78301 - Architecture and Architectural Design Studio III

Learning outcomes

By undertaking this subject students will acquire the following:

. the ability to express the design concept under the light of contemporary paradigms (in phylosophical, scientific, social and economic fields) and apply it to architecture, with particular focus on construction intended as the architectural system's dynamic of formation and evolution, aiming for a reconciliation between aspects of conception and realization;

. the ability to intend project as construction of an information-based system made of relations which provides opportunities, as well as the coupled ability to assess its implications and consequences (on the ecosystemic, social and aesthetic fields) within the paradigm of complexity.

. the capacity to articulate and organize the architectural design complexity in opportunity patterns able to support ranges of functional mappings

. the know-how to unfold such capacity through computation-based tools and techniques intended as a pervasive medium throughout the whole design process, from the initial exploration to realization, fostering a critical reflection on the relations that connect material systems, space, society and environment.

Course contents

The exponential pace of technological and cultural acceleration imposes a paradigm shift and a rewriting of the founding concepts upon which architecture and project are rooted. The unavoidable architectural evolution (both as a process and a discipline) generates a wide spectrum of possible visions and speculations that tackle the established status quo. Aim of the course is to seek evolutionary trajectories of architecture under the lens of the general concept of construction (both as outcome and process) and within the framework of contemporary paradigms, considering the ecosystem-level implications radiating from such lens and that in turn are influencing it.

The course is structured in interconnected teaching modules, aimed to deliver an integrated knowledge base in architectural design in a scenario rooted in the contemporary and projected towards the future. Starting from the analysis of paradigms such as ecology, complexity, technology and nature, the course will focus specifically on the concepts of project as the construction of relations (from material system to space and aesthetic implications of performance in creative disciplines).

Functional to the aforementioned orientation, the course is articulated in three parts: theory, training, project. The teaching organization is aimed to a gradient transition of intensity among the three parts.

1. THEORY (50hrs)

Aim of the theoretical part is to develop the conceptual contents of the course.

. Founding concepts (5 hrs)
nature, complexity, emergence, technology
proactioanry principle as guide / beyond the sheer context reflexivity
swarm intelligence and collective phenomena

. Historical trajectories and future evolution (5 hrs)
Architecture as unfolding process in the historical interactions among culture, technology, society
Case studies: Gothic, Baroque
Bits of non-linear history of XIX and XX century
Influence and limitations of modern and post-modern on contemporary culture
Historical evolution of the concept of space, from modern to contemporary

. Theoretical plexus (20 hrs)

. Influences (15 hrs)

. Aesthetic implications (5 hrs)

. TRAINING (30 hrs)

Training hours are aimed to provide the premises for the transition between theoretical contents and project application, by teaching steps for processes implementation through the proper tools for design application.

Tools as design medium, creative, open-ended process approach to computing for architecture


. PROJECT (50 hrs)

this part is specifically dedicated to the development of the previous theoretical topics into a project which specifics are better described in the Design Lab dedicated link.

Readings/Bibliography

. Fundamentals

. Reiser, J., Umemoto, N. _ Atlas of Novel Tectonics, Princeton Architectural Press - link: https://app.box.com/s/qaxvd9luwo69n80f76r55szb29tywwgm

. Spuybroek, L. _ The Architecture of Continuity, V2 press - link: https://app.box.com/s/haat29kvu93u352yuy47kxsazyha9ccl

. Leach, N., Turnbull, D., Williams, C. _ Digital Tectonics, Wiley Academy (in particolare Lynn, G. _ The Structure of Ornament)

. Hensel, M., Hight, C., Menges, A. _ AD Reader - Heterogeneous Space in Architecture, Wiley Academy (in particolare Hensel, M., Hight, C., Menges, A. _ En route to a Discourse on Heterogeneous Space)

. Carpo, M. _ The Alphabet and the Algorithm - link: https://app.box.com/s/j3qey556440rf98tq7ur

. Weinstock, M. _ The Architecture of Emergence, Wiley Academy

. Banham, R. _ The Architecture of the Well Tempered Environment - link: https://app.box.com/s/l3ku3shee1akusmmpkic

. Kwinter, S. _ Who's afraid of Formalism? - link: https://app.box.com/s/5l8zuftok1fte7otzowepz9c4wy7j8y5

 

. Strongly suggested

. Johnson, S. _ Emergence

. Kelly, K. _ What technology wants, Viking

 

. Optionals

. Frazer, J. _ An Evolutionary Architecture, AA - http://www.aaschool.ac.uk/publications/ea/intro.html

. Spuybroek, L. _ The Matter of Ornament, V2 press -

https://app.box.com/s/4jzb0s7l1vepww7fw5fu54qpq3twykl4

 

. Media

. L. Von Trier _ The five obstructions

 

Other specific and topic-related resources will be given during the course.

Teaching methods

Starting from the complexity paradigm as a grounding basis the founding concepts of Nature, Ecology, Technology and Architecture (both as process and discipline). Re-reading recent architectural history potential evolutionary trajectories will be traced.
Construction evolution and articulation of the general concept to material, spatial, social, aesthetic and ecosystemic scales.
Constructions as unfolding process: design through making, paradigm shift of construction from assembly to growth, interconnection, integration and fusion
Reconicliation of design and construction phases thanks to the information role and importance of the paradigm of programming and simulation
Tools as design medium: aesthetic-architectonic implications and the role of the designer in the contemporary paradigm
Architecture and design as proactive agents: influences on the cultural, social and aesthetic spheres

The exponential pace of technological and cultural acceleration imposes a paradigm shift and a rewriting of the founding concepts upon which architecture and project are rooted. The unavoidable architectural evolution (both as a process and a discipline) generates a wide spectrum of possible visions and speculations that tackle the established status quo. Aim of the course is to seek evolutionary trajectories of architecture under the lens of the general concept of construction (both as outcome and process) and within the framework of contemporary paradigms, considering the ecosystem-level implications radiating from such lens and that in turn are influencing it.

The course is structured in interconnected teaching modules, aimed to deliver an integrated knowledge base in architectural design in a scenario rooted in the contemporary and projected towards the future. Starting from the analysis of paradigms such as ecology, complexity, technology and nature, the course will focus specifically on the concepts of project as the construction of relations (from material system to space and aesthetic implications of performance in creative disciplines).

Functional to the aforementioned orientation, the course is articulated in three parts: theory, training, project. The teaching organization is aimed to a gradient transition of intensity among the three parts.

1. THEORY (50hrs)

Aim of the theoretical part is to develop the conceptual contents of the course.

. TRAINING (30 hrs)

Training hours are aimed to provide the premises for the transition between theoretical contents and project application, by teaching steps for processes implementation through the proper tools for design application.


. PROJECT (50 hrs)

the course project is developed in working groups (max 3 people/group) under the supervision of the teacher and dedicated tutors. The outcome is represented by the redaction of an architectural project developed to the degree of detail of 1:50 scale.

Assessment methods

Assessment will be performed in form of panels including project presentation and discussion with a commission formed by course staff and relevant experts from the contemporary architectural discourse.

There will be a final presentation, with the possibility of a mid-term presentation.

Teaching tools

Lectures, technical seminars on the required software tools (Rhinoceros and Grasshopper mainly), monographic lectures from relevant figures of the Italian and/or international contemporary architectural discourse, practical drills on specific topics (in class or in lab).
Study trips to architectures and/or facilities functional to specific teaching interest and/or year-specific topics.

Links to further information

https://www.facebook.com/a3unibo

Office hours

See the website of Alessio Erioli

See the website of Maura Savini