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40 319 Materials: The tree of souls

Full course name in Norwegian Bokmål: 
Materials: The tree of souls
Credits: 
6
Course code: 
40 319
Level of study: 
Master
Teaching semester: 
2020 Autumn
Assessment semester: 
2020 Autumn
Language of instruction: 
English
Year: 
2020
Maximum number of students: 
15
Person in charge
Moritz Groba
Required prerequisite knowledge

Three year foundation course, the course will be taught in English

Course content

Smeaton’s Eddystone lighthouse revolutionised lighthouse design in the 1700s. It was modelled on the physical shape and structure of an oak tree. Yet, three hundred years later, the world’s tallest timber building still stands 10m short of the world’s tallest tree. While advancing industrial timber processing and a rising sustainability agenda have heralded a new age for wood based building materials in the 21st century, much of the traditional knowledge around the material’s strengths and weaknesses has been lost. Simultaniously, new research is opening for a more nuanced utilization and adaptation of wood based products based on parametric design and biomimicry. Yet the full potential of the tree’s inherent structural and physical properties is still not realised.

 

The course aims to give students a thorough introduction to the design potential and limitations arising from wood’s inherent structural and physical properties. It will run alongside any studio course pursued by the students and provide an opportunity to implement and explore timber based design ideas and solutions within their existing studio projects.

 

The course will cover:

  • material properties, production and qualities
  • traditional timber knowledge and practices
  • modern timber architecture and engineered timber products
  • structural systems, natural and built
  • timber in low-carbon building design
  • design implications as the result of choice of structural systems
  • responsive design and physiological modelling
Working and learning activities

Weekly lectures and reading assignments. Plenary discussions. Individual writing assigments and presentations. Excursions to timber buildings in Oslo.

Mandatory courseworkCourseworks requiredPresence requiredComment
Annet - spesifiser i kommentarfeltet Not requiredOne article and presentation to be handed in prior to elective course week.
During elective course week, each student will develop and hand in an analysis, key detail or elaboration on timber structures as an alternative structural approach for their ongoing studio course.
Obligatoriske arbeidskrav:
Mandatory coursework:Annet - spesifiser i kommentarfeltet
Courseworks required:
Presence required:Not required
Comment:One article and presentation to be handed in prior to elective course week.
During elective course week, each student will develop and hand in an analysis, key detail or elaboration on timber structures as an alternative structural approach for their ongoing studio course.
Form of assessmentGroupingGrading scaleComment
Project assignmentIndividualPass / fail
Vurderinger:
Form of assessment:Project assignment
Grouping:Individual
Grading scale:Pass / fail
Comment: