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 understanding of geometry as essential factor of architectural expression and structural needs.
Students learn to
- identify (read) spatial, architectural phenomena,
- propose appropriate, fundamental, structural concepts according to identified geometry,
- compare and evaluate qualitative consequences of the possible proposals,
- develop creative and appropriate solutions,
- design basic concepts for structurally efficient lightweight structures
- reflect, evaluate and argue different their solutions, guided by critical (ecological, social and cultural) thinking.
Based on the understanding of structural geometry, the students can extend their understanding of lightweight structures regarding their geometrical and structural qualities invariably seen as an overall integrated entity.
In this sense students learn to
- identify (read) and comprehend spatial phenomena as geometrical pattern,
- draw their structural conclusions by geometrical thinking,
- propose appropriate, fundamental concepts of structural engineering according to identified geometry,
- use geometry as a tool for designing structurally efficient structures, in terms of multifaceted, creative and appropriate solutions
- reflect, evaluate, illustrate and argue different proposals including structural qualities and consequences for given architectural design proposals
Credits: 5
Schedule: 12.01.2023 - 16.02.2023
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:
Geometry:
Topics of geometry are typically reserved for a mathematically well-trained audience and mostly investigated in this sort of approach.This lecture and exercise offers a new approach, explaining geometry as the core of the architectural and structural design process. Geometry is omnipresent, from the initial form-finding stages to the structural concept and the actual construction. Modern constructive geometry provides a variety of tools for the efficient design, analysis, and manufacture of complex shapes. This results in new challenges for architecture and structural design. However, the architectural/structural application also poses new problems to geometry. Actual topics include, curvature analysis, freeform curves and surfaces creation, developable surfaces, discretization, generative design, digital prototyping and manufacturing amongst others. Architectural geometry is therefore an entire research area, currently emerging and mediating at the border between applied geometry, structure and architecture. The lectures and exercises in Geometry in Structures and Architecture offer access to this field and thinking.
Lightweight:
The form of a material object stands not only for its spatial qualities but as well for its structural efficiency. These twofold abilities of forms the space creating and the structural are exactly the field this course is going to investigate. By means of lightweight structures, the holistic observation of the processes of creating structures, their geometrically quantifiable traits (forms) and their structural characteristics together lead towards far reaching insights in the fields of methodology, of form-finding and of implementing such structures in real buildings with undreamt of spatial and technological facets. In this regard, we are studying forms, which are related to selforganizing processes. We are investigating their form-families, the processes of creation and development of such forms and structure, and their architecturally interesting qualities as aspects of design. In the same time, we comprehend their exceptional structural properties.
From an ecological, social and cultural perspective, lightweight structures have never been more contemporary and necessary than today. Lightweight structures are material-efficient, the materials strengths are optimally used, no resources are wasted and therefore they are superior in meeting the requirement for a sustainable development.
Topics in Lightweight : Structures and Architecture range from autochthon structures to extremely lightweight building, with its various membrane forms, pneumatic structures, vaults, shells, and tensegrity .
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
Evaluation is based on home assignments (individual or group work) and a written/oral examination. Proactive participation is compulsory in at least 80% of the classes. Student´s presence will be recorded.
Grading is based on the following scheme:
5: outstanding (exceeds expectations)
4: very good (fulfils all expectations)
3: good (only minor shortcomings)
2: satisfying (major shortcomings in some areas)
1: acceptable (major shortcomings in almost all areas but meets minimum level)
0: not acceptable (major shortcomings in almost all areas)
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
- Lectures and in-class exercises: 40%
- Home Assignments: 30%
- Independent work: 30% (Literature studies, Preparation for lectures, preparation for exam, etc.)
DETAILS
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
12 Responsible Production and Consumption
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Teaching Language : English
Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Spring III
2023-2024 Spring IIIEnrollment :
Registration for the course will take place on Sisu (sisu.aalto.fi).