Bio-Integrated Design

A minimum of a second-class UK degree in an appropriate subject or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. A design/creative portfolio is also expected. Applicants will be asked to submit a portfolio of their design work along with a short piece of writing once their completed application has been received, and should not send or upload work until it has been requested.

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.

The English language level for this programme is: Standard.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Our habitat today is being fundamentally shaped by revolutions in biotechnology, computation and climate change. Bio-Integrated Design takes these life-changing phenomena as the foundation to explore radical, sophisticated, yet also critical, design solutions that will shape our future society.

Bio-integrated Design MArch is an interdisciplinary, design-led programme, which empowers students to discover and innovate with new modes of architectural simulation and production over two years. Students work with world-leading designers and practitioners at The Bartlett School of Architecture, along with scientists and researchers from Biochemical Engineering, Ecology and Life Sciences, to create multi-layered designs which are biologically, materially and socially integrated. 

There is an urgent need for more sustainable and environmentally conscious design that is creative yet also critical about our future built environment. This programme enables students to gain advanced skills and knowledge of technologies and working methods in an area of growing global significance. 

In REF 2014 46% of The Bartlett’s research was rated 4* i.e. “world-leading”, with a further 35% recognised as 3* i.e. “internationally excellent”.* The Bartlett submitted the largest quantity of 4* world-leading research outputs (156 items) of any university submitting to the Architecture, Built Environment and Planning sub-panel. On “Research Environment”, which grades the “vitality” and “sustainability” of the research environment, the Bartlett received the highest score for submission to the Architecture, Built Environment and Planning sub-panel.

Students learn in a community of diverse, world-leading experts, learning alongside a sister Master's degree with a scientific and analytical focus, Bio-integrated Design MSc. Workshops will be held throughout the year, led by experts from a wide range of fields including art and design, robotics, biotechnology and synthetic biology, material science and bio-chemical engineering. 

This programme is part of B-Pro or Bartlett Prospective, which groups together five of the architecture school's graduate programmes with a unique philosophy and shared approach to the future of design, architecture and the urban environment. Students studying  Bio-integrated Design will participate in The Bartlett's annual B-Pro Show, an exhibition of student work in Bloomsbury attended by the industry and public alike each autumn. 

This programme is taught through continuous workshops, seminars and crits. The programme promotes learning via research and enquiry, in particular through iterative design and simulations, prototyping, environmental analysis, along with material studies and laboratory work.

Assessment will be mainly via coursework, but also through on-going evaluation of physical outputs and transferable skills including presentations, criticism, evolving design skills and general teamwork. Your key assessed elements include design portfolios, physical prototyping, laboratory experiments, illustrated essays and reports, and final oral presentation.