IMAMS Booklet

IMAMS International MediaArchitecture Master Studies

TWO CITIES, TWO YEARS, TWO DEGREES International Media Architecture Master Studies Introduction Welcome!

The interdisciplinary, integrated double degree master‘s program entitled „International MediaArchitecture Master Studies“ (IMAMS) was established in cooperation with the State University of New York, University at Buffalo and offers a unique, international approach towards studies in the field of MediaArchitecture.

Throughout the course of studies which is held correspondingly at the Bauhaus Universität and the University at Buffalo, postgraduate students are engaged in an inter-faculty learning experience within the architecture and media faculties on both campuses.

IMAMS is best accessed via a cross-cultural and multinational educational approach that prepares graduates for a global market. IMAMS provides an academic environment that enables students to understand the crosscultural implications of digital media in the context of architecture and urban design. After the successful completion, students will be awarded with a „Master of Science“ in MediaArchitecture (M.Sc.) from the Bauhaus Universität and a „Master of Science“ in Architecture (M.Sc.) from the University at Buffalo, SUNY. The programme is funded by the DAAD. Generally the masters study programme, MediaArchitecture, is open to university graduates with a master‘s degree or diploma in the area of architecture and media, as well as in related disciplines. The post-professional dual degree consists of a Master of Science (in MediaArchitecture) awarded by the Bauhaus Universität Weimar and a Master of Science in Architecture (M.Sc.) awarded by the University at Buffalo.

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STUDY PROGRAM

The standard period of study for the joint program is four semesters.

The participants complete the first (foundation) semester at thier home university, where they gain specific knowledge of their field of study.

The second (expansion) and third (pre-thesis) semesters are completed at the respective partner university. Participants then return to their home universities to complete their fourth (thesis) semester. IMAMS requires students to earn 30 ECTS points at the Bauhaus-Universitat Weimar and 15 credit points at SUNY Buffalo each semester. In order to implement the study and examination schedule as outlined in the university agreement, both partners pledge to fully recognize the students‘ academic acheivement and examinations completed at the other‘s partner university.

The language of instruction is English, and the instiutions must ensure that an adequate number of courses are offered in English. With sufficient knowledge of German, students may also attend courses taught in German. All academic activities, including all oral and written assignments, examinations and thesis presentatios are conducted or administered in English.

The course of study builds on the respective qualifications and offers supplementary to the individual’s profession - experience in the respective fields. A new interaction space (for instructors and students equally), in which the common fields of research can be pursued. New expressions should be encouraged through co-operation experiences. The goal is to increase the competitiveness of the students in their disciplines as well as in crossing borders.

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM OFFER?

GENERAL SCOPE: The alliance of architecture with media has three phases that generally describe the topic fields in form and content: First of all architecture is, just as language, text and symbols, itself a medium that not only conveys, processes and saves reality and its meaning, but also produces it. In this sense architecture is always a perception machine, physical technique, semiotic tool, and so on. The best examples are represented by the window as view, image and mirror, glass buildings as panorama or simply the space as a choreography of use.

Digital media make the expansion of real space possible and allow for its exchange effect with the virtual space.

Secondly architecture is represented in the media. Architecture circulates in media, which present themselves structurally and discoursely as having the ability to define architecture. Thus the representative forms of architecture (drawing, sketch, diagram, model, book, photography, film, virtual reality) as well as the techniques of their distribution contribute to its constitution. On the other hand architecture effects other media and serves as a model for them itself.

Thirdly architecture doubles itself virtually by making or simulating a completely individual architecture from the „artificial worlds“ based on new technology so that new typologies of immersion spaces are developed. Thereby it in turn becomes clear that architecture is always a prototype of such an immersion space. Here architecture offers the metaphors, the language, as well as the structure for order and for the navigation of knowledge.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS: The masters programme should provide the students with instrumental, as well as conceptional skills: -technical mastering of advanced media tools in the context of architecture (construction, presentation, simulation programmes), -use of new digital technology in space and its interaction with architectural considerations (intelligent building, media facades etc.), -complex understanding of architecture as a medium, as well as the media of architecture (theories of architecture, media, art), -ability for interdisciplinary co-operation between media artists, architects and art academics, -development of a debate culture, critical skills, generation of innovative approaches etc.

