The MA Architecture & Spatial Practices goes beyond conventional architecture, exploring urban, social, material, and curatorial dimensions. Students deepen their architectural and spatial design practice and address urgent social and ecological challenges – developing strategies, spaces, and collaborations that engage real-world complexities.
Offered in one- and two-year formats, the program accommodates both four-year and three-year architecture graduates, fostering critical and creative approaches across urban, rural, and international contexts.
Study Architecture & Spatial Practices in Berlin
The MA Architecture & Spatial Practices program is offered as a one and two-year option, depending on the applicant’s previous architecture degree. The two-year program begins with a foundational first year, deepening skills in design, construction, and research as well as choosing a first specialization. The second year mirrors the structure of the one-year program where all students in their final year select a specialization – Urban & Social Practice, Material & Resilience Practice, or Critical & Curatorial Practice – that will guide their master's thesis and design project.
Application period
Applications are open for Fall Semester 2026–2027
Program start
October
Academic calendar
[Needs confirmation: final academic calendar dates]
Portfolio advice
[Needs confirmation: next portfolio advice webinar/date]
1 year (2 semesters) or 2 years (4 semesters)
Full-time
Berlin
Tuition fees and additional costs may vary depending on applicant status, academic year, and selected study duration. Please check the final admissions and tuition information before publication.
EU Nationals: [Needs confirmation: final Whitecliffe tuition wording]
Non-EU Nationals: [Needs confirmation: final Whitecliffe tuition wording]
The MA Architecture & Spatial Practices program is a consecutive option for applicants with a previous degree in Architecture. It empowers students to develop their own independent practice through design experimentation and research, and a deep engagement with one of the three program foci.
Master of Arts (MA)
NZ Government key information link for students.
Graduates of the MA Architecture & Spatial Practices program gain skills in spatial analysis, design strategy, critical thinking, and collaboration. They may pursue careers in architecture and design studios, urban research, public institutions, cultural organizations, or launch independent practices, with some continuing to doctoral studies.
LAERS - Matilde Nera and Sophia Pasqualini
The MA Architecture & Spatial Practices program is a consecutive program for applicants with a previous degree in Architecture or an equivalent qualification. The required study duration depends on the applicant’s previous degree: applicants with a 240 ECTS architecture degree may study the 60 ECTS pathway, while applicants with a 180 ECTS architecture degree may study the 120 ECTS pathway.
Applicants are required to submit the standard MA application documents, including:
German language knowledge is not required for this English-taught program. [Needs confirmation: final document wording for Whitecliffe website]
Graduates receive a Master of Arts (MA).
Yes. The program is taught in English. German language knowledge is not required, but applicants need proof of English language skills at CEFR level B2 or above.
The program can take 1 year (2 semesters) or 2 years (4 semesters), depending on the applicant’s previous architecture degree and ECTS background.
The program is taught in Berlin.
The program includes specialised practice areas such as Urban & Social Practice, Material & Resilience Practice, and Critical & Curatorial Practice.
The program is designed for applicants with a previous degree in Architecture or an equivalent qualification. [Needs confirmation: final admission wording]
Yes. Applicants to programs in the Faculty of Architecture & Design need to submit a portfolio with 10 works.
Applicants need official certificates and transcripts, proof of English at CEFR level B2 or above, a CV, and a portfolio. Additional requirements may depend on the applicant’s previous degree and ECTS background.
Students in the MA Architecture & Spatial Practices program learn from an international academic team with expertise across architectural and urban design, architectural research and theory, and curatorial practice. The current academic staff includes: Prof. Dr. Giorgia Aquilar Prof. Karsten Huneck Prof. Lukas Staudinger Roger Wilson
Javier Martín was born in Valencia, Spain. He studied architecture at the Universitat Politècni ...
John Tubles is a Filipino-American Architect, Academic, and Design Researcher currently based in ...
Jeanne-Françoise Fischer is a Swiss/German architect with many years of international profession ...
Amara Goodwin was born in Toronto. She obtained undergraduate degrees in both fine arts and art h ...
Carola Ebert was born in Berlin. She studied architecture (TU Berlin, 1998) and architectural his ...
Prof. Pierre Escobar is a French architect and urbanist and the founder of l’atelier DEV archit ...
Karsten Huneck was born in Chile and grew up in Germany where he also graduated with a Diploma in ...
Sigurd Larsen was born in Denmark where he studied Architecture at The Royal Academy of Fine Arts ...
Adrian von Starck was born in Cologne. He studied architecture and urban planning at TU Darmstadt ...
Lukas Staudinger is an architect and curator of urban practice. He studied architecture at the Ac ...
Katrin Brünjes was born in Bremen. She studied architecture at the Bauhaus-University Weimar (Di ...
Roger Wilson is a multidisciplinary designer. After studying Architecture in Wellington and Paris ...
Sait Ali Köknar studied Architecture at Istanbul Technical University and earned an M.Sc. in the ...
