ARC 310
First Year Introductory Design Studio

Instructor: Vincent Snyder
Time: MWF 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Office Hours: TTH 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Gol. 4.108, Tel. 471-5157

Course Outline: The emphasis of the course is to introduce and examine the architectural design process as an activity that synthesizes a vast array of information with the intent of generating creative architectural solutions to a specific problem. Our primary concern will be how an individual's design approach can be recognized and incorporated into such an activity while simultaneously investigating what distinguishes architectural design from other design processes.

To that end, we shall explore how space, as a primary medium of architecture, may be articulated through certain principles of form and composition and by gradually involving light, color and texture which, along with the acts of making (construction) and occupation, becomes imbued with meaning.

The recurring major pedagogical emphasis will be that the student is introduced to the two-fold understanding that: 1) Creativity occurs when previously unrelated entities are connected and synthesized to form a new hybrid and 2) Order must be firstly acquired, then adopted, perceived, selected, or created to operate as an armature which is then possible to manipulate - partially or wholly- through replication, extension, inversion, warpage, and/or permutation to generate a creative solution to the design problem at hand

. As mentioned above, design is an activity and through intense, energetic investigations and production (numerous model and drawing studies) we will pursue and discover many of the issues necessary to begin and develop your design education. Each of the exercises, as well as the major design problems, will be explained in detail as they are assigned. Moreover, each of the exercises will be manifested as a final component within a major design problem.

Schedule:

As previously stated, there will be major design problems (4) preceded by related exercises that generally vary from 1 - 3 class periods in length. Each of the major design problems will address specific concerns that will culminate an investigative period lasting approximately 3 - 5 weeks in duration. Weekly and daily schedules will be distributed to assist you in budgeting your time in an effective manner.

Design Sketchbook & Folder:

You are required to keep a Design Notebook which acts as a journal, sketchpad, and notebook to record, respectively: personal thoughts relative to design and specific design problems, to initiate, study, develop and resolve design problems and solutions, and to document all design lectures and concepts outlined in this course. The Folder is to contain all printed material distributed in this course throughout the semester. Both the sketchbook & folder will be reviewed periodically and at the end of the semester.

Materials:

In addition to the equipment and materials listed for ARC 311K, you will need an Exacto saw and mitre box, white glue, Scotch tape-clear. Specific materials will be determined with each assignment but you will probably need: an assortment of basswood (not balsa) sticks and sheets, and paper (construction, card stock) and paper boards (chipboard, Strathmore, Bristol board, cardboard, Fomecor). Look at these materials in the various stores while initially shopping for other items.

Basis of Evaluation: Grading Criteria

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 broader, more subjective sets of issues. The criteria for establishing a grade for each project are as follows:

A: Outstanding Work
Project must be complete at all levels - i.e., concept, process, product. Each of these levels must surpass expectations for Design I work in terms of inventiveness, appropriateness, graphic ability, precision, and personal advancement.

B: Good Work
Project must be complete at all levels. Each level is done thoroughly, is well researched, and diligently pursued, and successfully completed. This is expected performance for Design I work.

C: Average Work
Not all levels (concept, process, product, integration of building systems) are developed equally. For example, a brilliant concept and a casual product, or weak idea, an indifferent development and a good end result will get a C grade.

D: Not Very Good Work
Not all levels are present, some of the requested components of the projects are missing. Either care and attention are missing, or basic skills in graphics, logic, and concentration are not developed enough for the Design I level. The design skill and knowledge expected of the Design I level has not been demonstrated.

F: Unacceptable Work
Extremely poor work, little effort or pursuit of an idea and/or a very poor product. Note that this grade will also be assigned when you have missed an extended amount of class time (over one week) without notifying the School of Architecture, (512) 471-1922, as to your situation.

X: (Excused Incomplete)
Can be given only for legitimate reasons of illness or family emergency. Simply not completing the work on time is not an adequate cause for assigning this symbol. It may be used only after consultation with the instructor of Assistant Dean, and with an agreement as to a new completion date. Studio work has to be completed before the second week of the next deign semester in which you wish to enroll, according to School of Architecture policy.

Other items that may affect grades, and are at the discretion of individual instructors include: attendance in the studio and at reviews (see below), and non-acceptance of late work and penalties for the same.

Grading:

The grading values for this course are described above. Please reread that entire section.

The assignments for this section will have the following weight:

Design Sketchbook & Folder: 10%
Studio exercises: 40%
Design Projects: 50%

In addition, each exercise and the design project will have the following breakdown:

Quality and maturity of thought and pursuit: 50%
Quality and integrity of product: 50%

The completed design project models must be durable and able to withstand considerable handling.

Final drawings must satisfy all requirements as outlined in the project and exercise statements.

Late Work:

Deadlines will be established for all assignments, exercises and projects. Late work will not be accepted and will constitute a failing grade for that aspect of the course.

Attendance:

Punctual and regular attendance is essential and mandatory. Students are expected to work on projects in the studio during the entire scheduled time slot. It is also required that your work for this course during non-studio hours take place in the studio rather than at home. Students with three unexcused absences during the term, or two consecutive unexcused absences, will be dropped from the course without further notice.

Acquisition of Materials:

Class time will not be used for the acquisition of materials and equipment.

Studio Rules (partial):
No smoking at any time.
No eating during studio hours.

Alcohol or drugs are not be permitted at any time and possession or use warrants immediate expulsion from the course and almost certainly from the School of Architecture.

No radios without earphones permitted at any time.