Spring 2019, Arch 100D – Walls and Others

This studio will design two, quick-paced “pavilion” building projects, each related in program and construction, one for the historic city of Krakow, Poland, one for an international competition project, a “Peace Pavilion” in Africa. In each project, we will focus on construction methods and detailing as the architect’s medium for exploring historical and contemporary social/cultural as well as physical architecture/ landscape contextual issues in design. We will draw upon maps, historical documents, stories and precedent architectural works as a contextual reference. We will research and develop an understanding of both traditional and contemporary methods of heavy timber construction and technical/poetic relationships of building integration with the forceful dynamics of earth and sky, human issues of identity and difference. Narrative, romance, clear-eyed discussion of historical human darkness, hope and love, considered in reference to the potential of architecture and technology to meaningfully relate to such fundamental issues, will guide design work and discussion.