The theme of this module, Architecture's Contribution to Society, aims to prepare students to design within a specific social context and analyse the environmental and social conditions of the site, creating the most appropriate response to the problem. Through architectural drawings and models, quality of space is emphasized, and programmatic considerations related to the human condition are explored aiming to reach the design of a Tropical Kindergarten at Nyarugenge Campus – Kigali – Rwanda. In the prospect of promoting energy efficiency in building in East Africa is asked to take into consideration the Guidelines for Green Building Design established by the UNHABITAT. Students will be immersed in a studio environment virtually and will be instructed through individual critiques and group pin-ups/ presentations.
This course synthesizes the knowledge of materials, structures, building components, and services into a complete package of building systems with the aim of completing a set of design development and/or construction document drawings that are part of and complement to the ARC3321 Architectural Design IV studio project. The student produces a set of documentation, which approximates a real building project and are expected to understand all aspects of the constructability of their own design work.
The course of structures II covers the following content:
In Ekistics(the science of human settlements), five elements are considered; Nature, Man, Society, Shells(Buildings) and Networks. (Doxiadis 1968)
Recent global debates and literature confirm that due to rapid growth of urbanization especially global south, human settlements have become ‘vulnerable’ and incapable of meeting the present and future demands; be it socially, economically or ecologically.
The module introduces students to history, evolution and process of human settlements with a specific focus on nature and networks. Through defining related concepts, students get to know how to observe and interpreted existing scenarios globally, in Africa and eventually in Rwanda.
Rwanda is one of the few African countries keen on promoting urbanization and domesticating the Sustainable Development Goals -SDGs and the new urban agenda NUA. This process is constantly challenged by the nature of a city highly characterized by rapid and informal urbanization as well as absence of urban public open space (Malonza 2018).
Therefore, this trimester, the module will focus on the subject of Housing and Sustainable Development in Rwanda in order to align with several ongoing interventions on the same.
This course synthesizes the knowledge of materials, structures, building components and services into a complete package of building systems with that aim of completing a set of design development and/or construction document drawings that are part of and complement to the ARC 3321 Architectural Design IV studio project. The student produces a set of documentation, which approximates a real building project and are expected to understand all aspects of the constructability of their own design work.
The architectural design studio focused on the understanding of cultural contexts. A travelling studio proposed to local settlements of rich traditional culture and commercial activities, in Rwanda. Identified places include (Buhanda, Nyanza, Huye and Ruhuha), where the relationship of history, climate and culture is brought to bear on a small, detailed design project housed in that location. The design seeks to express the rich architectural, social and cultural heritage of the site, using sustainable and local construction techniques, shifting ecologies in a different civic and community environments. The work is divided into a research and analysis exercises, followed by a demanding site and building design. The emerging design shall be integrated with ARC 3325 Building Technology III course in order to develop a full detail set of building drawings.
Architectural Theory III introduces the student to the modern theories on Architecture weaving a file rouge with the Architectural vision in Africa. Architectural Theory III is divided in two parts. In the first part of the course students are asked to come across architectural theories related to the fundamental relationship between city and architecture. In the second part the students explore the same relationship in the Tropical African context. All the lectures and course materials will be available on the internet site: www.cstmanlio.wordpress.com.