Depth of Surface: Building Envelope More Than Skin Deep

3 units

The choice of construction systems, material selection and addressing performance requirements must be a generative act, not a reactive application. What are the possibilities for Depth of Surface to exploit the tension between internal criteria and external forces in a conceptual context? This seminar will explore how the overall form and performance of a building envelope can come together within a specific conceptual context. We will identify and address criteria for a building envelope that is to meet environmental expectations and requirements in the Twenty-First Century. Depth of Surface is divided into three distinct parts aimed at enabling design investigations. Students are actively encouraged to select an aspect of their current studio project to explore methods of developing and clarifying their conceptual intent -- we will explore generative processes, productive 'loops' of form and performance, in which there are no pre-conceptions in the investigation of the technical and the aesthetic. Prerequisites: Building Systems I/Structures I/Climate & Light. An enthusiasm for (and knowledge of) physical and digital modeling, and analysis tools: you will be asked to test some of the environmental implications of your building environment strategies by employing Ecotect software at various scales.