ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE AND TRANSFORMATION

ARK626 Architectural heritage and transformation lp3 VT20 (22.5 hp)
Course is offered by the department of Architecture and Civil Engineering

 

Purpose of the studio

In this course we learn to read and understand existing architecture by examining its historical layers and structure. We will make an inventory of a buildings character and values. With this knowledge and understanding as a base we will create a transformation proposal to adapt the building for future purposes. We will acquire methods and tools for a systematic approach to this inventory. In the process we will consider social, cultural, historical and economical aspects. This process and the gathered data helps us to form a concise and apt concept as a base for a mature and professional architectural proposal. Throughout the entire course students are encouraged to follow their own minds, finding arguments and making their own decisions. This course stresses the importance of communication in a creative process. To encourage communication between project groups we have recurring mini-seminars (peer reviews) where project groups present and comment on their working material to each other. In the first part of the course we will spend a lot of time on the site with hands-on exercises and lectures. We will attempt to create a mobile working environment on site and make it possible to revisit the site during the course.

 

Learning outcome

Knowledge and understanding

• Describe and analyze characteristic features based on architectural, technical, historical, cultural, functional and resource-related aspects.
• Describe, analyze and balance different values, shortcomings, needs and opportunities in the building and the near surroundings. -Understanding of what makes up cultural heritage and how to approach it as an architect. What constitutes as threats against cultural heritage and how can it be preserved?
• Have the ability to reflect on the professional role in relation to cultural heritage and sustainable development, as well as being informed of other related professions and their tasks in restoration issues.

Ability and skills

• Register and document buildings and places through digital mapping, as well as manual tools.
• be able to use methods for information, investigation, interpretation and valuation of the architectural heritage’s change, design and characteristics in buildings and places, as well as identification of indicators.
• be able to describe, analyze and interpret a local situation in a broader perspective, including spatial and architectural characteristics, as well as environmental, social and economic aspects.
• Be able to develop a concept for transforming a building for a new purpose based on genuine understanding from measurements, scientific methods and personal experience.
• be able to visualize and communicate various suggestions for students, clients, stakeholders, local authorities, officials and experts.
• implement, visualize and describe a proposal for restoration and renewal in a project on architectural and urban restoration with regard to historical, cultural, functional and technical issues, as well as resource, energy aspects.

Assessment and approach

• compare and assess different sources and claims of conservation / restoration / transformation, as well as their relation to sustainable development.
• understand and coordinate knowledge from different disciplines and sectors in proposals for action and restoration measures.
• coordinate scientific and artistic approaches in the design process.
• Assess physical impact and climate change on the built environment.

 

Content:

The course is divided in parts

1 Inventory.

During the first five weeks we will investigate the building and site from numerous perspectives. We will study archive drawings and photos, take measurements and gather information. We will learn and practise different methods for evaluation. The outcome will be presented in an inventory document describing objective values as well as a subjective evaluation of the project site. During this phase you will need to use many different presentation techniques to fit different purposes. E.g. photos, sketches, models, drawings, etc.

2 Concept

In this short phase you will develop your project idea from the knowledge obtained during the inventory phase. Most likely you have already thought a great deal around your concept while investigating the building but now it’s time to make final decisions and produce a concept and program for your upcoming project.

 

3 Project

Develop your projects along the guidelines in your concept. Projects can be implemented at different spatial levels. Appropriate lectures on building development, policy and management are included. Other lectures focus on the architectural history, architecture and restoration, buildings and their construction, energy issues and building materials. Design studio includes activities in the chosen location. Work with the studio assignment is also supported by study visits, literature seminars, field studies and survey training, as well as analysis exercises using methods such as SWOT and DIVE. Presentation and criticism are conducted during the studio. At the final presentation and critique, guest critics participate. A 10-day field trip to Venice is planned for on 14-20 March. More information on this trip will be provided later on.

 

Organisation

The program is full-time and is project-based and design-based. The number of participants in the studio is limited. Since the studio is part of the Design for Sustainable Development (MPDSD) program, students have taken part in MPDSD’s forecourt. The studio is led by a teacher team. External and internal lecturers are committed to their areas of expertise. Lecturers, assistants and practicing architects are available for supervision.

