Designed For Decay: Permanence, Palimpsest, Weathering

Architects do not typically think of buildings after occupancy. My position is that we can plan for fragments of a design to fail to account for climate change and show a story of a buildings transformation. The human desire is for all things to be permanent but the reality is that they can’t, what we can do is design the long beautiful life of materials and forms.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Studio - Mon, Thurs. 12:30– 6:00

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students pursue a final thesis design of a project of their own definition, as developed during the fall semester in Thesis Prep I and Thesis Prep II courses. Prerequisite: M-Arch status, ARCH 919 Studio VII: Special Topics, ARCH 926 Thesis Preparation I, and ARCH 936 Thesis Preparation II. Co-requisite: ARCH 979 Advanced Topics.

DEPARTMENT GRADING REQUIREMENTS

As stated in the Wentworth Institute of Technology catalog 2010.2011, Students in the MArch program must maintain a grade of B or higher in all required architecture courses to be in good academic standing.

COURSE GOALS AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Develop thesis prospectus into a sophisticated architectural proposal through the continiued active engagement of critical research methods established during thesis preparation.
2. Demonstrate critical thinking through advanced design methods and representation.
3. Develop projects in direct relation to explicit self-initiated design criteria.
4. Examine relevant precedents and incorporate their principle in architecture and urban design.

NAAB criteria

• A.5 Investigative Skills: Ability to gather, assess, record, apply, and comparatively evaluate relevant information within architectural coursework and design processes.
• A.7 Use of Precedents: Ability to examine and comprehend the fundamental principles present in relevant precedents and to make choices regarding the incorporation of such principles into architecture and urban design projects.
• C.8 Ordering Systems Skills: Understanding of the fundamentals of both natural and formal ordering systems and the capacity of each to inform two- and three-dimensional design.

SECONDARY ADVISORS

Each student is required to independently seek and engage a secondary advisor. This advisor may come from work, the community, or from other WIT faculty. A student may NOT solicit a secondary advisor from current group of primary advisors.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• Students are required to attend and present at reviews as specified by the instructor.
• Students are required to submit to the Thesis Abstract Book (specific parameters provided at a later date).
• Students are required to submit a Thesis Book for the library archive (specific parameters provide data later date).
• Students are required to participate in the end of the year exhibition.

GRADING CRITERIA

Students will be graded according to the degree by which course learning outcomes and course requirements as outlined above are satisfactorily met.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Your thesis is your project, you are the author and are driving the process with me as your instructor offering guidance and criticism as well as expertise where needed. The thesis is an opportunity to demonstrate your passion and interest as well as your skills through the chosen project to colleagues and future employers. As a project your thesis will combine research, design and representation – each of which will inform and inspire each other.

Instruction will include:

• Advising on your design process, content and execution of the thesis project.
• Presentations and pinups to solicit constructive criticism and to allow peer to peer learning.
• Offer insight and criticism/expertise at crucial points of the design development.
• Share readings and other sources that might be relevant to the project.

It is your responsibility to:

• Develop the project keeping different perspectives in mind.
• Attend class/studio.
• Keep defining and refining the thesis, theoretically and practically.
• Continuously document your work so it can be discussed and maintain a process log/journal that is

available at all times for review.

• Make decisions in a timely manner so your vision can actually be executed.
• Communicate with your instructor and your peers to get their feedback for your own inspiration.
• Keep looking: continue to expand your research and precedent analysis.

DELIVERABLES

Deliverables vary with each thesis topic and mission. You will be asked to produce a list of deliverables that fits the aspiration and requirements of your project.

PLANNING AND SCHEDULE

We will pursue different forms of desk crits and group crits. Pin-ups will be coordinated by your thesis advisor. Refer the course calendar below for milestone dates when planning individual and studio based scheduling.

The attached calendar notes two interim milestone reviews. Interim review one will focus on programmatic and site analysis and development. It is expected that final site analysis will be completed by this date. Interim review two will focus on design development in terms of scope, siting and program and overall design intent.