Duration
10h Th, 40h Pr, 1d FW, 35h Proj.
Number of credits
| Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Architectural Engineering | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
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
The course addresses the fundamentals of architectural composition, particularly through its graphic aspects.
As a first step, the student practices the various tools of graphic expression (freehand drawing, prototyping and models). This way, he/she acquires the analytical view essential to the iterative composition of the architectural project, in terms of its symbolic, formal, functional or structural dimensions. The student also develops his/her skills in terms of communication and defense (graphic and verbal) of his/her ideas.
As a second step, the student engages, through a few simple projects, in a structured but creative and autonomous approach enabling him/her to progressively acquire the fundamentals of any architectural composition (architectonic, spatiality, materiality and texture; light, paths, link to the "simplified world" and to the program, ...).
Through several concrete architectural projects that he/she is asked to analyze, as well as several excursions and study tours, the student finally sharpens his/her reflexive and critical approach of the built environment and enriches his/her architectural culture.
This course is the essential prerequisite to any architectural studios taught throughout the curriculum of an architectural and civil engineer.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of this course, the student will be able:
- to master the basic vocabulary and grammar typical to architectural composition and essential as necessary tools for the analysis and then the production of architectural artifacts;
- to better look at, observe and perceive architecture and its different aspects (visual - via the perception of space and the third dimension, the sense of perspective, scale, proportions - but also haptic or kinesthetic );
- to develop his/her sensitivity and creativity, through a personal approach underpinned by an analytical, synthetic, reflexive and critical mind, as well as rigorous mind curious of all architectural knowledge and its transposition to the sensible;
- to express him/herself, justifying his/her ideas and their materialization in relation to a coherent design process, and convincingly transmitting the stakes and strengths of his/her approach and project.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The proposed theoretical sessions nurture open debates in which students take a proactive role. Everyone is then invited to compose, either alone or in small groups, his/her proposal of architectural artifact in response to specific statements.
The student discusses and defends his/her choices in front of his/her peers and supervisors, who suggest constructive ways to improve the project. The supervision mode and the possibility of individualized follow-up encourage an iterative and co-constructed learning approach. Most of the work will be carried out on a face-to-face basis. Participation to practical sessions is mandatory and opens access to the evaluation.
Several mandatory visits to exemplary buildings in rural or urban environments are organized during the year (if sanitary situation allows it). In particular, a first "architectural visit" is organized by the pedagogical team during the first term (duration: 1 day), and a second "architectural trip" is organized during the second term (duration: between 3 and 5 days).
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Face-to-face teaching.
The workshops are organized in the drawing room, Building B52 floor 0, Sart-Tilman Campus.
Recommended or required readings
Francis D.K. Ching, "Architecture: Form, Space and Order": basic grammar and vocabulary of architectural composition
Francis D.K. Ching, "Architectural Graphics": an Illustrated introduction to the basic concepts of communication for architectural projects
Francis D.K. Ching and P. Jurosezk, "Architectural Design Drawing": illustration of the main tools design drawing methods
Jean-Paul Jungmann, "Shadows and Lights"
Alexander Schilling, "Basics - Architectural Models": illustration of the main tools and methods of making models
The consultation of architectural journals is also essential to the acquisition of pedagogical objectives, as well as any participation to architectural visits, conferences or exhibitions.
To have access to the final evaluation, the student must have been present at the studio sessions and have done all of his / her work on time. Without valid proof of absence, the teaching staff reserves the right to refuse access to the final assessment.
The evaluation will cover work done during the year (in paper or digital format) as well as the projects defenses conducted in front of juries, including the final examination defense. The juries, during these defenses, will be composed of faculty supervisors and external professional experts. Their deliberation is sovereign.
The faculty and the members of the juries evaluate the adequacy of the student's proposal in regard of the question asked; the coherence of the discourse given the constraints of the program; the conceptual, technical and formal mastery implemented to express the architectural artifact as well as the quality and attention to detail provided by the student in regard of his/her graphic and verbal communication of ideas.
The weighting of the scores obtained for projects and defenses will depend on the level of difficulty of each exercise and the overall evolution curve of the whole class group.
The examination concerns the graphic and verbal presentation of a project elaborated during the quarter, usually during the last sessions of the course. If the student obtains a grade of less than 10/20 for the quarter, and if he / she has regularly participated to the studio sessions and regularly returned his / her work, he / she will be allowed to rework the last design project and represent it to the next session. The rating obtained at this second session will replace the previous rating for this project in the overall weighting.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Catherine Elsen, Professor.
catherine.elsen@uliege.be
Simon Baudru, assistant.
sbaudru@uliege.be