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California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoCollege of Architecture & Environmental Design

Prof. Sharad Atre’

FIFTH YEAR . ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN & THESIS

COMPREHENSIVE ARCHITECTURE + URBAN DESIGN STUDIO

ARCHITECTURE AND CONTEXT

1Overview_______________________________________

Architecture informed by its Context is the emphasis of thisstudio and is influenced by the following interrelatedstatements. Within its overall framework students may find avariety of areas to suit personal interest and may select tofocus on a particular urban topic and a particular buildingtypology and may address contextual issues as related totheir projects.

Architecture / Meaningful Places & Spaces

Architecture in context is neither a cursory attention nor aradical innovation, it is a strong and eloquent visualrelationship to the surrounding. Individual building is alwaysseen first as a part of the whole.

Creating Places and Spaces that enrich the lives of thepeople who use them is the foundation of Architects work.Every building can and should engage in a dialog with thehistory, beliefs and needs of a particular place and time.

Identification of place lies as a generative core ofarchitecture. Place is to architecture as meaning is tolanguage. Recognition, memory, choice, sharing with others,the acquisition of significance; all these contribute to theprocess of architecture.Excerpts from Analysing Architecture, Simon Unwin.

Architecture & Urban Context

Architecture is the physical language of city-and community-building. The city is a living organism- with a unique cultureand a past called a “contextual history” and a future in whichnew buildings act as the threads that weave the cities livingtraditions into new and whole fabric. Architecture projectsneed to be perceived as part of implementing an urbandesign project which entails gathering insights into urbanfabric and how people use urban spaces.The role of a Designer is to work on many scales,thoughtfully designing public places and spaces, to build onthe unique local character and the best qualities of the formsinherent in that geographic region.Excerpts from Urban Design, UD Associates.

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However reluctantly, it must be admitted that many largeAmerican cities are somewhat hostile to humanity. Dueto a seeming revival of interest in the ‘quality of living’these cities are becoming better places to live in andspend time. We continue to look towards the ‘worldcities’ and their architecture for good examples, souvenircities and buildings of royalty and gracious places –urban plazas, squares and arcades , water-fountains,glimpses of history preserved, cafes open topromenades and urban parks, visual surprises andcontrived delights. Our cities should have thesepedestrian urban spaces where the quality of life in aparticular city clearly perceives the tangible andintangible elements – the power of anticipation andsurprise, the mystery, the pull of waterfront, theexcitement of arcades, the appeal of people-watching inplazas, the surfaces and objects of the city.Excerpts from Urban Spaces, David Specter

Architecture as Process

Architecture is a synthetic phenomenon encompassingall fields of human activity. It is, of course, amultidimensional, comprehensive discipline, an art anda profession, and it is a state of mind. To be animaginative and creative architect, therefore, you have toperform at many levels, some purely artistic andintellectual, others scientific – technology, structure,materials, systems – and also professional – process,ethics, business. The very nature of the art ofarchitecture is to serve humanity, it is a utilitarian art,even in its most spiritual form.Excerpt / Alvar Alto

Architecturally speaking, our physical environment isbeing increasingly designed without substantial content.The ancient notion of the unity of idea, unity of approachand unity of faith has ceased to be our premise for ourthoughts and actions. The values of the truth, the goodand the beautiful are ignored. Without this how can oneever create lasting quality of architecture, sincearchitecture is neither purely a physical, a purelyintellectual, nor a purely psychic phenomenon but acomprehensive manifestation of all three, capable ofinfluencing the lives of individuals and communities. Notoften in an architectural creation are all these aspectsunderstood and translated into a design concept and thebuilt -form conceived accordingly.Excerpt / Balkrishna Doshi

2Vision & Reality

Architects continue to be the catalyst in materializing buildingprojects and the practice of architecture continues to be ateamwork of professionals and consultants in fields rangingfrom planning, urban design, landscape architecture,engineering, building science, financing, law, real estatedevelopers. Today, the profession is very diversified andincludes architectural services that are comprehensive andthat expand beyond the traditional services offered byarchitects. These include services such as multi disciplinaryteamwork, collaborative developments, turn-key projects,partnership, venturing and design-build.,

The National Council of Architectural Registration Board(NCARB) has endorsed the concept of integrating Designand Practice as Comprehensive Architectural Serviceand has recommended that design projects in a anacademic studio address not only the traditional content offormal, theoretic and technical concerns but also addressissues, with more detail, in areas such as Practice, DesignDevelopment, Materials & Building Process, ConstructionTechnology, Sustainability, and other related aspects in thebuilding industry.

This Studio views architectural design as a form of creativeand comprehensive investigation demonstrated through arigorous process and production of architectural graphicdocumentation - informed by contextual, formal, cultural,theoretical, technological, practical and historical issues andis heavily underscored by the various phases of architecturalprocess. This pedagogical approach is the thrust of thisstudio.

The studio also addresses the needs of the profession byacknowledging the dual role of architects as ‘designers’ and‘professional practitioners’ involved in creation and executionof buildings in various settings. It recognizes that in realitythere is really no separation of these two activities and theyare integrated at all times.

