Course Syllabus

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Urban Design Journal

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Semester & Location:

Fall - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:

Elective 3 credits
Major Disciplines:

Architecture, Design, Urban Design
Prerequisite:

None
Corequisite Course (s):

Urban Design Foundations Studio, Urban Design Studio, Architecture Foundations Studio, Architecture Design Studio, Graphic Design Studio, Graphic Design Foundations Studio
Faculty:

Søren Amsnæs, soren@amsnes.dk
Program Director:

Henning Martin-Thomsen, ht@dis.dk
Time & Place:

Mon 11:40-14:35 in Skindergade 12-05

Description of course: 

Urban design journal focuses on the study of urban spaces and buildings, and the way they link together to form the city. The course aims to teach you how to read the urban fabric, from large to small scale, between public and private realms. This will not only improve your visual note taking skills but will also increase your awareness of how cultural, physical and historical factors affect urban design today. 

Co-requisites

Enrollment in a studio course at DIS. Exceptions on a case by case basis through the Architecture & Design department.

Learning objectives of the course: 

Skills

By the end of this course, you will be able to conduct self-initiated analysis of the urban environment through the use of a visual journal with different type of drawing, ranging from analytical drawing, plans, diagrams, sections, to freehand perspectives. You will have the ability to develop an individual visual journal and to use it as a learning tool for evaluating and reflecting upon your own design processes.

 

Knowledge

You will learn how to observe and analyze public spaces thought different aspects and to transfer this knowledge in a visual representation in your journal.  Using your analytical observations you will be able to identify strong and weak urban design solutions.

You will discover how to interpret and take visual notes of human scale and human interaction in urban spaces building on research carried out by various urban theorists, including Jan Gehl.

In conjunction with perspective drawing, you will learn the importance of understanding how we navigate the build environment using among others the theories of K. Lynch and G. Cullen.

 

Attitudes

You will become aware of how to see and think critically about the built environment and cultural identity surrounding them. You will develop your personal attitude to observe and analyze public spaces thought different aspects and with different technique.

Faculty:

Søren Amsnæs: Architect M.A.A. (Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, 1983). Employment with PLH Architechts, Homann Architects. Since 1988, own office specialising in visualization and project presentation for clients in Denmark and abroad. With DIS since 2012.

Suggested texts:

  • Ching, Francis D.K. Design Drawing. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2010.
  • Gehl, Jan. Life Between Buildings. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1987.
  • Lynch, Kevin. The Image of the City. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1960.
  • Moore, Charles, and Gerald Allen. Dimensions. New York: Architectural Record Books, 1976.
  • Pallasmaa, Juhani. The Eyes of the Skin. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2005.

Textbooks:

  • Calvino, Italo, translated by William Weaver. Invisible Cities. New York: Harcourt, Inc.,1974.

In addition, in class readings and case studies will be available on Canvas

Required Materials and Equipment

You are encouraged to use a wide range of drawing materials whether it be unique drawing tools or paper types.

Charcoal, graphite, ink, sepia tones, paints and collage are the principle media to be explored on this course. You should identify for yourself the most relevant and appropriate media to explore the given assignment. You are welcome to ask the instructor or fellow students for advice and feedback in the critique sessions.

Approach to Teaching:

Urban Design Journal is taught via a series of short, in class lectures, to introduce you to a specific urban design topic accompanied by in class exercises and/or field studies to various public spaces in Copenhagen. The journal is your learning tool. Using it will teach you how to observe and analyze public spaces through different aspects. Many of the activities are carried out on bike. It is therefore recommended that you have access to a bike and become comfortable riding it.

In class assignments, field studies and home assignments range from analytical drawing, plans, diagrams, sections, to freehand perspectives. To also facilitate peer-to-peer learning we will have open journal class critiques every week.

The selected readings present different analytical methods and theories for considering urban space and provide a common reference for further class discussions.

You will receive individual support and coaching to improve your skills in observing, analyzing and representing the sites we study.

You will be given feedback regularly and detailed written feedback for the mid-term assessment. You are welcome to ask in class for extra support.

 

Expectations of the students:

You are encouraged to be experimental and extend their representational abilities in free hand drawing, at the same time deepening their understandings of the design issues and problems.

 All assigned readings must be completed on time for each class meeting. All readings are found in the textbook and on Canvas.

 You are expected to contribute to class discussions and will be expected to make references to the set readings.

 You will be expected to work in groups for some assignments.

 To be eligible for a passing grade in you must complete all of the assigned work

As a minimum, each visual journal should include:

  • Entries from ALL of the required weekly field studies and take home assignments (clearly identified and labelled)
  • Entries from other design projects, study tours, field trips, and courses
  • Entries from independent, self motivated visual note taking
  • Evidence of on going self-reflection and self-evaluation
  • Evidence of Individual research into Urban Design
  • Evidence of engagement with the urban design journal on a daily basis

Journals will be formally reviewed twice by the course instructor and open journal class critiques will take place once a week. The grade given in the middle of the semester is indicative. Only the grade given at the end of the semester will count for the final grade.

All work in your visual journal needs to be identified clearly for assessment purposes. Any work not identified will not be graded and as a result will bring down your final grade.

If you fail to hand in your journals on time to the AD office for final grading, the journal will not be accepted.

Grading:

Assignment

Percent
Completeness, content and quality of class assignments and overall quality of the journal

50%

Analysis and critical thinking on field assignments, home assignments, study tours and other entries such as individual urban design research

30%

Development and performance during the semester participation and contribution to class discussions and critiques

 20%

Academic Regulations

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

Readings:

  • Crowe, Paul and Norman Laseau. Visual Notes for Architects and Designers. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 1984.
  • Lynch, Kevin. The Image of the City. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1960.
  • Cullen, Gordon. The Concise Townscape. New York: Architectural Press, 1971.
  • Wall, Ed and Tim Waterman. Basics Landscape Architecture: Urban Design. Lausanne: AVA Publishing, 2010. Pages 38-69.
  • Gehl, Jan and Lars Gemzøe. Public Spaces, Public Life. Copenhagen: Danish Architectural Press & the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture Publishers, 2004. Pages 40-43, 48-51, 58-61 and 66-71
  • Gehl, Jan. Cities for People. Washington DC: Island Press. Chapter: The City at Eye Level, pages118-182.
  • Souter-Brown, Gayle. Landscape and Urban Design for Health and Wellbeing. Oxford: Routledge, 2014. Pages 64, 74-94, 100-122
  • Gehl, Jan. Life Between Buildings. Washington, DC: Island Press, 2011. Pages 175-189.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due