After successful completion of the course, students are able to...
develop innovative structural and architectural solutions. The design task demands a serious examination of the topic an practical solutions.
As long as people have been living in cities, there has also been an urge to escape from them, at least temporarily. Whether for recreation or for reasons of safety in times of pandemics - the country retreat or secondary residence has a long history.
Examples range from allotment gardens within the city to bathing huts in the suburbs, caravans and mobile homes on camping places to minimal houses or even fancy country estates that provide a place of escape, seclusion and regeneration.
During the current pandemic this trend has been further accelerated with people trying to flee the enforced confinement of the city to greener and less densely populated areas (peri-urbanization). Both principal and secondary residences in suburban or country areas have seen a surge in demand. As distance learning and home office increase, the importance of the quality of living space dominates the necessity of physical closeness to offices or schools.
However, an unmediated urban sprawl creates long-term problems, which can be observed e.g. in popular vacation areas, where the number of secondary homes (e.g. chalets) often surpasses the number of actual inhabitants by far and small cities become ghost towns during off-season.
In our design studio we will examine the potential of minimal residences for both recreation and escape and strive for a sustainable answer to the growing demand for temporary housing in both (sub-)urban and country scenarios. The goal is to find a solution that fulfills not only the basic needs of accommodation, but provides also a sense of relaxation and recovery to the residents.
While regeneration is crucial to the users, it is equally important with regard to the placing of the projects. The challenge lies in innovative and creative ideas for the use of otherwise neglected or second-best plots, e.g. suburban areas or former industrial land. By providing a concept for an eco-friendly and reusable infrastructure in combination with temporary housing, the further increase of real estate speculation should be reduced and a sustainable land use policy promoted.
After the introductory lecture each student will work on an individual project (no group work). We will define a plot of land within the outer city limits of Vienna which is accessible by public transport, so you have the possibility to visit the site personally. The design studio will be carried out via weekly online consultations (TUWEL online learning platform and Zoom). The virtual format demands a digital final presentation with 3D-Models and visualisations instead of a physical model. This project is part of the international EMAN (European Migration Architecture Network) with participants from TU Wien, TU Dresden, University of Malta and University of Sassari. Therefore the final presentation will be carried out in English language with guest critics from these universities.
Schedule
March 4 at 13:30 p.m.
live introductory lecture via Zoom. Compulsory online attendance is required.
Every Thursday at 13:30 p.m. (except holidays)
Weekly consultations.
Date of the final presentation
t.b.a.
Important design aspects to consider should include:
- Relevance to the Community
- Usability as a common good
- Sustainability concepts specific to the design
- Open structures with different possible uses
- High quality of the created spaces
- Long term considerations / repurposing / expansion
- Inclusive organisation of space
Final Presentation as a PDF Brochure which has to contain:
- Title
- Description text (Max. 1500 characters)
- Representative isometric projection (portrait format)
- 3 pictograms Design idea /architectural concept
- 3 pictograms Functions
- 3 pictograms Construction method / materials
- All relevant floor plans (ground floor with environment)
- 1 Elevation with texture and environment
- 1 Atmospheric section
- 3D Model / Visualisation
Ground Rules:
Registration:
Registration to this course only via the faculty’s Pool Application system.
We do not accept any other applications via email, phone or personally!
Compulsory attendance:
To pass the design studios, personal attendance is necessary at the introductory meeting, final presentation and at 50% of the regular consultations. Participants who do not fulfill the required attendance will automatically receive a negative evaluation without any exceptions. The reason for absence (illness etc.) is not relevant.
Always be on time:
Always be on time as you will only have a designated time slot.
Language of tuition:
International students are welcome! We will try to communicate most information in English. All participants must have good English proficiency and the final presentation (plans, project description) will be in English.
Required skills:
• Design Competence: Aesthetic skills are basic requirements
• Construction and physics: No need to be an expert but a realistic, feasible and sustainable solution must be provided
• CAD and 3D Design: Accurate 2D CAD planning is necessary. 3D design skills are beneficial.
Evaluation criteria:
Design quality, functional and structural solution, quality of the model (real or virtual),
presentation skills
