schedule98

BUILDING PROCESS AREA OF EMPHASIS

ARCHITECTURE 160

THE NATURE OF ORDER

◊

AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS

August 26, 1999

INSTRUCTOR: HAJO NEIS

GSIs: Fernando Marti, Brandon Ankenbrandt

SESSION 1

INTRODUCTION:

THE NATURE OF ORDER

Lectures will give students a general introduction to the Building Process Area of Emphasis, including a grounding in its underlying theories as put forth in The Nature of Order by Christopher Alexander. The objective is to define the basic structure needed by any environment which supports life; and to give students an understanding of the processes required to create that structure. This includes special emphasis on the beauty of the buildings and the deeper structures which exist in buildings where great beauty can be attained. We will lay out the foundation of a way of looking at architecture which brings practical function and inner spirit together in one conception that finds its origin in the physical nature of matter.

Later classes in the School of Architecture and Building Process Area of Emphasis will allow students to further develop the practical insights of this class in the design of buildings, neighborhoods, construction details, and space.

IN-CLASS EXERCISE

Silent comparisons

ASSIGNMENT

Architecture Form Language: Select an architect from the list provided and study the architectural form language the architect uses in his buildings and projects.

SECTION

READINGS

Christopher Alexander, The Nature of Order, Book 1 Preface & Chapter 1

The manuscript is available at Elite Copy, 2588 Telegraph Ave., between Blake and

Parker (You have to buy books 1 &2, books 3 &4 are optional).

William Saunders, "Architectural Education" (handout)

BUILDING PROCESS AREA OF EMPHASIS

ARCHITECTURE 160

THE NATURE OF ORDER

◊

AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS

SEPTEMBER 2, 1999

INSTRUCTOR: HAJO NEIS

GSIs: Fernando Marti, Brandon Ankenbrandt

SESSION 2:

THE PHENOMENON OF LIFE

1. SMALL OBJECT COMPARISONS

Ask questions to the class about the two objects you have brought. Begin with "Which one is more alive?" Add other questions of your choosing, such as "Which one is a better design?" Predict which one will get more votes before you ask the question, writing down why you made this prediction. If you did not bring objects today, bring them to class next week.

2. LECTURE

Last week's lecture introduced the nature of order as described by Christopher Alexander. This week's lecture will cover the fundamental attribute of this order, which is life, and the degrees of life which exist in our environment. The topic of this lecture will be the basis for your first assignment.

3. IN-CLASS EXERCISE

Slide comparison test - turn in your results to GSIs.

4. ASSIGNMENT

Identifying and Describing Life. The aim of this assignment is to see the life in the world around you, feel it directly, and respond to it. Choose the most intensely and vibrantly alive place that is a part of you, or a well-known indoor or outdoor built space of your choice. Describe it, both graphically and in words, in such a way that others can feel the life of that place as well. Describe the space in terms of the architecture, form, structure, and spatial elements which influence the life of the space. Due in section for presentation and discussion next Tuesday, September 7. Please limit yourself to an 11x17 format (any media: drawing, painting, collage, etc.) and 1 page of text.

5. OFFICE HOURS

Sign-up sheets for office hours are posted outside the office door each week.

Prof. Hajo Neis Wurster 362 Mon. 1-2 p.m.

GSI Brandon Ankenbrandt Wurster 362 Tues. 3-4 p.m.

GSI Fernando Marti Wurster 362 Tues. 4-5 p.m.

6. READINGS

Christopher Alexander, The Nature of Order, Chapters 1 & 2

Michael Benedikt, "Value and Psychological Economics," intro.

Henry Miller, The Colossus of Maroussi, selection

BUILDING PROCESS AREA OF EMPHASIS

ARCHITECTURE 160

THE NATURE OF ORDER

◊

AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS

September 9, 1999

INSTRUCTOR: HAJO NEIS

GSIs: Fernando Marti, Brandon Ankenbrandt, Bizhan Khaleeli

LECTURE 3:

BUILDING PROCESS PROJECT

1. GUEST LECTURE

Randy Schmidt is an architect and builder at the Center for Environmental Structure in Berkeley. He has worked on various projects integrating design and construction, including the project he will present today, the Poppy Lane House. His current work involves developing innovative construction methods and an integrated construction management system. He also teaches the Construction Experience class (Arch 263) at UC Berkeley. In the example presented, we will see how every move in the design and building process is measured by the degree of life that it adds to the project.

