Course syllabus for Material and detail 1

Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-17 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameMaterial och detalj 1
  • CodeARK338
  • Credits22.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPARC
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyArchitecture, Architecture and Engineering
  • ThemeArchitectural design project 22.5 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 05119
  • Maximum participants32
  • Open for exchange studentsYes
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0117 Project 9.5 c
Grading: TH		9.5 c
0217 Project 13 c
Grading: TH		 13 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 studio investigates the interaction between material and detail in a project that is conducted on a digital platform and constructed in 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 studio works with live projects - projects that are designed, constructed and presented to the public within the duration of the studio. Each years 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 establishes a partnership with a specific provider of material and a manufacturer in order 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 architects, researchers and manufacturing industry.

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

Knowledge and understanding
Demonstrate an understanding of how the work in the studio relates to contemporary discourse around the relationship between architectural design and digital manufacturing technology.
Better predict the modifications that a design undergoes as it is translated from concept to realization through CNC manufacturing.

Abilities and skills
Use the limitations and opportunities offered by a particular material and its associated digital manufacturing process as drivers of a design project.
Use digital design tools such as associative modeling to design, represent and produce a small-scale architectural project.
Use digital means of analysis and/or simulation such as ANSYS to inform aspects of structure, tectonics and detailing. 
Implement technical research excellence in a design project.

Ability of assessment and attitudes
Be able to make early assessments of design projects based on material specifics and manufacturing processes.

Content

The studio is divided into three phases:

1. Technology, research and experiments
Technology demos, precedent studies and text seminars, design research that targets a particular material and manufacturing process.
2. Design
Design of a small-scale project such as a piece of furniture, pavilion or small building.
3. Manufacturing, assembly and presentation
Full-scale production in collaboration with industry partners. The studio culminates in a public exhibition of one or several full-scale projects.
Further content is adapted to each year's brief, material and manufacturing process.

Organisation

Phase one includes software and fabrication demos, material studies and precedent studies. Phase one and two include weekly or bi-weekly pin-ups and tutorials as well as study visits and guest lectures from industry partners and researchers. Work in phase one and two is mostly carried out in teams of 3-4 students, while work in phase three may require that all students in the studio work together as one large team.

Literature

To be announced in each course brief.

Examination including compulsory elements

Student work in phase one and two is presented and evaluated according to requirements in reviews with invited guests. Work in phase one and two is graded, while work in phase three is graded pass / no pass only. A minimum of 80% attendance or participation in lectures, pin-ups, demos and visits is required in order 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.