Architectural Design I and II, (ARCH 283/284) is an intensive twelve-hour-a-week studio course sequence organized around a series of design exercises that range in length from one day to four weeks to one term.
The focus of ARCH 283 concerns concepts that are fundamental to architectural design: use of architectural elements, place making, spatial composition, building materials, human activities and needs, and the iterative nature of the design process itself. Students are introduced to methods that enable them to develop their own problem-solving processes. Initially, design theory exercises and the design of the room are introduced using primary compositional elements of architecture (including interior architecture and landscape architecture). This is followed by exercises that involve increasingly more comprehensive and complex issues of architectural design. All of the exercises contribute to the development of a basic architectural language, so that students gain experience in the use of architectural elements and design principles, and in making architectural design decisions.
The manners of investigating issues include hands-on drawing and model making activities, verbal and graphic articulation of ideas and analyses, and observation studies. Assigned readings, case studies and the use of library resources are incorporated to expose students to the nature of architectural form, to expand students’ awareness of the diversity of possibilities inherent in architecture, and to introduce the key role of precedents in the architectural design process. A series of lectures in which architectural topics are introduced will complement the studio exercises. The drawing skills and methods introduced in the companion course, ARCH 202 Design Skills, will be reinforced in the studio.
ARCH 284 builds on, and extends, the skills learned in 283; introducing new ideas, scales, and methods. The scope and complexity of the issues are increased. The short exercises are focused on the ideas and issues embedded in the design project. The project itself is a public bath house located in a remote rural site. Issues of structure and materials are developed. An understanding of the importance of physical, cultural, and climatic contexts are explored. Simultaneous with ARCH 284, students will be enrolled in ARCH 222, Introduction to Architecture Computing Graphics. The skills introduced in this course will be reinforced in the design studio.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
In this introductory studio, students learn to:
- Actively contribute to the studio learning culture through professionalism, collaboration, and engagement. The complete departmental learning culture policy can be found here: http://architecture.uoregon.edu/students/culture
- Engage in an effective design process that recognizes and assists diversity
- Engage in an effective design process that entails cycling and iteration
- Design problem-solving through idea generation, use of precedents, personal experience and observation, group discussions and critiques, research and analysis
- Develop projects that demonstrate an understanding of place-making, spatial-ordering, design principles, the nature of materials, human activities.
- Develop a vocabulary of architectural elements and design principles
- Explain design decisions verbally and in concise narrative form
- Clearly and effectively present and document design ideas through 2D and 3D means