Design Integration: Lesson from a Research-Based Design Studio + Seminar
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Date
2019
Authors
Peña, Robert B.
Meek, Chris
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Design Integration can be characterized as a working method that is iterative, continuously collaborative,
and information-rich, and is targeted at optimizing the environmental, economic, and experiential
performance of a building. Research, information, and application of digital methods that facilitate multivariate
analysis are key components of design integration, a demonstrated process in professional practice
for creating truly deep-green high-performance buildings such as Seattle’s Bullitt Center.
Recognizing the potential for better integration between design and technology in the architecture
curriculum at the University of Washington (UW), the Master of Architecture program is transitioning to
a new curriculum model aimed at fostering greater collaboration, integration, and a research-based
design methodology in design studios and across the curriculum. Underpinning this new curriculum is a
greater commitment to research and to parametric analysis using computational methods as active
components of the design studio process.
This paper reports on the third iteration of an academic and professional collaboration to develop, test
and teach computational, performance-based design methods through a studio + seminar model. In each
successive version of these courses, methods and technologies have been explored for teaching
architecture students to create and document multivariate analysis and design synthesis workflows in an
empirically-based design inquiry to develop design proposals for multi-story high performance buildings
in downtown Seattle. Here we focus on our most recent studio + seminar course taught during the spring
2019 quarter.
Description
12 pages