FORMspace

Form ever follows function

​ - Louis Sullivan

Coursework this semester will focus on the creation of architectural form and the relationship between form and the space that results from this act. Through this work, we will have the opportunity to explore architecture as a type of language from which we can communicate ideas about the world around us. Topics this semester will include:

• The Architectural Verb
• Architectural Binary Relationships
• Translating Language into Architectural Form
• Architecture as a Metaphorical Expression of the Client
• The Urban Museum

The subject of architectural language will be explored in two sequential and related projects. Research and work completed in the first project will be used as a topical and technical foundation in the second project for the remainder of the semester.

Proposed Projects

Architectural Design Studio

Architecturally Significant Houses

For this project, students will be developing a set of architectural drawings a historically significant house.  Students will research and analyze the work of the house’s architect as well as the design characteristics of the house itself, focusing on architectural form.  With this understanding, they will create a set of design drawings that permit detailed exploration of an architectural work, historical events and people intertwined with the work, and technical skills in architectural representation.  This process will require in-depth research, detailed inquiry, and the development of reasonable interpretations.

For students exploring architecture, this project will provide an overview of many different aspects of the profession.  We will have the opportunity to explore history, design theory and technique, as well as the various technologies and materials that make architecture possible.

Houses used for this exercise will come from a pre-selected list of homes that:

• are significant in the history of architecture
• reflect the thinking, beliefs, and technologies of their time
• were created by architects who have made or continue to make significant contributions to our built environment
• have unique characteristics of form

Students will create the following drawings as part of their effort to understand and express the work they observe:

• Concept Drawing of their Architect
• Floor Plan
• Elevation/Facade
• Interior One-Point Perspective

Advanced Architecture Studio

Binaries and Architectural Verbs

Architecture is inhabited sculpture.

​- Constantin Brancusi

Students are introduced to this project with an exploration to develop a basic understanding of the diagram.  Using the characteristics of a diagram, students will practice and develop an approach to ARCHITECTURAL diagramming.  This project will also allow students to continue developing drawing and drafting skills as well as model-building techniques for diagramming concepts.  The project objective is to teach students how words, their meanings, and relationships are used to generate useful and dynamic architectural form.

Students will create three separate products for this project:

• 24”x24” large format drawing
• 6” cube model
• Sketchup model of cube model

The drawing and model will be based on one architectural binary relationship of choice (e.g. center:margin, inside:outside, solid:void, etc.).  The drawing and model will be developed independently and will not look the same.  This will allow students to explore their selected binary in multiple ways in both 2D and 3D form.  The Sketchup model will be based on the 6” cube constructed by hand. 

House for a...

All of the people in my building are insane. The guy above me designs synthetic hairballs for ceramic cats. The lady across the hall tried to rob a department store with a pricing gun. She said, 'Give me all of the money in the vault, or I'm marking down everything in the store.'

​– Comedian Steven Wright

For this project, students will be developing a design that contributes to a unique urban community using a client who is a quirky individual living in Dallas, Texas.  Designs must respond to the needs, desires, and habits that each client has.  As an additional challenge to this project, students will also be charged with creating a sustainable urban architecture for the American home.  Using their training and knowledge from the previous project,  students will investigate ways architectural form can respond to and represent the unique individual needs of a client while contributing to the overall character of an urban neighborhood.

This project will have two different sites that will be assigned by random draw.  These sites will form two different neighborhood streets, each made up of seven individual residences.
Site 01
Location: Typical 50’x150’ lot in urban Dallas, divided into three separate zones.
 
Site 02
Location: 20’X100’ infill lot in urban Dallas, divided into three separate zones.

Students will research and learn practical applications of sustainable design through two separate methods:  techniques and strategies for passive solar design, and the Living Building Challenge. Passive strategies and the LBC sustainability standard will serve as design guides for work on this project.
 
The client for this project will be a single individual assigned by random draw.  This client will be developed around several unique personality traits, habits, or preferences.  Students will have an opportunity to expand their client’s story to customize the project and inject their own thoughts and interests.  As it is critical for the practice of architecture, students will be challenged to creatively meet the unique needs of their client in this project.

Practicum Studio

Dallas Architecture and Design Museum

The State of Texas has no museum dedicated to Architecture and Design.  While major Texas art museums have architectural and design works in their collections, there is no facility for the sole purpose of promoting and exhibiting architecture and design.  Students will design an institution of this type in Dallas located adjacent to the Downtown Arts District.  Through this project, students will explore how a museum dedicated to Architecture and Design can develop a strong public presence, communicate important/relevant issues, and raise public awareness through form, space, and function.

Project Site Location