Course Catalogue Master Architecture

This module, optionally to be undertaken in the third semester, serves as a basis for an individual Master’s Thesis, if successfully completed with a minimum grade of 5.0. The sustainable operation within a self-chosen area is critically analysed and applied. It contains a research question, an in-depth theoretical investigation as well as a conceptual outline for a Theoretical Report and a Technical Report. In the Preliminary Study the supervision consists of directing the preparation of the thesis proposal and the research design as well as the development of the student’s clear conceptual position. The Preliminary Study needs to be completed at the University of Liechtenstein and is reviewed before a panel of experts of the related research unit.

This module, optionally to be undertaken in the third semester, serves as a basis for an individual Master’s Thesis, if successfully completed with a minimum grade of 5.0. The sustainable operation within a self-chosen area is critically analysed and applied. It contains a research question, an in-depth theoretical investigation as well as a conceptual outline for a Theoretical Report and a Technical Report. In the Preliminary Study the supervision consists of directing the preparation of the thesis proposal and the research design as well as the development of the student’s clear conceptual position. The Preliminary Study needs to be completed at the University of Liechtenstein and is reviewed before a panel of experts of the related research unit.

This module, optionally to be undertaken in the third semester, serves as a basis for an individual Master’s Thesis, if successfully completed with a minimum grade of 5.0. The sustainable operation within a self-chosen area is critically analysed and applied. It contains a research question, an in-depth theoretical investigation as well as a conceptual outline for a Theoretical Report and a Technical Report. In the Preliminary Study the supervision consists of directing the preparation of the thesis proposal and the research design as well as the development of the student’s clear conceptual position. The Preliminary Study needs to be completed at the University of Liechtenstein and is reviewed before a panel of experts of the related research unit.

This module, optionally to be undertaken in the third semester, serves as a basis for an individual Master’s Thesis, if successfully completed with a minimum grade of 5.0. The sustainable operation within a self-chosen area is critically analysed and applied. It contains a research question, an in-depth theoretical investigation as well as a conceptual outline for a Theoretical Report and a Technical Report. In the Preliminary Study the supervision consists of directing the preparation of the thesis proposal and the research design as well as the development of the student’s clear conceptual position. The Preliminary Study needs to be completed at the University of Liechtenstein and is reviewed before a panel of experts of the related research unit.

This module, optionally to be undertaken in the third semester, serves as a basis for an individual Master’s Thesis, if successfully completed with a minimum grade of 5.0. The sustainable operation within a self-chosen area is critically analysed and applied. It contains a research question, an in-depth theoretical investigation as well as a conceptual outline for a Theoretical Report and a Technical Report. In the Preliminary Study the supervision consists of directing the preparation of the thesis proposal and the research design as well as the development of the student’s clear conceptual position. The Preliminary Study needs to be completed at the University of Liechtenstein and is reviewed before a panel of experts of the related research unit.

The Pro Bono Project emphasises the importance of social responsibility and offers students a platform to engage in nonprofit activities for the well-being of society. It provides an opportunity to initiate, develop and implement a project in collaboration with partners from practice (e.g., municipality, association, school, NGO, etc.). The project is studentled, with the guidance of mentors. It can be either a built intervention or an activity, but it must have a connection to the built environment and serve the common good. The Pro Bono Project is intended to bring added value both to the Liechtenstein region and to the international context. Collaboration between Bachelor´s and Master´s students, as well as with students from other programs at the University of Liechtenstein is encouraged. Both group projects of up to five students and individual projects are possible. The Pro Bono Project has to be linked to at least one unit of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture.

The Pro Bono Project emphasises the importance of social responsibility and offers students a platform to engage in nonprofit activities for the well-being of society. It provides an opportunity to initiate, develop and implement a project in collaboration with partners from practice (e.g., municipality, association, school, NGO, etc.). The project is studentled, with the guidance of mentors. It can be either a built intervention or an activity, but it must have a connection to the built environment and serve the common good. The Pro Bono Project is intended to bring added value both to the Liechtenstein region and to the international context. Collaboration between Bachelor´s and Master´s students, as well as with students from other programs at the University of Liechtenstein is encouraged. Both group projects of up to five students and individual projects are possible. The Pro Bono Project has to be linked to at least one unit of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture.

The Pro Bono Project emphasises the importance of social responsibility and offers students a platform to engage in nonprofit activities for the well-being of society. It provides an opportunity to initiate, develop and implement a project in collaboration with partners from practice (e.g., municipality, association, school, NGO, etc.). The project is studentled, with the guidance of mentors. It can be either a built intervention or an activity, but it must have a connection to the built environment and serve the common good. The Pro Bono Project is intended to bring added value both to the Liechtenstein region and to the international context. Collaboration between Bachelor´s and Master´s students, as well as with students from other programs at the University of Liechtenstein is encouraged. Both group projects of up to five students and individual projects are possible. The Pro Bono Project has to be linked to at least one unit of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture.