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ADMISSIONS AND ENROLLMENT

APPLICATION PROCESS: Students may apply for admission to the IMAMS degree program at their respective universities. Candidates are admitted to the joint IMAMS degree programme on the basis of an applicaiton review and selection process conducted at each university.

For students applying from BUW the following admission requirements have to be fulfilled: Only those with a study-related degree or equivalent certificate and/ or those able to demonstrate adequate professional experience, as well as pass the aptitude test can be admitted. A study-related degree is an academic degree from a German university or equivalent certificate from a foreign university in the following majors or fields: Architecture and media studies, as well as related disciplines with academic and/ or artistic-design emphasis (Bachelor, Master or Diploma). The study programme is in English.

For students applying from UB, German language requirements are not expected. An interest in German language and culture is expected and an Intensive German language course is offered at BUW and is a required part of the curriculum for UB students. The study programme “Media Architecture” at BUW ensures an adequate number of courses in English language to successfully complete the joint study programme.

REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT: Students will maintain registration at the sending institution and will be charged no entrance examination fee, admission fee, or tuition be the receiving institution. In addition to the enrollment at the home institution, students participating in the double degree programme enroll at the host institution for the study abroad period.

After registration at the Bauhaus Universität, students are required to individually register with the admissions department at the University at Buffalo. Once registered it is the student‘s responsibility to take all steps necessary to obtain a student visa required for studying at UB. More information on the admission process (aptitute test, interview, deadlines, and applicaiton formats) can be found at: http://www.uni-weimar.de/en/architecture-and-urbanism/chairs/dualmasters-degree/academics/admissions/

EXCHANGE

DAAD STIPEND: German citizenship holders applying for IMAMS are eligible to apply for a limited amount of DAAD scholarships (German Academic Exchange Service). The scholarship covers travel and living expenses for a duration of 12 months, whilst studying in Buffalo.

The application process is internally organized upon successful admission to the degree programme.

HOUSING AND ACCOMODATION: Exchange students from BUW are responsible for their housing costs at UB and may be housed in appropriate university accommodations if applications are received for such accommodation in advance. The same applies for UB exchange students.

A good resource for student accommodation in Buffalo can be found at: http://www.student-affairs.buffalo.edu/offcampus/finding.php For housing in Weimar, the best resource is the university-own „Pinnwand“: http://www.uni-weimar.de/de/universitaet/aktuell/pinnwaende/bereich/wohnen/

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WEIMAR AND BUFFALO FOR STUDENTS

WEIMAR: In Weimar, there is a long tradition of venturing in new directions. In awareness of the historic accomplishments - Classiscism, Bauhaus, German democracy- student life is Weimar is also anchored in its own contemorary microcosm. The cultural spectrum of the city is comprised of numerous small organizations, e.g. the student union in M18, the university gallery >marke.6< and the student-initiated soap box derby SpaceKidHeadCup. Four cinemas, several small theatre venues, over 20 museums and diverse student clubs and concert events further enhance Weimar‘s reputation as a European capital of culture and contribute to an exciting and eventful student life. When you come to Weimar, you immediately notice its familiar, small-town feeling. Most places are close by and can be quickly and comfortably reached by bike or on foot.

For more information about the opportunities awaiting you in Weimar, please visit: www.uni-weimar.de/weimar-for-students.

BUFFALO: Buffalo sits on the U.S.-Canadian border, on the edge of Lake Erie and just south of Niagara Falls, providing the region an abundance of natural resourses and economic advantage, today and throughout the region‘s history. As the terminus of the Erie Canal, Buffalo was once one of the nation‘s largest ports and remains a symbolic connection between east and west.

Buffalo‘s period of great wealth brought master architects Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, H.H. Richardson and Daniel Burnham to the city to design some of their most important buildings. Frederick Law Olmstead, designer of New York‘s Central Park, laid our Buffalo‘s network of parks and parkways.

In the midst of an urban renaissance, Buffalo is again a center of progressive planning and design - a distinction that has much to do with our students and faculty. The Buffalo School engages the city, its buildings, landscapes, industries and communicates as labs for reasearch, experimentation and intervention, and is a primary contributor to the region in everything from climate-related planning to industry-applied design technologies.

