A52F1B Free Architectural Studio 5:1 12.0 credits

Focus of this course is the development of the tools for understanding urban complexities beyond their physical manifestations. Throughout the course we will be testing the limits of the planning tools and investigate the new methods for predicting, controlling and manipulating urban dynamics. The extracted code of three chosen global cities will be tested on the specific segment of the urban tissue of Stockholm.

The characteristics and nature of zoning rules, building codes and regulations of three different cities will be studied and reinterpreted through a series of mapping studies juxtaposing various systems of data from variety of urban inner city core environments and urban contexts from different cultures. To understand the mechanisms of “urban genetics” the students would test manipulating the urban codes on the specific sites from highest to the lowest densities and test the results in relationship to the possible outcomes in a series of workshops. The existing parameters of the code will be questioned, re-examined and new possibilities explored based on the new realities in cities.The specific urban realities translated through the urban codifications are manifested in physical and non-physical form, various degrees of flexibility in planning for future urban models and the extent of the dynamic relation between formal (planned) and informal (unplanned) city fabric shall be examined. The tools of urban controls will be tested against specific economic, cultural, technological forces shaping the city today. The extracted code of each of three chosen cities will be tested on the specific segment of the urban tissue of Stockholm.

Genetic Code of a City, 5th year

Overall goals
The project is part of the Urban Studio.
Studio Description: This studio discusses sustainable urban development in terms of globalization, climate changes, mega cities and urban strategies - transformed into new typologies and innovative urban design.
2. The course/project goal is to increase the student's knowledge in this area/field and skills/knowledge in the field of architecture in general. The students will enter the project with varying degrees of knowledge/skills and will subsequently end up at different levels at the end of the course/project.
 3. The individual student must show an increase in the particular skills/knowledge offered in the studio and in the field of architecture in general.

Course goals
In the first of a series of four courses students will begin their investigations by studying urban forms in their relation to the underlying structure of codes and regulations. The “Matrix” of the city will be exposed and tested in terms of how it controls and in return is affected by the various layers of the resulting dynamic and physical urban form.The main focus of this course is the development of the tools for understanding urban complexities beyond their physical
manifestations. Throughout the course we will be testing the limits of the planners tools and investigate the potential
new tools for organizing, predicting, controlling and manipulating urban dynamics.

Bachelor’s Degree, or an equivalent level, within the field of Architecture + passed 4th year studies.

Bachelor’s Degree, or an equivalent level, within the field of Architecture + passed 4th year studies.

Required:
Visualizing the Invisible Towards an Urban SpaceTechne Press, Amsterdam. Editors: Stephen Read and Camilo Pinilla
New York City Zoning Regulations. Department of City Planning. New York City.
Suggested:
The Global City, New York, London, TokyoSasskia Sassen, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Urban Design Futures. London: Routledge. Moor, Malcolm and Rowland, Jon (Eds.). 2006.
Learning From the Japanese City. West Meets East in Urban Design. Barrie Shelton
Recombinant Urbanism: Conceptual Modeling in Architecture, Urban Design and City Theory. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Shane, David Grahame. 2005.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• PRO1 - Project part 1, 9.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• PRO2 - Project part 2, 3.0 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

The course consists of two parts; a fulfilled and delivered project work (9 credits) and a passed final assessment (3 credits). There is at least one intermediate assessment during the course.

a) Presentation requirements
Individual work to be presented on min. 3 - A1 format sheets.Include edited relevant work from previous presentations. (More detailed requirements to be issued two weeks before final presentation).
Minimum requirements:
•Analytical diagrams, mapping studies of the sites in plans and sections, scale: 1:400 -1:1000 or as required by the project scale
• Diagram of the Genetic Code analysis of the chosen city. 3d depiction of the system and its modulations, Instruction manual diagram
• Urban scale drawing of the proposal 1 plan and 1 section: 1:400 -1:1000 or as required by the project scale
• Plans of the typologies at 1:200 scale
• 2 sections and 2 elevations at 1:200 scale
• Developed 3D visualizations of the proposal at the urban scale(3d digital models, collage)• 3D renderings of the propsal at the scale od the observer (perspective or axonometric)
• Images, samples, diagrams, and or details depicting ideas for material and construction methods.
• A physical model of the site and the conceptual model of the proposal at urban scale (1:400 to 1:1000)
The presentation format for the final presentation will include a power point presentation of all individual work and printed material. All relevant video and photographic material dealing with analysis and the proposal is to be presented.
The studio presentation will be part of the future diploma portfolio and shall be delivered in an appropriate and fully qualified way.

b) Examination
80% attendance. Active participation in lectures, tutorials, and seminars etc. Passed intermediate and final assessments. Compulsory attendance during the assessment reviews.
Completion: The project work shall be delivered and, if necessary, reworked within the set time limit.  See general directions.
(Overall principle: Autumn term projects must be approved during the following Spring term: Spring term projects must be approved before the start of the following Autumn term. The reworked projects must be delivered at least one week before the time limit.)
The project work is to be documented in a portfolio, including drawings, analysis and models. The work process shall be legible.

Per Fransson

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.