ARCH5131A
Topical Studies in Design Theory - Plans Matter
Target Students BSSc 2, BSSc 3, BSSc 4, MArch 1, MArch 2
Course Term 1
Course Type Elective
Teacher(s) Nelson TAM
This course seeks to investigate the strategies employed in contemporary architecture for spatial organization, with a specific focus on their representation in floor plans. The use of plans as a medium for this study is particularly significant, as it reflects the emphasis that Le Corbusier placed on this aspect of architectural design. In his seminal work, “Towards a New Architecture”, Le Corbusier declared that "the Plan is the generator", highlighting the importance of order and intentionality in the creation of architectural space.
Through a focused study of a curated collection of plans, this course aims to establish a comprehensive body of knowledge on the strategies employed for spatial organization in architecture. Specifically, we will examine the graphic expression of spatial organization, the relationship between spatial organization and spatial quality in our chosen design cases, and the ways in which space-organizing strategies interact with other architectural aspects, such as enclosure, structure, program, and material expression.
By engaging in this rigorous analysis of spatial organization in architecture, we target to deepen our understanding of the fundamental principles that underpin successful architectural design.
