This module supports doctoral students by through offering hands-on guidance for the PhD process by the Programme Director, and introducing students to the methods of research required for completing a PhD through peerto-peer exchange. Participants receive an introduction to current work at the Liechtenstein School of Architecture, and guidance on how to conduct topics from fieldwork to literature review, archival research, scientific writing, and develop their broader career trajectory. To receive 5 ECTS credit points, students must participate in all module sessions, formulate a written seminar paper, and complete an oral presentation defending this work.

The module will alternate between inputs by participants and invited guests, reading and discussion sessions, tutorials, and peer-review sessions. A total of five input lectures and/or tutorials will be offered during the course of the module, which is coordinated by the PhD Programme Director. These inputs are structured around themes such as: literature review, archival research, qualitative research methods, design and action-research methods, teaching methods in architecture and planning, the dissertation writing process, formulating a research plan with a timeline and milestones, postdoctoral scientific writing and dissemination, or options for developing an academic career path.

The course aims to develop a range of skills that help PhD candidates to be more effective in their dissertation research, as well as to work on a broader range of transferable and widely applicable skills that will be useful in their future lives and careers, qualifying them as competent researchers beyond the assembly and execution of their dissertations. This module is required for PhD students at the Liechtenstein School of Architecture to complete during the first four semesters of their studies (within the Preparation Phase). It must be visited once for credit points and can be repeated as an elective pending approval of the PhD candidate’s supervisory team; however, all enrolled doctoral students are encouraged to participate in this yearly seminar regularly, in order to support and guide one another.

After completing the module, students will be able to

• comprehend the key research topics and broad spectrum of the methods of scientific research at the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and in their specialist area;
• understand and be conversant in the ontological and epistemological foundations of their research work;
• conceive a research design and formulate research questions with their associated methods;
• have mastered the fundamental scientific writing skills required to formulate a scientific paper;
• present and defend their work to their peers in the scientific community;
• connect with colleagues at various stages of the PhD process and their scientific careers.

Die Vorstudie beschreibt den geplanten Forschungsweg im Rahmen des Doktoratsstudiums. Ihre Inhalte orientieren sich an den Curricula der jeweiligen Programme.

Zudem muss die Vorstudie den Richtlinien zum Verfassen wissenschaftlicher Arbeiten an der Universität Liechtenstein entsprechen.

Im Kolloquium zur Vorstudie präsentiert die Doktorandin oder der Doktorand das Dissertationsprojekt und erläutert die Gründe für den gewählten Forschungsansatz.

Die Note für die Vorstudie ergibt sich aus dem Durchschnitt der Bewertungen der Betreuerin bzw. des Betreuers und der Zweitbetreuerin bzw. des Zweitbetreuers.

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Craft & Structure Unit:
As part of the Independent Studies program, questions related to building with clay and wood will be explored. The work is part of the earth HUB, a platform that consolidates and continuously develops regional expertise in earthen construction.
The earth HUB aims to promote innovative construction approaches and foster interdisciplinary exchange. A particular focus is placed on clay-wood construction, which combines ecological and social sustainability. The project encourages close collaboration between regional stakeholders, researchers, and students to develop practical solutions as well as scientifically sound insights.

Key Objectives of the earth HUB:

• Highlight exemplary projects and regional strengths to unlock their potential.
• Link interdisciplinary knowledge from the University of Liechtenstein (LSA) and its partners to create synergies for research and practice.
• Address the challenges of the “construction transition” (Bauwende) with stakeholders from industry, academia, and society at both regional and European levels.
• Explore the potential of eco-friendly building materials, particularly the combination of clay and wood.

The earth HUB serves as a central platform for advancing sustainable construction approaches and promotes the combination
of clay and wood as forward-thinking building materials.
The material combination of clay and wood is increasingly regarded as a groundbreaking solution for sustainable construction.
It offers numerous advantages, such as low-carbon building, high fire safety, thermal efficiency, and flexible construction
possibilities. The earth HUB is dedicated to exploring how these properties can be optimally utilized to foster innovative building
culture and sustainable architecture in the region and beyond. This study project enables students to delve deeply into the world of sustainable construction and actively contribute to the further development of environmentally friendly building methods.

