Texts

The required text for this course is The Architect's Studio Companion by Allen and Iano.

Suggested texts are Building Construction Illustrated by Ching and Architectural Graphic Standards by Ramsey and Sleeper.

Axioms for ARC 572

There are certain guidelines under which we will operate in this studio. Their intent is to focus your efforts, make the most of our time, and facilitate your learning.

• If it's not drawn it doesn't exist - Drawing is the coin of the realm in any architecture studio. Architecture is an art that is performed at arms length through intermediaries much like film, theater, or symphonic music. The drawing is the tool through which the architect transmits information about desired outcomes. As such drawing is extremely important to the practice. However, in architecture school where we do not have the benefit of the final artifact - the building - the drawing stands in its place and takes on an even greater importance. Therefore, in desk crits and reviews, we will not be discussing what is not drawn. If it's not drawn it doesn't exist. As Michelangelo said in a note to one of his apprentices, "Draw Antonio draw. Draw and do not waste time."
• We practice in a tradition and use a language - Even though this studio focuses on technological issues and asks you to assimilate the knowledge gained in technological courses through the vehicle of architectural projects, the fundamentals learned in your first studios and drawing courses do not vanish. In fact, they are more important than ever. It is easy to be distracted by technology and create a building that is flawlessly executed that has nothing to say. Buildings speak by manipulating space and through formal ordering systems and archetypes that have accrued cultural meanings. Your work should clearly make use of these methods. Concepts such as axis, rotation, poche, figural space, repetition, rhythm, and compression should not be abandoned at this stage of your architectural education. Rather, they should be repeatedly reinforced.
  
• Embrace the technological - Having said above that it is important to remember that buildings are cultural artifacts, we must remember that they are technological artifacts as well. In fact this is the focus of the course. Rather than being hesitant to contaminate "pure" design with mere technology we will strive see technology as a source of poetry. After all, architectural ideas are only carried into the world of experience through structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and enclosure systems.
  
• It's the environment stupid - Building in such a way as to reconcile humankind with the environment is the great architectural challenge of our time. We will assume this to be true and it will inform everything we do. We will consider the embodied energy and operational energy required for our proposals. We will consider the upstream environmental impacts associated with the extraction and processing of materials for these proposals. We will also consider the downstream impacts of what happens to those materials after they are used in a building. We will emphasize passive responses to this challenge over active, technical ones.
  
• We work hard - We will work very hard. While the work will not be unreasonable, consistent effort will be required. Gazing at one's project wondering what to do next does not constitute work. (See "if it's not drawn it doesn't exist" above.) It is almost invariably true that, regardless of innate talent, the students who spend the most time at their desks working have the most successful projects at the end of the semester. As Thomas Edison said, "there is no substitute for hard work."
• Thesis is coming - If you have not already started work on your thesis you will in a matter of weeks. Accordingly, we will discuss how any architectural project can be a vehicle that allows you to explore issues in which you are interested.