DesignBuild: Architecture for Resilience in Northern Climate Zones, 7.5 hp

Contents

The course provides a hands-on experience of a collective designbuild project and how decentralized infrastructures through nature-based solutions links to architectural design. Starting from the initial conceptual design work, the designs are translated into working drawings and finally built at scale 1:1. The initial design phase includes joint site visits and analysis, the development of spatial concepts for a specific location, and a joint design process to produce construction details.  Material and architectural aspects of the proposed structures will be evaluated according to their contribution to enable a higher degree of self-sufficiency for their inhabitants. Building permit documents in the form of detailed drawings will be produced by the course participants. The combined design of technical and architectural solutions will be produced in groups and construction on a 1:1 scale of one or more selected projects will be built by the course participants with support of experts.

Expected learning outcomes

For the grade Pass, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• show awareness of the design, planning and construction process in relation to nature-based solutions
• demonstrate an understanding of a specific context of decentralized infrastructure

Competence and skills

• develop a site-specific spatial design proposal from concept to detailed construction drawing
• engage in a collaborative project approach 

Judgement and approach

• select and evaluate spatial, aesthetic, technical and social aspects in the implementation of site analysis, design process and construction on a 1:1 scale

For the grade Pass with Distinction, the student should in addition be able to:

• critically evaluate and reflect on the design, planning and construction process as a whole and from an individual perspective

Required Knowledge

In addition to general entry requirements for university studies, applicants must also have completed at least 30 credits in the main field of architecture. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Form of instruction

The teaching takes place at Umeå School of Architecture with an introductory phase of lectures, workshops and site visits for site analysis and sketching process with supervision during the first weeks of the course and a final construction phase during the last weeks of the course which will be carried out partly in the workshop of Umeå School of Architecture and on site where the construction is to be built. The construction phase will be supervised and include group tutorials focusing on building techniques and specific construction details. 

Examination modes

The grade scale is Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) or Fail (U). For the grade Pass all compulsory assignments must be passed and attendance during the construction phase is required. For the grade Pass with Distinction, the student must also fulfill the expected learning outcome for the grade Pass with Distinction. 

The course is examined through an individual submission of visual material such as documentation of the work process, and participation in the construction phase.

Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaption of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaption of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaption of the examination, after which the student will be notified. 

The date of the retake must be notified no later than the date of the regular examination. The first retake will be offered no later than two months after the regular examination session, but no earlier than ten working days after students have been notified of the results of the regular examination. For regular examinations held in May or June, a first retake may be offered within three months of the regular examination session. In addition, at least one second retake (a catch-up) is offered within a year from the regular examination session. Students who have achieved a pass are not permitted to retake an examination. 

A student who has taken a regular examination and retake in a course or a part of a course without obtaining a pass grade is entitled to request the appointment of another examiner or marking teacher. Students should address any such request to the director of studies or equivalent.

Other regulations

In the event of a course syllabus being withdrawn or undergoing major changes, students are guaranteed at least three examination opportunities (including the regular examination session) in accordance with the previous course syllabus during a maximum of two years from the expiry of the course syllabus or the discontinuation of the course.