Design Studio Required Elective at semester(s) 5, 7, ECTS: 12
[Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation]
This design studio aims to create spaces governed by morphological innovation and a mixed architectural program. More specifically, it focuses on the architectural constructions that bridge two areas, over a natural or artificial barrier. Digital design tools will be an important part of the studio, students will practice and expand their skills through a variety of exercises during the semester, incorporating this knowledge into the final architectural composition of the bridge. The aim is to use digital media not only as a design tool, but also as a tool for morphogenesis and architectural thinking, introducing new experimental methods into the design process.
At the end of the course students will be able to:
· Conduct architectural research by design
· Recognize the area of intervention and identify the particular characteristics of a place
· Harmoniously integrate the building in the artificial or natural landscape
· Understand and design geometrically complex shapes
· Use algorithms and computational tools for architectural design
· Design in various scales from urban design to interior design
· Make design decisions based on parameter analysis
· Use advanced digital representation tools such as photorealism, simulations, animation, augmented reality (Augmented Reality - AR)
Image 1: Habitable bridge concept by students Melina Kalama and Danai Tzoni
Τhe studio focuses on bridges as architectural gestures aiming to connect the two sides of a natural or artificial obstacle (river, gorge, highway). More specifically, the studio will tackle the design of a habitable bridge that, besides being merely a passageway, it will accommodate uses and different "habitation" experiences depending on the place in which it is placed. The studio will explore the concept of connectivity, movement and stop, as well as with geo-environmental parameters that will feed the design process. During the initial stage of the studio, students will research and study examples from the international architectural scene, they will using digital tools to experiment with geometric and topological transformations with the aim to design and deliver an architectural proposal that combines connectivity with habitation.
The aim of the course is to design a habitable bridge that will connect, add to and transform the existing urban, suburban or natural landscape. Through a series of exercises students will explore the concept of connectivity, movement and habitation, the typologies of bridges, and the morphogenic processes through digital representations.
The building program will emerge from the research of the initial stage, in order to respond to the needs for connection and habitation that is relevant to the study area. It may range from a Motel over a motorway, a restaurant, a tourist information center, shops, Internet cafes, a boat hire station (if it is a river), etc. The emphasis will be placed on the design process, using digital design tools, and exploring spatial transformations that respond to the design intent.
Guest Lecturer: Dr. Renate Weissenböck - Architect PhD, Augmented Reality (AR) expert
The course is complemented with lectures by distinguished architects from Greece and abroad.
Image 2: Habitable bridge concept by students Mariza Argyrou and Danai Papoutsi
Students will work in small groups. The evaluation will be based on exercises during the semester (research, digital experiments, etc.) and on the final deliverable that will be a fully articulated and documented design proposal for a habitable bridge (floor plans, views, intersections, 3D representations, animations).
Students will work in small groups. The evaluation will be based on:
· Research and digital experiments
· The compositional idea of the design proposal
· The plans of the design proposal (floor plans, facades, sections, axonometric)
· Digital models
· The representations of the architectural design with various means, photorealistic representations, animations, Augmented Reality (AR)
The evaluation of students consists of the general activity and participation in the course during the semester and the grade of the final project.
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