Second Semester 2010 Studio of Theory of Architecture and Design

Beyer Residence, Malibu -1983- John Lautner

This Blog starts with the Second Semester 2010 USYD Studio of Theory of Architecture and Design USYD Master of Architecture directed by Kim Nguyen Ngoc, coordinated by Dr. Sarah Benton

 

The subject of the Second Semester 2010 Studio is an introduction to the theory of Architecture and Design and its influences in the fabrication of dwelling.

It includes a brief reading of key texts, analysis of different residential masterpieces of the 20^th Century, and a design exercise for a beach house.

Subject content

The subject will consist of seminars in the first part of the morning and a design studio for the rest of the day. Research and essays will be carried individually but the design exercise will be carried out in groups of 2. The research is to support the students’ analysis and critique of the selected residential example.

Students will be expected to produce work including a body of small essays, scaled and annotated drawings, and models, supported by concise text and informative presentation.

Program:

The 4th year students, grouped in pairs, will have to choose between 7 Residential masterpieces of the 20th Century:

-                      Villa Malaparte, (Isle of Capri, Italy) - 1937, by Alberto Libera

-                      Harry and Penelope Seidler House, (Killara, NSW) – 1967, by Harry  Seidler

-                      Hugh Buhrich’s House, (Castlecrag, NSW) – 1968, by Hugh Buhrich

-                      Casa Marbrisa, (Acapulco Guerrero, Mexico)- 1973, by John Lautner

-                      House Simpson-Lee (Mount Wilson, NSW)-1988, by Glenn Murcutt

-                      Moebius House, (Het Gooi, The Netherlands)- 1993, by UN-Studio

-                      Villa in Bordeaux, (Bordeaux, France) - 1999, by OMA

-                      Spidernet the wood House (Nimes, France)- 2007, R&Sie(n)

A/ The students will analyse, and study the concepts of their chosen house. They will be required to redraw and build 3d models & physical models of their case-study house in order to develop a presentation on the individual characteristics and theoretical foundation of each residence.

A series of seminar will develop 4 themes (Interior/Exterior, Site/Context, Domesticity/Health, Form and Materiality) which will direct the students to develop their own conception/theory of dwelling design.

B/ Each group will further the development of their conception/theory of dwelling through a design project: a villa or beach house situated on a harbour side location, in Castlecrag for a family of 5.

The design presentation will demonstrate the skills obtained by the students during the studio: a solid theoretical base for the design project, illustrated by a various range of mediums (including physical models, animations, drawing and digital representations).