Postgraduate Programmes [Degrees] at the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture 5 | 2023 | General The GSA runs the Unit System method of teaching, first pioneered by the Architectural Association in London in 1971. In 2015, we began with three Units; in 2022 there are six. We plan to continue this growth, expanding by at least two new Units per year. It is a competitive, innovative and challenging system and we believe it is the most effective way to get the best out of both staff and students. The choice we offer in terms of interests, research agendas, contexts and perspectives is unique and most of our teaching staff are part-time practitioners with national and international reputations and connections. In our endeavour for excellence, we continue building on the strength, ambitions and transformative agenda of previous years. After a successful SACAP validation visit in April 2018, we have made some substantial changes to the curriculum, including a new History & Theory Programme for both Honours (M1) and Masters (M2) and a formative ‘Making’ Course. We also offer a vibrant line-up of Core Modules and Extras. In addition to our studios at the Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture (FADA), we have an inner-city ‘base’, GSA Metro, located in the heart of Braamfontein. Metro houses our review space, cinema, and academic offices and was officially opened by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, Prof Tshilidzi Marwala, the ex-Dean of FADA, Prof Federico Freschi, and former School Director, Prof Lesley Lokko on 2 August 2019. The GSA runs a host of public programmes and events, including the GSA Lecture Series, which continues to offer international and local architects and creative practitioners a platform for sharing their work with a new generation of up-and-coming architects. Throughout the year we host exhibitions that feature student and staff work and our end-of-year show, the GSA Summer Show in November is now a fixture on the Johannesburg architectural calendar. 2021 was marked by significant change as Director, Prof Mark Raymond, a practising architect and educator from Port-ofSpain, Trinidad & Tobago took up his position, he has recently been joined by GSA deputy director, Anna Abengowe. 2023 promises to be an exciting year for the GSA as it embarks on its next cycle of growth.
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