Start semester
40 526 Elements of Gravity
Emnenavn på Norwegian Bokmål:
Elements of Gravity
Credits:
24
Course code:
40 526
Level of study:
Master
Teaching semester:
2019 Autumn
Assessment semester:
2019 Autumn
Language of instruction:
English
Year:
2019
Maximum number of students:
24
Person in charge
Angela Deuber
Anita Morvillo
Elena Miegel
Ermioni Garramone
Required prerequisite knowledge
Admission to AHO and successful completion of three years bachelor level studies (180 ECTS).
Rhino and Photoshop Skills.
The "Gravity of Elements" elective course is mandatory for students that enroll in the studio course “Elements of gravity”.
Course content
"Elements of Gravity”
The semester program of our STUDIO is titled "Elements of Gravity". Students are given the opportunity to search for architectural elements that define their architecture; structure and space. Each student engages intensively with elements in architecture and develops a detailed project with the help of a clear, deep meaning.
At the beginning of the semester, we travel together to study architectural elements in works from João Batista Vilanova Artigas and to learn from nature. After the field trip each student selects a ‘masterpiece’ and presents an abstract photograph with an element of structural and spatial significance. A title is given and translated into elements that indicate a whole and make deeply sense. A program for a specific location is derived and a detailed building will be developed on a scale of 1:50 / 1:20. Each student works individually with models, photographs, detailed CAD drawings and texts.
"Elements of Gravity” is an opportunity to explore the individual elements that define space. These are for example the disposition (floor plan), the wall, the ceiling, the opening.
The studio will raise awareness of contemporary position in architecture practice, as students will benefit from the architectural thinking, knowledge, experience and imagination of the internationally acclaimed practicing architect Angela Deuber. The architecture of Deuber is about consciously removing everything else except for basic architectonic elements, so that to be able to express the sculptural presence of spatial form in the most strong and precise way.
The elective course "Gravity of Elements" is mandatory for students that enrol in the studio course “Elements of Gravity”. We strongly believe that creative research that the elective course offers will raise awareness on taking conscious decisions with clear spatial intentions on the individual design process.
Learning outcome
1. Ability to independently develop an architectural project on the basis of an individual idea and to argue convincingly on its behalf.
2. Knowledge of the constituent elements of an architectural work, including site, type, structure, enclosure and material.
3. Awareness of contemporary position in architecture.
4. Benefit from an international guest-teacher and from the confrontation with their architectural thinking, knowledge, experience and imagination.
Skills:
How to develop an architectural project while being aware of details and materiality, in scale 1:50 - 1:20.
How to document and approach an architectural project on an actual plot through images of spaces, axonometric and 2D drawings, physical models and written text.
Working and learning activities
Introduction to the course (mandatory): Wednesday, 14.08.2019.
Excursion to Amazon rainforest and works of João Batista Vilanova Artigas architecture to visit masterpieces: Friday, 16.08.2019 – Sunday, 25.08.2019.
Those who don’t cannot participate in the excursion can do an excursion on their own in agreement with the Guest Studio.
Theme-oriented lectures and seminars in synergy with elective course “Gravity of Elements”.
Weekly desk discussions with assistants.
Mandatory reviews with Angela Deuber (in parts with a structural engineer) : 09.09.2019 / 30.09.2019 / 14.10.2019 / 28.10.2019 / 11.11.2019 / 09.12.2019.
Cross-critique student pairs critique: Each student will form a team with a fellow student. The task is to exchange constructive critiques during intermediate reviews.
Final review with invited guest: Monday, 09.12.2019
| Mandatory coursework | Courseworks required | Presence required | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presence required | Required | Introduction to the course (mandatory): Wednesday, 14.08.2019 Mandatory reviews with Angela Deuber (in parts with a structural engineer) : 09.09.2019 / 30.09.2019 / 14.10.2019 / 28.10.2019 / 11.11.2019 / 09.12.2019. Weekly desk discussions with assistants. It is mandatory to be present in the intermediate reviews, participate as a cross-critic student and hand-in deliverables on time. Final review with invited guest: Monday, 09.12.2019 |
| Form of assessment | Grouping | Grading scale | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project assignment | Individual | Pass / fail | Form of assessment: This course requires active presence and work in the studio during the whole semester. The requirement for passing the course will be to attend the introduction, all intermediate reviews as well as the final review. For weekly reviews, lectures, seminars an at least 80% overall attendance required. It is mandatory to be present in the intermediate reviews, participate as a cross-critic student and hand-in deliverables on time. The course is organised in several steps. A written agreement needs to be made beforehand in coordination with the assistants, in case you fail to deliver one step on time. The final assessment will be based on: a. Student’s architectural sensibility and awareness of architectural problems, b. The clarity of argumentation, built-up during the process c. The ability to evaluate the quality of the project idea, d. The evaluation of the intellectual and architectural capacity to confront the creative risk involved in the project e. The developed presentation material and presence at 3 public reviews during the semester f. The delivered complete project material for the exhibition AHO Works and for the final review. The studio-work is evaluated with Passed or Not Passed, according to the regulations for master’s degree programs at AHO. |
| Workload activity | Comment |
|---|---|
| Excursion | Excursion to Amazon rainforest and works of João Batista Vilanova Artigas architecture to visit masterpieces:Friday, 16.08.2019 – Sunday, 25.08.2019. Those who cannot participate in the excursion can do an excursion on their own in agreement with the Guest Studio. |
| Attendance | The requirement for passing the course will be to attend the introduction, all intermediate reviews as well as the final review. For weekly reviews, lectures, seminars an at least 80% overall attendance required. It is mandatory to be present in the intermediate reviews, participate as a cross-critic student and hand-in deliverables on time. The course is organised in several steps. A written agreement needs to be made beforehand in coordination with the Assistance, in case you fail to deliver one step on time. |