ENAR204

Design Theory I

Syllabus

Introduction to Architectural Theory (5 hours)
1. Definition of theory
2. Architectural theory (empiricist and rationalist approach)
3. Positive versus normative theory
4. Procedural and substantive proposition
5. Design theory (procedural, substantive and problem solving knowledge)
Ancient Architectural Treatise (6 hours)
1. Vastu Shastra
2. Vitruvius and his ideas
3. Firmitas: durability and strength in design
4. Utilitas: functionality and usability in architecture
5. Venustas: aesthetics and beauty in design
Social and Cultural Theory in Architecture (8 hours)
1. Social influence in architecture
2. Cultural impact on house form
3. Social and cultural movements (modernism, post modernism)
4. Social sustainability in architecture
5. Case studies on social and cultural influence
Form, Function and Context (8 hours)
1. Place and context in architecture
2. Building tasks: physical control, functional frame, social milieu, cultural symbolism
3. Formal structure and style: mass, space, surface and relations
4. Technic: massive and skeletal systems
5. Case studies integrating form, function and context
Anthropological Concepts of Space (8 hours)
1. Proxemics: personal space zones and cultural differences
2. Territoriality in architectural design
3. Lefebvre's triad: conceived, perceived, lived spaces
4. Embodied, sacred, profane and public spaces
5. Application of anthropological concepts in architecture
Design Thinking in Architecture (10 hours)
1. General characteristics of design (well defined, ill defined, wicked problems)
2. Design thinking process and stages
3. Information processing theory
4. User centric designing models (Tim Brown's IDEO)
5. Heuristic reasoning and design solutions

Practicals

Fifteen hours of tutorials: analyze modern buildings using Vitruvian principles, site analysis and contextual design exercises, and creative problem-solving and decision-making in design thinking.