Advanced Synthesis Option Studios (ASOS)

The Advanced Synthesis Option Studios (ASOS) are vertically-integrated advanced studios that encourage interdisciplinary collaboration from the arts and technology, research and design, large scale urban and ecological thinking, to detailed investigations of materials, fabrication strategies, and form strategies – the heart of the CMU and Carnegie Mellon Architecture experience.

The ASOS are a set of advanced studios offered every semester on various topics chosen by studio faculty based on their research and design interests. Topics vary from year to year and are constantly evolving to keep pace with the rapidly changing profession and global scene. An ASOS booklet is created each year (see below) listing the likely topics of ASO studios for the next two years. Students are encouraged to work with their advisors to plan ahead to create a course of study suited to their particular interests and ambitions. Since not every studio is available every semester, strategic planning is necessary. Students may focus or specialize on particular themes such as robotics, urbanism or sustainable systems for several semesters, or they may connect different studios to satisfy more diverse interests. The theater design and global studios include travel abroad to visit a site.

The ASOS encourage the integration and exchange of ideas of students from various programs at the highest levels. The ASO studios include masters students from the MUD, MAAD, MSAECM, MSSD and M.Arch programs, and students from departments outside of Architecture, including Drama and Emerging Media, as well as upper level B.Arch students.