General Course Information

The course is offered as an introduction to construction concepts, technical information and strategies, material and systems resources and professional-level understanding of the most important aspects of the making of contemporary buildings. Materials and Construction is also intended as an introduction to the historical basis and cultural context of construction technologies. While the scope of the course is broad, it is not, and could never be, a comprehensive treatment of all issues regarding the design and construction of buildings. However, the course will offer numerous strategies by which the young architectural professional may continue to augment the material presented here during further graduate studies and professional experience. It is of primary importance that the architectural professional be educated in a manner that catalyzes and facilitates future learning and research directed toward the art of invention of architectural form through an informed inquiry of the technology of buildings.

The structure of the course has been formulated to offer the student various means for gaining a holistic understanding of the numerous factors and forces that contribute to the making of buildings. Therefore, the class will be involved in a number of activities including; lectures, recitations, labs, in-class exercises and quizzes, construction site visits, completed building visits, workshop and building materials manufacturing facilities visits and other events.

It is important to note that the formulation of processes, specifications and final material configurations for elements that constitute architectural assemblies - superstructure, exterior wall and roof enclosures, interior partitions etc. - is not a predetermined process. That is, each situation that requires architectural design is an autonomous and unique situation demanding a high level of creative invention supported by technological understanding. This understanding of the technology of assemblies should be less a mere familiarity with devices and preconceived and prepackaged products for use by the architect but rather, should be an understanding of the forces, both general and specific, that exist and the tools and materials available to address the situation. As an architect, the level at which the design situation is "addressed" is the responsibility of the individual. The eventual humanity and beauty of any architectural construct is a pure reflection of the depth of thought of the individual. This course intends for the full depth of design possibilities to unfold and be revealed, not constrained, as technological issues are introduced.

Term Schedule

The term will proceed in three distinct phases intended to address the broad range of issues listed above. Each phase will be characterized by a set of activities intended to communicate the essence of the material. Primary to the course material will be the introduction of building systems, their technical specifications, material properties, standard "good" practice uses and other issues related to their inclusion within architectural systems. The three phases are as follows:
-Part I: History and Theory of Building Systems and Architectural Components: Technology and Performance
-Part II: Materials and Building Construction: Contemporary Techniques, Strategies and Materials
-Part III: Case Studies: Architects and Buildings - Final Project

First class is Thursday, September 6, 2001 in 3-133.

Required Textbooks:

Edward Allen. Fundamentals of Building Construction Materials and Methods, Third Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1999., ISBN 0-471-18349-0

Frampton, Kenneth, Studies in Tectonic Culture, The Poetics of Construction in Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Architecture, The MIT Press., Cambridge, MA, 1996., ISBN 0-262-06173-2