Course syllabus

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Course-PM

ARK700 History, theory and method 7 lp3 VT20 (3 hp)

Course is offered by the department of Architecture and Civil Engineering

Contact details

Course purpose

The course “Design for Extreme Environments - Methods for Exploring Reality” aims to give the students insights into a set of perspectives and methods useful in fieldwork, in this case in Kisumu, Kenya.  To form the basis for this, specific cases of design for extreme environments will be looked at to illustrate how drivers of design and implementation are identified.  These cases will include design for the environments encountered in space, subsea, desert and polar regions.  By studying these environments, and the people who inhabit them, the students will draw new insights from these cases to compare, contrast, reflect on and apply to their fieldwork.

Schedule

For correct information please see the Reality Studio schedule and don't use TimeEdit for this course.

Course literature

Mandatory literature/media:

further reading:

Course design

The course is only open to students who at the same time take the course Reality Studio. The course starts in week 8. The layout of the course is:

  • Before the field study in Kenya, 2 lecture/workshops
  • During field study, 1 lecture/workshop
  • After the field study, there will be allocated time for writing the reflection paper (see examination)

 

Seminar 1 (Sweden):

The Seminar topic will be 'Sustainability in Space and on Earth'.  The focus of this seminar will be design considerations and technologies for future space missions and how those can be utilized on Earth.  The challenges to create a more sustainable future can be informed by looking to the future.

Seminar 2 (Sweden):

Extreme environments on Earth share similar facilities and operations, design and planning challenges. Each environment presents special lessons regarding housing design, crew/staff operations and training, and equipment and logistical requirements for human activities. In this seminar we will discuss these challenges and lessons. It will focus on understanding the relationships and influences between different facets of human society and architecture which can help to find a design approach which optimizes needs and requirements for various types of people living in different environments, societies and cultures.

Seminar 3 (Kenya):

This Seminar will be based around a Digital Storytelling workshop and lead by the Hoperaisers organization in Nairobi, Kenya at the Hope Raisers culture center. Students from Kenyatta University will join this workshop where you will learn about the methods used by this organization in their grassroots efforts to implement positive change in the local community.

Changes made since the last occasion

New topic.

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

Knowledge and understanding
Demonstrate an understanding of a particular theoretical trajectory in architecture and urban design.

Abilities and skills
Understand and analyse arguments laid out in theoretical texts.
Use theoretical texts as basis for formulating a position or query.
Appropriately use citation, references and bibliography.

Ability of assessment and attitude
Promote the value (and joy!) of history, theory, and method in architecture.
Critically relate their own writing and arguments in the course to larger issues or questions in architecture and urban design, as outlined in the brief.

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen.

Study plan

 

Examination form

Written report 1 A3 page (see assignment)

Course summary:

Date Details Due