Syllabus

Apart from focusing on the climatic dimension of architecture, the objective of the workshop is to find design strategies which bridge the
void between quantitative and qualitative approaches. As a result, special attention will be given to questions which in rare occasions are addressed in mainstream sustainability courses. The workshop will immerse students in the quotidian implications of sustainability, connecting everyday life to architecture, which introduces to the specialty the ethnological dimension of architecture. This question opens the experiential realm, introducing the human body in its physiological and psychological dimensions to architecture. Under this perspective, the history of architecture —which offers a rich variety of climatic and metabolic references— will be a powerful design tool.


Faculty


Projects from this course

BIOBASE(D) – Thermodynamics Fabrications

The project Biobase(d) is a forest management center situated in the Pyrenees, a mountain range in northern Spain known for its rugged terrain and extreme climate. This challenging environment calls for careful attention to thermal efficiency, as the design must address both cold temperatures and fluctuating seasonal conditions. The aim is to create a sustainable … Read more

Thermodynamic Fabrications for a CLT Factory

Project Located in Solsona, Spain, near the Centre de Ciència i Tecnologia Forestal de Catalunya. Situated at an elevation of 700 meters above sea level, the site experiences a continental hinterland climate, characterized by cold winters, hot summers, and significant temperature variations between day and night. Rainfall is moderate, with drier summers and wetter autumns. … Read more

Thermodynamic Fabrication : N.E.S.T Research Center

N.E.S.T.: A Network for Ecological and Sustainable Timber Research We were tasked with designing a Timber Research Center (+Residential units for researchers and visiting academics, designed for comfort and collaboration +shared amenities to foster a sense of community) A research and innovation facility dedicated to developing advanced timber products and technologies, with high-tech laboratories, testing … Read more

Tree Line: Thermodynamic Fabrications

Our project, titled ‘Tree Line’ is a timber saw mill, combining community with industry in the city of Solsona, Spain. The aim of this project is to bridge the gap of knowledge in the public about the milling industry, and bring people closer to the wood that is so often used. It sits within the … Read more

Sunscape Lounge: Thermodynamic Fabrications

Objective – Initially understand local climatic patterns and develop climatically-adapted design strategies.-First design step: develop interior spatial and material strategies adapted to body demands.-Second design step: learn how program can be used from a thermodynamic perspective to generate heat sources and sinks.-Thirdly, develop external massing morphological and material strategies to interact with local sun wind … Read more