can integrate their knowledge across various areas of Architectural Conservation. The elective courses include the architectural history of Singapore, practical building conservation skills, dissertation, internship, and other graduate-level modules offered in the Department of Architecture and the College of Design and Engineering that the Program Director approves. For students with Architectural degree background may take the studio courses Design for Conservation and Design for Adaptive Reuse as their electives.

Internship

The MAArC offers the opportunity to engage students with local and international practices, gaining practical and research experience in heritage conservation, by working as an intern in a private company or public organisation both in Singapore and the region. This practical experience can also be validated as a part of the elective internship module (AC5014). Students can take this module between the two semesters.

The internship allows students to participate in relevant heritage management, urban design, planning and/or research projects, and their work will be supervised and evaluated by the MAArC programme director or an appointed tutor. At the end of the internship, the student is required to submit a report explaining the project(s) involved reflecting the methods and practices learned during the experience.

The internship lasts for a minimum period of five weeks on a parttime basis (3 hours/day, 3 days/week).