Master of Design Research (MDR)
Kiana Rasti envisions novel approaches to existing spaces through urban, environmental and economic lenses, using computational methods to explore new possibilities. How will you change the world?
Elevate your design career
Are you ready to design spaces that enhance livability and support our natural environment? Unlock your creative potential with our Master of Design Research (MDR) program
Access higher-level roles and leadership positions.
As a recent graduate in architecture, planning, or landscape architecture, you want to take your career to the next level and make a real difference in your community. The Master of Design Research (MDR) program offers a unique chance to specialize in an area that will not only enhance your CV but also prepare you for impactful careers in design professions. By engaging in cutting edge and innovative design research, you will tackle real-world challenges while developing essential leadership skills.
The MDR is a fast-track specialized research and thesis program designed to build upon your existing professional design degree.
Explore your passion
Play a critical role in transdisciplinary research challenges that inspire you while making a difference that matters.
Advance your expertise
Develop deep expertise and research skills to enhance your career prospects in the design professions.
Prepare for future opportunities
Gain valuable research experience that can serve as a steppingstone to doctoral studies or a career in academia.
Imagine emerging from this program ready to transform your aspirations into reality, equipped to create meaningful change in the field.
Don’t let your design potential go untapped
Develop new knowledge and expertise to propel your career forward:
- Do you want to draw inspiration from internationally recognized mentors?
- Want to re-position your CV to lead in shaping the built environment?
- Ready to collaborate with industry, government and community partners to tackle real-world design challenges?
- Driven to build a more sustainable, inclusive, resilient, and equitable future?
If you’re seeking more than a conventional design career, to specialize in what you love and enhance your career trajectory, the MDR program is for you.
We’re here to help you make an impact
Join us at the forefront of design innovation
Keeping pace with design-focused research
A post-professional, thesis-based degree that reflects the evolving landscape of design-focused research across architecture, planning, and landscape architecture in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.
Lead positive change
We share your passion for design and recognize your dedication to finding innovative solutions that improve lives.
My experience working alongside industry professionals not only provided a crucial practical dimension to my research but also became a pivotal networking opportunity that shaped the next phase of my career.”
MDR student
Three easy steps to start your journey
Unlock your potential as a design innovator.
Explore the MDR Program
The MDR is structured as a 16-month program with flexible start dates in either Spring or Fall. You can choose from two formats:
- The 16-month continuous study option, which aligns with a Spring graduation from your first professional degree program, or
- A two-year format with a Fall start.
In the 16-month stream, you will typically engage in projects that contribute to the school’s larger industry-partnered and transdisciplinary research endeavors. You'll also have the opportunity to participate in the Mitacs Accelerate program, which pairs you with partner organizations for half of the duration of your degree program.
In this arrangement, you will collaborate with a partner organization and a supervising professor to develop a research project that you'll work on during one or two four-month paid internships. You’ll spend 50% of your time with the partner organization and the other 50% with the university. Partner organizations are often leading consulting firms looking to enhance their professional practice through cutting-edge design-based research.
The Master of Design Research (MDR) program is an excellent choice for you if you're looking to deepen your knowledge, expand your professional networks, and position yourself at the forefront of design innovation. Join us to explore the possibilities and take your career to the next level!
Supervision
Admission to the MDR is competitive as there is limited supervisory capacity and research areas. We can only offer admission to applicants who we can match with a supervisor. We don’t require applicants to have a confirmed supervisor upon application; however, it’s strongly recommended to reach out to any professors whose research interests match yours. You will be asked to list the names of a few professors you feel are a good fit in your online application form.
Course Work
Required courses address fundamental principles and conceptual paradigms of design-based research. Courses establish the context in which students define their research project.
- APLA 670 Design Research Methods
- APLA 672 Design Research Writing
- APLA 674 Design Innovation
- Minimum 3 units of elective credit, course(s) selected in consultation with the supervisor
Thesis Details
- Thesis proposal approved by the supervisor
- Execution of thesis research
- Submission of a thesis document describing the research and its findings
Satisfactory completion of the Thesis Oral Examination
For thesis format details, submission and other regulations and forms, visit Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Mitacs Accelerate Program
Students enrolled in the Mitacs Accelerate stream partake in a unique version of the MDR that pairs students with industry, government and community partners. (Students split the time of their studies between research project activities, courses, thesis-writing, and thesis defense.)
In the application, students should identify an area of interest within SAPL's broader research program, and after admissions, work under a faculty supervisor with aligned research. To establish the internship, the student, supervising professor, and organization develop a research project together. Internships are four months long and can be one or two terms.
Newsletter
Stay informed with program-specific updates, including upcoming events and info sessions, career pathways, curriculum highlights, and the latest news about SAPL.
Explore innovative design solutions created by MDR graduates
How will you change the world?
NICK HAMEL
RECALIBRATING RUSTIC
GORDON SKILLING
MODULAR URBANISM
KRISTEN FORWARD
CONTEMPORARY ORNAMENT FOR CIRCULARITY
OLUWASEYI AROLE
PROCEDURAL PASSPORT
HAYDEN PATTULLO
DIGITAL FABRICATION FOR CONTEMPORARY MATERIAL SPECIFICITY
Message from the Graduate Program Director, Barry Wylant
“Research is not an option in design; it's increasingly central to how design professionals operate and innovate.”
Come design the future with us.
And change the world from the heart of the city.
In January 2026, SAPL moved to a vibrant downtown location (801 7th Ave SW) to enhance the educational journeys of our students and researchers while fostering collaboration with our professional community, the City of Calgary, and beyond.
See how MDR alumni are changing the world
Matt Walker
Designer, Computation & Design, Zaha Hadid Architects, London UK
My graduate thesis explored how digital tools—such as parametric design, robotic fabrication, and advanced geometry processing—can help bridge the gap between design and making.