UNS is proud to collaborate with IE School of Architecture and Design on the launch of the world’s first Master in Business for Architecture and Design (MBArch). This groundbreaking programme equips professionals with the skills and knowledge they need in management, entrepreneurship, and innovation, all underpinned by a single vision: business and design are stronger together.

The program builds on over a decade of educational leadership at the intersection of design and management, preparing architects and designers to take on expanded roles in addressing complex global challenges.

Martha Thorne, Dean of IE School of Architecture and Design, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: “I can’t think of any other firm as forward-thinking and ideal for this collaboration. UNS is exemplary in reorienting the profession to make real, positive impacts in our communities and cities.”

The MBArch programme is designed to empower architects and designers with knowledge beyond their traditional fields, enabling them to work effectively across industries. Jerónimo van Schendel, Director of the program, emphasised the importance of collaboration and multidisciplinary: “Today, our impact as professionals increasingly depends on action, collaboration, and multidisciplinary.”

Through this partnership, UNS will contribute to the program’s focus on design entrepreneurship, teaching, and research. The collaboration reflects UNS’s commitment to expanding the role of architecture in addressing 21st-century challenges.

A key component of the MBArch program is the Venture Lab, a real-world entrepreneurship exercise where students develop start-up business ideas and pitch them to “business angels,” mirroring professional practice. UNS will actively participate in the development of IE’s Venture Discovery Workshops and teaching activities, sharing insights from its extensive experience in design and innovation.

Ben van Berkel, Founder and Principal Architect of UNS, shared his perspective on the importance of knowledge in shaping the future: “We believe that the key to ‘future-proofing the future’ is knowledge. For the last decade, we have focused on expanding our understanding of trends and practice in architecture and beyond.”

Ren Yee, Associate Design Director at UNS, added, “design is taking a more crucial role in efforts to understand and tackle 21st-century challenges. It should be understood that design isn’t only limited to designers.”

The MBArch program blends online sessions with face-to-face periods in Madrid and Amsterdam, offering students a global perspective on design and business. The program also includes a professional post-graduation trip to Amsterdam, where students will meet with industry leaders and gain firsthand insights into the future of architecture and design.

The inaugural MBArch class began on February 10th, 2020, with students from over 15 nations. This program represents a bold step forward in redefining the role of architects and designers in shaping a better future.

Learn more about the MBarch here.