Saint Louis College

GUIDE IN CHOOSING A TOPIC

Reference: Vernooy, D. A., Shanahon, J.O. & Young, G. (2021). Undergraduate Research in
Architecture A Guide for Students (1st edition). Routledge.

*Disclaimer: The following texts are lifted from the reference material.

Brainstorming Topic Areas

To generate ideas for a topic that is focused, timely, and of keen interest in your field of study,
brainstorm responses to the following questions:

1. What interesting topics of conversation among you and your friends relate to being an
architect, studying architecture for your major, and/or pursuing a career in an artistic
field?
2. On the other hand, what topics rarely discussed by your friends seem significant to
you?
3. Are there any trends in contemporary architecture that you have embraced or
resisted?
4. Do you disagree with the “conventional wisdom” on a particular philosophy, practice,
or stance in architecture?
5. Have you recently come to value something in your studies that had not previously
seemed important to you?
6. Where are many people in your field of study going wrong (in your humble opinion)?
7. What are you most interested in learning about or contributing to in your intended
career?

Guiding Questions for Refining a Topic

Taking time for focusing and refining your question or goal does not need to be wasted time; in
fact, it can be time incalculably well spent, particularly if you are engaging some critical,
foundational questions:

1. Why is the topic or question important? To whom is it important? Are particular groups of
people affected more than others?
2. What gives the topic tension? What would draw audiences to learn more about it?
3. Read at least five current (i.e., usually published in the last five years) research articles
about your topic and imagine participating in a dialogue with the authors. What are the
questions you would ask them? What seems to be missing or undervalued?
4. What are the sources of the problem or need? Complex questions usually have complex
webs of potential causes. Can you identify some of the strands of that web? Do you know
professors who can help?
5. What is the history or broader context of the topic? To get a handle on the context of your
topic area, use reliable, general resources available through many college and university
libraries.
 Saint Louis College

6. What other subject areas is your topic part of or related to? Might those other areas provide
additional perspectives and/or interdisciplinary possibilities for research?
7. Why do you care about the topic area? What is its connection to your personal experiences
or interests? In what ways does the interest extend beyond yourself to other scholars and
professionals in the field?
8. Who is the principal audience you want to reach with your research results? What do you
want the audience to do as a result of your research: adjust their thinking about the issue?
Change some aspects of their practices/work/activities? Provide support (e.g., funding,
advocacy)? Experience something new?

Topic Areas in Architecture

Undergraduate research in architecture often takes the form of one of the following broad areas:

1. Architecture Design
Example: how architecture form evolves from site conditions associated with difficult
climate conditions
2. Structure and Materials
Example: demonstrating the use of new glazing materials or the use of high-strength
concrete
3. Architecture and the Environment
Example: designing education buildings for net zero energy usage
4. Architecture and History
Example: a closer look at Gothic building techniques using advanced digital analysis
5. Architecture and Community Engagement
Example: solving affordable housing problems with prefabrication industries
6. Architecture and Urban Design
Example: the organization of public spaces throughout a low-income neighborhood that
also facilitates pedestrian movement between institutions

Prepared by:

Arch. Winona Elaine C. Soriano

Instructor