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40 661 Subject Matter: Metals

Credits: 
24
Full course name in Norwegian Bokmål: 
Subject Matter: Metals
Course code: 
40 661
Level of study: 
Master
Teaching semester: 
2023 Spring
Assessment semester: 
2023 Spring
Language of instruction: 
English
Year: 
2023
Maximum number of students: 
18
Person in charge
Thomas McQuillan
Required prerequisite knowledge

Admission to AHO and successful completion of three years bachelor level studies (180 ECTS).

The course is open to students from: Architecture and Landscape Architecture

Course content

Transition (transformation) is the dominant metaphor of our time.  

We extract raw materials from the world into order to build, transforming them. These processes are sometime quite complex and involve the participation of various industries. Even though we sometimes speak of natural materials, almost everything that is used in architecture is manufactured. Throughout the history of architecture, the materials of construction have guided the development of spatial form.  

At the cusp of the anthropocene, we have begun to think differently about how materials are extracted and refined, and how they might repurposed in the future.  With the growth of the idea of circularity and reuse, buildings can be seen as a ‘pause’ in the circulation of materials from the sites of their extraction to further future use whose conditions are unknown. As allied with the Provenenance Projected project, this studio will study the origins of materials and their potential use as poetic markers of our time.  

The course will consist of two parts. The first is a detailed research into a metal or metals, with the goal of more fully understanding how metals are produced, how they are fabricated, and how they have been used in architecture. 

The second part will be to design a building that is beautiful and useful. Students will be asked to develop a personal stance with regard to the project. Design projects should strive for simplicity and elegance, while reflecting intelligently on our place in history.  

Learning outcome

Knowledge 

  • Knowledge of how a particular material comes about 
  • Knowledge of the historical uses of a particular material 
  • Knowledge of the environmental impact of a particular material 

Skills 

  • The ability to conduct research 
  • The ability to work with a particular material 
  • The ability to design with and specify a particular material

General competence 

  • Competence in presenting ideas in word, image and artifact 
Working and learning activities

The course is organized as collaborative studio in which student participation is essential. A weekly schedule includes lectures, tutorials and plenum discussions. 

Curriculum

Course literature will be available in Leganto.

Mandatory courseworkCourseworks requiredPresence requiredComment
Presence required RequiredStudents are required to attend tutorials and plenum discussions no less than 80%. Attendance at reviews (3 per semester) is mandatory.
Obligatoriske arbeidskrav:
Mandatory coursework:Presence required
Courseworks required:
Presence required:Required
Comment:Students are required to attend tutorials and plenum discussions no less than 80%. Attendance at reviews (3 per semester) is mandatory.
Form of assessmentGroupingGrading scaleComment
Project assignment-Pass / fail
Vurderinger:
Form of assessment:Project assignment
Grouping:-
Grading scale:Pass / fail
Comment:
Workload activityComment
ExcursionThose who do not have the opportunity to participate in an excursion will be given an assignment/a project that replaces this.
Forventet arbeidsinnsats:
Workload activity:Excursion
Comment:Those who do not have the opportunity to participate in an excursion will be given an assignment/a project that replaces this.