Course syllabus

Spatiala experiment I
Spatial Experiments I

ASEN01, 15 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2023/24
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering, LTH
Decided by: PLED A
Date of Decision: 2023-03-28

General Information

Main field: Architecture with specialization in Spatial Experiments.
Main field: Digital Architecture and Emergent Futures.
Compulsory for: MAEF1
Elective Compulsory for: MARK2
Elective for: A4
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

The aim of this course is to develop the student's ability to experimentally explore architecture's capabilities in a contextual framework which is on the one hand local and site specific, and on the other responding to global trends and developments. The student will develop their competence in acting outside of the conventional boundaries of architectural practice in culturally or physically unfamiliar environments. They will learn to engage new processes and methods in architecture, driven by technological and cultural change, and find meaningful ways of applying these in specific design contexts. The student will also develop their ability to communicate their work in an international context, both visually and verbally.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• demonstrate an understanding of the possibility to contribute to the development of society, as-built property, with consideration of long term quality improvement aspects, by means of architectural design.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• demonstrate skills in advanced and complex composite architectural design,
  
  
• demonstrate the ability to include adequate contiguous information in the design process,
  
  
• demonstrate the ability to transform the experimentally explored to concrete architectural form;
  
  
• demonstrate advanced ability in words, drawings and pictures to communicate their project.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• demonstrate the ability to analyze and process the appropriate strategic input values​​,
  
  
• demonstrate the ability to take an open approach to known and established aspects of the buildings and the urban room design,
  
  
• demonstrate the ability to assess the value of concepts and results in relation to a human perspective,
  
  
• demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate one's own performance during the design process.

Contents

The course trains architectural and analytical ability through an experimental design approach, based on scientific as well as artistic thought. Advanced digital tools for design as well as fabrication are used and engaged with in the course, and an active engagement with the biological and physical sciences is encouraged. The students work on projects situated in foreign contexts, with the emphasis on learning from the particular conditions encountered in these environments, and finding innovative design logics by taking them out of familiar situations and preconceptions. The student is encouraged to take an experimental approach to design, focusing on an idea or hypothesis and pursuing this idea as far as possible in order to test and develop it, while given the freedom to partially suspend unrelated considerations. The course includes lectures and mandatory presentations, as well as continuous tutorials and supervision in the design studio. A theoretical course of 7.5 credits is linked to the course, which provides input in the form of literature studies, seminars, a study trip (not mandatory), and specific knowledge regarding interdisciplinary work flows.

Examination details

Grading scale: UG - (U,G) - (Fail, Pass)
Assessment: Approved projects and assignments, and 80% attendance at seminars, field trips and lectures. Mandatory attendance at briefings. Of the proposal and presentation qualities evaluated and discussed by an evaluation team of examiners coordinator, teachers and external critics after which the examiner decides whether the project qualify for a pass. At the grade the student has the right to re-examination after completion or revision of the project. Examiner informs the student what is required to achieve a pass.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Admission

Admission requirements:

• ATHA10 The Theory and History of Architecture II (Year 2) or ATHA25 The Theory and History of Architecture IV (Year 2)
• ATHF01 The Theory and History of Architecture V
• AADA20 Digital Tools 5
• ASBF05 The Fundamentals of Urban Design
• AAHF01 Sustainable Technology in the Built Environment
• AAHF10 Sustainable Architectural Design
• ATHF01 The Theory and History of Architecture V
• ATHF05 The Theory and History of Architecture VI
• VBEA05 The Construction Process, Basic Course
• AADA25 Digital Tools 6
• AAHF35 Documentation and Communication
• AAHF20 Architecture - In Time and Space or AAHF26 Architecture - In Urban Contexts or AAHF30 Architecture - In the Contemporary

The number of participants is limited to: 36
Selection: Completed university credits within the program. Within programmes where the course is given as a mandatory or elective mandatory course students are guaranteed admission. There after priority is given to students enrolled in programmes that include the course in the curriculum.

Reading list

• No compulsory literature is attached to the course. ASEN01 is a skills-training design course where dialogues in the form of supervision and discussions in student groups constitutes the main support for learning.

Contact and other information

Course coordinator: David Andréen, david.andreen@arkitektur.lth.se
Further information: The course Spatial Experiments I – Theory is obligatory associated to this course.