Self-defined design or research studies, developed individually or in groups agreed upon with research units and under the guidance of mentors. The size of the module is determined by the respective unit.

After successful completion of the course, students will be able to

Relevant reading will be made available at the beginning of the course. A list of recommended literature will be announced in the course and updated on an ongoing basis.

Minimum 75% compulsory attendance, regular meetings with instructors, continuous assessment, portfolio and final review.
The final grade is calculated according to the weighting of the following components: final submission (80%) and oral presentation (20%).

Individual appointments will be set with the tutor.

The course "AI and Machine Learning in Finance" introduces students to the exciting world of artificial intelligence and machine learning, specifically focusing on their application in investment strategies. Building on basic concepts learned in previous courses, this course explores essential methods of supervised and unsupervised learning, teaching students to analyse large datasets for innovative financial insights. The course includes practical R -codes to help students set up their own ML-driven investment strategies.

Key topics covered in this course include:

• Introduction to linear model selection and regularization
• Resampling methods and model assessment
• Basics of tree-based methods
• Fundamentals of neural networks and deep learning
• Essentials of unsupervised learning
• Applying machine learning techniques to factor investing

• Interactive lectures
• Hands-on coding sessions and workshops
• Real-world data applications and projects using Colab and Kaggle
• Group discussions and presentations
• Case studies of ML-driven investment strategies.

After successful completion of the course, students will:

Professional competence

• understand the basics of supervised and unsupervised learning in finance.
• recognize how machine learning techniques can be applied to investment strategies.
• gain practical experience in using ML-driven approaches for analysing financial data.

Methodological competence

• apply fundamental machine learning techniques for financial data analysis.
• use R and provided R-codes to create and test ML-driven investment strategies.
• assess the performance of machine learning models in financial applications.

Social competence

• work effectively in teams on projects related to machine learning in finance.
• communicate basic machine learning concepts and their financial applications.
• participate in discussions on the ethical use of AI in finance.

Personal competence

• engage in self-directed learning and research in machine learning and finance.
• develop problem-solving skills for financial data challenges.
• reflect on the role of AI in modern finance.

Technological competence

• gain confidence in using R for implementing machine learning models.
• apply technology to enhance financial analysis and decision-making.

• Coqueret, G. &Guida, T. (2020). Machine Learning for Factor Investing. Chapman and Hall. Available online at www.mlfactor.com

-- Additional lecture slides and supplementary material (e.g., selected journal articles) provided via Moodle, Codes via Github.

Short paper presentation (10%), Homework presentation (40%), Empirical project (50%); Attendance is mandatory (80%)

Das Modul bildet die Grundlage für die weiterführende Wissensvermittlung im Rahmen des LL.M.-Studiengangs.
Ziel des Moduls ist es somit, ein grundlegendes Verständnis für die rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen wirtschaftlichen Handelns zu schaffen. Das Modul vermittelt eine fundierte Einführung in die wirtschaftsbezogenen Bereiche des Strafrechts sowie in die theoretischen Grundlagen der Wirtschaftsphilosophie. Im ersten Teil des Moduls werden zentrale Konzepte der Wirtschaftsphilosophie behandelt. Die Studierenden setzen sich mit dem Begriff und Gegenstand dieses interdisziplinären Feldes auseinander, erhalten einen Überblick über die historische Entwicklung wirtschaftsphilosophischer Denkweisen und erarbeiten grundlegende Begriffe und Fragestellungen. Besonderes Augenmerk gilt der Wirtschaftsethik und deren Bedeutung für wirtschaftliches Handeln, insbesondere im Spannungsfeld zwischen Gewinnorientierung und moralischer Verantwortung.
Im zentralen, zweiten, genuin strafrechtlichen Teil des Moduls liegt der Fokus auf dem allgemeinen Strafrecht und Wirtschaftsstrafrecht unter Bezugnahme auf die relevanten Normen des liechtensteinischen Strafgesetzbuches. Behandelt werden die massgeblichen Rechtsquellen, Strafzwecke und Grundprinzipien des Strafrechts, die Teilung der Delikte, der Deliktsaufbau sowie die Voraussetzungen für strafbares Verhalten – sowohl bei vorsätzlichen als auch bei fahrlässigen Delikten. Weitere Schwerpunkte sind das Versuchsstadium, die Beteiligung mehrerer Personen sowie mögliche Strafmilderungs- oder Ausschlussgründe. Zudem werden die Rechtsfolgen strafbarer Handlungen thematisiert, einschliesslich der unterschiedlichen Sanktionsarten und ihrer Bemessung.
Abschliessend wird im dritten Teil des Moduls das materielle Verwaltungsstrafrecht behandelt. Die Studierenden lernen seine Systematik und Funktion kennen, erarbeiten die Unterschiede zum allgemeinen Strafrecht und setzen sich mit den relevanten materiell-rechtlichen Bestimmungen des Verwaltungsstrafgesetzes auseinander. Fallbeispiele aus der Praxis sorgen für eine anwendungsorientierte Vertiefung des Gelernten und bereiten optimal auf berufliche Herausforderungen vor.

