MATERIAL LIMITS: METALAND WOOD IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
Undergraduate Architecture Design Workshop
BDA Workshop 3250- Section 02, 4 Credits
Spring 2013
Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:30 to 5:30
Instructors:
Colin Oglesbay
Tom Westbrook
Course Description
In the Theory of FormsPlato granted more significance to the Ideathan the object when he asked “What is Chair?”. This question has fueled an architectural agenda driven by representation for 2,000 years. However, designers today are beginning to reject this assertion of form over material by asking how materiality can inform and even guide design. Material design requires more than intellectual research; it demands interaction to explore the limits and boundaries of its creative potential.
This course will teach students how to engage design as a natural extension of craft and fabrication. Beginning with basic research about material extraction and manufacturing, students will gain an understanding of specific material properties that can be fostered with “hands on” processes, both historical and technological. From hand planes and chisels to laser cutting students will learn important modes of working materials and be asked to explore how these tools, materials and processes can help mold material into design.
Assignments
6 Projects:
- Wood: Material Research: Group Presentation10% of Final Grade
- Craft: Wood Timber Carving Intro10% of Final Grade
- Fabrication: Laser Cutting & Engineered Lumbers
- Digital Presentation Report30% of Final Grade
- Metals: Material Research: Solo Report10% of Final Grade
- Craft: Hinges, Latches & Fasteners
Digital Presentation Report30% of Final Grade
- Fabrication: Rapid Prototyping: Alloys
- Digital Presentation Report10% of Final Grade
Schedule
WEEK 0NE|JANUARY 22 & 24
- Introduction to Material Ideas Lecture
- Group Assignment: Material Research in Wood
- From Propagation of Lumber to Harvesting
- Lumber Harvesting & Milling Processes
- Wood Material Technologies & Uses
WEEKEND TRIP|JANUARY 25,26,27
- Voyage to the North Shore and North House Folk School in Grand Marais
- Introduction to Historical Methods
- Preparing Timbers: Hand Planing, Squaring, Marking and Measuring
- Joints & Drills, Saws and Chisels
WEEK TWO|JANUARY 29 & 31
Tuesday: Presentation Preparation
Thursday: Presentations on Material Research Topics
-Joint Design Handout
WEEK THREE|FEBRUARY 5 & 7
Tuesday: Rhino Demo, and Digital Fabrication Lecture
- Begin Design
Thursday: Critique & Workshop Time: Digifab Wood Design
WEEK FIVE|FEBRUARY 12 & 14
Tuesday: Fabrication of Prototypes
Thursday: Fabrication of Prototypes
WEEK SIX|FEBRUARY 19 & 21
Tuesday: Fabrication of Prototypes
Thursday: Studio pin up and inter-class review
WEEK SEVEN|FEBRUARY 26 & 28
Tuesday: Digital Production
Thursday: Developing the proper joinery: Shop Drawings
WEEK EIGHT|MARCH 5 & 7
Tuesday: Shop Production
Thursday: Assembly and Recording
WEEK NINE|MARCH 12 & 14
Tuesday: Shop Production
- Assembly and Recording
Thursday: MIDTERM REVIEW: PIN UP FOR DIGIFAB WOOD
- Hand Out Individual Research Assignments: Metal
SPRING BREAK|MARCH 19 & 21
WEEK TEN|MARCH 26 & 28
Tuesday: Digital Fabrication Methods in Metal: CNC Metal Demo
Thursday: Digifab File Prep.
WEEK ELEVEN|APRIL 2 & 4
Tuesday: Digifab File Prep
Thursday: Digifab Metal File Upload
SATURDAY METAL WORKSHOP|APRIL 6
All day work shop at Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center 9AM-5PM
WEEK TWELVE|APRIL 9 & 10
Tuesday: Introduction to Historical Methods in Metal
Handout assignment
Thursday: Drawing & Design of Hinges, Fasteners & Latches
WEEK THIRTEEN|APRIL 16 & 18
Tuesday: Critique and Shop Time
Thursday: Critique and Shop Time
WEEK FOURTEEN|APRIL 23 & 25
Tuesday: Critique and Shop Time
Thursday: Critique and Shop Time
WEEK FIFTEEN|APRIL 30 & MAY 2
Tuesday: Critique and Shop Time
Thursday: Critique and Shop Time
WEEK SIXTEEN|MAY 7 & 9
Tuesday: documentation
Thursday: FINAL REVIEW