2. SEMESTER PROJECT OVERVIEW

As a follow-up to the presentation of the Poppy Lane House, we will show you some examples of previous class work in building furniture employing this same process of unfolding life

3. ASSIGNMENT

Begin to analyze the form language of your chosen architect or building style in terms of one of the following categories. Think about how the architect

4. READINGS

Christopher Alexander, The Nature of Order, Book 2, Chpt. 16 (p. 163-224)

Soetsu Yanagi, "The Way of Craftsmanship," in The Unkown Craftsman

Toshio Odate, "The Soul of the Tool," in Asian Art, Summer 1995

BUILDING PROCESS AREA OF EMPHASIS

ARCHITECTURE 160

THE NATURE OF ORDER

◊

AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS

September 16, 1999

INSTRUCTOR: HAJO NEIS

GSIs: Fernando Marti, Brandon Ankenbrandt, Bizhan Khaleeli

SESSION 4:

PATTERN LANGUAGE

1. LECTURE

Recent lectures have introduced the phenomenon of life and the use of life as a measure of value in architecture, as well as an example of a house in Berkeley using a step-by-step process to create life in a building. This week we will look at an architectural language of patterns” present in environments that express a high degree of life. As defined in A Pattern Language, patterns are functional relationships which can be seen at all different scales, from that of a town to that of a building detail, from "Entrance Transition" and "Courtyards Which Live" to "Soft Walls." The supplementary readings by Kim Dovey and Julie Moir Messervy offer other perspectives on the idea of patterns and archetypes.

2. IN-CLASS EXERCISE

Identify a pattern from a place in your own background or culture, one that supports the life of that place. Using the examples from A Pattern Language as a guide, describe the pattern in a paragraph and make a sketch of it. Your patterns will be collected at the end of class.

3. SECTION

We have added two new sections, Tuesday 1-2 p.m. and Wednesday 1-2 p.m. Please make sure you know which sections you have been assigned to. Next week in section we will review the Form Language assignment. Look at the form language employed by the architect you have chosen in terms of Walls & Columns, Roofs & Floors, and Openings, as well as other relevant aspects of the architect's particular language. The text and graphics should attempt to demonstrate the general form of these structures, the feeling and spaces they create, and a sense of how they are put together.

4. ADDS AND WAITING LIST

If you were on the waiting list or are adding the class, please check with the Architecture office to make sure you are officially in the class.

5. READINGS

Alexander Ishikawa Silverstein Jacobson King & Angel, A Pattern Language

Kim Dovey, "The Pattern Language and Its Enemies"

Julie Moir Messervy, "Archetypal Places" from The Inward Garden

BUILDING PROCESS AREA OF EMPHASIS

ARCHITECTURE 160

THE NATURE OF ORDER

◊

AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS

September 23, 1999

INSTRUCTOR: HAJO NEIS

GSIs: Fernando Marti, Brandon Ankenbrandt, Bizhan Khaleeli

SESSION 5:

WHOLENESS, CENTERS, & GEOMETRY

1. LECTURE

This week we introduce the idea of wholeness and the theory of centers as the spatial, dynamic, and geometric expression of the universe. The beauty of a building, its life, its capacity to support life, all come from the fact that it is working as a whole. It is part of the world, which includes the gardens, walls, trees, streets beyond its boundaries, and other buildings beyond those. This wholeness in turn creates and defines centers within it and around it, a phenomonon of centeredness in space. These centers are on the one hand made up of centers, and in turn form part of a larger field of centers which give structure to the world we see.

