Duration
40h Th
Number of credits
| Bachelor in architecture | 5 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
Contemporary architecture is being profoundly transformed by digital technologies. From Building Information Modeling (BIM) and computational design to digital fabrication and generative artificial intelligence, architects now have access to new instruments that are reshaping not only their methods of work but also the ways they conceive, collaborate on, and imagine projects. This course provides a critical introduction to these transformations by examining the principal digital tools currently shaping the architectural profession. Beyond learning about the technologies themselves, students will explore how tools influence design practices and contribute to the emergence of new forms of creativity, coordination, and architectural production.
Through theoretical lectures, contributions from practitioners, and hands-on practical work, students will investigate the technical, social, environmental, and ethical implications of digital technologies in architecture. They will be encouraged to critically examine both the promises and the limitations of these new digital environments: How can architects collaborate effectively in BIM-based workflows? What does it mean to think algorithmically? How can artificial intelligence support, transform, or sometimes constrain the design process? More broadly, the course invites students to reflect on the kind of architect they aspire to become in a context where digital technologies are increasingly pervasive and where mastering them has become a strategic challenge for the profession.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Upon completion of this course unit, students will be able to:
- Identify the main challenges and opportunities associated with digital technologies in architectural practice, and understand how tools influence design, representation, and collaboration processes.
- Distinguish between different categories of digital tools used in architectural projects and select appropriate tools for design, communication, or production purposes.
- Explain the fundamental principles of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and its role in information management and project coordination.
- Understand the challenges and opportunities of digitally mediated interdisciplinarity and collaboration in contemporary architectural projects.
- Analyze the benefits and limitations of BIM approaches with regard to sustainability, resource management, and building information traceability.
- Apply the fundamental concepts of computational thinking and parametric design in an architectural context.
- Explain the basic principles of machine learning, deep learning, and generative artificial intelligence.
- Identify the main current applications of artificial intelligence in architectural practice.
- Apply, through practical work, the concepts studied in the course by gaining introductory experience with either BIM or generative AI tools.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Previous classes must be validated :
- CCG : Image et numérique,
- Projet
- Construction
Erasmus students are welcome.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course combines six lecture sessions and four practical/tutorial sessions in order to integrate knowledge acquisition, critical reflection, and hands-on practice.
The lecture sessions introduce the main concepts, methods, and digital tools used in architecture, drawing on theoretical perspectives, case studies, and contributions from industry professionals. The practical/tutorial sessions provide students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding through direct experimentation with tools and workflows related to either Building Information Modeling (BIM) or generative artificial intelligence (AI).
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Blended learning
Further information:
The course is taught in French.
Lecture sessions are conducted entirely in person, in the lecture hall. Attendance is mandatory.
Practical sessions are offered in two alternative formats, from which students must choose:
- In-person participation, in small groups, with mandatory attendance;
- Flipped classroom format, allowing students to work independently while having the opportunity to attend dedicated question-and-answer sessions. In this case, attendance is not mandatory.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Bibliography and learning resources will be provided during the course through the eCampus platform.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Further information:
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Further information:
The course unit is assessed as follows:
- Continuous assessment based on practical assignments submitted throughout the semester;
- Written examination during the examination session.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The course combines theoretical instruction with practical experimentation. Assessment is based on two complementary components: a final examination during the examination session and the evaluation of practical assignments submitted throughout the semester.
Contacts
Aurélie de Boissieu - Enseignante coordinatrice (aurelie.deboissieu@uliege.be)