Syllabus

Overview
All accredited professional programs in architecture are accountable to a national accreditation board to meet a set of educational performance criteria required for successful entry into practice.  The first graduate design studio (Arch 553) provides each student with the opportunity to demonstrate the

"Ability to make design decisions within a complex architectural project while demonstrating broad integration and consideration of environmental stewardship, technical documentation, accessibility, site conditions, life safety, environmental systems, structural systems, and building envelope systems and assemblies.” National Architectural Accreditation Board 2014 Conditions for Accreditation, Realm C, Integrated Architectural Solutions.

This means that each student will be challenged to bring the knowledge, skills and understanding gained from all past coursework and personal/ professional experience to the development of a conceptually coherent, comprehensive, integrative, and buildable architectural design proposal.

The project for this semester is a new home for the president of the University of Idaho.  This project is under development at this time, and we will have access to information that has been generated to date.  The studio is sponsored by the Idaho Forest Products Commission, and includes a design competition and several sponsored events and activities.  The same project will be undertaken by both sections of the Arch 553.

We will follow a process similar to that used in architectural practice, and students will take on responsibilities associated with developing a project from the beginning through the design development phase. With this approach, comes the expectation that each student and the studio as a whole will to be committed to a high level of performance and collegiality.

Issues in Contemporary Practice
Most students will be enrolled in Arch 575 – Professional Practice – this semester.  There will be much discussion of what practice means and will look like in the future.  This is a much written about and speculated upon as evidenced in emerging forms of practice.  Resources such as Architecture2030 (http://www.architecture2030.com/) which sets forth a challenge for all designers, and the Sustainability Leadership Opportunity Scan, 2013 which seeks to reposition AIA’s leadership responsibilities  (http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/ pdf/aiab100278.pdf).  Leaders agree that the approach to practice requires collaboration and integrative thinking and that the challenges include responsible use of energy in building (process and product) and and informed selection of building materials, design for resilience and in support of healthy living.

Learning Outcomes
All accredited professional programs in architecture are accountable to a national accreditation board to meet a set of educational performance criteria required for successful entry into practice. Because this is the pentultimate design studio, our efforts will be very integrative in nature, and we expect that the work of each student will demonstrate an:

Ability to produce a comprehensive architectural project (based on a given outline building program and site) that includes development of programmed spaces and demonstrates an understanding of structural and environmental systems, building envelope systems, life-safety provisions, wall sections and building assemblies and the principles of sustainability.

Within this context, students will also demonstrate

• an ability to assess, select, and conceptually integrate structural systems, building envelope systems, environmental systems, life-safety systems, and building service systems into building design,
• an understanding of the basic principles and appropriate application and performance of construction materials, products, components, and assemblies, including their environmental impact and reuse,
• an understanding of the responsibility of the architect to elicit, understand, and resolve the needs of the client, owner, and user, and
• an ability to engage the environment in a way that dramatically reduces or eliminates the need for fossil fuel (2010 Imperative)

Click on NAAB Learning Outcomes for the official student performance criteria for Integrative Architectural Design. http://www.naab.org/accreditation/2014_Conditions

Methodology
The design studio is a highly interactive educational setting. It requires the full participation of students and instructors alike as we engage in the design process, including discussions, architectural analyses, critiques, field trips and other activities. The primary emphasis is on developing  an individual design proposal. There may be several group projects during the semester designed to develop shared resources and the results of these projects are critical to the success of individual proposals.

Website http://www.uidaho.edu/armpriest/DesignStudio/Arch553/index553.html
The class website is an important means of communication. The syllabus, assignments, schedule and resources will be posted, and there will be regular updates posted as needed. Plan to visit this site first if you have questions about class.

Field trips
While most classes are held in the studio or a nearby review space, there will be several field trips during the semester. Several will be scheduled during and extended class time. Transportation for these may be provided. There may also be a field trip to Seattle, and students will need to provide their own transportation and lodging; however this will be coordinated during class.

References and Studio Resources
Architecture by nature is referential: that is, it refers directly or indirectly to work that has come before. There is a vast amount of information available today, and each student will undertake to gather and study resources that will be useful in developing a design concept. As a studio, it is important to learn from each other and to share our resources and references. There are several methods we will use to facilitate this exchange.

• Each class will begin with a studio meeting. There will be a time set aside for discussion of new information and resources. Everyone is expected to contribute to these discussions.
• Copies of articles, information, analysis, etc. will be available to all members of the studio –either on the studio website or shared drive.
• Design reviews and critiques
• Informal discussions among students.
  

Books
Three reference books will be used frequently in this class:

Allen, Edward. The Architect’s Studio Companion. New York, John Wiley.
Kwok and Grondzik. The Green Studio Handbook, 2nd Ed. Elsevier Inc.
ICBO. International Building Code (IBC) 2009.

They are reference books in the UI Library. If you do not own them already, plan to purchase them for your personal library. They have been ordered at the UI bookstore or may be purchased elsewhere.

Studio Culture
The statements below describe expectations held by the instructor, and are also standard work habits in a professional setting.

• Each student is expected to conduct a rigorous investigation of alternative solutions to the design problems that arise as a result of the investigation and development of the project throughout the semester.
• Each participant is expected to make a positive and substantive contribution to the critical and intellectual life of the studio. Inherent in this is that we all demonstrate respect for the ideas and opinions and of each other.
• Each student will be prepared to discuss the work assigned for the day at the beginning of class. Work presented for review and discussion will be legible and demonstrate that new work has been developed since the previous review.
• Studio life should reflect our commitment of social, cultural and physical aspects of sustainability. This includes a we will recognition that we share a workspace, and each person works differently and need respectful of work habits and needs of classmates, and others who share the 3rd floor studios.
• Attendance (on time) at all classes, review sessions and field trips is expected, including working in studio during the full class period. If you will be absent or late, contact the instructor prior to the class meeting.
  

Evaluation Criteria
The following criteria will be used in evaluating the work accomplished for this studio during the semester:

• Design/Concept. The completeness of the design solution (including the extent to which the design response meets project criteria), clarity of expression of design concept, integration of technical, aesthetic and functional requirements.This will be assessed through design drawings, models, diagrams, etc. at various stages of development.
• Design Process. The ability to synthesize information from many sources, study a variety of design options, recycle work and continuously strengthen the design concept. This includes successful completion of all assignments. This is assessed through sketches, diagrams and daily interactions in studio.
• Representation. The clarity, completeness, craft, and composition of preliminary, intermediate and final presentations: drawings, models, computer visualization, etc.
• Oral/Written/Group Communication Skills. The ability to articulately communicate - verbally and in written form - with peers and faculty, participate in discussions, group projects, and studio life.
• Effort. The quality and quantity of time spend in studio and out, working to develop design understanding and project goals and objectives.
• Contribution to Studio Culture. See description above.

Disability Services Statement
Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability. Please notify the instructor during the first week of class of any accommodation(s) needed for the course. Late notification may mean that requested accommodations might not be available. All accommodations must be approved through Disability Support Services located in the Idaho Commons Building, Room 333.