Materials and Construction: An Introduction to Techniques, Composition and Strategies

This module introduces students to fundamental properties and behaviors of buildings and other structures. Principles of design and construction are discussed in a comprehensive manner involving conceptual, historical, and technical analyses. Students learn to evaluate empirically various types of constructs and use analytical skills to enhance their design capabilities. Lectures will cover fundamental statics; types of loads and reactions; material properties and fabrication; types of joinery; classifying families of building structures; and other related topics. Abstract and architectonic exercises involving both intuitive and analytical design approaches will take place in a workshop format, with students working both individually and in teams.