COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEXT

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
ARCH 477	C	6	3	0	0	3	6

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	Dr. Ina Dervishi iosmani@epoka.edu.al
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Dr. Ina Dervishi iosmani@epoka.edu.al
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Elective
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Integrated second cycle study program in Architecture (5 years)
Classroom and Meeting Time:	Thursday 14:30
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:	N/A
Course Description:	The aim of the course is to raise student’s awareness on Context as a primordial generator of ideas and concepts in their design. Through navigation in Context, especially through Tirana city context the students should develop critical thinking for every architectural solution they do. The ultimate objective of the course is to find and show graphically seven uncompromising features of Tirana city context.
Course Objectives:	Students will be able to identify and experience the physiological relationships between architecture and the human body in such concepts as universal design and sensory experience. Students will be able to explore the User-Aware Design concept: pushing the boundaries of 'mainstream' products, services and environments to include as many people as possible. Use correct vocabulary and terminology relating to designing and building a barrier free environment Students will explore the Universal Design benefits to users, companies, organizations and society and read some case studies and examples. Students will evidence their understanding of these concepts through analyses of existing spaces for accessibility needs.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	universal design
2	design for all
3	smartness principles

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Introduction
2	Overview |Key concepts of Universal Design
3	Universal Design I
4	Universal Design II
5	Guest Lecturer
6	Assignment Presentation
7	MidTerm
8	Case Studies: Urban Space
9	Case Studies: Public Buildings
10	Case Studies: Housing
11	Overview of Albanian Law on Accessibility
12	Analysis of Urban Spaces in Albania
13	Analysis of Public Buildings in Albania
14	Analysis of Housing in Albania

Prerequisite(s):	NA
Textbook(s):	Universal Principles of Design. Lidwell | Holden | Butler Universal Design Handbook. Wolfgang F.E. Preiser | Korydon H. Smith Beautiful Barrier-Free. Cynthia Leibrock| James Evan Terry Beautiful Universal Design. Cynthia Leibrock |James Evan Terry
Additional Literature:
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	Use correct vocabulary and terminology relating to designing and building a barrier free environment
2	Students will evidence their understanding of these concepts through analyses of existing spaces for accessibility needs.
3	Students will be able to identify and experience the physiological relationships between architecture and the human body in such concepts as universal design and sensory experience

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

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Presentation	1	20
Project	1	40
Case Study	1	25
Attendance		15
	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	3	48
Mid-terms	1	20	20
Assignments			0
Final examination	1	34	34
Other			0
Total Work Load:			150
Total Work Load/25(h):			6
ECTS Credit of the Course:			6

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

Course should be followed in at least 75 % of the lectures. Projects and active participation are of a crucial importance.