Promoting Interdisciplinary Integrated Design Education Through Mass Timber
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Date
2019
Authors
Sheine, Judith
Donofrio, Mark
Gershfeld, Mikhail
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
An integrated design process ideally involves close coordination among the professionals designing
architectural, structural, and mechanical systems, and with the construction team and manufacturers of
building products; however, this process is not universally followed in practice, nor is it a common model
for design education, either in architecture or in engineering. New developments in the United States in
mass timber products present a unique opportunity to advance interdisciplinary integrated design
processes both in practice and in schools. As architects and engineers explore this field, they are finding
that in order to understand material possibilities and limitations and better manage project delivery
schedules they need to work in integrated teams from the start, including close coordination with
manufacturers, fabricators and construction professionals. Faculty in the University of Oregon (UO)’s
Department of Architecture have modelled this integrated practice method in a series of design studios
focused on mass timber systems in which student teams either work with architecture faculty and
interdisciplinary consultants or with teams of structural engineering students and architecture and
engineering faculty. To further this integrated practice model, an interdisciplinary MS degree in mass
timber design is being developed by UO’s Architecture Department and Oregon State University (OSU)’s
Department of Wood Science and Engineering for architecture, structural engineering and construction
management students with a professional undergraduate degree. The students will be working on projects
in interdisciplinary teams with interdisciplinary faculty teams, preparing the next generation of
professionals to be well equipped for a future of integrated design practice.
Description
14 pages