For more information on what to expect in Buffalo, please visit: www.buffalo.edu/prospective_students.

CURRICULUM

CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS FROM THE BAUHAUS-UNIVERSITÃ&#x201E;T WEIMAR: SEMESTER FOUNDATION (1st) EXPANSION (2nd)

PRE-THESIS (3rd)

THESIS (4th)

LOCATION

BUW

UB

UB

BUW

COURSES

Project Module 18 ECTS

Studio 7 Credits

Directed Research 7 Credits

Master Module 24 ECTS

Compulsory Elective Seminar/Workshop Seminar/Workshop Thesis Presentation 6 ECTS 3 Credits 6 ECTS 3 Credits Compulsory Elective Seminar/Workshop Seminar/Workshop 6 ECTS 3 Credits 3 Credits Seminar/Workshop Seminar/Workshop 2 Credits 2 Credits ECTS

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30

30

30

US CREDITS

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CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS FROM SUNY, UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO: SEMESTER FOUNDATION (1st) EXPANSION (2nd)

PRE-THESIS (3rd)

THESIS (4th)

LOCATION

UB

BUW

BUW

UB

COURSES

Studio 7 Credits

Project Module 18 ECTS

Project Module 18 ECTS

Thesis 7 Credits

Seminar/Workshop Compulsory Elective Compulsory Elective Seminar/Workshop 3 Credits 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 3 Credits Seminar/Workshop Compulsory Elective Compulsory Elective Seminar/Workshop 3 Credits 3/3 ECTS 6 ECTS 3 Credits Seminar/Workshop 2 Credits

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Seminar/Workshop 2 Credits

ECTS

30

30

30

30

US CREDITS

15

15

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STUDENT WORK

STUDIOS / PROJECT MODULES: Studios are the main semester projects in terms of workload and ECTS. Students are enouraged to develop artistic, experimental work following the research-based studio outline. IMAMS students in Buffalo join the Situated Technologies Research Group, one of four research studios at the core of UBâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s architectural graduate studies. Students in Weimar join the MediaArchitecture studio as part of their foundation semester.

SEMINARS: Seminars cover a broad range of research based, technical and/or artistic practice. The general topic outline is flexible as defined by the study regulations.

Students are generally encouraged to attend a balanced mix of media as well as architecture seminars. Between both faculties at both universities is where the interdisciplinary nature of IMAMS really comes to light.

THESIS: Upon successful completion of the semester projects and coursework in Buffalo and in Weimar, students are able to register for their master thesis. Firstly, in the pre-thesis, a general research prospective is formulated in coordination with a chosen thesis chair, functioning as an advisor to the student. In this phase, the student develops a bibliography and extensive body of research in order to finalize the pre-thesis with a precise statement of intent.

The following semester is comprised of the main thesis, which is situated in the intersection of architecture and media and elaborated scientifically and/or artistically by the student, whilst guided by interdisciplinary faculty members in both Buffalo and Weimar.

A student undertaking a thesis conducts independent investigations of his or her chosen topics under the supervision of a thesis committee consisting of at least two faculty members. A student must complete all thesis work and documentation to the satisfaction of his or her thesis committee. At both eight and four weeks before the semesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last week of classes, all thesis students must participate in interim thesis reviews scheduled by the architecture department.

The body of work is submitted to both institutions and evaluated by a respective committee, leading to the award of the Dual Degree.

DOPPELGÄNGER

VINCENT KRAUSE | JAN PONEß | NIMA VAKILI Masters Thesis, 2014

Doppelgänger is a public communication sculpture and a sound intallation realized in form or a tunnel structure. It was exhibited at the Media Architecture Biennale 2014 and Bauhaus-Universität Weimar‘s „summaery 2014.“ Two telematically connected tunnels at remote locations create an apparatus for meeting/communicating virtually, yet spatially preceivable, with others merely through the sound of your footsteps. This happens with the aid of 16 speakers and 16 microphones that are built into the floor platform of each tunnel. Microphones pick up the sound of your footsteps which then get transmitted to the other tunnel to be played back on the corresponding speakers in realtime.