The Pro Bono Project emphasises the importance of social responsibility and offers students a platform to engage in nonprofit activities for the well-being of society. It provides an opportunity to initiate, develop and implement a project in collaboration with partners from practice (e.g., municipality, association, school, NGO, etc.). The project is studentled, with the guidance of mentors. It can be either a built intervention or an activity, but it must have a connection to the built environment and serve the common good. The Pro Bono Project is intended to bring added value both to the Liechtenstein region and to the international context. Collaboration between Bachelor´s and Master´s students, as well as with students from other programs at the University of Liechtenstein is encouraged. Both group projects of up to five students and individual projects are possible. The Pro Bono Project has to be linked to at least one unit of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture.

The Pro Bono Project emphasises the importance of social responsibility and offers students a platform to engage in nonprofit activities for the well-being of society. It provides an opportunity to initiate, develop and implement a project in collaboration with partners from practice (e.g., municipality, association, school, NGO, etc.). The project is studentled, with the guidance of mentors. It can be either a built intervention or an activity, but it must have a connection to the built environment and serve the common good. The Pro Bono Project is intended to bring added value both to the Liechtenstein region and to the international context. Collaboration between Bachelor´s and Master´s students, as well as with students from other programs at the University of Liechtenstein is encouraged. Both group projects of up to five students and individual projects are possible. The Pro Bono Project has to be linked to at least one unit of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture.

The Pro Bono Project emphasises the importance of social responsibility and offers students a platform to engage in nonprofit activities for the well-being of society. It provides an opportunity to initiate, develop and implement a project in collaboration with partners from practice (e.g., municipality, association, school, NGO, etc.). The project is studentled, with the guidance of mentors. It can be either a built intervention or an activity, but it must have a connection to the built environment and serve the common good. The Pro Bono Project is intended to bring added value both to the Liechtenstein region and to the international context. Collaboration between Bachelor´s and Master´s students, as well as with students from other programs at the University of Liechtenstein is encouraged. Both group projects of up to five students and individual projects are possible. The Pro Bono Project has to be linked to at least one unit of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture.

The Professional Practice gives students the opportunity to work in an architectural office or related fields to gain new practical experience in different stages from design studies, competition entries and construction projects up to the on-site building process. The Professional Practice is planned and set up by the students, under the guidance of mentors. Thereby students learn to apply for a new job. They prepare a professional portfolio and document their learnings during the professional practice. Those who already work in an architecture office or in related fields can also complete the Professional Practice module but must arrange a work situation that allows them to gain experience in a new field within their employment for the required duration. The experiences and insights gained during the Professional Practice are presented at the University of Liechtenstein and reviewed in front of the mentors.

This optional module, allows for various kinds of research studies in collaboration with planned or ongoing research projects. It is closely linked to the five units of the School of Architecture and is undertaken individually or in small teams of students. Supervision consists of guiding students towards clear results in a particular area of research. The research project is reviewed before a panel of experts from the supervising research unit.

Built Heritage & Upcycling Unit:
Would you also like to be a border crosser and cross borders with us? Ernst Sommerlad (1895-1977) was one of the first architects in the Principality of Liechtenstein and brought the architectural language of Modernism here. Despite the most adverse political circumstances, he did not allow himself to be limited by borders either architecturally or physically, and also built in Germany, Vorarlberg, St. Gallen, Appenzell and Graubünden. On the occasion of a symposium at the University of Liechtenstein in the fall of 2025, we will analyze the fast and exciting oeuvre of Sommerlad under close scientific scrutiny in cooperation with the country and the OST (Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences)

This optional module, allows for various kinds of research studies in collaboration with planned or ongoing research projects. It is closely linked to the five units of the School of Architecture and is undertaken individually or in small teams of students. Supervision consists of guiding students towards clear results in a particular area of research. The research project is reviewed before a panel of experts from the supervising research unit.

Craft & Structure Unit:
The University of Liechtenstein’s “Room of Silence” project aims to investigate key questions using the research method “Research by Design” and to answer them in a practical manner through a groundbreaking realized rammed earth project. The focus lies on materiality, innovative detailing, the involvement of local stakeholders, as well as the aesthetic and functional quality of the space. The results are intended to be both scientifically grounded and of sustainable value for practical application.

