Course syllabus

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Course PM

ACE475
Material & Technique
LP2 HT23
15 HP
Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering

Contact

Jonas Lundberg (Examiner, Supervisor) jonas.lundberg@chalmers.se
Kengo Skorick (Teacher, Supervisor) kengo@chalmers.se
Samuel Norberg (Teacher, Supervisor) samnor@chalmers.se
 

Remote

link or Canvas > ACE475 > Zoom
Passcode: M&T

Purpose

The studio explores how matter and geometry, using emerging digital tools for design, representation, and production, can influence architectural design. Its goal is to clarify how architecture can bring about significant changes in creating high-quality and aesthetically pleasing 'live' projects on a full or large scale. These projects are carried out at Chalmers University and in collaboration with external material suppliers and manufacturers, extending beyond the controlled academic environment. The studio combines speculative design research with material, technical, and result dissemination.

The studio's work ranges from individual skill development to group design, consultations, production, and the completion of buildings or prototypes, culminating in a public exhibition.

The course explores the interaction between material and detail in a project that originates in a digital framework and is partially constructed on a large or full scale. It emphasizes the entire project cycle, covering concept development, design, analysis, CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) manufacturing, and assembly. The course presents the complex challenge of translating a concept and sketch into a realized design project.

Learning Objectives & Syllabus

Knowledge & Understanding

1. Demonstrate and critically reflect on how the studio's work relates to contemporary architectural discourse related to digital design and manufacturing technology.

2. Exemplify the iterative process a design undergoes as it progresses from concept to realization through digital design and manufacturing.

3. Demonstrate a significant degree of specialized knowledge in certain areas of the field of architecture and of methods and processes related to design.

Skills & Abilities

1. Using the limitations and possibilities that a certain material and detail and its associated digital manufacturing process offer as driving forces for a design project.

2. Using 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. Using digital methods of analysis and/or simulation and consulting to inform aspects of structure, tectonics and details.

4. Show ability for teamwork and collaboration within different constellations.

5. Implementation of technical research expertise in a design project and public dissemination of this.

Evaluation Ability & Approach

1. Formulate criticism of colleagues' design projects related to design, material issues and manufacturing processes and the content of the studio.

2. Interpreting, questioning and developing given conditions based on acquired knowledge and experience and striving to create unexpected new knowledge and design results.

Syllabus

+  See Studieportalen (Link)

 
Content

The studio collaborates on "live projects," which are projects involving partners from the business world. These projects are designed, produced, constructed, and presented to the public during the studio's duration. The studio's focus lies in exploring the complexity and creativity that arise from the joint development and realization of a design project, rather than solely highlighting the individual student's contribution or the original design concept.

Each year, the project evolves in real-time, considering specific constraints such as materials, budget, schedule, industry partnerships, exhibition connections, and media. The primary objective is to bridge architecture with industry and technical research expertise. Typically, the studio establishes partnerships with specific material suppliers and manufacturers to bring selected design projects to life.

Students gain insights into current research related to materials and manufacturing processes through literature, case studies, and guest lectures. Ultimately, the studio aims to foster innovation through direct collaborations between students, teachers, architects, researchers, consultants, and the manufacturing industry.

Organization

The studio course is divided into 4 different phases:

1. Technology, Research, Experimentation

Week 44

Technology demonstrations, case studies and text seminars, design research targeting a particular material and manufacturing process.

2. Design

Weeks 45~47

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

3. Manufacturing & Assembly

Weeks 48~51

Full-scale production in-house or in collaboration with industrial partners and the final design review.

4. Dissemination, Public Exhibition, Documentation

Weeks 52~2

The studio culminates in the organization of a public exhibition of one or more full-scale projects and the production of a studio-wide booklet and individual portfolio.

Course PM specifies new materials, manufacturing techniques and project partners on an annual basis.

Communication & Resources 

The primary communication channel for the course is Canvas, which includes announcements and emails. Please use the Canvas platform to communicate with your tutors. The course is utilizing the studio spaces on the top floor, Level 5 of the SB1 building. We are also making use of the computers on Level 5 and in the basement labs at SB1. All the software is also accessible remotely.

Examination & Compulsory Elements

Student works in phases one and two are presented and evaluated in briefings with invited guests according to the submission requirements stated in the course program. Work in phases one and two is graded based on the results of the reviews, while work in phase three is graded only pass/fail. Phase 4 is marked based on the individual portfolio submission. At least 80% attendance or participation in lectures, critiques, demos and visits is required to pass the course.

The course examiner may examine individual students in a different way than stated above if there are special reasons, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers regarding educational support due to a disability.

Literature

An updated bibliography is an integral part of the annual course program depending on the material and technology chosen 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)