Admission requirements
Students must have passed foundation level courses (BA-level) at AHO or equivalent, 180 ECTS.
Preliminary skills in computational design is advised.
The course is connected to the following study programs
- Master of Architecture
Course description
The ACDL studio is part of a series running since 2014, placing a strong emphasis on computational tools as part of the design process and communication of ideas. The studio is practice and research based, with an experimental approach to environmentally conscious architectural design, design processes and methodologies.
Central themes for the studio will be performance oriented with site specific environmental analysis and various simulations to analyze and optimize design as part of an iterative architectural design process.
Associative computational modeling will be introduced and used in an iterative manner incorporating design generation and analysis to refine the associative model that defines spatial organization, required building program and activity distribution.
The brief for the spring 2026 semester will be to design a medium scale public building with specific and varied spatial requirements.
Learning Outcome
Knowledge:
- of the architectural and computational design themes pursued by the studio.
- of associative /parametric modelling and tools for analysis and simulation.
- of successful examples of equivalent projects.
- of digital to physical fabrication process.
Skills:
- in utilizing associative modelling systems for architectural design.
- in utilizing analysis tools, simulations and advanced visualization as part of the design process.
- In reflective thinking and evaluation as a tool for developing design ideas within the design process.
General competence:
- on how to develop designs based on specific performative criteria in an integrated manner, from the conceptual stage to the material articulation through computational design.
- on how to set up and follow through a design process that leads to the desired result.
- on how to utilize design as a method of research in architecture that can facilitate the conception of novel architectural designs
Teaching
Project studio with lectures, studio supervision and interim deliveries and reviews. Toolbox series of seminars introducing relevant computational analysis, simulation and design systems.
The semester will be structured similar to the stages when developing projects for submission to architectural idea competitions.
There will be an excursion to a destination relevant for the project.
Physical attendance at lectures, supervision, and other educational activities is expected and necessary to achieve the learning outcomes.
Examination
Form of assessment: Project
Grouping: Group
Grading scale: Pass/fail
Description of the assessment:
The individual assessment at the end of the semester will be based on an evaluation of the final deliverance of the architectural project.