Das Modul behandelt folgende Themenbereiche:
• Einführung in die Wirtschaftsphilosophie
• Grundlagen des Strafrechts und Wirtschaftsstrafrechts: Einführung in das liechtensteinische Strafrecht mit Fokus auf Rechtsquellen, Deliktskategorien sowie Aufbau und Elemente des vollendeten vorsätzlichen Delikts (Tatbestand, Rechtswidrigkeit, Schuld, Irrtumslehre)
• Besondere Aspekte der Strafbarkeit: Fahrlässiges Delikt, versuchtes Delikt und Rücktritt vom Versuch, Beteiligung mehrerer Personen, Strafaufhebungs- und Strafausschlussgründe
• Rechtsfolgen strafbaren Verhaltens: Strafen und vorbeugende Massnahmen, Konfiskation, Verfall und Einziehung, Strafbemessung sowie bedingte Strafnachsicht und Entlassung
• Grundlagen des Verwaltungsstrafrechts

Interaktive Vorlesung mit eingehender Diskussion.

Die Studierenden verfügen über die notwendigen Kenntnisse, um den weiterführenden Modulen des LL.M.-Studiengangs folgen zu können. Sie sind mit den gesetzlichen und theoretischen Grundlagen des Strafrechts, insbesondere des Wirtschaftsstrafrechts, sowie des Verwaltungsstrafrechts vertraut. Zudem verstehen sie zentrale Fragestellungen und Grundbegriffe der Wirtschaftsphilosophie.

Das nachhaltige Agieren innerhalb der historischen Baukultur wird kritisch analysiert und Lehren für die zeitgenössische
Architektur und Baukonstruktion entwickelt. Das Modul gibt einen Überblick über die Geschichte der Architektur von der Antike bis zur Neuzeit sowie für die Architektur und das Bauwesen relevanten technischen Entwicklungen. Anhand von ausgewählten Beispielen werden Methoden und Problemstellungen in der Architekturgeschichte diskutiert und die Genese des Architekturberufs analysiert. Das Thema Konstruktionsgeschichte wird ebenfalls chronologisch anhand
ausgewählter Bauten mit Einblicken in Ressourcengewinnung, Bauablauf und Fügung aufbereitet.

siehe nachfolgende Lehrveranstaltungen

Die Lernergebnisse und zu erwerbenden Kompetenzen dieses Moduls ergeben sich aus den nachfolgend beschriebenen
Lehrveranstaltungen.

Die Abschlussnote wird errechnet aus den Noten der beiden Lehrveranstaltungen mit einer Gewichtung von jeweils 50%. Ein erfolgreicher Abschluss setzt zudem voraus, dass in beiden Lehrveranstaltungen jeweils mindestens die Note 4.0 erreicht wurde. Modalität siehe Lehrveranstaltung.

The Advanced Studio - Built Heritage & Upcycling focuses on design, based on the principles of repair, reuse and circularity. Buildings are seen as material banks and repositories of knowledge for the time of their function and form. Using existing material sources and building stock as well as exemplary references, material resources and typologies are recognised and explored. The creative merging of existing buildings, inventories and new typology is a central part of the
design method. The idea of a concise architectural work as a repaired or newly assembled and inhabited warehouse of building elements, characterised by tectonic clarity and great atmospheric density, is the studio's goal.

Guided project work in the design studio. A seminar week focussing on the studio topic is an integral part of the design studio.

