Credit Points: 15
Study Time: 150 Hours

Working in a studio environment, students will undertake a number of studies that will introduce fundamental elements of architectural design. Model and drawing techniques will be introduced to explore the material and spatial qualities represented in these studies. Issues of scale, construction and inhabitation will be introduced. Locations such as path and place will be explored and defined using the limited pallet of materials each student has developed. Together these studies will form supporting work for a project that integrates these elements into a single architectural proposition, providing for both fixed and indeterminate occupation. This will be supported by a series of lectures on theoretical and practical issues of design. The whole unit will be documented and presented as both a structured process and a final proposition.

Aims

A1 To explore the application of knowledge in design through research and analysis.
A2 To explore the characteristics of the application of knowledge in design to create an architectural proposition.
A3 To introduce basic architectural elements.
A4 To introduce roles and methods of representation and communication.

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit you will be able to demonstrate:

LO1 Awareness of exploratory research and analysis as an influence on architectural design.
LO2 Awareness of some characteristics of the architectural design process and of how to form an architectural proposition.
LO3 Awareness of basic architectural elements and issues that inform their disposition.
LO4 Awareness of appropriate visualisation and communication methods and conventions.

Method of delivery
Regular Lectures, sequential studio projects, visits, individual and group tutorials.

Reference Material

Key
Ching, F. (1980). Architecture: form, space and order. London: Van Nostrand Reinhold. 
Rasmussen, S.E. (1964). Experiencing architecture. Cambridge: M.I.T. Press. 
Bloomer, K.C. and Moore, C.W. (1977). Body, memory and architecture. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Richardson, P. (2007). XS green: big ideas, small buildings. London: Thames and Hudson. 
Unwin, S. (2003, 2009). Analysing architecture. London: Routledge.

Recommended
Beigel, F. (1996). Brikettfabrik witznitz: specific indeterminacy - designing for uncertainty. ARQ vol. 2, no. 2, 1996 Winter, p. 18-38.
Beigel, F. (1998). Time architecture. London: University of North London.
Ching, F. (1985). Architectural graphics. London: Architectural Press.
Lefaivre, L. and de Roode, I. (2002). Aldo van Eyck: the playgrounds and the city. Nai: Rotterdam.
Thiis-Evensen,T. (1987). Archetypes in architecture. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Torres, A. (2000). Isamu Noguchi: the study of space. New York: Monacelli Press.
Zumthor, P. (2006). Thinking architecture. Basel: Birkhäuser.

Websites
Boyle Family 
The Noguchi Museum 
Opus40 
Renga