Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-02 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).
Overview
- Swedish nameReality studio
- CodeACE570
- Credits15 Credits
- OwnerMPDSD
- 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 17122
- Maximum participants22
- Minimum participants8
- Open for exchange studentsNo
- Only students with the course round in the programme overview.
Credit distribution
Module | Sp1 | Sp2 | Sp3 | Sp4 | Summer | Not Sp | Examination dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0123 Project 15 c Grading: TH | 15 c |
In programmes
- MPARC - ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN DESIGN, MSC PROGR, Year 1 (elective)
- MPDES - INDUSTRIAL DESIGN ENGINEERING, MSC PROGR, Year 1 (elective)
- MPDSD - ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING BEYOND SUSTAINABILITY, MSC PROGR, Year 1 (compulsory elective)
Examiner
Liane Thuvander- Professor, Architectural Theory and Method, Architecture and Civil Engineering
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.
Course specific prerequisites
To be admitted to the course, an approved pre-application to the examiner is required. Pre-application is normally done during study period 2, the previous autumn semester. Contact the examiner for more information.Aim
The design studio Reality Studio works in close cooperation with stakeholders in different parts of the world, in industrialised countries as well as in developing countries, always in highly challenging contexts. The point of departure is humans everyday needs and the support of human survival and decent life in rapidly changing or sometimes extreme environments.The overarching aim of the design studio is to provide each student with necessary skills and methods that are valid in any situation of change where architectural and urban design approaches are required at different system levels and scales, from urban structures, infrastructure, buildings and technical support systems to detailed construction elements and products within the built environment. Specific aims are to:
- develop and implement aesthetic, affordable, socially and culturally appropriate, energy and material efficient, healthy and user-friendly, always innovative architectural design solutions that support dignified human everyday life.
- develop professional skills that are valid and needed in challenging situations and to find adapted solutions to the problems at hand, specifically through field studies in extreme environments.
- encourage critical reflection regarding the role and agency of architectural design and the profession.
Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)
Knowledge and understanding
1. Relate the political vision of Sustainable Development to an architectural or urban design project at different system levels and scales carried out in extreme environments.
2. Consciously reflect on the meaning and impact of their professional work and agency in a broader and global perspective based on local experiences from field studies in an unfamiliar context.
2. Consciously reflect on the meaning and impact of their professional work and agency in a broader and global perspective based on local experiences from field studies in an unfamiliar context.
3. Understand and relate to the complexity of everyday life in specific spatial, cultural, and social environments and situations with focus on field studies in extreme environments.
Competence and skills
4. Identify, select, and critically analyse the most relevant information, data and elements in a local situation and on different levels (micro to macro) and integrate them into both the local and larger systems as well as spatial contexts.
5. Create and develop sustainable design solutions through a methodology of goal setting, data collection, design iteration and testing/prototyping.
6. Define, formulate, design, visualise and communicate realistic architectural, urban design or planning proposals and sustainable solutions for and with clients, stakeholders and experts in different stages of the design process.
7. Combine knowledge from different disciplines and sectors in proposals for actions and measures in architectural and urban design for sustainable development.
8. Behave and navigate respectfully and collaboratively in an unfamiliar context demonstrated in field studies.
6. Define, formulate, design, visualise and communicate realistic architectural, urban design or planning proposals and sustainable solutions for and with clients, stakeholders and experts in different stages of the design process.
7. Combine knowledge from different disciplines and sectors in proposals for actions and measures in architectural and urban design for sustainable development.
8. Behave and navigate respectfully and collaboratively in an unfamiliar context demonstrated in field studies.
Judgement and approach
9. Combine scientific and artistic approaches in the architectural design process.
10. Discuss and reflect critically on the work made and experiences in the course.
11. Be aware of and reflect on their own perspective and its limitations, through meetings with other professional and cultural perspectives on sustainable development.
12. Further develop a critical thinking and reflections on the professional role, the professional ethics, and the needs for lifelong learning.
10. Discuss and reflect critically on the work made and experiences in the course.
11. Be aware of and reflect on their own perspective and its limitations, through meetings with other professional and cultural perspectives on sustainable development.
12. Further develop a critical thinking and reflections on the professional role, the professional ethics, and the needs for lifelong learning.
Content
Reality studio is directed towards sustainable development in an extreme environment in an unfamiliar and often challenging context. The studio has a problem-oriented and synthesizing approach. Design is communicating with other disciplines; from micro- to macro studies. The philosophy is centered on what architecture and design do, over time, rather than what they are, and applies a dynamic systems design view.Points of departure in the course are everyday needs and activities of people, local businesses and communities in relation to a spatial context. The problems and possible solutions will vary significantly in different regions of the world. This will challenge the ability of the students in analysing the local situation in a broader context as a basis for the choice, the approach and the implementation of their architectural, urban design and planning projects.
The course relates to and focuses on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (17).
Organisation
The course develops around the field studies. Preparations are run in Sweden including lectures, literature seminars, workshops and individual assignments. After that, the students will engage in field studies, in collaboration and cooperation with local communities, NGOs, and local universities. This collaborative work in the field studies include analysis of the local situation, goal setting, data collection, development of design program, first iterations of an architectural, urban design or planning project, and an on-site exhibition and communication with local stakeholders and the general public. To finalise, the studio returns to Sweden, for the conclusion of the projects, the production of final reports, critique, and moments for personal and group reflection.Most parts of the course are performed in smaller groups. The work is supported by group tutorship and feedback sessions.
The course involves close contact with unfamiliar and sometimes uneasy and challenging conditions. This process is an integrated part of the course and is followed closely by the teachers constant support and tutoring. The students must accept basic living and working conditions, and be able to raise extra money for travels, accommodation, food and other related costs (e.g., insurance, Visa, medical prevention). There are often options for supplementary state study loans (under the responsibility of students to search and apply for) that can cover parts of these costs.
Literature
Lists of compulsory and reference literature will be presented at the start of the course. Two basic references are: Hamdi, Nabeel (2004). Small change: the art of practice and the limits of planning in cities. London; Sterling, Va: Earthscan. http://www.loc.gov/catdir/toc/ecip0418/2004013710.html
United Nations (2015). Transforming our world The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. (Available on link: https://sdgs.un.org/publications/transforming-our-world-2030-agenda-sustainable-development-17981)
Examination including compulsory elements
The examination involves:A) Attendance at all scheduled activities
- Active participation in lectures, seminars, workshops, group work, presentations, cross-critics, and field studies.
- Active participation in exhibition/presentation on site.
B) Delivery of hand-ins (P/F) for progress report
C) Delivery of assignments fulfilling the requirements regarding content and presentation (Graded)
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.