Studio Structure

The third year design studios, Design III and Design IV, emphasize the comprehensive nature of architectural design.These studios build from analysis to synthesis, requiring the development of comprehensive design solutions that critically engage considerations of form and space, programmatic issues, technology, the natural environment, social concerns and precedent.

Design IV is the second of two interrelated studios in the third year. The design project is a public building of moderate spatial complexity for a local, urban site. In the broadest sense it is the study of our social, cultural and political institutions. Architecture can provide a visual representation of these beliefs and values. Thus it is the study of the public realm whereas Design III was the study of the dwelling or what we consider to be the more private realm. Therefore there is a theme for the whole year providing the possibility to discuss the dialectical issues of public and private.

What is the political ecology of Crown Heights?

Throughout this course, our studio dove deeper into reading the urban context to inform their design intent. Each student was asked to define community for themselves, and then questioning and dvelop that response through their design approach for their site. Understanding the community to address the issues and needs of the Crown heights neighborhood was relevant at all scales in the structure of the studio.

Neighborhood