am.phib.i.ous adj.

1. living or able to live both on land and in water; belonging to both land and water.
2. Also, amphibian. capable of operating on both land and water: amphibious vehicles.
3. of or pertaining to military operations by both land and naval forces against the same object, esp. to a military attack by troops landed by naval ships.
4. trained or organized to fight, or fighting, on both land and sea: amphibious troops.
5. combining two qualities, kinds, traits, etc.; of or having a mixed or twofold nature.

Two thirds of the world's surface is covered with water, and many major human settlements have close relationships to rivers, lakes, and oceans. Despite our civilization's history of trying to drain wet landscapes and claiming land, it is evident today that we cannot fight water. Global warming is causing the sea levels to rise, and climate patterns suggest that torrential rainfall is something we have to expect more of in the future. Floating cities and amphibious buildings offer a solution to the problem, especially for the low-lying delta regions of the world facing the greatest danger.

In this studio, we will explore how to build on and with water. At times when the availability and abundance of water fluctuates, we will look at how to capitalize on the enormous potential of such a valuable natural resource. We will investigate the connection between land and water and will explore sensitive approaches that make the most of this relationship. By occupying the water's surface, we will attempt to maximize its potential as a feasible building site.

This semester's design projects will be relatively compact in scale, with an emphasis on form, context, and efficiency, and will encourage the exploration of technology, assembly and materiality. Smaller buildings often possess a more tactile quality, resulting in architecture of a human scale with which we can react more readily. These reduced scale studies will allow the pursuit and development of an idea from early concept to the construction detail. By investigating the application of architectural concepts, technologies, and materials, design principles will be derived that can be applied to both the micro- and macro-scale.

The studio will consist of three projects, two shorter explorations and a main project, which will address different contexts and scales. Keywords for your design investigations are: amphibious, amphibian, lightweight, ephemeral, mobile, flexible, collapsible, buoyant, and floating.

Project 1: Amphibious Cooler

Project 2: Amphibious Shelter

Project 3: Amphibious Dwelling

Bibliography

The studio should maintain a library of books that are used for research during the semester. These books should be shared with classmates and you are encouraged to look at and discuss new books that other students are bringing to the studio. The following texts are general reference books that you may want to incorporate in your library:

• Allen, Edward: How Buildings Work
• Allen, Edward: The Architect's Studio Companion
• Ching, Francis: Architectural Graphics
• Ching, Francis: Building Construction Illustrated
• Ching, Francis: Form, Space, & Order
• Ramsey, Sleeper: Architectural Graphics Standards

The following books are on reserve for this course:

• Berger, Horst: Light Structures, Structures of Light: The Art and Engineering of Tensile Architecture
• Horden, Richard: Light Tech: Towards a Light Architecture
• Horden, Richard: Richard Horden : Architecture and Teaching : Buildings, Projects, Microarchitecture Workshops
• Kronenburg, Robert: Flexible: Architecture that Responds to Change
• Kronenburg, Robert: Houses in Motion: The Genesis, History, and Development of the Portable Building
• Kronenburg, Robert: Portable Architecture
• Kronenburg, Robert: Spirit of the Machine: Technology as an Inspiration in Architectural Design
• Kronenburg, Robert: Transportable Environments 2
• Kronenburg, Robert: Transportable Environments 3

Materials

For those of you new to the program, the following list includes the essentials you need to start your career in architecture:

• 42" Mayline parallel bar
• Roll of tracing paper
• Roll of vellum
• Roll of drafting tape
• Drafting brush
• Scissors
• Triangular architect's scale ruler
• 14" 30^0/60^0 triangle
• 10" adjustable triangle
• Circle template
• Compass with arm extension
• Ebony sketching pencils
• Pencil sharpener
• Lead holders
• Graphite drafting leads: H, 2H, 4H, 2B
• Erasing shield
• Kneadable eraser
• Vinyl block eraser
• 36" metal cutting ruler with cork backing
• Cutting mat
• Exacto knife and blades
• Box of clear plastic head pushpins
• Binder clips
• 16' measuring tape
• Box of color pencils
• Sketchbook (approx. 8"x11" with white pages)

Art/Architecture Stores: University Co-op, Miller's Blue Print, Asel's Art Supply

Grading Policy

Establishing grades for projects of a creative nature is a more complex matter than grading in other academic areas. 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 (the ideas and understanding of the project at hand, 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.

Grading Criteria

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.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is mandatory. Participation is expected. Students with three (3) unexcused absences may be dropped from the course without further notice. The minimum penalty for more than three unexcused absences is a full letter drop in your final grade for the course. Please contact the instructor prior to class if you expect to be late or miss class.

A student who misses classes or other required activities for the observance of a religious holy day should inform the instructor as far in advance of the absence as possible, so that arrangements can be made to complete an assignment within a reasonable time after the absence. A student who fails to complete missed work within the time allowed will be subject to the normal academic penalties.

Students with Disabilities

Please notify your instructor of any adaptation you may require to accommodate a specific physical need. You will be requested to provide documentation to the Dean of Students' Office, in order that the most appropriate accommodations can be determined. Specialized services are available on campus through the Services for Students with Disabilities, also found via the web at http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/ssd/.

Studio Safety and Security

The studio is an exceptional learning environment. Since it is a place for all, it necessitates the careful attention to the needs of everyone in it. Please see your instructor if there are any problems (music, visual pollution) that you are unable to resolve on your own. All spraying of fixative, spray paint or any other substance should be done in the shop. Security is a necessary component for a studio that is accessible to you and your colleagues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please be mindful not to admit any uninvited visitors and keep all exterior doors locked after hours. Be smart. Be safe.