fall 2007
ARC 393/394:
Vertical Studio: A Material Exploration of Place
Instructor:
Judith Birdsong
A MATERIAL EXPLORATION OF PLACE
course description
Writing in the 19c, geologists and agriculturalists hired by the state to promote settlement in Texas argued for the desirability of the Austin area on the basis of (among other considerations) the ready availability of three primary building materials: stone, lime (for the production of cement) and clay (for the production of brick). The Colorado River and numerous fissure springs further ensured an ample supply of potable water and provided the opportunity to harvest power with the construction of dams and mills. As geology has virtually everywhere, the landscape of central Texas has thus, in its role as the unwitting instrument of political, economic and architectural interests, served as progenitor of place.
Exactly how material, assembly, and light can converge to engage a critical (“intentioned”) re-presentation of place will be the focus of the semester, beginning with intense investigations of stone, brick and concrete. We will explore the latent “voice” of material, as well as processes of extraction and reconstitution/transformation, and methods of assembly in an attempt to provoke intention and direct process. The design of a small room (the “gate” to a later project) exposing the generative potential of material as form-giver will follow.
The second part of the semester will consider the interplay between material/assembly and site in the design of a small building whose program will engage the metaphysical and physical presence of water.
general
As a creative endeavor, the process of design is one of exploration rather than explication; as such, it is defined by questions, not answers. As you may know, there will be times during the semester when you will be frustrated by this lack of clarity and confused by what has been asked of you. While your instructor is here to provide guidance, ultimately the responsibility for moving beyond these crises of indecision is yours. Your classmates are often your best resource; talk to them. Above all, don’t allow your work to suffer from inaction. Remember: if a shark stops moving, it dies.
Our school has developed a Studio Culture Policy that can be found at http://soa.utexas.edu/architecture/culture.
attendance
Attendance is mandatory. If unusual circumstances force you to miss class, it is your responsibility to find out what has been missed or assigned and make up the work. More than three unexplained absences may constitute failure or forced withdrawal from class.
Religious holy days occasionally conflict with class and examination schedules. If you miss an examination, work assignment, or other project due to the observance of a religious holy day you will be given an opportunity to complete the work missed within a reasonable time after the absence. It is the policy of The University of Texas at Austin that you notify each of your instructors at least 14 days prior to the classes scheduled on dates you will be absent to observe a religious holy day.
grading
Establishing grades for projects of a creative nature is not as straightforward as grading in other, more objectively-based disciplines. While each project contains certain quantifiable elements by which it may be evaluated, a significant portion of each grade is derived from a broader, more subjective set of issues.
Grading for studio courses is broken into three components for each given mark:
1/3 grasp (ideas combined with an appropriate process of inquiry),
1/3 process (the consistent and rigorous development and testing of ideas) and
1/3 resolution (the demonstration of competence, completeness, and finesse through representation).
Your work will be evaluated on its rigor and evolution over the semester.
grade descriptions
A : excellent work
Project surpasses expectations in terms of inventiveness, appropriateness, verbal and visual ability, conceptual rigor, craft, and personal development. Student pursues concepts and techniques above and beyond what is discussed in class. Project is complete on all levels.
B : good work
Project is thorough, well researched, diligently pursued, and successfully completed. Student pursues ideas and suggestions presented in class and puts in effort to resolve required projects. Project is complete on all levels and demonstrates potential for excellence.
C : required work
Project meets the minimum requirements. Suggestions made in class are not pursued with dedication or rigor. Project is incomplete in one or more areas.
D : poor work
Project is incomplete. Basic skills including graphic skills, model-making skills, verbal clarity or logic of presentation are not level-appropriate. Student does not demonstrate the required design skill and knowledge base.
F : unacceptable work
Project is unresolved. Minimum objectives are not met. Performance is not acceptable. Note that this grade will be assigned when you have excessive unexcused absences.
X : (excused incomplete)
Can be given only for legitimate reasons of illness or family emergency. Simply not completing work on time is not an adequate cause for assigning this evaluation. It may only be used after consultation with the Associate Deans’ offices and with an agreement as to a new completion date. Studio work must be completed before the second week of the next design semester in which you are enrolling, according to School of Architecture policy.
ALL GRADES ARE SUBJECT TO DEDUCTIONS FOR ABSENCES, LATE WORK AND LATE ARRIVALS.
university policies
Scholastic Dishonesty: The University defines academic dishonesty as cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, falsifying academic records, and any act designed to avoid participating honestly in the learning process. Scholastic dishonesty also includes, but is not limited to, providing false or misleading information to receive a postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, or other assignment, and submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor. Scholastic dishonesty damages both the student’s learning experience and readiness for the future demands of a work-career. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and / or dismissal from the University. For more information on scholastic dishonesty, please visit the Student Judicial Services website at HYPERLINK "http://www.utexas.edu/depts/dos/sjs/" http://www.utexas.edu/depts/dos/sjs/.
Students with disabilities who require special accommodations need to get a letter that documents the disability from the Services for Students with Disabilities area of the Office of the Dean of Students (471-6259 voice or 471-4641 TTY for users who are deaf or hard of hearing). This letter should be presented to the instructor in each course at the beginning of the semester and accommodations needed should be discussed at that time. Five business days before an exam the student should remind the instructor of any testing accommodations that will be needed.