Course Syllabus

Place-based Sustainable Building

Course Description

By examining and understanding vernacular local building typologies and materials, we can better and more holistically build our future homes and cities sustainably. This course will begin with local building history and theory, with visits to case studies in greater Copenhagen. Time will be spent creating a material journal, to log and document case studies, and also to track material experiments, development, and dead-ends. Class time will focus on engagement in material and building processes, and will involve experimentation, tests and presentation of results. Students will gain new tools of analysis, seeing what is around, locally available as potential and viable, low-impact building materials. This course will tie into and support the development of students' studio projects.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will:

• Understand how to identify and analyze local materials and construction methods
• Learn about how to apply a material driven methodology in design
• Reflect on what roles traditional, ecological knowledge and vernacular knowledge have to play in a sustainable transition
• Examine tectonics through making and building physical material tests and model making

Faculty

Kathryn Larsen, Arkitekt MAA. Masters of Science in Architecture from TU Delft 2022. Research interests include building technology applications with biomaterials, nature inclusive design, and heritage and inclusion in architecture and design.  Principal architect of Studio Kathryn Larsen ApS. With DIS since 2022.

Dani Hill-Hansen, Arkitekt MAA. Masters in Sustainable Design Engineer from Aalborg University, CPH (2021). Masters in Architecture from Taliesin (2013). Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Endicott College (2011). Sustainability expert, working on systems transitions projects to steer the building industry towards a safe and just space for humanity. Research and Design Manager at EFFEKT Arkitekter. With DIS since 2014.

Readings

All relevant readings will be made accessible on Canvas for students.

-   Manual of Biogenetic House Sections. Free online source. https://issuu.com/oro_editions/docs/manual_of_biogenic_house_sections_look

-   Watson, Julia. Lo-TEK, Design by Radical Indigenism. Taschen. 2019

-   Reduction Roadmap. Free online source.https://reductionroadmap.dk/

-   Ruth, Jonsara and Alison Mears, eds. Material Health: Design Frontiers. Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd. 2022

-   Materialepyramiden. Free online source. https://www.materialepyramiden.dk/

• Vernacular Architecture in the Twenty-First Century - Theory, education and practice, Edited by Lindsay Asquith and Marcel Vellinga
• Doughnut for Urban Development: A Manual - edited by Dani Hill-Hansen and Kasper Gudlager Jensen. 
• Biogenic Construction - Materials Architecture Tectonics by Anne Beim, Lykke Arnfred, Henriette Ejstrup a.o.
• Anna Heringer The Walls are Dancing
• https://channel.louisiana.dk/video/anna-heringer-the-walls-are-dancing

Field Studies

The field studies - both group and independent site visits - are the secondary experiential learning components of this course, after hands-on investigation. Field Studies are used as extended opportunities to illustrate and expand upon the contents of the in-class lectures, investigations, and theories.

Approach to Teaching

This course is about testing and applying theories in sustainable design, with a focus on research by doing. The structure of the class will vary from day to day. Some days might be spent outdoors sketching, or making physical tests. Other days might involve lectures, group discussions and group reflections. The goal of the course is to inspire students to identify and engage with their interests in sustainable architecture, and to give a framework for practical exploration.

Expectations of the Students

Students are expected to show up on time for class, and engage fully with the course. There is not an emphasis on whether or not experimenting is “successful”, rather an emphasis on the student’s individual journey of exploration, curiosity and reflection on the course material. The student’s individual material journal is an important assignment that students are expected to document and share on a weekly basis for individual feedback in the class sessions. The student’s are expected to use the course as a driver for material exploration and detail implementation in their studio projects.

Evaluation and Grading

Academic Regulations

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

• Course Enrollment and Grading
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code

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