Course syllabus for Material and technique

Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-02 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameMaterial och gestaltningstekniker
  • CodeACE475
  • Credits15 Credits
  • OwnerMPARC
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyArchitecture
  • ThemeArchitectural design project 15 c
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 05115
  • Maximum participants20 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
  • Minimum participants8
  • Open for exchange studentsYes
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0123 Project 15 c
Grading: TH		0 c15 c0 c0 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Aim

The course, which is a design studio, investigates how matter and geometry, fuelled by emerging instruments of design, representation, and production, can inform architectural design. The aim is to help demystify the transformative capacity of architecture in the actualization of a “live” full- or large-scale project with a distinct sense of quality and aesthetic. Projects are designed and realized at Chalmers as well as through partnerships with external material suppliers and manufacturers. Moving outside of a controlled academic environment, the studio combines speculative design research with material, technical and curatorial expertise. The work in the studio goes from individual learning of skills to design work in smaller teams to the final realization and curation of an exhibition as a studio.

The course investigates the interaction between material and detail in a project that is designed and developed on a digital platform and is partially constructed in large or full scale. It targets the implementation of a full project cycle, from concept, design, and analysis to CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) manufacturing and assembly. The course engages the complex challenge of transforming a concept and sketch to the thrill and enormous undertaking of getting a design project constructed.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

Knowledge and understanding
  1. Demonstrate and critically reflect on how the work of the studio relates to contemporary architectural discourse related to digital design and manufacturing technology.
  2. Exemplify the re-iterative process that a design undergoes as it is developed from concept to realization through digital design and manufacturing.
  3. Demonstrate a considerable degree of specialized knowledge in certain areas of the field of architecture and on methodologies and processes related to design.
Competence and skills
  1. Proactively use the limitations and opportunities offered by a particular material and detail and its associated digital manufacturing process as drivers of a design project.
  2. Utilize digital design tools such as associative modeling to design, represent and for the design and production of a small-scale collaborative architectural design project.
  3. Deploy digital means of analysis and/or simulation and consultancy to inform aspects of structure, tectonics, and detailing.
  4. Demonstrate the capacity for teamwork and collaboration within various constellations.
  5. Implementing technical research excellence in a design project and the public dissemination thereof.
Judgement and approach
  1. Formulate early assessments of peer design projects related to material specifics and manufacturing processes and the content of the studio.
  2. Interpret, question, and develop given prerequisites based on achieved knowledge and experience and excel by creating unexpected new knowledge and design outcomes.

Content

The studio works with ‘live projects’ - projects that are designed, constructed, and presented to the public within the duration of the studio. The studio explores the complexity and creativity that goes into the collaborative development and the realization of a design project rather than putting sole emphasis on the novelty of the initial design concept. Each year’s studio unfolds live in relation to specific material limitations, budget, time plan, industry and exhibition partners, media outlets, etc. Emphasis is on linking architecture with industry as well as with technical research excellence. The studio typically establishes a partnership with a specific provider of material and a manufacturer to realize one or several chosen design projects. Students learn about current research relevant to the material and manufacturing process through readings, precedent studies, and guest lectures. Ultimately, the studio aims to foster innovation through direct collaborations between students, teachers, architects, researchers, consultants, and the manufacturing industry.

Organisation

The studio course is divided into four distinct phases:

1. Technology, research, and experiments
Technology demonstrations, precedent studies and text seminars, design research that targets a particular material and manufacturing process.

2. Design
Design of a small-scale project in design teams such as a piece of furniture, pavilion, or small building with a design review.

3. Manufacturing and assembly
Full-scale production in-house or in collaboration with industry partners and the final design review.

4. Dissemination, public exhibition, and documentation
The studio culminates in the organization of a public exhibition of one or several full-scale projects and the production of a studio wide booklet and individual portfolio.

The course description specifies new materials, manufacturing techniques and project partners on an annual basis.

Literature

An up to date reading list is an integral part of the annual course description depending on the material and technology selected for the year. Only the reference literature is listed below.

Gail Peter Borden and Michael Meredith, eds., Matter: Material Processes in Architectural Production (Oxon: Routledge, 2011)

Greg Lynn, “Robots”, in Greg Lynn FORM (New York: Rizzoli, 2008)

Examination including compulsory elements

Student work in phase one and two is presented and evaluated in reviews with invited guests according to the submission requirements specified in the course program. Work in phase one and two is graded based on the results of the reviews, while work in phase three is graded pass / no pass only. Phase 4 is marked based on the individual portfolio submission. A minimum of 80% attendance or participation in lectures, pin-ups, demos, and visits is required to pass the course.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.