COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: HOUSING SYSTEMS

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
ARCH 413	C	8	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)	Assoc.Prof.Dr. Edmond Manahasa emanahasa@epoka.edu.al
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Assoc.Prof.Dr. Edmond Manahasa emanahasa@epoka.edu.al , Tuesday 13-30-15-30
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	M.Sc. Redion Spaho rspaho@epoka.edu.al
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Elective
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Master of Science in Architecture
Classroom and Meeting Time:
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:	75%
Course Description:	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 part of the course is the analysis of the physical environment of the selected case studies in order to find the connection between the cultural identity and the built construction , the cultural cues in the organization and shape of the spaces and to understand how the recent transformation of the tradition.
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 part of the course is the analysis of the physical environment of the selected case studies in order to find the connection between the spatial organization of the neighborhoods and the way how people are using the spaces. The analysis involves the evaluation of connection between cultural identity and the built construction, the cultural clues in the organization and shape of the spaces and to understanding how the recent transformation of the tradition and culture and influenced to the spaces, which are used for everyday life. For the evaluation of the case studies side visits and observation will be combined with the quantitative methods of Space Syntax.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	space syntax

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Introduction into the course. What is Space Syntax?
2	Application of the Space Syntax for the Urban Research. Case studies selection
3	Basics of Space Syntax metrics. Connectivity, Integration, and Choice. Presentation of the case studies (Powerpoint)
4	Orientation and Wayfinding: Measuring Visibility. Work on graphs and maps, site update
5	Introduction into the DepthMapX software. Work on the connectivity graphs and axial maps
6	Introduction into the QGIS software. Work on the siteplans
7	Midterm week
8	Presentation of the case studies data (PowerPoint + booklet)
9	Analysis of Spatial Relationships Between Buildings and Streets. Consultation on the final research. Part 1
10	Empirical Data Collection and Analysis. Consultation on the final research. Part 2
11	Theoretical Representations of the Built Environment. Consultation on the final research. Part 3
12	Space Syntax Applied in Urban Practice. Consultation on the final research. Part 4
13	Preparation for the final presentation. Consultation on the final research. Part 5
14	Final project presentation and submission (PowerPoint + booklet).

Prerequisite(s):
Textbook(s):	The Social Logic of Space, Bill Hillier, Julienne Hanson; Space is the machine, Bill Hillier Introduction to Space Syntax in Urban Studies, Akkelies van Nes and Claudia Yamu
Additional Literature:
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:	Yes
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 regional and cultural tendencies of the spatial development of the residential architecture in Albania
6	Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the importance of cultural background for the process of planning and designing the space
7	Demonstrate an ability to use Space Syntax methods in order to evaluate the housing design
8	Demonstrate the ability to recognize the cultural messages in housing solutions

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

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Master of Science in Architecture Program
1	Speaking and Writing Skills Ability to read, write, listen, and speak effectively
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
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	Research Skills Ability to gather, assess, record, and apply relevant information in architectural course work
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
6	Fundamental Design Skills Ability to use basic architectural principles in the design of buildings, interior spaces, and sites
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
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
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
10	Use of Precedents Ability to incorporate relevant precedents into architecture and urban design projects
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
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

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Homework	1	20
Presentation	1	10
Project	1	40
Final Exam	1	20
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

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

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