Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism

The Masters of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism (M.TBVU) is a collaboration between the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), and is the world’s first multidisciplinary advanced degree focused specifically on the high-rise, and the role of urban density in future cities. In an age of rapid urbanization, the tall building – more so than any other building type - holds the key to sustainable existence for humanity on this planet. This new, design- and research-based program brings together students and professionals from architecture, real estate, engineering, urban design, construction management, business, finance, and other backgrounds, in a unique learning environment built to foster interdisciplinary research and experience.

Please explore the program highlights / featured news & reports below or click the following links to learn more about the first intake class 2022-23: Studio Final Reviews; Student Work; International Fieldtrip to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur; and Involvement of Advisory and Teaching Panel.

 

Program Highlights

Faculty & Advisory Panel

Renowned faculty and advisory panel members guide the program and enable students to engage directly with experts in the field. 

Highlights of Student Work

Recent student projects with a focus on tall buildings emphasize the importance of connected urbanism.


Curricular Enrichment

Sponsored programs through CTBUH support research, international travel, and other opportunities.


Industry Partnerships & Opportunities

An unparalleled combination of academic and professional resources, including potential paid internships and the CTBUH & IIT partnership.

 

MTBVU Program Brochure
Learn More and Apply at IIT Website

Note: This exciting new program is accepting students for intake in August 2023.

 

Featured News & Reports

IIT Studio Final Reviews and Annual Open House

Studio final reviews of “Future Timber City,” in the MTBVU program, and annual IIT Open House exhibition in April and May 2023, respectively.

CTBUH and IIT Studio Travel to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur

An extensive two-week fieldtrip of building visits, urban tours, urban cultural experiences, etc., in February 2023.

Involvement of Multidisciplinary MTBVU Advisory and Teaching Panel

Contributions of High-profile experts in tall building design and engineering to the MTBVU program at IIT in the 2022-23 academic year.

IIT and CTBUH launch new tall-buildings degree programs

A news article by The Architect's Newspaper, published on 20 September, 2022.


 

“Future generations must design responsive, high-density cities that support
both human and environmental health.”

His Excellency, Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Founder and Chairman, Emaar Properties, Dubai /
MTBVU Advisory and Teaching Panel Member

 

“The supertall building was invented in the basement of IIT’s Crown Hall,
through the work of Fazlur Khan, David Sharpe, and others,”

William Baker, Consulting Partner, SOM /
MTBVU Advisory and Teaching Panel Member

 

 

Statement on STEM

The M.TBVU program is officially approved as a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) designated field of study in Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s STEM designated fields list. International students who have earned degrees in STEM fields in the US, may apply for a 24 month extension of their post completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment for a total of 36 months, a significant benefit for international students who wish to stay and work in the US, post-graduation.