General Course Information

This is the second course addressing structural design in the graduate architecture program. The subject matter progresses from the material presented in 4.441 by investigating the design and analysis of structural systems through load tracing, holistic structural behavior, the properties of materials, and the relationship between the superstructure and the exterior envelope. The properties of statically indeterminate structures will be introduced and design approaches for indeterminacy will be explored.

A particular emphasis will be on the relationship between the superstructure and the exterior envelope. The focus will be on the design of elements that serve each system as well as a working knowledge of the factors that influence the configuration of those elements. This will lead to the search for opportunities to integrate the two systems. The second half of the semester will be devoted to the design and documentation of a final project that aims to integrate the superstructure and the exterior envelope.

Assignments will be a combination of problem sets, smaller projects (in class and otherwise), participation and readings as well as the formulation and development of the final project. There will be close coordination with the Level II studios.