Duration
128h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in architecture, professional focus in architecture and urban planning | 10 crédits |
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This experiential design studio is part of the Master's Housing / Inhabiting studio sequence, dedicated to habitability in the broadest sense of the term. It is distinguished by the particular attention paid to the diverse ways in which spaces are invested and appropriated by those who inhabit them on a daily basis.
This studio proposes an approach to architectural design based on the exploration of lived spaces through the use of the inhabited survey, combining observation, graphic representation, photography and semi-structured interviews. This approach aims to equip students with the tools to grasp the depth and complexities of an inhabited place: the diversity of practices and representations, modes of appropriation, forms of attachment, patterns of use over time, conflicts and negotiations, as well as imaginaries, spatial qualities and overlooked needs.
The materials generated through this field investigation, once pooled, constitute resources in their own right for the development of the architectural design project, with a view to devising situated responses attentive to the social realities of the context under study. Conversely, the architectural design project serves as a means of testing and discussing the analyses produced during the investigation.
Through this articulation between field investigation and architectural design, the studio aims to raise students' awareness of the interactions between spatial arrangements and social dynamics, to develop their attentiveness to uses and users, and to encourage them to critically examine the architect's position with regard to the intended users of designed spaces.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Upon completion of this studio, students will be able to:
- Mobilise research tools drawn from the social sciences in order to document inhabited situations, analyse the data collected, and produce a synthesis that is useful for the architectural design project;
- Draw on the results of a field investigation to develop and substantiate situated architectural intervention hypotheses;
- Develop a critical understanding of the interactions between public, collective and private spaces, as well as the forms of inhabitation associated with them.
- Experience direct interaction with users and inhabitants in real-life situations;
- Further develop their spatial design skills, particularly their ability to propose an architectural response proportionate to a given situation.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
The studio requires mastery of the skills acquired through the architectural design studios undertaken during the Bachelor's programme.
The studio involves conducting observations and interviews. It therefore requires sufficient proficiency in French, both spoken and written, to enable students to carry out investigation activities, analyse the data collected, and present their findings.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course unit is based on the articulation of three complementary and inseparable components: field investigation, architectural design, and scientific literature.
The field investigation is centred on the production of an inhabited survey using drawing, photographic reporting, observation (including participant observation where appropriate), and semi-structured interviews. Its objective is to identify both the issues encountered by users of space and what matters to them, by documenting practices, representations, ways of appropriating the places studied, their spatial and material qualities, and the tensions between private, collective and public spaces. The data produced are pooled at the scale of the studio. Students are therefore required to draw not only on the results of their own investigation, but also on the entirety of the collectively generated data in order to support the development of the architectural design project.
Mandatory introductory and practical sessions on investigation methods are organised prior to the fieldwork phase. These sessions constitute an essential prerequisite for participation in the studio and for access to the assessments of the course unit. Absence from any of these sessions shall result, unless otherwise decided by the teaching staff on the basis of duly justified exceptional circumstances, in the impossibility of continuing participation in the activities associated with the course unit.
Work carried out in groups of 2 to 4 students.
The architectural design project consists of developing one or more architectural hypotheses exploring and reinterpreting the interfaces between public, collective and private spaces. This work draws on the results of the field investigation as well as on scientific literature relevant to the issue being addressed. In particular, it aims to:
- Move beyond the generally functional approach to interfaces by questioning and exploring, through design, what these spaces imply and could imply in terms of quality of inhabitation, appropriation, living together, gradations of intimacy, circulation paths, and so forth;
- Develop an intervention attentive to the characteristics of the existing situation, addressing problematic situations and revealing the potential identified through the investigation process;
- Formulate a proportionate architectural response through the mobilisation of relevant targeted interventions;
- Carefully integrate issues relating to safety, accessibility, maintenance, ergonomics, views, and so forth.
Theoretical and methodological inputs will support both the investigation process and the development of the design project. These take the form, in particular, of lectures and collective readings of scientific articles related to the field under study.
Work carried out collectively.
Beyond the pooling of investigation data, certain tasks are undertaken collectively in order to ensure the coherence and efficiency of the studio's work (graphic charter, base drawings, presentation materials, etc.). Students are required to contribute to these tasks fairly and responsibly.
In the interest of learning, attendance and active participation in all activities organised within the studio and in the field are mandatory. Students are expected to engage actively throughout all sessions, particularly by listening to presentations, participating in discussions with peers and teaching staff, and contributing to both collective and individual work activities.
Instructions regarding the work to be completed and expectations for the following session are communicated either orally during sessions or via eCampus. Each student is required to attend with the requested work completed and with the materials necessary for the planned activities. As preparation constitutes an essential condition for the proper conduct of learning activities, feedback and guidance from teaching staff cannot be guaranteed when a student fails to present the required work or the necessary material for the session concerned.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Course materials, certain data collection tools, and key reference texts will be made available through the eCampus platform.
Certain readings may be designated as compulsory within the framework of the studio. Where applicable, students will be informed at least one week before the relevant deadline.
