This paper is to be read in context with the paper of Uli Herres (next paper in this journal), since the two explain the handling of specific forms of knowledge in the Master of Arts in Architecture course at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and in the related Research Group Material Structure Energy in Architecture.Research by Design is established in the curricula of teaching as well as in research ondifferent levels from regular teaching in architecture to the PhD program. The interaction is a two directional, meaning that teaching influences research as research influences teaching. The concept of combining theory and practice in the Master of Arts in Architecture course at the HSLU – T&A forms the basis of the concept of research by design as applied by the Research Group Material Structure Energy in Architecture.The Master course in architecture is directly linked to the work of the Research Group,a request that has been stated by the governmental guidelines for the introduction of a master program in architecture at the universities of applied sciences in Switzerland.The University of Applied sciences and Arts Lucerne took this opportunity to establish a model that introduces the interaction of design methods with scientific methods in three steps. The basis is set with a distinct content linked to the credo “building as system” of the Department Technique and Architecture. This meant a clear focusing on issues directly linked to the design of buildings