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3Thesis / Project : Scope & Scale

Design Process - Self-disciplined and rigorousapproach that encompasses a wide spectrum of creativeactivities emphasizing architectural design.

Comprehensive Design, - Scope and Scale of projectsvaries depending upon the complexity; buildings withany typology preferably in an urban context, urbandesign projects that involve a small section of the city; toinclude planning and urban design study, site-feasibilitystudy, programming, synthesis, design schematics anddevelopment, material and construction technology.

Collaboration – A Collaborative Team Approach; withplanners, urban designers, landscape architects,structural engineers, building science experts,contractors, developers, etc. as necessary.

Integration of knowledge and critical thinking that hasbeen acquired cumulatively over previous four years Insubjects such as practice, building science structures,etc. into a holistic design process.

Intern Program : Students who have prior experience inan architect’s office or have participated in the S.F.Urban program are encouraged to select a topic theyare already familiar with.

Off Campus Programs : Students studying abroad mayselect a project in their host country with a uniquecultural/historic context and bring their insight andacademic experience to this studio.

4Studio Activities

Arch 492 / FallThesis

Thesis study, conducted as a seminar + activity, will be thebackground and the foundation of design project. A study ofideological, theoretical and technical basis will be used toformulate design-precepts and will include an expandednarrative on the topic and the subject matter. It will result in aformalpresentation with a thesis book supported with graphics,models and other digital media as necessary.

Arch.481:Fall/Winter/SpringDesign-ProjectDiscovery, Invention & Integration

FallDiscovery / In Search of FormAnalysis, Ideas & Concepts

Investigation and analysis of the project topic, backgroundinformation, analysis of the city, urban setting, site study andprogram.Analysis and Exploration of various design concepts, andalternatives indicating relationships between architecturalform and program, site, context, and environment. Variousapplicable case studies of the similar building typology alsowill be investigated.,The design process will be documented with sketches,drawings, parti / concept models and will be organized forpresentation at the end of the quarter.

WinterInvention/ Form DefinedSchematic Design & Integration

Synthesize selected, applicable concepts into a preliminarydesign – schemes, alternates, etc. - - that will demonstratethe Architectural Form & Meaning and its relationship tocontext, site, program, environment, technology, structure,light, acoustics, legal constraints, energy conservation,materials, and other issues relevant to the proposedbuilding. Also Preliminary study of the constructiontechnology may be undertaken.The preliminary design and schematic design developmentphase will be supported with drawings, various study modelsand will be completed for presentation.

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SpringIntegration / Form DevelopmentTectonics & Graphic Communication

This quarter students will continue to refine the -building envelope - in detail and look closely intocritical aspects such as systems integration, materialsand technology and building assembly. Also anexploration of a specific program-area w.r.t.topics such as material, lighting, acoustics, structure,interior design, systems, etc. is required. Students areencouraged to study building technology & constructionrelated topics such as scheduling, preliminaryspecification and cost estimates.Also, students will put together their final graphicdocuments resulting in a presentation that will consist ofa a revised thesis book, design-book, presentationdrawings, models, perspectives, 3D modeling andanimation and other pertinent media graphics. Theexhibition of the design work and the entire process willtake place at the end of the year. The organized processdocumentation and presentation will demonstrates howideological and aesthetic concepts have evolved into arefined design solution.

5Procedure

Selection of TopicPrior to the beginning of Fall quarter, students enrolled inthis studio are required to have selection made for thethesis topic and the project, building typology, location,possible site alternatives, and a possible client and haveit approved by the studio instructor. Please, contact theinstructor to discuss proposals, approval of the project orif you have any questions during Spring quarter.

Bibliography, recommended reading list and otherresources should be determined by each student priorto the beginning of the project.

Students will be required to conduct field trips to theproject sites, project- consultants, mentor architects andto various case-study projects as necessary throughoutthe year.

6Preplanning

Students who are further along in their preplanningduring Summer will find themselves much better off instarting the thesis and project in Fall. Therefore,students are recommended to conduct significant

preparation for the design-project and thesis during theSummer.

> Collect and review background information for the city,site and vicinity where the project is located. Informationsuch as the following will be valuable –various scale citymaps from the city planning offices, aerial photograph of thearea, drawings of the surrounding buildings, digital photos,planning reports.

> Compile bibliography and review pertinent books, ormagazines for support information.

> Visit and document the site and the context and visitprojects of similar type, collect information on casestudies that are relevant to the selected topic.

> Consult the client and seek out a practicing architect asa consultants who is willing to assist you throughout the yearwith the project during its development.

7Expectations

Most graduating students enter architectural firms asinterns and have plans to become Professional Architects.Therefore, it is assumed that students will posses thenecessary qualities that exhibit willingness to take onprofessional responsibilities, express initiative, have selfmotivation, professional standard and are willing to worktowards better solutions.

With this in mind, this studio is organized to provide astimulating place - a place with creative environment, anurturing place for exploration, a place with friendlyatmosphere and high energy - where one can self-direct hisor her work and carry it to excellence.