ARC 320K
Design III
Instructor: Richard Swallow
Time: MWF 10:00-1:00 PM
Place: GOL 3.112, South end

Building on the basics of Design I and II and emphasizing the "synthesis of the full range of design issues" introduced in those courses, we will continue to emphasize context as a major form determinant. The context being the physical and socio-economic environment in which one builds and realizing that buildings "out of context" are just as meaningless as words out of context.

The general context for Second Year Design has been typically the city and in particular the City of Austin. We must understand the dynamics of the city as the environment in which most of us live and most of the building of architecture takes place. We study Austin because it is where we are at the moment, of course, but it is also and more importantly a very good model, being of appropriate size, having a clear and significant history, and showcasing all the contemporary problems of rapid modern growth. The city itself will be studied in more depth during the second semester in ARC 320K.

As in Design II we have continued to make the distinction between a more natural open setting and a tight urban site, as follows: (1) a park/waterside site and (2) major street site. (We have also been able to make this distinction using our own Campus as a miniature "city" and as the context for both these aspects, but this section will not be using the Campus as a site this year.)

The two projects will be "very small scale", "relatively simple building(s) no larger than 5000 SF" and will require applying "some elementary principles of building technology learned (in ARC 415K Construction I.)", and "especially (how) construction technology affects design" and is "a design generator".

"The emphasis (will) be on an integrated design process which synthesizes concerns for construction technology, climate technology, form and experimental factors, sociological and humanistic design concerns, architectural theory/ideology, and site/building relationships."

Project Number One: "A Musical Exploration & Performance Space", Bartholomew's Park, Austin, Texas
A project suggested by Peter Struble, ex-UT architecture student, musician, and designer/builder of outdoor musical instruments for children. Expect consultant support from Peter; David McCandless, architect/acoustician/educator, Dr. Nolle, UT Physics Professor Emeritus; our own Dr. Richard Cleary, architectural historian and organ aficionado; and possibly one Art Professor; and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Dept..

Project Number Two: "A Temporary, Relocatable Exhibition Structure for Musical Machines", Southwest corner of W. 26th and Guadalupe Streets, Austin, Texas
Emphasizing systems, modular construction in aluminum, adaptability to variable site conditions, demountability, transport, etc. Educational exhibtry, expression, attraction, etc.