Students are also encouraged to make active use of the Faculty library's documentary resources in order to support both their design work and their architectural culture.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Written work / report
Out-of-session test(s)
Further information:
Assessment for this course unit is organised in three stages:
- An intermediate assessment accounts for 20% of the final grade. It evaluates the fieldwork investigation and a preliminary architectural design proposal, each accounting for 10% of the final grade. These assignments are presented orally and through graphical documents, in accordance with the instructions provided by the course instructors. They are assessed by the teaching staff of the course unit.
- A final assessment of the inhabited survey ("relevé habité"), organised during the semester, accounts for 15% of the final grade. It evaluates the formalisation and presentation of the results of the field investigation. The report must be submitted via eCampus in accordance with the procedures communicated by the course instructors. It is assessed by the teaching staff of the course unit and does not include an oral presentation.
- A final assessment of the architectural design project, organised at the end of the semester, accounts for 65% of the final grade. It evaluates the quality of the architectural proposal and its articulation with the findings of the field investigation. This work is presented orally and through graphical documents, in accordance with the instructions provided by the course instructors. Assessment is carried out by a jury composed of the course instructors, other members of the Faculty and, where appropriate, external experts.
- the quality and relevance of data collection;
- the quality of the interpretation and analysis of the collected data;
- the ability to produce a structured and operational synthesis that can inform the architectural design project;
- the quality of the presentation materials;
- the quality of the oral presentation, where applicable.
- the ability to mobilise the results of the investigation in order to develop a situated and well-argued architectural reflection;
- the ability to explore and critically examine, through design, the interfaces between public, collective and private spaces;
- the relevance and coherence of the architectural proposal in relation to the issues identified;
- the ability to formulate an architectural response proportionate to the situations under study;
- the quality of the architectural proposal, particularly with regard to materiality, accessibility, maintenance, ergonomics and quality of use;
- the quality of the presentation materials and oral presentation.
- an overall grade of at least 10/20;
- and a grade of at least 10/20 for the architectural design project.
Access to the final assessments of both the inhabited survey and the architectural design project is strictly conditional upon:
- attendance at at least 80% of the sessions organised as part of the studio or, in the case of duly justified and accepted absences, attendance at at least 50% of those sessions;
- participation in the introductory and training sessions on fieldwork methods, which constitute an essential prerequisite for conducting the field investigation and developing the architectural design project;
- compliance with the submission requirements communicated by the course instructors (dates, times, formats, media and submission locations), except where a duly justified impediment exists.
- the absence of any use of generative artificial intelligence for interview transcription and report production, in order to preserve the analytical work associated with these stages;
- the submission of all raw empirical data in accordance with the instructions provided by the course instructors, including transcripts, audio recordings and photographs.
- No use may be made of generative artificial intelligence tools for the design of the architectural project or for the production of its representations. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, the generation of project ideas or concepts, design decisions, and the production of images, perspectives, renderings, sketches, diagrams, plans, or any other graphical representation of the project. Such outputs must result from the student's own work in order to ensure the acquisition and assessment of the design and representation skills targeted by the course.
- inform the course coordinator by email before the submission deadline;
- ensure that the work, in the state in which it exists at the time of the deadline, is submitted by a third party at the designated place, date and time or, failing that, submitted digitally to the course coordinator;
- submit proof of absence to both the Student Services Office and the course coordinator on the same day.
Following the final assessment, the teaching staff will prepare a report recording the evaluation of the assessment criteria. In the event of failure, this report will specify the main reasons leading to the grade awarded. Students may consult this report during the official assessment review period, in accordance with the procedures and timetable communicated by the Faculty.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
In order to better reflect the intended learning outcomes of the course unit, the architectural design project is now subject to the fail-safe mark principle. A grade below 10/20 for this component therefore prevents the course unit from being passed, regardless of the overall grade obtained.
The use of generative artificial intelligence tools, as outlined in the section "Assessment Methods and Criteria", is not permitted in this course.
The studio includes compulsory field visits. The scheduling of these visits depends partly on the availability of the users and residents encountered during the investigation and may therefore take place outside the timetable normally allocated to the course. The planned visits should not generate significant costs for students, as the study site is accessible by public transport and active travel modes from the Outremeuse campus.
The field investigation and its presentation require compliance with the ethical principles applicable to scientific research, particularly with regard to informed consent, confidentiality and respect for research participants. These principles will be specifically introduced during the course, and students are required to comply with them.
The proper functioning of the studio also relies on a collective working dynamic. Students are expected to contribute, to the best of their abilities, to the smooth running of shared activities, particularly through information sharing, participation in collective tasks and active involvement in discussions organised within the studio.
Attendance is systematically recorded. Any absence must be justified as soon as possible through the submission of appropriate supporting documentation to both the course coordinator and the Faculty Student Services Office.
Contacts
Julie Neuwels : Julie.Neuwels@uliege.be
Pierre de Wit : pdewit@uliege.be