COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: ADVANCED DESIGN STUDIO I

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
ARCH 401	B	7	4	4	0	6	10

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	NA
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	M.Sc. Julian Beqiri jbeqiri@epoka.edu.al , Wednesday, 9:30-10:30 am
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	NA
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Integrated second cycle study program in Architecture (5 years)
Classroom and Meeting Time:	S04. Monday +Thursday 8:45-12:45
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:	N/A
Course Description:	Development of personalized processes of data collection, analysis and building programming which reflect the nature and interests of designers; development of ability of applying the knowledge about structures, construction and detailing all trough the design process by design problems; control of the ability of developing complicated programs for buildings - building groups in complicated environments and finding relevant design solutions.
Course Objectives:	- Integrating a deep research in the design process - The importance of a comprehensive understanding of the context - Analytical and critical thinking - Creativity and innovation in design - Dealing with complex phenomena - Concept development - Graphical representation - Teamwork - Awareness for social responsibility of architecture [co-living concept]

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	RESEARCH / PROCESS / DESIGN
2	The course comprises two distinct units: Research and Design, where the Studio is the key site of design learning and its first testing ground.
3	The process is developed by harmonizing unique trajectories through the profession of architecture and beyond, while maintaining an interdisciplinary thinking approach.
4	ARCH 401 Advanced Design Studio aims at navigating uncertainty in the creative process of designing, the assembling of new ideas and the search for the appropriate ways to align architecture with other cultural and social fields.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Introduction – Delivering Project Brief. Ted Talks
2	Warm-up: Representation of Themes
3	Understanding the Context + Developing Theoretical Background
4	Understanding the Context + Developing Theoretical Background
5	Preliminary Jury I
6	Understanding the Context+ Developing the concept. First concepts about the program
7	Developing the concept. Integration of the concept with the context
8	Developing the concept. Integration of the concept with the context
9	Developing the concept. Concept development in urban scale
10	Preliminary Jury II
11	Developing the concept. Concepts in intermediate scale
12	Developing the concept+ project. concepts in architectural scale +footprints
13	Developing the concept+ project. Concepts+ 1:500 scale drawings+ model
14	Developing the concept+ project. Concepts+ 1:500 scale drawings+ model

Prerequisite(s):
Textbook(s):	Jacobs, J., The death and life of great American cities. New York: Random House and Vintage Books, 1961. Lynch, K., A theory of good city form. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1981. Alexander, C., Ishikawa, S., and Silverstein, M., A pattern language: towns, buildings, construction. New York: Oxford University Press, 1977. Gehl, J., ‘Cities for People’. London: Island Press, 2010. Lynch, K. (1960) The image of the City, MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts Debord, G. (1967) The Society of the Spectacle, New York Conde, Y. (1994) Architecture of the Indeterminacy, Pallasmaa, J. (2005) Eyes Of The Skin, Great Britain Eisenman, P. Diagram_An Original Scene of Writing pp. 83-103. Alexander, Ch. (1977), A Pattern Language
Additional Literature:
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:	yes
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	Holistic Analytical Thinking in design process
2	Multidisciplinary design process understanding
3	Producing multi-scale design proposals
4	Dealing with social and and environmental design problems

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Integrated second cycle study program in Architecture (5 years) Program
1	Speaking and Writing Skills Ability to read, write, listen, and speak effectively	4
2	Critical Thinking Skills Ability to raise clear and precise questions, use abstract ideas to interpret information, consider diverse points of view, reach well-reasoned conclusions, and test them against relevant criteria and standards	4
3	Graphics Skills Ability to use appropriate representational media, including freehand drawing and computer technology, to convey essential formal elements at each stage of the programming and design process	4
4	Research Skills Ability to gather, assess, record, and apply relevant information in architectural course work	5
5	Formal Ordering Systems Understanding of the fundamentals of visual perception and the principles and systems of order that inform two- and three-dimensional design, architectural composition, and urban design	5
6	Fundamental Design Skills Ability to use basic architectural principles in the design of buildings, interior spaces, and sites	5
7	Collaborative Skills Ability to recognize the varied talent found in interdisciplinary design project teams in professional practice and work in collaboration with other students as members of a design team	4
8	International Traditions Understanding of the International architectural canons and traditions in architecture, landscape and urban design, as well as the climatic, technological, culture-economic, and other cultural factors that have shaped and sustained them	2
9	National and Regional Traditions Understanding of national traditions and the local regional heritage in architecture, landscape design and urban design, including the vernacular tradition	2
10	Use of Precedents Ability to incorporate relevant precedents into architecture and urban design projects	3
11	Conservation and Restoration of Historical Districts Knowledge on historical districts and the gain of conservation consciousness documentation of historical buildings and the understanding the techniques which are needed to prepare restoration projects.	2
12	Human Behavior Understanding of the theories and methods of inquiry that seek to clarify the relationship between human behavior and the physical environment	5
13	Human Diversity Understanding of the diverse needs, values, behavioral norms, physical ability, and social and spatial patterns that characterize different cultures and individuals and the implication of this diversity for the societal roles and responsibilities of architects	5

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Presentation	2	20
Project	1	35
Attendance		0
Other	1	25
	Total Percent:	100%

ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)

Activities	Quantity	Duration(Hours)	Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	16	8	128
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	16	8	128
Mid-terms	2	8	16
Assignments
Final examination	1	8	8
Other	1	20	20
Total Work Load:			300
Total Work Load/25(h):			12
ECTS Credit of the Course:			10

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

The Advanced Design Studio I (ARCH 401) serves as a laboratory for architectural innovation while firmly contributing to the core of architectural education itself. Therefore, emphasizing human diversity and behavior and the relationship with the physical environment can better address the societal roles and responsibilities of the future architects.