Course Description

Final course in Graduate Building Sequence.

At the point in the curriculum where this course is offered it is arguable that the difference or separation of ?building? and ?design? is of little value or interest. So while this course is technically a ?Building? course and satisfies a technical core requirement, it also can be viewed as a testing ground for the advanced designing for issues or conditions that are only schematically addressed in studio.

Consequently, the structure of the course is similar to a design studio whose scope is highly constrained so as to focus on one particular condition ? the effect on building form, character, and construction through choosing and demonstrating the possibilities and capabilities of a single building material. The framework of the course is built around the consideration and documentation of the design of a ?one room? building the design documents for which will be used by students of design and construction to build what will be both a classroom for them and a model building for the education of the general public. The development of the design of the building and its site will be the armature or ground for exploration, discussion, and testing of two issues: the effect of material choices on design, and the design of the connection between building and site - experiential and environmental - and the practical possibilities and impact of low tech or passive environmental systems with a heavy emphasis on lighting. The problem then is to:

? Identify the capabilities and limitations of a single material,

? Exploit and expound on the possibilities of form and environment within the scale of the given construction and project brief,

? Demonstrate the above in a design that is considerate, thought provoking, and inspirational.

In short, this is a project that must rise above the ?how to? and address the ?why to.?

NB: The building design may also be used as a framework for the exercises in ARCH 725.

Requirements

The student will design a building that: ? Addresses the physical relationship of the occupant to the internal and external environments; ? Has a structural system that effectively transfers all loads from roof to foundation, from the outermost elements of the skin to the primary frame; ? Has a complete functioning boundary whose layers and parts competently address issues of light control, thermal comfort, moisture control, and movement of air; ? Accommodates the equipment and spatial demands of the following systems: lighting, power, water, and circulation systems; ? Addresses all primary issues concerning the life safety of its occupants; and ? Whose documentation demonstrates the above.

Readings

Architect?s Studio Companion, 3rd Edition; Allen & Iano Building Construction Illustrated, 3rd Edition; Ching & Adams International Building Code Architects Handbook of Formulas, Tables, & Mathematical Calculations Construction Materials-Types, Uses, and Applications, 2nd Edition; Hornbostel In Detail Building Skins-Concepts, Layers, Materials; Schittich (Editor) In Detail Masonry Construction Manual In Detail Glass Construction Manual In Detail Steel Construction Manual In Detail Concrete Construction Manual Detail Magazine There are many institutions, building and trade associations, and product manufacturers that maintain references online.