Central Research Questions for the students will be: What innovative architectural and technical solutions can be developed and implemented using the material rammed earth in Liechtenstein? How can local stakeholders be integrated into the planning and construction process to combine their expertise with rammed earth in a sustainable and forward-looking way? How can airtightness and building physics requirements for connections be met without using membranes in ecological construction? What methods and techniques enable stable and durable installation of doors and windows in rammed earth constructions? How can excavated material from Liechtenstein be used for rammed earth construction, and what level of compressive strength can be achieved with it?
Project Objectives and Added Value: The project offers participating students the opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge of sustainable building design and implementation through an applied research strategy. They will benefit from collaboration with industry partners such as Lehm Ton Erde, GBD, Lenum, and other companies from Liechtenstein and the surrounding region. This includes access to laboratories, material testing, and the development of innovative approaches in cooperation with industry. At the same time, the project explores the interdisciplinary interplay between theory, material research, and practical implementation. Its aim is not only to contribute to the advancement of ecological construction but also to create a platform for future projects that address the sustainable use of resources and the evolution of regional building culture.

This optional module, allows for various kinds of research studies in collaboration with planned or ongoing research projects. It is closely linked to the five units of the School of Architecture and is undertaken individually or in small teams of students. Supervision consists of guiding students towards clear results in a particular area of research. The research project is reviewed before a panel of experts from the supervising research unit.

Craft & Structure Unit:
The University of Liechtenstein’s “Room of Silence” project aims to investigate key questions using the research method “Research by Design” and to answer them in a practical manner through a groundbreaking realized rammed earth project. The focus lies on materiality, innovative detailing, the involvement of local stakeholders, as well as the aesthetic and functional quality of the space. The results are intended to be both scientifically grounded and of sustainable value for practical application.

Central Research Questions for the students will be: What innovative architectural and technical solutions can be developed and implemented using the material rammed earth in Liechtenstein? How can local stakeholders be integrated into the planning and construction process to combine their expertise with rammed earth in a sustainable and forward-looking way? How can airtightness and building physics requirements for connections be met without using membranes in ecological construction? What methods and techniques enable stable and durable installation of doors and windows in rammed earth constructions? How can excavated material from Liechtenstein be used for rammed earth construction, and what level of compressive strength can be achieved with it?
Project Objectives and Added Value: The project offers participating students the opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge of sustainable building design and implementation through an applied research strategy. They will benefit from collaboration with industry partners such as Lehm Ton Erde, GBD, Lenum, and other companies from Liechtenstein and the surrounding region. This includes access to laboratories, material testing, and the development of innovative approaches in cooperation with industry. At the same time, the project explores the interdisciplinary interplay between theory, material research, and practical implementation. Its aim is not only to contribute to the advancement of ecological construction but also to create a platform for future projects that address the sustainable use of resources and the evolution of regional building culture.

This optional module, allows for various kinds of research studies in collaboration with planned or ongoing research projects. It is closely linked to the five units of the School of Architecture and is undertaken individually or in small teams of students. Supervision consists of guiding students towards clear results in a particular area of research. The research project is reviewed before a panel of experts from the supervising research unit.

Built Heritage & Upcycling Unit:
Whenever there was a shortage of building materials in history, creativity was called for and a circular approach was often the answer. In the 16th century, the Frenchman Philibert de l'Orme invented a new construction method, known as "à petit bois", in which large roof surfaces were built from small pieces of wood. Instead of comprehensive designs, his architectural work was characterized by adapting, integrating and building on. We examine de l'Orme's circular approaches using the example of the roof truss of the Caserne Rochambeau in Mont-Dauphin (F). Could this method be one of the earliest concepts for planned circular building solutions?

This optional module, allows for various kinds of research studies in collaboration with planned or ongoing research projects. It is closely linked to the five units of the School of Architecture and is undertaken individually or in small teams of students. Supervision consists of guiding students towards clear results in a particular area of research. The research project is reviewed before a panel of experts from the supervising research unit.

Sustainable Design Unit:
What is Fluidglass? Fluidglass represents a pioneering innovation in building technology that transforms windows into intelligent, multifunctional elements of construction. These advanced windows not only permit the passage of light but also possess the capability to store and regulate energy. By utilizing a specialized fluid enclosed within the glass that dynamically responds to temperature variations, Fluidglass significantly enhances the energy efficiency and thermal comfort of buildings. In this module, you will gain comprehensive insights into product development within the construction industry and the contemporary innovation processes that drive such advancements. Your participation will encompass a range of activities, including conducting research, performing simulations, and developing both a business model and a go-to-market strategy. The specific scope of your work will be tailored to your expertise and interests during an initial meeting session. In collaboration with the LBS Innovation Unit, this research semester presents a unique opportunity to investigate sustainable construction through the lens of practical product development. You will engage in the integration of Fluidglass technology into building designs, exploring its potential to reduce energy consumption and enhance indoor environmental quality. Working alongside experts from diverse disciplines and students from various faculties, you will develop holistic solutions to pressing sustainability challenges. This experience will equip you with critical skills and knowledge necessary for implementing sustainable building projects. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to learn about state-of-the-art technologies, contribute to environmentally responsible construction methods, enhance your career prospects, and expand your professional network.

