WHAT

What will we learn?

The course is based on the experiences of programme teaching team and international guest teachers. Each programme year, we will conduct design researches, make prototypes and eventually synthesise our explorations in a building construction on site. The main focus is to learn about innovations of material, technology and contextual understanding. Through these processes, we will explore architectural ideas that respond to issues we face today. This is a full-year 3 trimesters programme, comprised of 3 design studios, 3 core courses and 6 elective courses.

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Courses

Studio –
MAAD6101
Design Research Studio I

This course introduces the principles of research-based design and engages students with a given research project and its methodology. Students will follow the lead instructor to contribute to the overall research agenda, while formulating and developing personal research interests within the umbrella topic.

Studio –
MAAD6102
Design Research Studio II

This course advances the research developed in MAAD6101 Design Research Studio I and provides opportunities for students to develop technical knowledge, experimenting with material processes, building techniques and prototyping.

Studio –
MAAD6103
Design Research Studio III – Capstone Experience

In this course, students integrate knowledge and skill sets gained from previous design studios and begin to work collectively preparing and making a design prototype as a capstone project under the supervision of the studio instructors. Students will organize into teams to make individual and group contributions. A methodology for collaborative working will be developed and employed.

Core –
MAAD6201
Research-based Design: Case Studies

This course will introduce students to a) the various canons of research principles and methods in humanities, science and social science and b) different philosophies, ideas and methods of research-based design. Research literacy will be obtained by lectures and readings, covering basic issues of research designs (case studies, correlational, longitudinal, quasi-experimental, experimental); methods (archival, visual observational, ethnographic, survey, statistical, experimental designs etc.); measurement quality, research logic (induction, deduction, abduction). Seminar discussions will use a case study approach where students discuss successful and unsuccessful integrations of research with design and evaluate how research fits into and can shape scholarly design and how design can become a research tool. Case studies will focus on the impact of projects with particular focus on sustainability and inter-disciplinary collaborations.

Core –
MAAD6202
Topics in Fabrication: Techniques and Technologies

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to emerging design technologies and fabrication techniques. It introduces students to software and tools. The course will be conducted as a seminar and workshop, with time spent in the computer labs and the fabrication lab. The focus of the course is on the practical application of relevant software packages in conjunction with fabrication equipment for design, analysis, and making.

Core –
MAAD6203
Topics in Contemporary Sustainability

This course focuses on current research and case studies for sustainable buildings. Topics such as energy efficiency and intelligent buildings are combined with an understanding of sustainable building techniques. Working in parallel in computer modelling and physical prototyping, students study different energy systems and low environmental impact techniques.

Elective –
MAAD6301
Fabrication Techniques I (Traditional)  

This course explores a conceptual framework for traditional crafts and building techniques, based upon a clear understanding of materials and their inherent processes and construction technologies. Traditional building methods will be analyzed and carefully studied with emphasis on their spatial, social, cultural and environmental performance.

Elective –
MAAD6302 New Materials

This course introduces students to new building materials and explores the potential of integrating material processes in design. With a combination of lectures and workshops, students gain technical knowhow in material processes and experiment with the use and application of bioplastics.

Elective –
MAAD6303
Experiments in Making

This workshop-based seminar, supported by a series of lectures, will encourage students to explore procedural logics of making that expand on and revisit initial design premises from a series of physical explorations at incrementing scales, with a focus on innovation for making. The core ideology is to influence the process of architectural design in reverse; that is by synthesizing an architectural proposal from the findings emerging out of a succession of well-crafted experiments.

Elective –
MAAD6304
New Technologies in Design (AR/VR/AI)  

This course introduces students to contemporary AR/VR technologies and critically evaluates the experience of extending recent AR and VR tool developments towards applications centered on creative collaborative production. The course develops workflow assessed on its ability to transform a geometrically complex digitally drafted design to its final physically built form, highlighting the necessary strategic integration of variability as an opportunity to relax notions on design precision and exact control.

Elective –
MAAD6305
Fabrication Techniques II (Robotic and Digital)

This course provides first-hand experience for students to engage with robotic fabrication and develop one to one design prototypes with robotic technologies. Students will engage in both subtractive and additive manufacturing processes and work on a large range of material systems, such as foam, timber and clay. Its main agenda is to explore the implications of robotics in architectural design through research and teaching.

Elective –
MAAD6306
Sustainable Construction

The course on non-extractive construction focuses on the integration, circularity, reuse, material research, and community building. Through lecture, workshop and seminars, students further develop their understanding on sustainable building techniques with a focus on material supply chains, building economies, and recycled construction components, addressing the environmental crises we face with the reinvention of building and construction techniques.

Elective –
MAAD6307
Topics in Urbanization

An introduction to concepts and topics in contemporary urban design and development. Special focus will be placed on Architectural Urbanism and particular focus on issues related to East Asian Urban development.