The Beginnings of a Project: A Reflection on Design Methodologies Through Four Case Studies.

To look at the inception of a project, at the inputs that were at the beginning of a building\’s design, leads immediately to question issues related to methodology. How does an architect proceed? Using a case study format this seminar will attempt to examine a specific project each week. In the first week we will consider the growth of an infrastructure building, the Atocha Railway Station in Madrid. In the second week we will examine how a well known building type, an auditorium and concert hall, responds to quite different sites in Barcelona and San Sebastian. In the third week we will examine the differences in the ways of handling the idea of form taking as an example the Houston and Stockholm museums. In the fourth week we will reflect on the notion that buildings are never alone and could always be seen as working in the company of others. The Prado Museum extension will be the reference. In this seminar I would like to place the emphasis on what were the very first approaches of the architect and how the project was subsequently developed.Schedule:Jan 26, 27March 2, 3 March 23, 24April 13,14