These centers can be seen as having specific properties which bring forth a feeling of life in a given space. These properties include:

1.) Levels of Scale 2.) Centers as Fields 3.) Boundaries

4.) Alternating Repetition 5.) Positive Space 6.) Good Shape

7.) Local Symmetries 8.) Deep Interlock & Ambiguity 9.) Contrast

10.) Graded Variation 11.) Roughness 12.) Echoes

13.) The Void 14.) Simplicity & Inner Calm 15.) Not Separateness

2. IN-CLASS EXERCISE

Draw the structure of a field of centers associated with the particular object shown. Remember that this is also part of a larger field of centers. Write your name on the top right corner and hand in to your GSI.

3. ASSIGNMENT: INITIAL VISION OF YOUR PIECE OF FURNITURE

Begin to think about the piece of furniture which will be your final project for the class. It should be a major project (small jewelry boxes are discouraged) but not something that is too complex for you to finish in time for the final review (chairs, for example, can be very time-consuming...). It should be something that is both useful and beautiful enough to be a gift to yourself or someone you love. It should, however, be something from your own heart and vision, something that you could call "a mirror of your inner self." Sketch an initial 'vision' for pinup in section next week, September 28 & 29. This will be the start of the journal we are asking you to create to document your own building and designing process.

4. READINGS

Alexander, The Nature of Order, Chapters 3 to 6

If there is time there will be a discussion about the readings in section next week.

BUILDING PROCESS AREA OF EMPHASIS

ARCHITECTURE 160

THE NATURE OF ORDER

◊

AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS

September 30, 1999

INSTRUCTOR: HAJO NEIS

GSIs: Fernando Marti, Brandon Ankenbrandt, Bizhan Khaleeli

SESSION 6:

FIFTEEN GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES

IN BUILDINGS AND IN NATURE

1. LECTURE

Last week we introduced the specific properties of centers which bring forth a feeling of life in a given space. These properties include:

1.) Levels of Scale 2.) Centers as Fields 3.) Boundaries

4.) Alternating Repetition 5.) Positive Space 6.) Good Shape

7.) Local Symmetries 8.) Deep Interlock & Ambiguity 9.) Contrast

10.) Graded Variation 11.) Roughness 12.) Echoes

13.) The Void 14.) Simplicity & Inner Calm 15.) Not Separateness

Alexander argues that the fifteen properties of fields of centers are more than visual features which appear in great works of art and architecture; they are in fact a necessary feature of material reality. Seeing how these properties appear in nature leads to a realization that in nature there is no division between function and form. Likewise, the beauty of a building arises from the deep functional nature of the centers created.

2. IN-CLASS EXERCISE

On a sheet of paper list the 15 properties discussed in lecture. Draw examples of centers which illustrate each of the properties, drawing from spaces and objects that you are familiar with. Include if you can examples at the scale of furniture, sculpture, or building details which may help you in thinking about your own semester project. Responses will be collected at end of class.

3. SECTION ASSIGNMENT: MODEL AND FIFTEEN PROPERTIES

Analyze your initial vision of the piece of furniture in terms of each of the fifteen fundamental properties, and how they relate to creating a field of centers. Is there a wholeness to your piece of furniture? Do the different centers enhance the life of the piece? Does this analysis reveal something about your piece of furniture that you hadn't seen before? Create rough models of your semester project (at a scale of 3"=1'-0"). Both the analysis and the moDELS are due in section next week, October 5 and 6.

Please note that the mid-review is now October 14, and the written mid-term will be completed in section October 19 and 20.

4. READINGS

Christopher Alexander, The Nature of Order, Chapters 5, 6, & 7

Peter Stevens, Patterns in Nature, handout

BUILDING PROCESS AREA OF EMPHASIS

ARCHITECTURE 160

THE NATURE OF ORDER

◊

AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS

October 7, 1999

INSTRUCTOR: HAJO NEIS

GSIs: Fernando Marti, Brandon Ankenbrandt, Bizhan Khaleeli

SESSION 7:

FIFTEEN PROPERTIES AND

THE MIRROR OF THE INNER SELF

1. LECTURE

2. SLIDE COMPARISON RESULTS

A few weeks ago we tested several images asking "which one has more life?" Here we present the results of the exercise.

