Course syllabus for Building tectonics 1

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

Overview

  • Swedish nameByggnadens tektonik 1
  • CodeACE480
  • 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 05116
  • Maximum participants30 (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 offers an opportunity to improve the ability to design buildings, investigating the art of handling construction, material and building components as basic means of creating space around human activity. Through knowledge in building technology also in detail, architects improve their position in both the design and building process.The project is design oriented, aiming at an architectural synthesis which is feasible and holistic.

The course is the first of two freestanding courses related to Building Design. They can be taken separately, but also possible to take both. The progression of the two master courses comprises a shift of complexity and realism of the projects, Building tectonics 2 increases the level of complexity in terms of site and technology. Building tectonics 2 also introduces indoor climate technologies as part of the architectural design.

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

Knowledge and understanding
  • Demonstrate developed knowledge and understanding in the field of architecture understood as the design of spaces for human activity by material and construction.
  • Demonstrate developed knowledge of technical solutions and spatial principles which make the built environment durable and robust.
Competence and skills
  • Execute an architectural project, from overall design to details, dealing with contexts and technical issues.
  • Adopt an attitude, regarding material and construction and its relationship to architectural space, and making it influence the design.
  • Fulfil the project, independently, creative, and critically with conventional architectural methods and syntheses – drawings, models, perspectives of a high level of precision.
  • Present and discuss the project using a conventional repertoire of architectural media and methods – drawings, models, perspectives as well as oral and written communication.
Judgement and approach
  • Integrate human needs, aesthetic values, material and construction in long term sustainable architecture.
  • Evaluate and criticize other projects adopting the perspective above.

Content

To bring architectural ideas into the physical world, using material and construction, to form spaces around human activities is the core of our profession as architects.

The task of the course is to design a building, investigating the art of handling construction, material and building components as basic means of creating space. Building materials such as brick, concrete and wood, which have proven to be durable in human history are in focus.

The course aims at refining convention – innovation with convention as the starting point. Continuity is a key word here. The perspective of robustness is also of importance: what qualities in a building makes a long-term efficient use and appreciation possible?

The project is mainly expressed in precise drawings and physical models, which are the primary means of investigation and communication of architects, and reaches from the design of an overall idea into detail to make full use of the humanizing potential of architecture.

Organisation

The project is design oriented and carried out individually. Teamwork applies for pre-project investigations. Lectures, study-visits, pre-project investigations and presentations are adjusted to the task of the course. Crits are held in groups to enlarge the impact of findings of individual projects.

Literature

According to course description.

Examination including compulsory elements

The student has to obtain the following to pass the course, grade 3:
  • Active participation in pre-study, presentations and exhibitions.
  • Delivery of feedback on a student project, according to instructions in the course description.
  • Requirements above plus delivery of a project fulfilling the criteria expressed in the course description.

The student has to obtain the following for grade 4 and 5:
  • Grade 4: Requirements above plus intermediate level of project idea and execution.
  • Grade 5: Requirements above plus advanced level of project idea and execution.

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.