From Concept to Construction, 7.5 hp

Contents

The first part of the course focuses on the design process from concept to a detailed proposal based on a specific context and the second part focuses on physically implementing the elaborated proposal through 1:1 construction. 

The initial design phase includes site visits and analysis, development of spatial concepts for specific locations, and sketching process to produce construction details. The work with design will take place both individually and in groups, and tutorials will be provided during the process. Building permit documents in the form of detailed drawings will be produced by the course participants. 

The 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.

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

Competence and skills

• develop a site-specific spatial design proposal from concept to detailed construction drawing

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

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. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

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.

The right to receive tuition including supervision only applies during the time the course instance is in progress for which the student has been registered.

Examination modes

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

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

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.

Students who have achieved a pass are not permitted to retake an examination.  
Students who do not pass an examination have the right to retake examinations. The date of the retake must be notified no later than the date of the regular examination. The first opportunity to retake an examination is to be offered no later than two months after the regular examination, but no earlier than 10 working days after students have been notified of the results of the regular examination. For examinations held in May and June, the first opportunity to retake the examination is to be offered within three months of the regular examination session. In addition, at least one further re-examination is offered within a year from the regular exam date.

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, unless there are special reasons to the contrary. 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.