Architectural Design III: How do we live? (J.De Vylder)

Abstract

Do we live a house?Or do we house a life?How. Do. We. Live.Do we know HOW we live? Do we know enough aboutHOW we live? HOW do things around us shape the way welive? HOW do we live the things around us? WHAT are theconditions around us? WHAT makes our habits? HOW dohabits change conditions?

Objective

And to conclude: this check-up on NEED and HOME is not about an academic exercise as such, but rooted in practice at all. DO WE PRACTICE WHAT WE TEACH / DO WE TEACH WHAT WE PRACTICE? is the fundament of this studio. This ongoing bachelor — and previously master — perspective will from now on be shared with the diploma studio this academic year onwards. The good occasion of HOUSE EUROPE — the overarching theme introduced by Station+ — will be given perspective from out of that question on HOME. The title HOUSE EUROPE CASE SWITZERLAND is enhanced with a third sequence, HOME EVERYONE, emphasizing that the undeniable need in numbers must not overlook the true need: HOME rather than HOUSE. The bA-d studio seeks not just to combine studio teaching for both bachelor and diploma, but to go beyond mere combination. Bachelor and diploma students will not only find each other in well-paced meeting moments like wall-discussions and review moments, but also will work by sharing understandings. CIRCUS OF QUESTIONS is one of the meta moments as also studies of data and context will be prepared and shared by diploma students. In wall-discussion as at review moments diploma students — as also bachelor ones — will take part of the DEBATE. Teaching teams will be on one hand clearly appointed, but on the other hand will cross positions. HOUSE EUROPE may have no future if borders limit perspectives and solutions are merely reduced to numbers. TEACHING TODAY will only find a future if we dare to challenge and shift the unquestioned methods of teaching. bA-d NOW! This studio is a studio on what it always has been and will be about: LIFE. And as this studio is an architecture studio LIFE is about HOME. The studio — bachelor as first but any other master before — has always worked with such question: DO WE LIVE A HOUSE, or DO WE HOUSE A LIFE — HOME? But not only. And never has been only. This studio is about making HOME possible. On the MAKING. This MAKING isn't just about craft, skill, tradition, or evolution, but primarily about the CAPACITY of the AVAILABLE MEANS. Perhaps we should also consider a reversed perspective: not just what means are available, but rather how much is ONLY THE NEED. The outcome is named 33,3% ECONOMY: exercising a REDUCED ACT however harvesting a COMPLETE ACT. Bringing all together: this studio is a check-up to really do LESS, but find HOME by questioning the real NEEDS. Aside from the above questions, perhaps the next one brings it all together: WHAT NEED A HOME or WHAT HOME A NEED – HUMAN?

Content

Each movement is groupwork. We encourage the groupwork since it is the reality of architecture, it is always about working together – as also living together - but also since at school it is important to set out friendships. At the same time, it distributes work and tasks. The group finds form out of 3. These 3 students become a practice. The practice will be assigned a set of 2x HOW TO and 1x WHAT ABOUT ; that they will freely combine with 1x WHAT IS and 1x WHERE IS. They will work in the form of settings, scenographies and sequences for 3 weeks. In each movement, group members and assigned sets of questions change again. Each movement will be another group constellation of students. We study 3 times a combination of words. All together we will by that collect an endless series of configurations of topics. Each Movement will be the occasion to focus on one media to express, represent and talk about architecture. For inspiration, a range of references and methods will be given at the beginning of each Movement. M1 media is the axonometric drawing. M2 media is the model. M3 media is the perspective. WEEK 1 / Circus of questions All the bA-d students will be joining the CIRCUS OF QUESTIONS. 3 questions and drawings will be prepared to be discussed within the 3 families. Questions will be twisted by other teams in order to extend reflections. The circus of questions takes 3 hours per family, and is spread over 3 half-days with Jan and the teaching team. In the meantime, the other groups work independently and have table reviews with the assistants. What is ? WEEK 2 / Table talks In groups of 3 students + 2 assistants, we will discuss at the table the SEQUENCES, SETTINGS, SCENOGRAPHIES brought by the group of students. We will share references and books and never stop questioning the norms, the spaces, the borders, the challenges and the atmospheres. WEEK 3 / Intermediate review In groups, students will present their SEQUENCES, SETTINGS, SCENOGRAPHIES to the guest critics and their fellow peers. To foster the exchange the diploma students will take part in the discussions. As a sign of common respect we will all be present, listen and engage. The two days of discussions and appreciation will be concluded by an APERO that is organized each time by another FAMILY. 1x3 This last movement is an individual work, shaped by personal interest and attitude developed during the semester. Each student will select an own combination of words and questions, looking back at M1, 2 and 3. The set will be investigated through architectural DETAILS in form of a series of drawings. This last exercise will result in a cascade of technical drawings developed with the help of the BUK chair.

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