COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: HOUSING SYSTEMS

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
ARCH 462	B	99	3	1	0	4	6

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	NA
Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Anna Yunitsyna
Second 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
Classroom and Meeting Time:
Course Description:	-
Course Objectives:	The course deals with the main principles of organization of the residential environment. The process of the dwelling design is reviewed by the division of the living environment into different architectural levels – from the individual dwelling or apartment to the multifamily housing, housing complexes and residential districts. The theoretical set of lectures aims to understand the functional and spatial basis of the dwelling design, to study the low-rise and hi-rise housing typologies, to overview the influence of the climate and culture factors to the dwelling spatial organization. The set of lectures is supported by selected readings from the scientific research regarding the dwelling. The practical research is devoted to the study and analysis of the residential zones, which surround the two main marketplaces in Tirana, identification of the buildings in poor condition and to the development of the proposal for bringing new qualitative space and social activities in the area.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Introduction into the course. Residential environment. The main types of residential buildings. Typology of residential development.
2	Main factors affecting the housing design. Selection of site. Organization of student group
3	Functional basis of the apartment design. Site visit. First ideas, sketches
4	Typology of apartments and the building spatial organization. Selection of the site borders. Site on Tirana masterplan
5	Architectural and spatial organization of the apartment. The influence of climate and construction system. Presentation of the site visit and first impressions. Site borders and its vision in the Tirana masterplan (PowerPoint)
6	Classification of the low-storey residential buildings. Main design elements of low-storey residential buildings. Second site visit. Documentation of actual conditions of the buildings, building functions and heights. Photos of site elements
7	Flexibility in dwelling. Mapping of the elements and their analysis
8	Midterm. Submission of the first article review
9	Low-storey residential buildings with the entrance from the ground. Individual and detached house. Selection of the point of intervention
10	Low-storey residential buildings with the common communications. Presentation of the site and project concept (PowerPoint)
11	Specificity of the design of the high-rise residential buildings. Work on project
12	Typology of the high-rise residential buildings. High-rise residential buildings and the specific of climate and landscape conditions. Work on project
13	Final project submission (PowerPoint presentation + booklet).
14	Submission of the second article review.

Prerequisite(s):
Textbook:
Other References:
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	Understand the basics of the typologies of the residential buildings and individual dwellings
2	Demonstrate an understanding of factors influencing the spatial and functional organization of dwelling
3	Demonstrate the ability to recognize housing solutions that are well adapted to people's needs
4	Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the quality of the spatial structure of dwelling and to offer an alternative design solutions
5	Understand the tendencies of the spatial development of the residential architecture in Albania
6	Understand the connection between the urban residential morphology, social life and the quality of space
7	Identify the residential and commercial structures of marketplaces, which are in poor condition and develop a proposal, which aims to improve the quality and bring new activities in the area

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	5
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	5
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	4
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	2
6	Fundamental Design Skills Ability to use basic architectural principles in the design of buildings, interior spaces, and sites	3
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	1
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	4
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	3
10	Use of Precedents Ability to incorporate relevant precedents into architecture and urban design projects	2
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.
12	Human Behavior Understanding of the theories and methods of inquiry that seek to clarify the relationship between human behavior and the physical environment	1
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	1

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)	1	15
Presentation	1	10
Project	2	25
Final Exam	1	15
Attendance		10
	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	3	48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	16	6	96
Mid-terms	1	3	3
Assignments			0
Final examination	1	3	3
Other			0
Total Work Load:			150
Total Work Load/25(h):			6
ECTS Credit of the Course:			6