Admission requirements
Students must have passed foundation level courses (BA-level) at AHO or equivalent, 180 ECTS.
The course is connected to the following study programs
Course description
This course explores the life of building materials, from extraction to reuse. The students will investigate and document the sources, production processes, and destinations of materials such as concrete, steel, wood, insulation, steel and glass – tracing both natural extraction and recovery from existing buildings or material flows. The course combines lectures on material provenance, readings on material culture, and possible field trips . Each student research project will culminate in a report for publication in the Provenance Projected database, contributing to a growing Atlas of Material Provenance.
Learning Outcome
After successfully completing the course, you will have acquired the following knowledge:
• Knowledge of material provenance through extraction, production, and reuse
• Insight into mapping and analysis of selected materials
You will have acquired the following skills:
• Apply field studies and archival analysis to investigate material flows
• Document and report independently on an ethical basis
You will have acquired the following general competence:
• Communicate findings to both professionals and the public
• Apply knowledge and skills in new contexts and contribute to innovation in architectural practice
Teaching
Teaching will combine lectures on material provenance and environmental impacts with practical workshops on GIS mapping and data visualization. Students will receive studio-based supervision throughout their research process, with guidance on selecting materials, conducting fieldwork, and structuring their reports. When feasible, field trips to extraction or production sites will provide direct engagement with the material flows under investigation, linking theoretical knowledge with empirical observation.
Examination
Form of assessment: Report
Grouping: Individual
Grading scale: Pass/fail
Description: Assessment is based on the completion of a final research report for publication in the Provenance Projected database and a presentation of the research process and findings.
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem)
Oct. 15, 2026 2:32:43 PM