Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The aim of the course is to deepen the student's knowledge of dwelling and housing design, both in Finnish context and globally. On completing the course, students will be ready to apply the knowledge and planning skills in a demanding housing project. They will be familiar with the diversifying needs and forms of dwelling and housing types or the special needs of the residents in accordance with the theme of the course for that year. The students are also experienced enough to develop their own architectural expression in housing design and create new forms of dwelling .
Credits: 12
Schedule: 13.01.2021 - 26.05.2021
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Sami Vikström
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Sami Vikström
Contact information for the course (valid 04.12.2020-21.12.2112):Sami Vikström sami.vikstrom@aalto.fi
CEFR level (applies in this implementation):
Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):
Teaching language: English
Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Literature and multi-scientific lectures offer the students new sustainable and open minded approaches to innovative housing concepts. The gained knowledge is applied in an individual housing design task.
The main part of the course consists of independent work and an individual design task serving the theme and objectives of the course. The task is preceded by reflection based on diverse sources and literature. The design task and theme varies each academic term, but consists of designing a demanding housing area, together with its surroundings. The project is linked with a topical theme, and drawn up at the sketch level or, in a relatively small site, preliminary building approval drawings level.
Applies in this implementation:
New kind of multifunctionality is needed in housing , both in apartments and common spaces. The aim of serving mainly the needs of the average user, e.g. a “normal” nuclear family, is outdated: we are looking at an increasing diversity of households, with more and more single-parent families, blended families, multicultural preferences, and people living alone. The demand for flexibility of spaces arises both from the needs of the changing society as well as the imminent climate crisis; we have to strive for a more lasting built environment.
What kind of factors affect the flexibility of housing in the different scales of a block, a building and an apartment? In the age of global pandemics, how can we design safe living surroundings without losing a sense of community, one of basic human needs? Is it possible to temporarily extend the private realm of the apartment to other spaces in the building? How could housing contribute to the quality and diversity of the larger urban surroundings?
We will reflect on these questions on a site in the center of Kerava. The course is launched by lectures on the topics of evolution of the modern home, changing preferences of residents, shared spaces and flexible design principles of apartments. During period III, design concepts, typologies and site conditions are studied in the form of mini tasks and workshops. The focus of the course is on the individually designed housing project (periods IV-V). The task is to design a housing block in urban context, with some of the spaces also reserved for other uses such as commercial functions and work.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
A studio format design course.
Working methods:
- lectures and presentations
- familiarisation with the relevant literature in the subject area, essays
- studio-type work, in both groups and individually
- participation in the intermediate and final critiques
Assessment criteria:
- participation in the tutorials and workshops, and level of activity on the course
- assignment, graded on the scale 0-5
Applies in this implementation:
The evaluation is mostly based on an independently designed housing project (e.g. block or a group of houses). Following criteria will be used in the evaluation of the student work.
-The architectural whole
-The design concept and it`s relevance to the theme of the course
-Relationship to the urban context of the location
-Spatial solutions: usability and adaptability of apartments
-Quality and clarity of presentation
-Process (development, attending the tutorials, meeting the deadlines and requirements of mid-critique and final submissions)
Each criteria will be given a subgrade, which form together the final grade. (Each subgrade does not have equal weight. )
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
There is variation between the workloads of separate teaching methods. More precise information will be provided in the course syllabus in MyCourses.
Total workload 324 hrs.
Independent work for the individual part of the study assignment, 14 weeks= ca 224 hours
Workload / week = ca 16 hours
During the course, a 3-4 day excursion may be arranged, if there is sufficient financial support and enough participants. In this case, the excursion is optional and an additional study credit will be awarded for it. Also, workshops and small assignments may be added to support the course content; for these, the student will gain extra credits as Special project of Architecture.
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
MyCourses
Prerequisites
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
- Before participating in studio courses the students need to have finished their bachelor studies and applied for the bachelor's degree.
- ARK-C4501 Housing Environment / corresponding basic course of housing design
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities