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
Students will be able to
- understand computer aided design methods for urban and landscape scale.
- retrieve information from databases, interpret the obtained data, critically evaluate, draw conclusions and formulate strategies for data-driven desig
- formulate a computational method for complex, multi-layered design tasks
- formulate a critical design approach
- apply cross-scale thinking
- able to explore and articulate design strategies through the medium of interactive tools
- create strategies for transformative urban environments including elements of landscape architecture
Credits: 12
Schedule: 08.09.2020 - 15.12.2020
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Pia Fricker
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Pia Fricker
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
//// Teaching Team:
Prof. Pia Fricker, Prof. Toni Kotnik, Luka Piskorec, Kane Borg
//// Contact Possibilities:
The teaching team is available during regular studio teaching hours:
Pia Fricker: Tuesdays 09.00 - 15.00h
Toni Kotnik: Thursdays 13.00 - 17.00
Luka Piskorec: Tuesdays 13.00 - 15.00h
Kane Borg: Tuesdays 13.00 - 15.00h
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:
Studio with varying content focusing on formulating a critical, speculative design in the area of responsive urbanism and landscsape architecture by integrating experimental computational thinking and methods.
Applies in this implementation:
//// Articulated Landscapes:
Digital design is driven by a thinking in structures that is pattern of order and their interaction. The joint studio is an introduction into such design thinking and emphasizes the exploration of organizational pattern in various level of abstraction and scale through the integration of computational methods and workflows. By stressing traditional binary pairs of discourse like natural/artificial, soft/hard or dynamic/static the studio explores complex challenges we are facing today in the field of architecture & urbanism at the interface to material and territorial questions.
The studio is organized as an experimental design lab and structured around three key element:
- pattern generation
- pattern transformation
- speculative interpretation
Computational explorations, thereby, are complemented by physical explorations through the integration of the robot, as well as theoretical grounding.
Studio teaching is supported by intense skill building workshops and reading & discussion rounds. The course is aiming at the rethinking of fundamentals of contemporary architecture & urbanism and can serve as starting point for a thesis research.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
The format of the design assignments vary, from analyses, exploration, hands-on computational learning and design projects. The focus of the evaluation of which also varies for different periods. The teaching methods comprise lectures, seminars, workshops, interim critiques and the final critique, as well as intensive tutoring of both groups and individuals.
Specific studio information will be given on MyCourse portal.
Applies in this implementation:
//// Rules
- The studio deals with a complex topic stretching form small to larges scale and we require that students work in groups of two for the studio part.
- The participation in all studio/lectures and workshops is mandatory for everyone.
- The official „Studio“ day is TUESDAY and THURSDAY and we expect you to be present in the virtual studio or lecture room according to the schedule. This allows us to give short-notice inputs and/or program modifications.
- Before the final critique, all students have to submit their final documents in order to receive their grade. The file format will be announced later.
- Uncompleted or late presentations will not be acceptable and will not receive any final critique.
- On critique and reviews days, it is mandatory to be present all day long.
- Please check the MYCOURSE page regularly for the latest information.
//// Grading
- Weekly participation, active in discussions, submission of all exercises 20% of grade;
- Design development throughout the semester, 20% of grade;
- Integration and development of computational skills and theoretical skills, 30% of grade;
- Final design project (has to be handed in one time and presented on the final presentation), 30% of grade.
- If you are unable to present at the final presentation due to sickness (medical certificate is required), you have the possibility to present on the 19.01.2021 OR 16.02.2021
- If you are unable to present at the final presentation due to other reasons you have the possibility to present on the 19.01.2021 (grade will be lowered by -1) OR 16.02.2021 (grade will be lowered by -2)
- Attendance Policy: Attendance to studio, lecture and workshop sessions are mandatory. Students are requested to contact one of the instructors if they will not be attending the studio session.
- Weekly participation, submission of min 80% of exercises are required.
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
12 ECTS (approx. 27 working hours = 1 ECTS)
Tutored studies 70 hrs (lectures, group work, assignments, seminars, feedback reviews, workshops, excursions), independent study 120-320 hrs (design assignments), in total 190-390 hrs.
Applies in this implementation:
//// Combined Studio, you will get 30 ECTS and will be signed up for the following courses/studios:
- ARK-E3003 Design of Structures > Studio
- ARK-E2509 Design of Structures > Theory
- ARK-E5511 Digital Speculative Urbanism > Studio
- ARK-E5510 Digital Speculative Urbanism > Lecture
//// Workload:
30 ECTS: 810 working hours in total (please note, that part of the workload of the ARK-E2509 Design of Structures - Theory lecture series will be in January 2021)
- ca. 20% lectures & input & discussion
- ca. 20% tutoring & hands-on
- ca. 60% independent learning & reflection
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Varies in accordance with the topic of the period - provided during the studio on MyCourse portal.
Applies in this implementation:
//// Specific Course Materials to be found here:
Prerequisites
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
- Basic computational knowledge needs to be given. It is advised to combine the studio with the ARK-E5510, Digital Speculative Urbanism Lecture.
- Before participating in studio courses student need to have finished their bachelor studies and applied for the bachelor's degree
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
7 Affordable and Clean Energy
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
15 Life on Land
FURTHER INFORMATION
Details on the schedule
Applies in this implementation:
//// please check the schedule here:
https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/view.php?id=20230§ion=1
!! please note: there might be changes, which will be announced via email and during the course days
- Teacher: Fricker Pia