Senior Thesis in Architectural Studies I This studio course constitutes the first part of the two-term senior project in Architectural Design. Pre-design research includes precedent study, programming, site analysis, and formulation of a concept to be investigated through the design process. Preliminary design work begins with conceptual studies, and culminates in a coherent schematic design, to be developed further in the Senior Studio in Architectural Design 2. Students present their work in graphic, oral, and written formats.

Senior Thesis in Architectural Studies II This studio course constitutes the second part of the two-term senior project in Architectural Design. Building upon architectural research, analysis, and preliminary design work conducted during the fall semester, students develop their senior projects to a higher level of understanding and refinement. Students also engage in peer review and work with visiting critics, concluding with public presentations of final projects and a project portfolio describing all aspects of the completed design.

Architectural Design Analysis: Observe, Distill, Create Architectural analysis and precedent studies offer powerful ways of engaging with the built environment and can serve as tools for enhancing or redefining a creative process. Learning to see the world through a “prepared eye” engenders a framework for conceptualizing new architectural forms and expressions. In this hands-on studio, students will learn the fundamentals of formal precedent analysis, deepening their understanding of design principles and strategies, while also exploring more abstract modes of investigation. We will experiment with methods of visualizing information that challenge traditional means of representation and examine how these, in turn, can be used as unique, form-making architectural tools.

Introduction to Architectural Design		 Are you fascinated by buildings and interested in trying your hand at architectural design? This course will introduce you to principles of architecture and teach you the skills architects use to explore and communicate design ideas. We will consider urban and rural settings, sustainability, energy efficiency, functionality, comfort, and the role architecture plays in shaping community. Classroom instruction by a practicing architect will provide hands-on drawing, model-making, and materials research.  Students will work to analyze existing buildings and design their own. Students seeking to improve their understanding of the built environment as well to develop their design-mind to reconcile social-ecological challenges are encouraged to take this course. No prior experience is needed.

Intermediate Architectural Design This studio course emphasizes the thought and method of architectural design. Members of this studio will be involved in developing their insights towards cultural value systems and their expression in the environments they create. Participants work primarily in the studio space and rely heavily on individual instruction and group review of their work. The course provides a foundation for more advanced study in the areas of architecture, landscape architecture, and other fields related to the design of the built environment, and an opportunity to work with the Cameron Visiting Architect.

Misty Kaplan

Reviews and ratings for Misty Kaplan at Middlebury College.Misty Kaplan teaches Senior Thesis Arch Studies I, Senior Thesis Arch Studies II, Architectural Design Analysis and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Misty Kaplan good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

this as a fun course, very project-heavy, as expected. The professor was most definitely a realist and was honest about the work you presented. I appreciated this, and it was important to get used to it, especially if you intend to be an architect. Projects were fun and collaborative. id reccommend to anyone who likes being hands-on, but only take it if you have the time and interest!

This class was more focused on design and analysis techniques rather than architectural models, but challenged me to think differently about the way I approach projects. This was very valuable in forming my own style. 

Great class, really cool field trip at the end. Misty is great and very accommodating, the projects can be more than you expect though. Overall a good experience though. You end up spending way more time than you think in the studio.