 

Examiner and teachers

teacher:	e-mail:	phone:
Kia Bengtsson Ekström	kiab@chalmers.se	073-305 90 10
Oscar Carlsson	oscar@bjorg.se	070-509 20 40
Johan Linton	linton@chalmers.se	076-039 49 19
Sven-Olof Ahlberg	so@kulturbyggnadsbyran.se	070-397 11 30

 

Literature

In process...

 

Schedule Information

On the introduction day you will be presented with a complete schedule for the whole course as pdf and paper format. This serves as an overview of planned activities. This schedule will not be updated with changes. Throughout the course we will use the calendar in Canvas. This calendar will be updated with any changes and new information.

 

Changes since last year

This year we spend more time on site, shifting the focus a bit towards reading and understanding what already exists. More resources and time is dedicated for measuring and inventory. Laura Conradi contributes with a new perspective on transformation projects. Also, there is more emphasis on communication across project groups. In a series of “peer reviews” students can discuss their working material and ideas with each other

 

Examination

Examination is a continuous process. All presentations and hand-ins, seminars, study-trips, lectures, work-shops and other tasks are included in the final examination and grade. Time and date for all hand-ins are in the detailed schedule. If a student can´t participate in a specific activity, we will discuss an alternative. For a passing grade, the following is required:

• Attendance and active participation in classes, seminars and other scheduled activities (at least 80% attendance)
• Active participation in work, presentations and cross-criticism
• Submission of course data of sufficient quality (which meets the requirements for content and presentation on the respective tasks)
• Active participation in the exhibition / presentation

The studio is a structural aliened. This means that active participation and presents is a part of the studio and the result is depending upon the student’s engagement.

Final presentation, exhibition and report

Time and place for final presentation according to the schedule. You will be presented with more details around final presentation and critics at a later time. External critics are invited. Hand in requirements:

• One poster 70 x 100 cm (portrait) for the exhibition. On this poster you summarize and present your project.
• Project report. This is the complete description of your concept and project. The format is landscape A3. There is no limit for number of pages but we strongly encourage you to keep your reports as short and to-the-point as possible! This report will hang next to your poster to provide more details and a deeper understanding. You will also hand one printed copy of this report in at the reception on floor 3 (a box will be provided)

Important information!

Chalmers has an insurance via the Kammarkollegiet for students who travel abroad, which covers:

• Student as reg. on course / exams at Chalmers but conducted abroad.
• Study visits outside Sweden within a course.
• Internship abroad where there is an agreement between practitioners and Chalmers.

For the students to be covered by the insurance, the teacher / or equivalent must write a certificate that the course involves study visits and in which country. The certificate must be prepared in good time and made available to all students registered on the course through Canvas. The students need to go to the Student Center with this and receive a certificate to be eligible for the insurance. More information about insurance for students can be found at the links below:

Kammarkollegiet’s insurance:

https://www.kammarkollegiet.se/vara-tjanster/forsakring-och-riskhantering/hitta-forsakringsprodukt/personforsakringar/studier/student-pa-universitet-och-hogskola

Terms Student UT:

https://www.kammarkollegiet.se/vara-tjanster/forsakring-och-riskhantering/hitta-forsakringsprodukt/personforsakringar/studier/utresande-utbytesstudenter-student-ut

 

If you need to come in contact:

Head of Program Architecture Kia Bengtsson Ekström kiab@chalmers.se +46 31 772 68 53 +46 73 305 90 10

Equality Contact

For questions regarding discriminations, please contact: Bruno Rudström bruno.rudstrom@chalmers.se +46 31 772 24 63

Director of Studies

For questions regarding course selection and course evaluation: Anna Knutsson anna.knutsson@chalmers.se +46 31 772 24 02

Student guidance counselor

For questions regarding course guidance service Agnes Elmefjäll agnes.elmefjall@chalmers.se +46 31 772 63 35