University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

This master’s programme combines advanced study of building science, construction technology and digital design methods with applied research and project work. Core topics typically include building physics (thermal, moisture and acoustic performance), structural principles for architectural design, enclosure and façade systems, materials behaviour and durability in coastal and tropical climates, and environmental control strategies for passive and active systems.

• Digital design and fabrication: computational design, parametric modelling, BIM workflows and digital fabrication methods that support integrated design-to-construction processes.
• Building systems and services: HVAC fundamentals, daylighting and electrical systems as they relate to architectural performance and occupant comfort.
• Sustainability and resilience: energy modelling, passive design strategies for hot-humid climates, resilient design for coastal environments and lifecycle thinking for materials selection.
• Codes, construction management and detailing: construction documentation, buildability, performance-based design approaches and understanding of regulatory frameworks.
• Research methods and thesis or capstone: training in research design, measurement and simulation techniques, culminating in a technically focused thesis, research project or advanced design-build study.

Teaching is typically delivered through lectures, studio and laboratory work, workshops, seminars and industry-linked projects. Field-based study and casework that respond to the Pacific and Hawaiian built environment are common components of the curriculum.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised undergraduate degree in architecture, architectural technology, civil or structural engineering, construction management or a closely related field. Candidates with substantial professional experience in building design, façade engineering, sustainability consulting or digital fabrication may also be considered.

• Academic transcripts: official transcripts showing a completed bachelor’s or equivalent qualification.
• Portfolio or work samples: required for applicants with design or architecture backgrounds; technologists and engineers should provide work examples illustrating technical competence and project involvement.
• Statements and references: a personal statement outlining aims and research or professional interests, and academic or professional references.
• English language proficiency: evidence of proficiency if prior study was not in English, in line with university requirements.

Specific prerequisites in structures, building technology or computational design may be requested; applicants without certain background knowledge may be asked to take bridging courses or demonstrate equivalent experience.

Career prospects

Graduates develop specialist skills that suit technical leadership roles in architecture and construction. Typical career paths include:

• Architectural technologist or senior technical architect, responsible for detailing, performance specification and coordination.
• BIM manager or digital design specialist, implementing integrated workflows and computational tools for practice.
• Façade engineer or envelope consultant, focusing on performance, longevity and constructability of building skins in challenging climates.
• Sustainability and resilience consultant, conducting energy modelling, retrofit strategies and climate-adaptive design.
• Construction or project manager with advanced technical knowledge for complex building systems.
• Researcher or academic pursuing further study or working in applied research centres concerned with materials, building science or tropical architecture.

Graduates find employment in design practices, specialist consultancies, construction firms, public agencies concerned with building policy and resilience, and research organisations.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Studying at the University of Hawaii at Manoa places you in a distinctive Pacific and tropical context where climate, cultural heritage and coastal conditions shape architectural technology. The university’s School of Architecture engages with local and regional concerns—such as vernacular traditions, sustainability in hot‑humid climates and coastal resilience—providing rich case material and community partnerships for applied projects.

Students benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration across campus, access to hands-on workshops and technical laboratories, and opportunities to work with local firms, government agencies and research centres on real-world problems. The programme is well suited to those who want to combine rigorous technical training with an understanding of the social and environmental contexts of building in the Pacific region.