BUILDING PROCESS AREA OF EMPHASIS

ARCHITECTURE 160

THE NATURE OF ORDER

◊

AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS

FALL 1999

Thursdays 2-5, Hearst Field Annex Room 10A

INSTRUCTOR: HAJO NEIS

GSIs: Fernando Marti, Brandon Ankenbrandt

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

LECTURES

Lectures will be given once a week in Hearst Field Annex Room 10A, on Thursdays from 2-5 p.m. Each lecture will typically cover two or three chapters of The Nature of Order or other Building Process topics. The duration of the lecture will be approximately one hour, with the remaining time devoted to in-class exercises or discussion.

EXERCISES

The second half of each lecture class is usually devoted to either an in-class exercise, discussion, or a guest lecturer speaking on a related topic. In-class exercises should be handed in to the GSIs at the end of class. Students are expected to keep up with the readings, raise comments, ask questions, and participate in the exercises. Attendance is taken by sign-up sheet at the end of each class.

READINGS

Readings for the following week are assigned in lecture. Generally, two to three chapters from The Nature of Order by Christopher Alexander will be assigned each week, as well as short articles handed out in class as supplementary readings. Readings should be completed before the next lecture. The Nature of Order manuscript by Christopher Alexander is available at Elite Copy, 2588 Telegraph Ave., between Blake and Parker. Additional readings will be on reserve at the CED library.

SECTIONS

Sign up for sections at the end of class. Final times will be posted Monday outside the TA office (room to be announced). The work performed in sections will support and enhance the theory presented in the lectures. Your continuous presence in both the lectures and sections is paramount to your understanding of the material.

ASSIGNMENTS

Throughout the semester, students will be asked to complete several 1-2 week assignments, a longer half semester assignment analyzing form language, and a major semester-long project. These assignments should provide critical analysis of the course material and their application in the practice of making and building. Assignments will be reviewed in section and graded by GSIs.

FORM LANGUAGE HALF SEMESTER PROJECT

Student will be asked to analyze the form language used by a particular architect or vernacular building style of their choice in a three-part assignment. The project will review the form languages used for wall and column, floor and roof, and door and window openings, as well as other aspects discovered by the student.

SEMESTER PROJECT

A final design and construction project will be assigned September 21, and will be due November 18. This semester-long project is the centerpiece of the class, and will involve the making of a personal object or piece of furniture. Students will be asked to keep a personal process journal of their experience in the design and making of the personal object to be handed in with the project.

ENROLLMENT

The course is open to all undergraduates and graduates without pre-requisite. For undergraduates and Option 3 graduate students the class satisfies the Department requirement for one of three technical classes.

GRADING

Lecture & Exercises 10%

Form Language Assignment 20%

Short Assignments 20%

Mid Term 10%

Semester Project 40%

OFFICE HOURS

Sign-up sheets for office hours will be posted outside the office door.

Room Hour

Prof. Hajo Neis TBA TBA

and by appointment

GSI Brandon Ankenbrandt TBA TBA

GSI Fernando Marti TBA TBA