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

Based on the individual selections within the study programme, which provides students with a knowledge and skills essential to their future careers, the attending students can significantly extend their analytical, logical thinking and creative problem solving abilities inspired and characterized by parametric design thinking.

This approach fosters creative design thinking towards (structurally and architecturally)more optimized solutions, and supports the discovery of more sustainable and more respinsible solutions.

Students learn to

  • identify and comprehend spatial (architectural and structural) phenomena by analytical and logical thinking,
  • use computational methods to model them,
  • draw their multi-objective conclusions by technical and geometrical thinking,
  • apply appropriate, fundamental concepts of structural engineering
  • use them for designing structurally efficient structures, in terms of multifaceted, creative and appropriate solutions
  • reflect, evaluate, illustrate and argue the outcome of the individual project.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 02.03.2023 - 13.04.2023

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Guenther Filz

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course offers insights and use of parametric thinking and parametric (structural) engineering tools. These tools provide parametric access to the genesis, design and analysis of spatial structures. The tools aim to equip the user with applicable skills in the way of approaching solving questions relevant for architecture and engineering.

    Examples for such tools that are fully embedded in a parametric design environment are Grasshopper, a plug-in for the 3d modeling tool Rhinoceros, Karamba 3d, etc. can be mentioned. These tools make it possible to combine parameterized geometric models, finite element calculations and optimization algorithms in order to generate advanced structural and architectural design solutions.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Proactive participation is compulsory in at least 80% of the workshop/classes. Student´s presence will be recorded.

    Further, the assessment is based on successful preparation for the course by tutorials, following the offered input lectures combined with above-mentioned workshop-classes and exercises to be accomplished (3cr).

    In addition, finishing an individual assignment including research, design development, documentation and successful submission during the teaching period can be used in order to gain a total of 6cr.

    Grading is based on the following scheme:
    pass/fail

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course will be taught as intensive workshop during the teaching period.

    For 3 cr the total workload is consisting of input lectures, combined with exercises, and independent preparation/study before and during the course.

    An optional design exercise including research, design development and documentation can be used to gain additional 3cr. 

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language : English

    Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Spring IV
    2023-2024 Spring IV

    Enrollment :

    Registration for the course will take place on Sisu (sisu.aalto.fi).