Two participants simultaneously enter each tunnel and walk towards each other while they only hear the other person approaching. They meet at some point along the tunnel and then pass through each other as there is only enough room for one person in the middle.

elevation showing movement and resulting effect

Doppelgänger exhibited in the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Library courtyard

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figure moving through Doppelgänger

photos of Doppelgänger

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Doppelgänger investigates the communicative qualities of the human gait as a counterpoint to existing visual, verbal and textual communication protocols. It introduces subtle, culturally varying aspects of situated interactions to digital communication media, and reevaluates the potential of walking as an embodied, contextualized mode of interacting and being in the world.

Due to time and money constraints only one tunnel could be constructed in Phase 1 which was located at the courtyard of Bauhaus University Library. Therefore, a catwalk was built and placed at a distant location to replace the second proposed tunnel in Buffalo. The catwalk incorporated the same number of microphones and speakers which would make it function identically to the built tunnel. The architectural design of the tunnel is an attempt to create threshholds of isolation/concentration both visually and acoustically. The first phase allowed for studying visitor engagement and an evaluation of techical efficacy and overall experience.

Doppelgänger also features a standalone mode which uses the array of speakers to create interactive spatial sonic experiences using multi-layer sound samples (e.g. a freight train that sweeps through the tunnel as a visitor enters).

user moving through Doppelgänger

FERROFLOW LISA PUSCH

Networked Ecologies Studio, 2014

“AN ACTION IS ‘SOCIAL’ IF THE ACTING INDIVIDUAL TAKES ACCOUNT OF THE BE-HAVIOR OF THE OTHER.” Social systems are essential. Evolving from an action between two actors, into behavior, relations and interaction the complexity increases up to social networks. How can they be analyzed? What are characteristics?

Which relations and interactions are existing? Can they be weighted and distinguished? How? Are there specific events or pattern? Rotaract is a part of rotary international, an international service orga-nization.

Focusing on one local club, the analysis gained detailed results of human interaction, relations and communication.

Specific pattern were identified and become visible by materialize analogies of flow, motion, dispersion, sequence.

ANALYSIS Every network has specific characteristics – influenced by the actors, the type of relations, its overall organization and context as well as by rules and events. The set of rules of this specific network, Rotaract, is well defined. The backbone is a hierarchical structure, organizing the actors in clubs, districts and zones all around the world. By nature, there are several levels, or scales, which can be analyzed and which also interact.

Additionally clubs and actors exchange with other networks or groups; of their city, of their partner club or of their personal networks: New cooperation and synergies can evolve.

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MATERIALIZATION Capillary action in water and on paper, diffusion of color in water, emulsion of water and oil, magnetic fields and fluid: Steps taken during the experimentation of how to visualize the pattern or communication, interaction, distribution and flow.

Finding a way of controlling the pattern, magnetism and specifically Ferro fluid, a liquid made of magnetic solids, surfactant and carrier seems to have all the desired attributes. It is controllable and immaterial.

The materializationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s abstraction is emphasized by the high contrast between the transparent materials, the black parts, Ferro fluid and the electromagnets, and the colorful parts of the Arduino.

Observing the movement of the liquid in the petri dish through the lens or the projections connotes firstly the several scales and levels of the social organization as well as the act of social network analysis itself.

The model responds to the interest of understanding and mapping social networks in order to use their events and characteristics to capitalize them visually.

PERFORMING PROPRIOCEPTION MATTEO PACHER XS Studio, 2013

In this project, the approach to proprioception has been explored by dyad, as a cut between the duality of information/materiality, mind/body, Cartesian obeserver/performer. The perception of space happens/exists through action as enabled by propioception.

Through the use of analog and digital tools, the importance of the body, as essential experiential tool and medium to perceive space and enact it, has been explored through its amputation, extension, digitalization and shared experiencing.

Proprioception does not exist without subjective experience. The project works again on the idea of nested experience, nested performance, associated again with duality body/mind - information/materiality, where the user is at the same time performer and spectator.

The prototype was installed in Silo City (Buffalo) in the plenum between the silos, and its program is a stage for a dance performance.

