Form Studies, MSc 2 - elective courses

AR0205 - Form & Presentation  – 9 ECTS

Course contents
In this course students learn to prepare coherent architectural designs in a professional, targeted and effective manner, and to deliver relevant information using various media techniques. The first part of the course takes the form of a series of workshops wherein video, photography, presentation techniques, computer visualisation, modelling techniques and form studies provide insight into their technical applications. In the second part students apply these diverse media forms towards their own final project presentation. Students’ verbal and visual communication skills are tested via these individual presentations, which are held before course participants and teaching staff.

Study goals
This programme is designed to confront and familiarise the Masters student with various forms and combinations of imagery and transfer. The aim is to train the participants in various techniques and to coach them in the effective application of those techniques in individual presentations, making use of audiovisual, graphic and multimedia resources. In addition students are asked to become aware of the substantive qualities of their topic and are encouraged to make choices and place emphases at the level of their presentation. The technical possibilities are explored and expanded in the first part of the process by a series of exercises (2D and 3D computer visualisation, photography and video (both digital and analogue), image-processing techniques, graphic design, scale-model techniques and various drawing techniques), while insights and personal communication are enhanced in workshops (e.g. form study, presentation drawing and oral presentation). Various media are used in presenting the material. Individual communication is tested and commented upon on the basis of physical presentations for participants and teaching staff. The object of study and presentation is an architectural study product (e.g. a design, technical application or process). This project can in principle be completed at an earlier point in the course. Group sessions are conducted in English.

AR0211 -  The Bus/Tram Shelter - 6 ECTS
Assignment to design a bus/tram shelter, which should ultimately be elaborated in a 1:5 scale model.

Course Contents
The assignment to design a bus or tram shelter may be regarded as a prelude to graduation by the Master’s student. For the participants the following apply:
1. The design strategy for this assignment should aim at the systematic integration of construction, design, materialisation, detail and logistics. Given the size of the design assignment it is expected that the individual aspects will be elaborated in considerable detail.
2. The concept of ‘bus shelter’ may be interpreted by the participant in the most literal sense. In addition the concept may arouse connotations leading to a more conceptual approach towards the assignment. The interpretation of the design assignment is up to the student, but must be clearly underpinned and defensible.
3. The design is elaborated in a 1: 5 scale model and should provide an integral insight into the design decisions taken. If necessary use can be made of the CAM laboratory for the detailed 3D elaboration of specific constructional elements. The design must be shown ‘in situ’ by means of computer visualisation. The context is chosen by the student himself or herself.
4. All relevant product information, such as dimensioning, choice of materials, construction method and logistics, should be manageably set out in a clearly designed information brochure. This should provide potential users and/or producers with clear and convincing information concerning the functionality and quality of the design.

Study Goals
Design study application aimed at the development of knowledge and understanding in the fields of design, materialisation, detailing, realisation and presentation.
Education Method
Free choice exercise MSc Design study (Media)

Assessment
Assessment on the basis of process, end-result, documentation and analysis

AR0795 - ORNAMATICS - 6 ECTS
This course explores the potentials for new ways of studying, evolving and realising architectural ornaments in contemporary architectural design. Computer aided modelling and drafting protocols – in combination with new production technologies – have contributed to wholly new ways of shaping building elements. Some examples of new techniques, which have recently become very successful in building production and in architectural design education, are: 3D Rapid Prototyping; 2,5D and 3D Milling and Computer aided Shape Cutting (notably using laser and water jet modes). Such new approaches not only create new opportunities for traditional production processes (including physical modelling), they also offer new perspectives for design and manufacturing on the level of architectural components and connections.The course combines a focus on opportunities for new forms of ornamentation, with the active utilization of computer aided modelling and manufacturing techniques. The course involves the analysis of historical and contemporary types of ornament, technological premisses and aesthetic paradigms and the evolvements of proposals for ornamental building components by creating and evaluating a variety of 3D ornamental objects via physical and digital platforms (particularly using modelling+scripting protocols). Participants will work in groups, developing and concretising an ornamatic prototype, produced via digital fabrication techniques (CAM) in collaboration with industry, in principle a metalcasting manufacturing facility.

Study Goals
Creating insight and understanding concerning opportunities for contemporary ornamentation, informatics and fabrication.
- The issue of Ornamentation involves study on the level of historical architecture styles and production techniques, finding / analyzing / categorizing of typical examples, development of a critical view on aesthetics related to building components.
- The domain of Informatics involves parametric CAD modelling (including matters of mathematics / structure / order), exploration of computational developments and manipulation of variants (parametric design).
- The study of computer aided physical prototyping and fabrication involves applications of CAM techniques, CNC milling / cutting, molding, casting, vacuum forming, 3D printing, full scale production (CAMlab in conjunction with BTlab).

Education Method
Introduction and discussion of compositional themes and design issues, design coaching, group collaboration, working in fabrication laboratory (CAMlab), lectures, form studies, fabrication-specific computer aided modelling, visit to metal casting factory (to be confirmed), collaboration with industry.

Assessment
Presentation of 'ornamatic masterpiece' and designresearch report.