3. SECTION ASSIGNMENTS

Full-scale mockups in corrugated cardboard. The mockups should approximate the thickness of wood or whatever material you are using for the final project. Also begin to create a color and material sample board.

4. NEXT WEEK

Mid-Review 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Bring your full-scale mockups and models, color and materials samples, and boards to explain your initial vision and design process (analysis of 15 properties, structure-preserving transformations, etc.). Please be prompt as we have 90 students to present in four hours. If you are not prepared, you will not be allowed to present. Please inform your GSI if you need to leave at 5 p.m., so we can schedule you accordingly.

5. MID-TERM

There will be a written mid-term in section on October 19 and 20. We will review the material in section next week.

6. READINGS

Chris Alexander, The Nature of Order, Chapters 8,9 & 10

Recommended: Clare Cooper Marcus, House as Mirror of the Self

BUILDING PROCESS AREA OF EMPHASIS

ARCHITECTURE 160

THE NATURE OF ORDER

◊

AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS

October 14, 1999

INSTRUCTOR: HAJO NEIS

GSIs: Fernando Marti, Brandon Ankenbrandt, Bizhan Khaleeli

SESSION 8:

MID-REVIEW

The method of structure-preserving transformations is a way of achieving this in design through a step-by-step process that begins by understanding the existing wholeness, and alows us to make design desisions according to an ability to preserve the wholeness and then to enhance.

BUILDING PROCESS AREA OF EMPHASIS

ARCHITECTURE 160

THE NATURE OF ORDER

◊

AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS

October 21, 1999

INSTRUCTOR: HAJO NEIS

GSIs: Fernando Marti, Brandon Ankenbrandt, Bizhan Khaleeli

SESSION 9:

INTRODUCTION TO PROCESS AND THE PRINCIPLE OF UNFOLDING WHOLENESS

1. LECTURE

Today in the first part of the lecture we introduce the theory of process as discussed in Book 2 of The Nature of Order. In the second part of the lecture, the notion of "unfolding wholeness" can be seen as expressed in numerous examples from nature. The lecture will end with a few examples of process used in creating contemporary buildings.

2. SLIDE COMPARISONS

The Mirror of the Self

3. SECTION ASSIGNMENTS: FIFTEEN FUNDAMENTAL PROPERTIES

Due in Section October 26 and 27

• The aim of this assignment is to analyze the geometric properties that influence the life in the world around you. Choose a built space or object (such as a piece of furniture) which you find to be full of life, "intensely and vibrantly alive," something that you might describe as "a mirror of your self."

• Describe the space in terms of its wholeness and the field of centers. Can you see the life in the field of centers? What specific geometric aspects of the space or object influence its feeling of life?

• Analyze the centers and the overall effect in terms of the fifteen properties. Think of this as a tool for analysis (what works, what doesn't, what helps to create life in the space or object) rather than a simple list of 15 things which may or may not be present.

• Please limit yourself to an 11x17 format (any media: drawing, painting, collage, etc.). The presentation should include pictures or photographs, analytical diagrams, and text. Create a "readable" presentation: titles and bullet points, text attached to specific graphics, clear diagrams as well as more expressive sketches, etc.

4. READINGS

Chris Alexander, The Nature of Order, Book 2 Preface, Chapter 11

Recommended: Whitehead, Process and Reality

BUILDING PROCESS AREA OF EMPHASIS

ARCHITECTURE 160

THE NATURE OF ORDER

◊

AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS

October 28, 1999

INSTRUCTOR: HAJO NEIS

GSIs: Fernando Marti, Brandon Ankenbrandt, Bizhan Khaleeli

SESSION 10:

STRUCTURE PRESERVING TRANSFORMATIONS FORMATION OF FIELDS OF CENTERS

AND PROJECT EXAMPLES

1. LECTURE

The process of unfolding wholeness, introduced in the last lecture, comes about practically through transformations that preserve structure. Today wee will analyze the formation of a field of livng centers through a three-step process of "Structure Preserving Transformations." This involves first, understanding the wholeness of the existing structure, second, preserving the structure, and third, enhancing the structure.

