AR-519 / 4 credits

Teacher: Nichols Sarah

Language: English

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

Remark: Inscription faite par la section


Summary

This course examines how conceptions of building materials are shaped, how they entangle with their use in architecture, and what happens when materials come together in buildings. Guided research projects will be supported by both theoretical and practical course content.

Content

Learning Outcomes

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

  • Explore the agency of different materials and the ramifications of using them in their design
  • Conduct guided research on an aspect of materiality
  • Use architectural tools to depict research findings
  • Interpret a building's joints or details in terms of priorities for construction and what this means for the life of the building and its eventual disassembly

Transversal skills

  • Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
  • Take account of the social and human dimensions of the engineering profession.
  • Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.

Assessment methods

Performance in the course is continually assessed on the basis of two group projects and whether participation in discussion demonstrates comprehension and critical analysis of the readings and input presentations.

Discussion participation 20%

Unbuilding project, group project + oral discussion 20%

Research project, group project + individual justification statement 60%

Supervision

Office hours Yes
Assistants Yes
Forum No

In the programs

  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
  • Subject examined: UE M : Constructing materials
  • Lecture: 3 Hour(s) per week x 12 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 12 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
  • Subject examined: UE M : Constructing materials
  • Lecture: 3 Hour(s) per week x 12 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 12 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
  • Subject examined: UE M : Constructing materials
  • Lecture: 3 Hour(s) per week x 12 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 12 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

Related courses

Results from graphsearch.epfl.ch.