This optional module, allows for various kinds of research studies in collaboration with planned or ongoing research projects. It is closely linked to the five units of the School of Architecture and is undertaken individually or in small teams of students. Supervision consists of guiding students towards clear results in a particular area of research. The research project is reviewed before a panel of experts from the supervising research unit.

Built Heritage & Upcycling Unit:
Whenever there was a shortage of building materials in history, creativity was called for and a circular approach was often the answer. In the 16th century, the Frenchman Philibert de l'Orme invented a new construction method, known as "à petit bois", in which large roof surfaces were built from small pieces of wood. Instead of comprehensive designs, his architectural work was characterized by adapting, integrating and building on. We examine de l'Orme's circular approaches using the example of the roof truss of the Caserne Rochambeau in Mont-Dauphin (F). Could this method be one of the earliest concepts for planned circular building solutions?

This optional module, allows for various kinds of research studies in collaboration with planned or ongoing research projects. It is closely linked to the five units of the School of Architecture and is undertaken individually or in small teams of students. Supervision consists of guiding students towards clear results in a particular area of research. The research project is reviewed before a panel of experts from the supervising research unit.

Sustainable Design Unit:
Research in Sustainable Architecture - Focus on Sustainability.
What is sustainable and what is not?
This elective module invites participants to engage in an in-depth examination of sustainable building practices within the Alpine Rhine Valley. In alignment with ongoing research initiatives at the LSA, the module is dedicated to the development of a comprehensive catalogue of themes pertinent to sustainable construction. Through a rigorous comparative analysis of building certifications and broader sustainability frameworks, participants will investigate how these themes can inform and advance sustainable architectural practices in the region. This module offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the academic discourse on sustainability and shape the future of building practices. Participants in this module will play a pivotal role in synthesizing an extensive overview of contemporary sustainability topics and translating these insights into a structured matrix for all relevant stakeholders in architecture and the construction industry. Beyond the analysis and research of these topics, the primary tasks will involve the integration of findings into the overarching matrix. This project is tailored for students with interests spanning technical and economic dimensions, as well as ethical and philosophical considerations. At the outset of the project, the scope of each participant's work will be customized according to their knowledge base and areas of interest during the initial meeting session.
Don't miss the chance to shape the future of sustainable building.

In this seminar, key topics of high relevance for the spatial development of contemporary urban landscapes are taught. These are approached in a transdisciplinary manner and embedded in a holistic view. Based on the principles of decarbonisation, adaptation to climate change, the fostering of biodiversity and an inclusive and equitable distribution of space, spatial design is understood as a key to the spatial discourse. During the semester, students engage intensively with a selected topic and develop their own design approach based on theoretical texts and case studies from practice.

This elective course addresses the most sustainable concept of our economic activity: the non-production of new things. It focuses on the urgency and rediscovery of a culture of care, repair, reparability and upcycling to critically question the way we design, build and use our constructed environment. It combines methods from restoration and conservation with new ideas from a growing repair community. Using broken objects, each student will first identify, analyse and discuss the defect(s). After developing a repair concept, a complete restoration is to be realised under professional guidance. The aim is to come up with a coherent and consistent repair solution which, in the best case, will result in a technical and/or design improvement to the object.

Vernacular Architecture introduces the traditional typologies of housing, agriculture, crafts and trade around the globe. Adapted to climate, natural resources and cultural conditions, these vanishing building cultures offer truly sustainable clues to our crucial question: How to build and how to live sustainably again? The seminar explores projects to understand the complex simplicity of buildings made from purely natural materials.

This module allows for various kinds of external workshops, summer schools, study trips, etc. It is not necessarily connected to the five units of the School of Architecture and often organised by other universities, consortia or research institutions. Usually, students attend workshops of 5 to 10 days and develop projects in groups. Presentations are reviewed by the workshop tutors.

This module allows for various kinds of external workshops, summer schools, study trips, etc. It is not necessarily connected to the five units of the School of Architecture and often organised by other universities, consortia or research institutions. Usually, students attend workshops of 5 to 10 days and develop projects in groups. Presentations are reviewed by the workshop tutors.

This module allows for various kinds of external workshops, summer schools, study trips, etc. It is not necessarily connected to the five units of the School of Architecture and often organised by other universities, consortia or research institutions. Usually, students attend workshops of 5 to 10 days and develop projects in groups. Presentations are reviewed by the workshop tutors.