After successful completion of the course, students will be able to

Relevant reading will be made available at the beginning of the course. A list of recommended literature will be announced in the course and updated on an ongoing basis.

BSc AR 24: Successful completion of all four foundation studios (Grundlagenstudios)
MSc AR 24: none

Minimum 75% compulsory attendance, continuous assessment, midterm and final reviews.
The final grade is calculated according to the weighting of the following components: design project (80%) and final presentation (20%).

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Sustainable Design Unit:
In this module, you will engage in a detailed analysis of a sustainability indicator such as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or building standards like LEED or DGNB. You will explore how these indicators can be integrated into a sustainability matrix. The scope and complexity of your research, as well as its relevance to architectural inquiries, will determine the workload, which will be agreed upon in consultation with your supervisor. Your interests and prior knowledge will be taken into consideration at the outset of the project. This elective module provides an opportunity to engage in research focused on defining sustainable building practices within the Alpine Rhine Valley. In alignment with ongoing research at the LSA, the module is centered on the development of a comprehensive catalogue of themes related to sustainable construction. Through comparative analyses of building labels and broader sustainability frameworks, you will examine how these themes can guide sustainable architectural practices in the region. This module presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the academic discourse on sustainability and to shape future building practices. Participants will conduct self-directed research working either individually or in collaborative groups. The scope of your work will be customized to align with the specific requirements of your project and will be overseen by the research unit. Essential literature and resources will be provided at the start of the course, with continual updates throughout the semester to support your research on sustainability in architecture.

Self-defined design or research studies, developed individually or in groups agreed upon with research units and under the guidance of mentors. The size of the module is determined by the respective unit.

After successful completion of the course, students will be able to

Relevant reading will be made available at the beginning of the course. A list of recommended literature will be announced in the course and updated on an ongoing basis.

Minimum 75% compulsory attendance, regular meetings with instructors, continuous assessment, portfolio and final review.
The final grade is calculated according to the weighting of the following components: final submission (80%) and oral presentation (20%).

Individual appointments will be set with the tutor.

Im Grundlagenstudio – Vom Raum zum Gebäude werden Grundlagen des architektonischen Entwerfens in Bezug auf nachhaltigen Materialeinsatz vermittelt. Im Verlauf des Semesters werden anhand von Analyse- und Entwurfsaufgaben architektonische Fragestellungen mit steigendem Komplexitätsgrad bearbeitet. Grundlegende Kenntnisse in Bezug auf Ressourcenschonung, Dauerhaftigkeit und Weiterverwendbarkeit von Bauteilen und Materialien sowie der Einsatz von nachwachsenden, lokalen Rohstoffen werden vermittelt.

Angeleitete Projektarbeit im Entwurfsstudio.
Eine Seminarwoche zum Projektschwerpunkt ist integrativer Bestandteil des Entwurfsstudios.

Eine Liste mit Literaturempfehlungen wird in der Lehrveranstaltung bekannt gegeben und laufend aktualisiert.

Minimum 75% Anwesenheitspflicht, kontinuierliche Abgaben, Zwischen- und Abschlusspräsentation.
Die Abschlussnote errechnet sich nach der Notengewichtung folgender Komponenten: Entwurfsprojekt (80%) und Schlusspräsentation (20%).

The Advanced Studio - Sustainable Design concentrates on the design of complex building projects in which the deficits for our society in the future are revealed through in-depth analyses. With the aim of achieving a sustainably good quality of life for individuals and humanity, we use a framework of five pairs of needs: resources and energy, space and mobility, food and health, demography and integration as well as values and ethics. These replace the familiar scale categories of common architectural theory and thus overcome the linear functionalism. Not unexpectedly, utopian, dystopian, but also very humble and reflective projects can result.

Guided project work in the design studio. A seminar week focussing on the studio topic is an integral part of the design studio.

After successful completion of the course, students will be able to

Relevant reading will be made available at the beginning of the course. A list of recommended literature will be announced in the course and updated on an ongoing basis.

BSc AR 24: Successful completion of all four foundation studios (Grundlagenstudios)
MSc AR 24: none

Minimum 75% compulsory attendance, continuous assessment, midterm and final reviews.
The final grade is calculated according to the weighting of the following components: design project (80%) and final presentation (20%).