Architecture

The study of architecture as a speculation on origins is located at the conjunctive core of any liberal arts curriculum and serves as the physical armature and conceptual foundation of the University. This course is concerned with the contemporary imagination, attempting to make the discipline of architecture meaningful to a wide range of citizens in its public obligation to be constructive and optimistic in the most profoundly ethical, pragmatic, and magical of terms. "

IIn this course we explore the delights and dilemmas of design. Through writing, drawing, and making collages and models we seek to answer fundamental questions. What are the basic elements of design? What does an artist or architect do when he or she designs? Are there key principles of design? What are the difficulties of the design process? What are its rewards? To see students' work visit: http://www.arch.virginia.edu/designfundamentals/ "

The studio course introduces first year students from architecture, urban and environmental planning, and architectural history to the built environment related to scales from the body to buildings, landscapes, and cities.Students explore comprehensive and foundational design principles, skill sets, and critical thinking. "

The foundations studios involve beginning design students in thoughtful application of fundamental design principles, foundational techniques of representation and fabrication and comprehensive critical design strategies. These courses foster the development of the beginning design student's design methodology founded on thoughtful, creative, ethical and rigorous work practices in service of exploring meaningful formal and spatial propositions. Prerequisite: ARCH 1010, 1020, 1030. "

This studio course emphasizes conceptualization and synthesis of complex programs in contemporary contexts at multiple scales. Prerequisite: ARCH 3010 "

Explores and evaluates the properties of basic building materials and construction assemblies. Introduces building construction from a variety of viewpoints, with emphasis on ecological thinking in architectural decision-making. Students will analyze and critique materials and construction systems, and how they correspond to aesthetic, technical, financial and ethical issues. "

Selected students lead a seminar (of 8 to 10 younger students each) for 'Lessons of the Lawn' and 'Lessons in Making.' All student assistants attend class lectures (for a second time) and then meet with their seminar groups weekly, leading discussions of topics and questions raised by the instructor. "

An interdisciplinary workshop and seminar that combines documentary moviemaking and video input with virtual and physical media output. Video and sound recording or a motion capture body suit may be used to collect initial data. The data may be translated to facilitate the making or movement of physical objects. Or, the data may be translated to figure creatively in virtual representations such as used in motion picture production. "

This course seeks to give students the ability to conceive and create digital photographic imagery with control and sophistication. Topics include fundamentals of photography, color theory, digital control of visual qualities, and methods of image montage. Methods include production and presentation for both print and monitor screen. "