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40 411 Epistemologies of Environment and Their Influence on Architecture
Admission to AHO and successful completion of three years bachelor level studies (180 ECTS).
Architecture's relation to the environment has changed over time due to changing concepts of environment. This seminar will look at the various epistemologies of environment throughout history and their influence on architecture from the mid 20th centruy onwards. This seminar will be focused around a set of themes. They are:
- This seminar will probe and illuminate how a mode of thought- systems theory- permeated disciplines such as ecology, economics, urbanism and architecture through late 1960´s- 70´s. Thus part of this seminar is to probe exactly how systems theory produced new methods such as diagramming and computation that influenced the fields of ecology, urbanism and architecture.
- What kind of research was done in architecture in terms of how it integrates into its environment? How did diagramming and data influence the work of the late 1960's-70's in comparison to the 2000's?
- How have certain tools and information influenced architects understanding and reaction to environment in terms of their architectural designs both in the late 60's and in the 2000's?
- The science of ecology went through significant change from the mid 20th century on-wards. Did architecture and urbanism's understanding of ecology and environment also change in tandem with these new concepts? If they did not develop in tandem how did they differ?
These themes discuss what happens to concepts of architecture when the media to produce architecture changes, from plans, sections, physical models to diagrams, programming, data collection, simulations etc. By studying these themes, the seminar intends to create some critical space for future, more culturally rich methods for architecture and urbanisms relationship to environment and computation. At the same time the seminar exposes students to various methods to produce architecture in order to help students with the difficult task in attempting to apply theoretical concepts to their own work.
This elective will employ reading and interpretive skills as well as research documentation skills. Students will participate through reading discussions and an individual research project elaborating on one of the themes- which may include one of the following options: 1) a short précis and annotated bibliography. 2) A short presentation on the topics discussed in the class or 3) the creation of new drawing, modeling and/or computation methods in regards to architectural production and environment.
| Mandatory coursework | Courseworks required | Presence required | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presence required | Required | 50% of grade will consist of class attendance and participation in class discussions. |
| Form of assessment | Grouping | Grading scale | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio assessment (Vurderingsmappe) | Individual | Pass / fail | This elective will employ reading and interpretive skills as well as research documentation skills. Students will participate through reading discussions and an individual research project elaborating on one of the themes- which may include one of the following options: 1) a short précis and annotated bibliography. 2) A short presentation on the topics discussed in the class or 3) the creation of new drawing, modeling and/or computation methods in regards to architectural production and environment. Final grade will be based on oral presentations, active participation and the individual research project. |
| Workload activity | Comment |
|---|---|
| Attendance | |
| Curriculum | Students are expected to read assigned article every week. |