Proprioception is particularly important for dancers who constantly train their physcical control and response and have to rely on the perception of their own body parts to perform correctly. The galvanic skin response sensor, worn around the neck of each performer, controls the color of the LEDâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s that are projected on the suspended spandex fabric. The galvanic response is based on the skin micro sweating, which allows the body to conduct a low-voltage signal, and be read by the Arduino board.

performance diagrams

galvanic skin response

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installation photo

The translation from the skin conductivity to the colored lights is a mapping of the motion of the performers, being action the way we perceive space, and proprioception the sense that enables both controlled motion and action.

The project also tries to engage the questions of evolution and perception of our own bodies in our era, how we continously extend them through the use of technological devices, how we displace and manipulate them (still remembering that every extension is also an amputation, as McLuhan wrote).

photos of installation

LIGHT WALK

David Heaton | Sandra Linton Huezo Urban Interface Project Module, 2015

‘Light Walk’ is a project designed for the UNESCO 2015 International Year of Light Festival. Located in the passages leading into the Carl Zeiss eG, it is an interactive light installation which aims to encourage the use of multiple passages by displaying the data of the people’s presence from each passage around the courtyard into the main passage, containing the visualization. By placing sensors in each of the walkways, the movement of the user is tracked and then shown as a ‘data ghost’ of light through a 3D light matrix. Users in the main passage will experience an augmented reality as they see their own data being visualized, as well as the presence of those in other passages. This will create a trans-local experience by allowing the presence of multiple users in the courtyard to be superimposed in one space. During the night, LED/spot lights will be used to attract users towards the installation and the Sonnenhof courtyard, an otherwise dark area.

situation 1: 1 user in main passage

situation 2: 1 user in west passage

situation 3: 1 user in main passage and 1 user in east passage

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rendering of interactive passage

technical layout of electronics

color variations in LED lights

diagram depicting direct interaction and data ghosts in the main tunnel

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The interaction with the installation can be passive or active, depending on the will of the user. Any individual walking through these passages will be interacting passively, while someone who realizes that he/she is being tracked can choose to ‘play along’ either alone or with a companion. A series of sensors will be placed in both the main and auxiliary passages to establish when and where a user is in space. A program will determine how fast the individual is moving based on how often the equally spaced sensors are engaged. This information will then be fed to the main computer controlling the light installation, which will then visualize the presence of the person.

„light walk“ installation

changing lights within „light walk“

CONTACT

HEAD OF DEGREE PROGRAM AND COUNSELLING SERVICE FOR STUDENTS Dr.-Ing. Sabine Zierold

Geschwister-Scholl-Str. 8, EG, Zi. 015 D-99423 Weimar Tel.: +49-(0)3643-583161 Fax: +49-(0)3643-583109 E-Mail: sabine.zierold@uni-weimar.de

PEOPLE

PROGRAM DIRECTORS: Prof. Bernd Rudolf, Building Design / BUW - A+U Prof. Andreas Kästner, Presentation Methodology / BUW - A+U Prof. Dr. Jens Geelhaar, Interface Design /BUW - M /Vertr. Prof. Michael Markert Prof. Mark Shepard / UB - A+UP/ DMS, CAST Associated Professors: BAUHAUS UNVERSITAT WEIMAR: Prof. Dr. Frank Eckhard, Urban Sociology / A+U Prof. Dr. Dirk Donath, Digital Planning / A+U Vetr.- Prof. Dr. Jörg Stabenow, Theory and History of Modern Architecture / A+U Junior - Prof. Dr. Ines Weizmann, Theory and History of Modern Architecture/ A+U Prof. Dr. Eva Hornecker, Human-Computer Interaction / M Prof. Dr. Bernd Fröhlich, Computer Science and Media / M Prof. Ursula Damm, Design of Medial Environments / M Vertr.- Prof. Dr. Gabriele Schabacher, History and Theory of Cultural Technologies / M STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO: Prof. Omar Khan, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Architecture, CAST Prof. Jordan Geiger, Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, CAST Prof. Mark Böhlen, Associate Professor at the Department of Media Study Prof. Teri Rueb, Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Media Study

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