From Private to Public

Project 1: Towards an Architecture of Privacy, with Community

Architecture has always addressed the principle of "refuge", - the act of shelter and protection. A first act of privacy could be seen as one of defense, - a protection from the outer world, but as tastes refined it also came to mean a sense of sensory protection, particularly from visual intrusion.

Historically, however, architecture was often about "bigness", expressing power and defense. With a wider mandate for architecture, less wealthy clients, restrictions on space, while at the same time seeking more choices, attention has turned to the architecture of small place. Society, particularly in cities, has moved to the issues of increased grouping, providing walking distance neighborhoods served by local facilities, and within proximity of public transport. All this leads to the first work where we are going to design an alley house.

In this first work, we are going to design an "alley house". This will be a small scale work of architecture taking the end garden of an existing house. Our aim is to design a delightful small home, with a good sense of space and light, and meeting a variety of needs of differing clients, - granny house, live/work space, rental unit, downsizing, etc. It will be our intention to explore this architecture, and its spatial and material qualities, in some detail. The house will also collect energy and recycle water.

Firstly, however, we will explore ways to survey an alley district to determine its distinct characteristics, visual qualities, figure/ground, and modes of construction. We will also develop a strategy for the design of the neighborhood, aimed to increase density while improving the local economy, and quality of life of residents.

Timetable

Week 1: group district surveys, black and white photography, perspectives, scale analysis, space, styles, historic development, construction, figure ground, activity patterns, and landscape.

Week 2: Continue survey and analysis. Neighborhood design: activity patterns related to transit, other forms of movement, and connection to neighborhood facilities and city.

Form and type of architecture infill, and potential location. Proposal and placement of neighborhood facilities, amenities, and landscape. Opportunities for locally based water and energy systems.

This work will be undertaken in small groups with proposals and production drawings and model of neighborhood design for review.

Weeks 3 & 4: Produce schematic designs, leading to a preferred design for an alley house that meets the needs of a defined client. Work to be explored through model, perspective, and section, as well as plan.

Week 5 & 6: Develop preferred design towards final review. Study of construction and materials is introduced, plus senses of light, privacy, and sustainable technology (the unit will aim to be partially self-sufficient). Work presented with site and detailed model, plan, section, and perspectives.

Project 2: Towards the "Public" in Architecture

Architecture needs to adopt an increased public presence, particularly in the heart of cities. Architecture becomes an expression of an age, a culture, and region. It should also be a democratic architecture, open and inviting to all. It is a place that forms an identity in the city, an expression of the culture of architecture, and a point of contact between people, and is therefore a landscape.

Cities are also beginning to communicate an increased sense of themselves, by relating key aspects of their history, culture, and creativity, with a mix of media, gallery, and information experiences. Historically, whether exhibit space, library, or auditorium, their architecture has also established a sense of place for informal meeting, information, gossip, and lingering.

In this second work we are going to design an "Austin Center". Our aim is to design a "happening" in the central city that will represent the positive and creative qualities of the city, and in a central location. This will be both a contemporary architecture, and place. Our aim is to design a building that communicates the very essence of the city through displays, media, talks, and related information. In this regard, it has the qualities of both gallery and auditorium. It becomes an experience that adds to the attractions of the city, but is also a center of creative intelligence for a capital rich in the arts. As such, it will have ongoing exhibits and talks. It will be a meeting point where individuals and groups can stay, discuss, and participate in the life of the city.

We seek, therefore, to find an architecture that has meaning, - a reassurance that city has integrity without exclusivity, while addressing issues of contemporary architecture. It is also anticipated that it could be a place of protest, as well as harmony, yet centrally a statement of quality and appropriateness. As a public place, it also has opportunity to demonstrate an architectural response to sun, water, and earth.

Weeks 1 & 2: Site visit, and survey of adjacent area, and linkages to the city: determination of approach to the site. Consideration of building program: range of activities and their possible association, compositional studies of potential "molds" for the building(s), and relationship to streetscape. Initial consideration of technologies: their performance and aesthetic.

First review.

Weeks 3, 4, & 5: Development of schematic designs of outdoor and interior spaces, and building envelope, inquiry into technologies, and design development. Work to be explored through model, perspectives, and sections, as well as plan.

Design review.

Weeks 5, 6, & 7: Development of selected detailed studies: e.g., light; construction; materials; landscape; building services (heat, water, power); group and individual spaces; exhibit space; etc. Production of final presentation materials: narrative, plans, sections, models, perspectives, and detail studies.

(There will be an informal pre-review, to be followed by the main review in exam week.)