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The Self-Sufficient Block: Architecture at the intersection of networks, resources, and ecology.

INTRODUCTION

“Is architecture an iconic or systemic activity?; Rather than being a client node in a network, architecture is an entity that tends towards the connected self sufficiency characteristics of natural systems; buildings as trees; cities as forests”; The construction of a dwelling, block or a city is part of the same project of multi-scalar habitability Is it possible to define a general theory of multi-scalar habitability on which we can live our lives in the decades to come?

The studio will be situated in Barcelona, Spain. It will be working in collaboration with IAAC (Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia) and the City of Barcelona’s Office of Urbanism to explore notions for ‘self sufficient block networks’ for the future experimentation of the city, and as a condition between conceptual and performative future design strategies.

The context for the studio will be an area in the eastern part of Barcelona traditionally known as the Poblenou Quarter, but which is now known also as 22@ - this being the urban renewal area founded upon creating diverse and mixed architectures for ‘new economy uses’ founded upon innovation, information and technological industries that can re-combine with social housing and green public amenities.
The urban context for the studio is the interpretation of the physical fabric of Cerda’s Eixample (the extension) grid for the city and the means by which it can develop, recombine, reinterpreted and refigured as a response to the new programs for 22@. The rigor of the Barcelona grid provides a dynamic, complex and fascinating urban framework and constraint for the design agenda of the studio, offering possibilities for new multi-scalar ‘mega-blocks’, as well as interesting geometric underlays that arise from the palimpsest of historical layers of construction and geography. The 22@ plan deploys a variable density and open space strategy to encourage a progressive transformation of the area.

The primary concept of ‘self sufficiency’ is to be explored as an essential strategy in progressively addressing the future environmental, resource, network and information needs for the new urban development. As an example, ‘self sufficient’ new buildings will be mandatory in Europe from 2020. Although the concept is aligned to ‘urban sustainability’, the studio is interested in exploring new conceptual propositions together with performative metrics that set the path towards new urban futures, in general and in association with specificity of the Barcelona context. In such a situation the studio will explore, through research and design, the formal and systemic designs for the self-sufficient urban block typology predicated upon geographic, economic, ecological, informational, and biological paradigms. In particular there is an opportunity to rethink the urban block typology through notions of energy, resource and material flows / metabolism. The studio will also test out notions of the collective ‘mega blocks’ as a response to urban ecology and the smart sharing / trading of programs and resources.

DESIGN AGENDA

The studio will be broad and discursive in researching and understanding the scope of issues, while also engaging strategic design thinking as a methodology to generate concepts and design strategies that pose alternative urbanistic scenarios for the city. A key component to all the work of the studio will be speculation on the role and form of architecture as a change agent of a broader eco and metabolic system, resulting in innovation design propositions, figurations and metrics.

The studio will broadly operate in 2 sections: PRE spring break - and POST-spring break. A studio trip to Barcelona is planned over the spring break to attend a collaborative workshop with IAAC and the City of Barcelona. (see below).

The first (PRE) part of the studio will lay down a comprehensive research-based foundation for the design work to follow. A: The research agenda will investigate; Barcelona and the complexities of the grid typology as a site for the studio; conceptual notions around a set of environmental and metabolic systems relating to the notion of urban ‘self sufficiency’; local data and information relating to the local conditions of area 22@. B; the studio will develop metrics for the eco-logics of the design project as a foundation for: C; model based conceptual design strategies for a series of urban grid sites within the 22@ development area, together with negotiations between students over mega scale strategies, smart sharing and ‘trading’ options.

The second (POST) part of the studio will further develop specific design projects as reflection of the studio trip through a series of site specific architectural propositions and design interventions. These will be in compliance with the development rules of 22@ while also springing from the particular conceptual ideas of the PRE stage of the studio. Students will be expected to test and simulate the performative systems of the work, while also articulating the relationship between formal, spatial and organizational ideas for the urban grid typology.

It is expected that the studio will produce a publication of the work - and the final review may take the form of a small exhibition.

STUDIO TRIP

The studio will undertake a field trip to Barcelona over MIT’s spring break. The dates for travel are expected to be approximately March 22-28. All students in the studio are expected to attend a multi-day design workshop that will be in collaboration with faculty students at IAAC, and with the City of Barcelona. The trip will also survey the site conditions and visit other significant works of architecture and art in the City.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Students are expected to make a continuing and positive contribution to the culture and discourse of the studio, which will be taken into account in the evaluation of grade for the studio. The evaluation of performance in the studio will be divided between major assignments during the studio – and the capability to develop, present and discuss a comprehensive body of work at the final review. Generally 50% of the grade will be for assignments and exercises during the course of the studio- and 50% assessed on work at the conclusion of the studio. However, students must understand that these two elements are interwoven and so the final grade will also be a comprehensive evaluation of the work of the student during the whole semester leading to a final project. Students will also be issued with advisory comments on their progress and development at or around the ‘mid-term review’ stage of the studio (likely in the second half of the semester).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The ability to research, conceptualize, develop, represent and communicate a complex architectural project. To theorize and evaluate strategies, and to be able to translate these into physical and formal design organizations. To understand the complexities in designing with an existing urban fabric, and to integrate concepts relating to urban ecology and sustainability. To develop macro and micro scaled design concepts that are fully integrated and related through the design project. To deploy a variety of 2d and 3d media, techniques and simulations in support of the goals of the design project.

STUDIO CULTURE

A positive, active and lively culture in the studio is important and therefore regular attendance in the studio is required, and participation in the discourse of the studio is essential. It is expected that all students will work in the studio at all times. Students must commit to the incremental development and iteration of their work on a regular basis (i.e. daily). The project work calls for a high level of collaborative discussion and problem solving whether working on individual projects or on a team basis. Absences from studio for medical reasons must be notified to the instructor or TA in advance. The cost of travel and accommodation for the studio trip will be funded through MIT or the partner collaboration in Barcelona. Students will be expected to pay for their regular daily living expenses. All students must possess the required passport and visa documents where appropriate.