ARCH4131C Visual Narrative and Methods

Target Students BSSc4

Course Term 2

Course Type Electives

Teacher XU, Liang

Over the past two decades, there has been a surge in publishing architectural projects on digital media, as design studios recognise the efficiency of information dissemination and the opportunity to reach a broader global audience. Visual communication through photography has become a preferred mode of representation. However, the challenge lies in effectively curating and sequencing project photographs. Architects must not only select appealing views but also ensure that the chosen images collectively capture the various aspects of a design, guiding the viewer's perception and interpretation. This elective course aims to address the challenges and opportunities presented by this shift in the landscape of architectural representation.

This elective course explores the relationship between architecture, visual perception, and representation. It focuses on the study of photography and other tools for representing virtual reality. Architectural photography has often been viewed primarily as a representational tool for documentation. This course, however, takes the stance that it involves a more nuanced process of investigation and analysis. By focusing on how we see and perceive the built environment, the course aims to equip students with the skills to create, select, and organise visual materials to communicate design ideas and navigate spatial cognition more effectively.

This course on architectural photography and representation has strong synergies with the core design studio courses in the BSSc (Architectural Studies) Programme. While design studios concentrate on the essential act of conceptualising and generating architectural proposals, this elective course equips students with vital skills and perspectives to document, communicate, and ultimately propel the design process. Students should already possess a fluent competence in using Rhino, the primary digital modelling software utilised in this elective.

ARCH4131C-course outline