architecture adaptive in extreme environments desert credits: - PDF document

SPATIAL EXPERIMENTS II course code: ASEN05 biomimetic digital architecture adaptive in extreme environments desert credits: 15 + 7.5 course coordinator: David Andreen david.andreen@arkitektur.lth.se duration: Spring 2016 grading scale: pass / fail teaching team: David Andreen, Lars-Henrik Ståhl and language of instruction: English Susanne Gosztonyi + external parallel participation in other courses: AAHN10 required. (Students without prior knowledge in lecturers, assistants and workshop parametric software should consider taking AAHN15 leaders [CreativeTools] in parallel to this course.) eligible to apply: At least three years approved full time education at university level (or a Bachelor degree) in architecture, or equivalent. David Andréen Susanne Gosztonyi Lars-Henrik Ståhl David is currently completing Susanne is working as a Lars-Henrik is professor in his doctorate at the Bartlett researcher and project mana- theorteical and applied UCL, where he explores ger in the field of Energy and aesthetics and head of architecture and its intersec- Building Design. Her department at the depart- tion with biology and compu- research focus is on Biomi- ment of architecture and built ter science. David is a lectu- metics and building envelo- environment at LTH. His rer at Lund since 2014, and pes, light tech architecture. research concerns architec- has previosuly taught at the Some of her recent activities tural theory and philosophy, Bartlett GAD programme, at Greenwich University, can be found in bionicfacades.net - a blog about and the examination of issues concerning the role and has held workshops at Smart Geometry and "Biomimetics and Energy" for Architecture. of aesthetics in contemporary society. CITA, Copenhagen. Overview and see the studio not as a collection of com- theoretical content and architectural resolution, Spatial Experiments II is a studio that explores peting, individual students, but as a group that and teamwork will help you achieve a much the intersection of architecture, digital techno- explore interesting phenomena together. stronger project in the end. The form of the logies and science (particularly biology). We teamwork and the degree of overlap is up to pursue a new digital vernacular , where archi- We hope that each year’s students will build you. tecture once again gets its form and identity on what has come before them, and that your Study trip from the local, but from an expanded, exten- work contributes to an ongoing conversation ded definition of local ranging from micro- as well as allowing you to form the beginning In February/March we will travel to Morocco as context and -climate, to network cultures and of your own professional career. part of the course. While this is not mandatory, ruptured identity topologies. students are strongly encouraged to join the Tools trip! We will explore how to create architecture Though the primary emphasis is on archite- which exploits digital design and fabrication to cure, not software or hardware, we work Literature, lectures and workshops create performative envelopes, capable of extensively with parametric design tools and A literature list will be provided, and you will be harnessing ambient energy to reduce reliance try to fabricate and test as much as we can. expected to conduct signinicant reserach into on heating and air conditionin. We seek to use Primary software is Rhino 3D and Grasshop- your individual topics. Lectures, by both internal complex but ordered form to create responsive per 3D, and we encourage any students who and external lecturers, will be provided during and adaptive buildings, and to drive new archi- wishes to take the opportunity to learn or use the course to support the student projects. tectural, cultural and aesthetic conversations. coding tools such as Processing. As part of the course will be two workshops, The studio project addresses living in extreme Deliverables and project form which are described in greater detail on a sepa- conditions, in this case desert or near-desert The primary presentation is the end of year rate board. As these are dependent on facitlities conditions in Morocco, on the boundary of review, where your project is presented in and workshop leaders which are only available Sahara. poster format. We will also expect a A3 / A4 during a short period, it may be that you should format report with a greater focus on the plan to put in additional time during these work- Pedagogy research and theory aspects of the project. shops to maximise the learning opportunity that Our pedagogy is based on the assumption that they represent. students are independent and motivated and Specific project deliverables will be your that you will bring your own agenda, interests responsibility to determine, with the input from and experience, and explore how this inter- tutors. We will however expect a thouroughly sects with the studio. presented, well designed architectural output, with a significant level of detailing and resolu- You are ultimately empowered and respon- tion. sible for defining your own project and to carry it through, and we will give you the support, You are expected/encouraged to work in pairs, input, and encouragement you need to get as the course places high demands on both there. We believe in sharing and contributing,

SPATIAL EXPERIMENTS II course code: ASEN05 BRIEF desert living The brief for the studio Spatial Experiments II will find ways of exploiting the ambient resources and programme including for example agriculture or deal with the challenges and opportunities of living climate variability to create an indoor climate other micro-industries or activities. The basis for in the desert, or similar variations of extreme suitable for human habitation, in place of a cnven- designs will be local materials, customs, traditions, climates. Your task will be to design a dwelling - a tional reliance on electricity and other external and resources - but with the ambition to exploit place for a group of people to live in - in the deserts energy sources. modern technology, knowledge and culture in ways of Morocco. We explore issues of life in extreme or which can provide significant benefits for social and hostile conditions, and seek to find identity and The dwelling may be for a single family or a group ecological sustainability. expression in the intersection of global culture and of people living in a small collective, and can vernacular context. The buildings you design will comprise a simple home or a more complex Site The project site will be in the mountain/desert regions of Morocco. The country has a population of 33 million at approximately the same area as Sweden, and large arid regions stretching between the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Sahara Desert. It has a rich architectural and cultural history, influenced by Arabic, Berber, Europeean and South-Saharan cultures. Somewhat uniquely in the region, Morocco has a strong history of indepen- dence. The climate of the region exhibits a high diurnal temperature variation of 15ºC thoughout the year, and typically the daytime temperature reaches 40ºC in the summer. The precipitation is low, particularly in the Eastern regions of the country. Local Architecture The vernacular architecture of the region is largely based on adobe or earth brick techniques, and incorporates a variety of methods for creating agreeable indoor climates, such as mashrabiyas, courtyards, wind towers and evaporative coolers. Contemporary construction is typically much less Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre well-adapted to the climate, using thin concrete Photo: Nic Lehoux Architect: DIALOG structures and replacing vernacular traditions and wisdom with inadequate modern technology, leading to disagreeable indoor climates for most, with the more prosperous relying on air-conditioning. Addressing this missed opportunity is not only a matter of technology, but of identity, desire and symbolism. In addition to the vernacular Berber heritage, the region has an abundance of Arabic architecture, exhibiting rich colours, intricate detailing and mathe- matical patterns which are well suited for the capa- bilites of digital techniques and provides a rich canvas for the architect. Technology The ambition of the studio is to explore the potential of advanced digital fabrication tools, particularly additive fabricaiton, in combination with local mate- rials and resources, and apply these to refine and extend the capabilities of the vernacular. Parametric software, such as Grasshopper 3D or scripting can help us generate complex form, which can be both functional and artistic. Programme Magnus Larsson Photo via Nomad Inception The studio embraces a fundamentally optimistic view of architecture, believing that technology, knowledge and intelligence can come together to overcome typical dicotomies, such as comfort vs sustainablitiy, technological progress vs fairnes. Rather than a critical, external viewpoint, we embrace operative optimism, beliveing that a Photograph by Jason Hawkes. Gramazio + Kohler willingness to engage and to commit is crucial for The Guelmim Technology School in Morocco. The Guelmim Technology School in Morocco. KILO Architects Photograph by Fernando Guerra. Photograph by Fernando Guerra. beneficial change. The brief programme is about living . You determine the circumstances.