Architectural
Beginning Design Studio 02
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This
course marks the second and final component of the Portland State University
Architecture Program beginning design studio progression, and will provide a framework
for the continued development of the fundamental attitudes and skills required
in the establishment of a successful creative architectural design process.
In the
Winter Quarter, ARCH
180 focused primarily on the introduction of two and three-dimensional,
compositional manipulation as communicative device, and students were expected
to make strides in developing abilities to choreograph qualitative spatial
constructs.
Arch 181 will be considered a continuation of these efforts, but will supplement the initial progress made with the introduction of the critical notions of context and intervention, and an exploration of the relationships between them. Context will be examined as both a physical and phenomenological condition, and students will be required to rigorously apply previously exercised methods of analysis towards the establishment and communication of a thorough understanding of these qualities. The examination of Intervention will involve the formulation of a simple spatial ‘program’ and will culminate with an investigation into the methods with which that spatial experience might be established by effectively engaging and responding to a specific context.
The objectives of this course shall be to engage the
following issues and questions:
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How might the notion of “context”, or a specific condition of place,
play a role in an architectural design process?
What might be involved in the design of a contextually-specific
architectural intervention?
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How might a rigorous, thorough and humble process of analysis and
questioning allow a designer to come to terms with the specific
environment within which they are designing?
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In what ways can two and three-dimensional compositions, involving
multiple levels of material and tectonic design decisions, act as explorative
device for a contextually-specific architectural design?
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To continue to develop an understanding of architecture as communicative
device, and the interdependent relationship between architectonic composition
and resultant spatial experience.
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To continue to develop a rigorous, thorough and humble process of
analysis and questioning with which to facilitate one’s ability to confidently
and willfully engage and develop any given design challenge, as well as
critically examine one’s own work?
This
is a studio-based class, the ultimate goal of which is the continued
development of an enriching and truly personalized design process. Students will be required to again set aside
any and all preconceived notions regarding the reading of architecture and the
processes of it’s design, and open their minds to a thorough and sensitive
rhythm of questioning and making.
Students will continue to develop a consciousness of their perceptual
devices, while enhancing their ability to think and design from the
experiential point of view.
The course shall begin with a short observation, survey and
analysis-based project. The majority of
the quarter will then focus on one primary exploration, which will be divided
into two phases. The initial phase will
involve the observation and analysis of an existing context, requiring students
to develop a thorough understanding of how specific experiences are facilitated
and bound by the equally specific qualitative and quantitative context within
which they occur. The quarter will
culminate with the design of an architectural intervention within the analyzed
context, the nature of which shall be a Place of Observation.
Vehicles for these explorations will include two-dimensional, three
dimensional, digital and written techniques.
Each translation will be subject to intense examination and development,
in the hopes that a consistency in questioning, applied to a wide range of
subject matter, might potentially expose harbored tendencies and an urgent need
to see beyond the initial ‘shape of things’.
Grades will be established as follows:
Projects 70%
Studio Participation and Attendance 30%
Without consistent and concerted effort, success in this course is not
possible. Group discussions
(which are a primary aspect of this studio), desk crits and in-studio work will
take place during class, and attendance for the full duration with all
equipment and work is required. Any absence will negatively affect your
grade, and accumulation of two or more unexcused absences will be considered
grounds for an “X” (no basis for grade).
Two late arrivals will be equivalent to one unexcused absence. Reference
the Portland State University Department of Architecture “Grading Standards for Architecture
Studio Classes” in the Student Handbook for additional clarifications on
grading criteria.
All work must be completed on time.
Any work completed late will be marked down accordingly. On days where work is expected to be
pinned-up, work must be pinned-up by the beginning of class or it will be
considered late. Incomplete work will
not be discussed during individual or group reviews and critiques.
Architectural design studios require a great deal of
time and effort both during and between studio meeting times, and students will
be expected to make the appropriate commitment to the course. High quality craftsmanship will be required for each
piece developed – Carelessness and inferior quality will be grounds for
significant grade deductions.
Course
Website
The course website is designed to make the dissemination of course and
project information as efficient as possible.
All detail assignments will be obtained online, and students are
expected to review each new exploration prior to the date it is issued.
Students will be required to check the website regularly over the
course of the quarter to receive project and schedule updates, tips,
clarifications and other supplemental information.