Following on the techniques and skills explored in the first semester, the second half of the year will focus on specific issues of representation, development of design and conceptual skills. We will look at precedents of modern architecture and their application and interpretation through the introduction of site constraints and integration into the urban fabric.

The course will also re-emphasize and re-examine the relationships between design decisions made in the computer and those made in sketch and diagram form. All assignments will include manual and digital components, and there will be a concerted effort to examine the role of objective drawing in the design and decision making process. Emphasis will be placed on the design process, and the student will be required to maintain a presence on a collective class blog. In addition to scanning and discussing your drawings, we will use them as a collective resource for other projects, interesting research, and as an extension of your physical sketchbooks.

In addition, we will begin to look at issues involved once time is introduced as a representational tactic. Short exercises will look at how animation and time based presentations can be an informative part of the design process.

Finally, we will continue to examine issues of graphic and information design as it is applied to the architectural practice.

SESSIONS

Course sessions will typically begin with a lecture or software tutorial followed by individual desk critique by the instructor. The emphasis of this course is framed around the understanding of the technical skills needed as a design student, the application of those skills, and the ability to comprehensively communicate your ideas. While you must learn the software to complete the design projects, your work will be evaluated on its intellectual, aesthetic qualities, and your understanding of the software.

You will complete many projects over the course of the semester. Be prepared to discuss these projects in a pinup the day that they are due. All output will be the responsibility of the student, and the instructor will expect each student to complete the assignment in the format and size specified.

ATTENDANCE

Class will meet twice times a week, on M/W, or T/F. Class attendance and completion of all assignments are mandatory. Four absences will constitute an automatic failure, three will result in a full letter grade penalty for the course, and two may result in a partial grade deduction.

GRADING

In accordance with Northeastern School of Architecture grading policy, grades will be distributed according to the scale found online here.

Assignment grade breakdown is as follows:

• A1 Ville Savoye Analysis 10%
• A2 Carpenter Center Analysis 10%
• A3 Savoye Interpretations 25%
• A4 Courtyard House Analysis 15%
• A5 Café on the Christian Science Plaza 30%
• Readings, effort, attendance and class participation 10%

RECOMMENDED TEXTS

There are several texts that are recommended for this course. The student is responsible for obtaining these books, as they will be referenced throughout the semester.

Thinking with Type Ellen Lupton

Basics: Modelbuilding Schilling

Basics: Design Ideas Bielefeld

RESOURCES

The student is responsible for completing each assignment in a timely manner and is also responsible for the output of the work and the costs involved. The instructors rely on eMail as a form of communication with the class. Important information about class events, assignment hand-ins, and general queries will be handled in this manner. As such, the student is required to check their eMail accounts at least once a day for such information. In addition, we will be using this web site to post items such as assignment PDF’s, links to readings and other items of interest. Students should be sure to keep track of information as it is posted to the site, even if it is not specifically by their instructor. You may want to subscribe to the RSS feed for the site in order to keep on top of when things are posted.

In addition to course readings, it is an essential part of this course that the you become familiar with several on-line sources for information on both computer-aided design and architecture. The internet provides many directories and resources that can both inform you and answer questions in times of need. A select few of these will be linked to on the course web site.

USE OF ONLINE RESOURCES

All research done for the course should be through the various libraries that Boston has to offer. Any research done on the internet—unless explicitly encouraged by the instructor—will not be accepted in this course. Also, Instant Messaging (IM) during class time will not be tolerated, nor will viewing any kind of media that falls outside the content of the class. This time spent in class is intensive and should be spent on class assignments. If the instructor observes any IM sessions, or the like, in class, the student will initially be warned, any further reprimand will result in a grade deduction for that particular assignment. In order to facilitate this, each session will be instructed to disable their wireless connection to the NUWave system 15 minutes into class, or after an introductory lecture.

SOFTWARE

Most of the software we will be using in class will be distributed on a DVD. The student is responsible for the purchasing the Adobe Creative Suite, and Parallels with Vista (refer to the link here). In addition, the student will need to register both with the Autodesk and Archicad student communities to gain full access to each application. You should do this during the first class of the semester.

DIGITAL STORAGE

Any information that you create on the computer is susceptible to erasure. It is therefore in the students best interest to invest in at least two methods of backup. Northeastern’s MyFiles offers 2 GB for this use. In addition, the purchase of a USB flash drive for the storage of digital files, and transfer to the printers is recommended. Image files can be large, so the more storage space on the drive, the better. Pantone offer monogramming on the drive for easy identification. iPods can also be set to operate as external drives. Information on how to do this is here.

It is also advisable to keep a backup copy of your files on a CD or DVD. Loss of information relating to a project due to lack of backup will not be considered an acceptable excuse.

PRINTING

For each assignment, you will be required to submit both paper and digital files. This course relies on a number of output options for final hand-in, but also as an ongoing requirement during the assignments.
The student is responsible for the printing of your work and the costs involved. The following are the available options for printing:

Inkjet Printers Small inkject printers are a good option for day-to-day prints. Sharing the cost of a printer with fellow classmates can be a cost-effective solution to output.

School of Architecture There are two large format plotters, and an 11 x 17 color laser in the Ruggles Studio. You may use them yourselves on a first come, first serve basis. This is the easiest and most convenient method for large scale plotting. See the instructions here for printing information.

Off-Campus Printing There are multiple off-campus printing services that will plot PDF files, such as Copy Cop, Gnomon Copy and Kinko’s. Many times these chain-service centers are open 24-hours a day, however in most cases they require a 24-hour period to process the print and are extremely expensive.

FILE NAMING

You will be required to submit files along with prints for each assignment. These files should be named as follows: assignment number-lastname.filetype (for example: 01-yourname.pdf). Files named incorrectly will not be accepted.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Northeastern University is committed to the principles of intellectual honesty and integrity. All members of the Northeastern community are expected to maintain complete honesty in all academic work, presenting only that which is their own work in tests and assignments. If you have any questions regarding proper attribution of the work of others, contact your professor prior to submitting work for evaluation. More information is available here.