Modes of Existence: Architecture and Philosophy (Modes of Existence - 30 EC)

What if architects and philosophers work together to approach the world, not as one, but in terms of its various different modes of existence?

This joint minor, offered in collaboration with Leiden University and TU Delft, may take place at several locations. The 15 EC version ends on 9 November 2025, while the 30 EC version ends on 8 February 2026.

The minor explores what happens when architects and philosophers collaborate to approach the world through its various modes of existence. It aims to develop a transversal and transdisciplinary approach to address shared problems in contemporary urban environments, create methodological innovations for speculative design, and foster a cross-domain mentality and cooperative attitude among students.

Architecture and philosophy have shaped our living environments for centuries, influencing concepts like identity, value, and socio-economic status. However, we often overlook how these environments are produced, how they affect us, and how we can affect them in return. By understanding the urban environment relationally, as composed of heterogeneous but intersecting processes of becoming, we can see it as dynamic and incomplete. The convergence of modes makes nature, technology, culture, science, politics, law, and daily existence coherent and concrete.

Thinking and building in terms of modes means participating in their ecology, requiring new conceptual and methodological frameworks that describe 'what is,' anticipate 'what might be,' and become aware of processes and networks fostering actual change. The transdisciplinary convergence of architecture and philosophy is crucial for developing new environmental knowledges and urban awareness.

The Modes of Existence: Architecture and Philosophy’ (MAP) minor offers a theoretical and practical merger of philosophy and architecture via (speculative) design.

Upon completion the students will have:

• Acquired the academic skills for thinking, reading, presenting, and collaborating in an inclusive and transdisciplinary manner, in particular a sensibility for problems at the interface of architecture and philosophy
• Acquired a conceptual toolbox for thinking in terms of relations and speculative-interactive design
• Learned to apply contemporary ideas and debates in a dynamic urban setting in engaged, responsible, and non-reactive ways
• Acquired or developed basic (technical) design skills while contributing to ecological literacy

The minor is open to all students under the LDE agreements. No prior knowledge, skills or specialisation are required, but it is recommended to students with affinities and interests in theoretical and philosophical questions as well as in (architectural, environmental and spatial) design.

BK and EUR students follow part A for 15 ECTS minor. Additional courses award 15 ECTS in part B .

Part A (15 EC)
• Module 1: Ecophilosophy
• Module 2: Technicities and Collectivity
• Module 3: Diagrammatics and Societal Design
Part B (15 EC)
• Module 4: Human Conditions
• Module 5: Choose one of three courses:
o Advanced Aacademic Skills Course: Philosophy of Culture
o Advanced Aacademic Skills Course: Quantummechanika voor Filosofen
o Advanced Aacademic Skills Course: Philosophies of Information & Computation

Teaching methods
Teaching will be hybrid and involves workshops, presentations and close reading sessions (offline) and seminars/(guest) lectures (online optional).

Teaching materials
The minor offers a theoretical and practical merger of philosophy and architecture. It gives students of architecture and philosophy the opportunity to close-read key contemporary theoretical texts (book chapters, articles), while learning to put concepts from the literature into practice by addressing transdisciplinary problems with a design-oriented eye.

Method of examination
Part A (15 EC)
Module 1: Combination of Tests (100%): Students write 2 position papers in the form of ‘critical reading responses’.
Module 2: Combination of Tests (100%): Speculative research statement, physical model and presentation.
Module 3: Combination of Tests (100%): Presentation and peer feedback.

Part B (15 EC)
Module 4: Combination of Tests (100%): Two written assignments and a final written exam.
Module 5: Combination of Tests (100%): Depends on the chosen course, please see https://courses.eur.nl

Do note: some courses will be new next academic year and are not visible in the course guide yet.

Composition of final grade
Part A, all modules need to be completed with a 5,5 or higher.

Part B, all courses need to be completed with a 5,5 or higher.