Course: Part Time Btech Architectural Technology (Applied Design)

Course: Part time BTech Architectural Technology (Applied Design)

Subject: (CDR 400 S )

Project 1: “Skin”: the external envelope including facades, cladding, solar shading

Duration: approx. 6 weeks

INTRODUCTION

“The 'information age' has paradoxically seen the demise of the facade as an important signifier of cultural meaning. Homogeneous and minimally articulated skins have become silent and passive masks, creating anonymous and unresponsive urban environments. In contrast, the decorated facades of post-modem architecture have failed to address questions of meaning and representation in a serious and satisfactory way. Perhaps the problem is not solely one of economic constraints and misguided construction practices, but a lack of understanding and evaluation of the role of the skin, both as an architectural element, and as a social and cultural phenomenon.” Arjun Desai 1992 (1)[i]

“As the ocular centric paradigm of our relation to the world and of our concept of knowledge - the epistemological privileging of vision ~ has been revealed by philosophers, it is also important to survey critically the role of vision in relation to the other senses in our understanding and practice of the art of architecture. Architecture, as with all art, is fundamentally confronted with questions of human existence in space and time, it expresses and relates man's being in the world. Architecture is deeply engaged in the metaphysical questions of the self and the world, interiority and exteriority, time and duration, life and death. ' Juhani Pallasmaa 1995 (2)[ii]

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

This project has the following objectives:

1. To investigate a particular architectural element (The “skin”, or external envelope of buildings) by means of readings, critical research, and practical assessment
2. To apply such investigations to two problems: firstly the Media 24 / Naspers project, and secondly to redesign an external envelope that you have encountered in your workplace.
3. Through the engagements above to develop a better understanding of how architectural elements may be designed, detailed and constructed to achieve broader architectural and theoretical objectives.

THE BRIEF

The brief requires that you individually summarise your initial readings and research, followed by a design related investigation and then an office related investigation.

1. Research summary : You are required to briefly review the writings by Arjun Desai and Juhanni Pallasmaa. In a short(2 pages max) illustrated summary indicate how you think their views can assist you to design a better building envelope. Refer to at least two international buildings to illustrate your summary.
2. Media 24 / Naspers: Design related investigation: You are required to prepare a summary illustrating the technology, detailing and construction of your Media 24 / Naspers design project. Include a large scale external section or 3D. Illustrate the link between the architectural concept / intent and the resolution of the skin or external façade. Note that this may be done in groups (ie the same groups as the APD submission) but you must post the work individually.

1. Own officeproject: You are required to investigate the technology, detailing and construction of the external envelope of one building produced by your office or from your area. Select a building that has an interesting ecxternal envelope. Visit the building and write a critical review of the choices that were made when designing and detailing the building. By means of a detailed external wall section illustrate how the detailing of the building may be improved.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Interim submissions: You are required to post interim submissions as follows:

1. Research summary (max 2 pages): before 17 February 2014
2. Media 24 / Naspers summary : by 09 March 2014
3. Office related summary: by 23 March 2014

Final submission: This project must be completed and submitted before the term 1 assignment submission date (week 9: end March early april) as per the coordination program.

PROJECT OUTCOMES/ ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Projects that illustrate the following will be highly regarded:

1. an understanding of the readings and why they can assist us
2. an understanding of the construction, technology and detailing of facades
3. judgement in the application of such understanding
4. effective written and graphic communication

1

[i] (1) Desai, Arjun, Designing building skins, 1992, MIT thesis: see

[ii] (2) Pallasmaa, Juhani: The eyes of the skin, 1995:

downloadable at