Studio BA5 (Scheidegger et Keller)

AR-301(ay) / 12 credits

Teacher(s): Keller Jürg Bernhard, Scheidegger Christian Eric

Language: English

Withdrawal: It is not allowed to withdraw from this subject after the registration deadline.

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Summary

It's about space!

Content

The spaces are small, following one another in rapid sequences, shifting direction, light, views, form, furniture, and use. This is living. A rich spatial experience that goes far beyond fulfilling functional requirements and measurable parameters.

Over the course of two semesters, we explore the spatial potential of housing on an individual site. The goal is to create generous and versatile spaces within a small area. A way to respond to limited resources through spatial strategies.

We experiment with parametric tools to transform familiar rooms and apartments, explore variations, refine spatial relationships, discover geometric possibilities, and define architectural principles. Simultaneously we are using analog spatial techniques, to analyse, develop, and present the projects.

 

Exercises

Exercise 1: The room

Exercise 2: Society of rooms

Exercise 3: The house as a society of rooms

 

Teamwork

Exercise 1: Individual

Exercise 2: Individual

Exercise 3: Group of two

 

Schedule

Exercise 1: ~ 3 weeks

Exercise 2: ~ 3 weeks

Exercise 3: ~ 8 weeks

 

Tools

Parametric (Grasshopper) and analog tools

 

Assessment Criterias

Idea

Spatial resolution

Process

Presentation

 

Theory

Lectures and discussions on housing

Lectures on parametric design and tools

 

Study Trip

Fall 2025, Zurich and Bern, November 8-9, 2025

Spring, TBD

 

Lecturer

Christian Scheidegger, Jürg Keller

 

Assistant

Damian Cortés

 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Develop spatial concepts that go beyond functional and measurable parameters
  • Formalize abstract spatial ideas into tangible architectural proposals
  • Design iteratively through computational and analog methods
  • Elaborate physical and digital models to test and present design ideas

Teaching methods

Costs

Material (modelmaking): CHF 50.00

Rhino 8: free with VDI

Study trip (half fare): CHF 200.00

 

Assessment methods

Exercise 1: 20%

Exercise 2: 20%

Exercise 3: 60%

 

Supervision

Office hours Yes
Assistants Yes

Resources

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

No

Moodle Link

In the programs

  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Studio BA5 (Scheidegger et Keller)
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Project: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: mandatory
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Studio BA5 (Scheidegger et Keller)
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Project: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: mandatory
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Studio BA5 (Scheidegger et Keller)
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Project: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Studio BA5 (Scheidegger et Keller)
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Project: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: mandatory

Reference week

Monday, 8h - 12h: Project, labs, other

Monday, 13h - 18h: Project, labs, other

Tuesday, 8h - 10h: Lecture

Tuesday, 10h - 12h: Project, labs, other

Tuesday, 15h - 18h: Project, labs, other

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