Studios

Arch 2011: Architecture Design Studio I

ARCH 2011---Architectural Design Studio One---is first in the sequence of six studios of the Architecture Program's undergraduate design curriculum. It is designed to build on the 'broader understanding of design as a particular set of operations that shape virtually everything in the world' of the Freshman Common Year, moving now to address those of the discipline and profession that makeup the field of Architecture. The primary pedagogical focus is on the fundamental ideas of and interrelationships between form, space, and program in architecture. Within this, close attention is paid to setting the 'foundation' and 'scaffolding' of a lifelong understanding and skill set; one constructed with the spirit, humanity, creative skill and critical judgment the world demands of all of those who will contribute through the field. Additionally, tremendous openness, 'reflection-in-action' and dedication are necessary from those choosing to embark on this life-defining path and experience---the ability to be both 'self-reliant' and connected with communities of similar and dissimilar others. It is only through this and by actively engaging the larger conditions of world and the field of Architecture---conditions not initially of one's own making---that either real belonging or agency within them can begin to happen.

Arch 7060: Critical Positions

The first quarter of this course focuses on the nature of critical positions as frameworks of inquiry and action, and the process of formulating one with strong supporting arguments. The second quarter of the course focuses on the framing of a proposed a thesis topic and applied research problem as a particular application of this position toward research. The remaining half of the course deals with situating and applying the individual critical position towards the production of design research. During the course, the larger objectives are as follows:

to gain an understanding of:

• the nature of critical positions and their application in architectural research and design
• the historical conditions (social, political, and economic) that have given rise to the phenomenon
• the diversity of current critical positions in architecture in Western tradition
• the relevance of critical thinking and positioning to the production of research in architecture and urbanism

to gain a working knowledge and skill at:

• constructing a general form of a critical position in the field of architecture and urbanism
• constructing a thesis topic that grows out of this critical position and its concerns
• constructing rigorous interpretations of theory, critical thinking, and verbal argumentation
• constructing a rigorous front-end research out of which to generate design applications in the spring studio

to become aware of:

• ways individual critical positions can and should orient to issues of human behavior
• ways in which critical positions can and should orient to issues of human diversity
• ways in which critical positions situate in relation to other (e.g. non-Western, non-mainstream) traditions
• ways in which critical positions can and should interface with those of others