Architecture Project 3:2, 5 Credits

Contents

The course introduces students to the concept of incremental design and explores how it can be applied at various architectural scales, from urban fabric scale to the detailed material scale. The main aim of exploring the process of incremental design is to gain an understanding of how to produce maximum benefits with minimum resources.
 
The course examines how the existing context can be seen as a resource that includes community structures, social sustainability, locally available materials, local tectonics, local expertise and programmatic elements. These elements will be developed and supplemented where necessary to produce strategies for possible interventions to both the urban scale and the building scale.

Expected learning outcomes

Upon sucessful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• Identify existing resources within a given context and develop innovative architectural strategies based on these resources.
• Analyse and discuss the concept of incremental design in relation to participatory development strategies.
• Identify and critically assess the different resources affecting various architectural scales.

Form of instruction

The teaching consists of  lectures, seminars and case studies, as well as individual and group project assignments consisting of analytical exercises, practical exercises, individual tutorials and group discussions.

Examination modes

Examinations of this course will be written and oral assignments supported by diagrams models and other relevant visual material prepared individually or  in groups. The outcomes will be assessed through tutorials and through compulsory assignments and evaluation of the documentation of the own work process and results.
 
The grades Pass (G) and Fail (U) are used. To pass the course, all examinations and mandatory modules need to be completed and assigned a pass grade. To pass requires attendance at tutorials, seminars, field studies and a Pass grade on the oral, written and design assessments.

Students who fail an examination may retake that examination. A student who has failed two consecutive examinations has the right to get another examiner, unless specific reasons arise (HF Ch. 6 § 22). Requests for another examiner are submitted in written form to the programme co-ordinator.

Complementary Assignment
A student who does not meet the requirements to pass an examination can, if decided by the course responsible, be given a complementary assignment to reach the requirements to pass the examination. The complementary assignment should be individually modified to the specific requirements that the student has failed to reach. The examiner decides the deadline for when the complementary assignment should be finished.

Academic Credit Transfer
Students have the right to request that previous studies, or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired in a professional, work-related capacity, be validated and transferred into credits on an equivalent course or programme at Umeå University. Applications for credit transfer should be addressed to Student Services/Degree Evaluation Office. More information can be found at the Umeå University student web site (www.student.umu.se/english) and in Chapter 6 of the Higher Education Ordinance. Appeals may be made to the Higher Education Appeals Board (ÖNH) against a decision by the university not to approve an application for credit transfer (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 12), even in cases where only a part of the application has been rejected.

Other regulations

This course may not be used towards a degree, in whole or in part, simultaneously with another course of similar content. If in doubt, consult the study counselor at Umeå School of Architecture.

Reexaminations based on the same curriculum are guaranteed within two years after the first course registration.