ARCH0540-1

Duration

24h Th, 236h Pr

Number of credits

	Master in architecture (120 ECTS)	20 crédits

Coordinator

N...

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

All year long, with partial in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The workshop from the 2nd masters finalises the architecture course. Students should design an architectural project using the skills which they have developed, taking into consideration the social framework and a wider context. The project is thus coupled with basic reflection which includes the environmental, spatial, urbanised, societal, economic, political and historical context within which the project takes shape. The final project should be chosen to address a significant question in the contemporary world, in a symbolic context.
The workshop year is generally comprised of two projects of increasing difficulty, but can be organised in a single project throughout the year, combining the successive phases of preparatory work, analysis, and specific or partial studies which develop the overall approach.
1st term project
This aims to verify students' ability to manage and produce a significant collective project, which is effectively analysed and well-structured in terms of the different aspects at play: the concept and the architectural group, functionality, organisation, structure, spatial composition, architectonic expression, basic integration of equipment, presentation and reasoning of the project. This project brings together working methods and the scale of the architectural workshop project from the 1st masters, and drives students towards becoming creatively involved and taking formal control, strengthening their intentions, affirming the positions taken and developing an explicit reasoning for the project.
2nd term project
The 2nd term project is the final project and masters project, where students must demonstrate their skills as an architect and their independence, showing they have achieved a pre-professional level in terms of elaborating and presenting their project.
Depending on the particularities and the scale of each project, teaching staff will define whether the project should be individual or collective in nature and what methods will be used to assess the individual participation of each student.
In addition to the two main projects, other pedagogical events may be interspersed through the course, such as quick isolated exercises, a workshop on a broader scale (on the European level, for example), a study trip and visits, conferences; participation in these various exercises is compulsory unless explicitly stated by the teaching staff.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

To discover the richness and complexity of architecture as it contributes to the urbanised fabric of society.
To address a variety of contexts: urban, peri-urban, suburban...
To set the architectural approach within an historical and progressive context.
To develop the ability to integrate and analyse the different parameters which form the basis of a balanced group.
To develop the ability for architectural composition and manipulation of scales on a significant-sized project, including architectural, urban and natural space.
To acquire maturity, work methodology, autonomy and the ability to undertake critical analysis which is required of a future architect.
To develop verbal, written and graphic communication skills; to learn to built a project argument; to familiarise students with the concept of a project - competition; to achieve high quality project presentations.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Generally speaking: all concepts and methods learned during earlier courses and workshops.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

- Projects are launched through an introductory presentation addressing the work site, the theme of the project and example projects.
- Preparatory work essentially involves understanding the context and the programmatic approach to be taken and is used to establish a subject for collective reflection. (communication through round table groups, audio-visual presentations or posters which will have an effect on the project objectives)
- Throughout the various projects during the year, different working formulae will be adopted: individual work, small group work and large group work, as a means of anticipating the future professional environment.
- The aim is to teach students how to behave as skilled professionals, but also to act as a cultural participant in contemporary society.

Assessment methods and criteria

Presence at and collegial participation in workshops is compulsory. Individual and/or group work will be monitored and commented upon weekly.
The progress of individual and/or group work will be subject to cumulative assessments by the workshop team, at pre-defined stages, and following set criteria: preparatory work, thematic approach, outline, draft plan, developed plan. At some stages, students will also have to fill in a self-assessment form on their work progress.
The assessment stages will be specified at the start of each project.
Division of points between the stages of the project is established by the teaching staff on a pro-rata basis depending on the length and importance of the stages. The final project is assessed by a broad jury consisting of the teaching team, other teaching staff and external experts from the professional world, from the public sector and architectural teaching; this jury will contribute 35%-50% of the total grade for the year.
Distinct assessments can take place, depending on each project, such as on particular parts of the project including expression, construction, graphic communication, supporting synopsis of the project. These possible additional assessments will be announced to the students in good time for them to prepare for them.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

workshop team leader : Aloys Beguin T 0032/(0)4/2221430 aloys.beguin@ulg.ac.be

Architecture projects 2