We will see this process at work in various building process examples, including the Eishin Campus near Tokyo, Japan. The Eishin Campus was designed and built using a pattern language, the creation of a field of centers, structure preserving transformations, and a process of integrated design and construction. The supplemental readings deal with the success and some of the problems of using such an approach in the current professional practice.

2. EXERCISES

Structure Preserving Transformations. Have some paper ready! Turn in to your GSI at end of class.

3. GUEST LECTURE

Omar Nagati, Architecture PhD. candidate, will present Halim Abdelhalim's Childrens' Cultural Park in Cairo, Egypt.

4. SECTION ASSIGNMENT

If you have not already done so, you should obtain your final materials this week (the best local places for hardwoods are Ashby Lumber and McBeath's, both on Ashby). Bring skecthes and questions regarding materials, joinery, and detail design for discussion in section. Take advantage of the woodshop NOW before it gets filled up with 160 and 150 students!!!

5. READINGS

Chris Alexander, The Nature of Order, Book 2, Chapters 12 & 13

Alexander, Neis et al. "Battle: The History of a Crucial Clash Between World-System A and World-System B, Construction of ther New Eishin Campus"

Hajo Neis, "The Building Process: Towards a Fundamental Revision of Architectural Education"

BUILDING PROCESS AREA OF EMPHASIS

ARCHITECTURE 160

THE NATURE OF ORDER

◊

AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS

November 4, 1999

INSTRUCTOR: HAJO NEIS

GSIs: Fernando Marti, Brandon Ankenbrandt, Bizhan Khaleeli

SESSION 11:

THE FUNDAMENTAL PROCESS:

CENTERING PROCESS AND SPT

PROJECT: Eishin College and High School-Japan

1. LECTURE

Our final lecture on process in the Nature of Order will deal with what Alexander calls the Fundamental Process, a single process that guides the unfolding of wholeness. The Fundamental Process consists of seven steps which are repeated with each new formation of a center. This is exmplified in the formation of generic centers (patterns and pattern language), spatial centers (the fifteen properties), the sequence of generating centers (structure-preserving transformations) and the geometry of unique centers. Refer to the handout for a detailed definition of the fundamental process.

We will see this process at work in the design and construction of the Eishin Campus near Tokyo, Japan. The Eishin Campus was designed and built using a pattern language, the creation of a field of centers, structure preserving transformations, and a process of integrated design and construction.

2. GUEST LECTURE

Randy Schmidt is an architect and builder at the Center for Environmental Structure in Berkeley. Today he will speak about integrating design and construction, in particular the creation of an innovative construction management system. Randy will teach the Construction Experience class (Arch 263) next Spring.

3. SECTION ASSIGNMENT

Present a major transformation that has occured in your own furniture project. Remember that your final project will need to be accompanied by a process journal that chronicles the transformations in your design. By now you should have bought the materials for your project and should have measured drawings and joinery details. If you haven't already done so, begin construction this week!

4. READINGS

Chris Alexander, The Nature of Order, Book 2, Chapters 17 and 18.

handout, Chris Alexander, The Nature of Order, Book 2, pp. 226-228

5. NOTE ON SEMESTER PROJECT

Due to the timing of the Arch 150 project, the final review date for the semester project has been changed to Thursday, December 2, 1999. Please note that no unfinished projects will be accepted for final review.

BUILDING PROCESS AREA OF EMPHASIS

ARCHITECTURE 160

THE NATURE OF ORDER

◊

AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS

November 11, 1999

INSTRUCTOR: HAJO NEIS

GSIs: Fernando Marti, Brandon Ankenbrandt, Bizhan Khaleeli

SESSION 12:

BUILDING CULTURES

1. GUEST LECTURE: HOWARD DAVIS

Professor Howard Davis of the University of Oregon at Eugene will present the evolution of building cultures in three different areas: Nepal, Scandinavia, and the Middle East.

2. EXERCISES

More experiments.

3. SECTION ASSIGNMENT

By now you should have bought your materials, begun cutting your wood, and be ready to start assembling your piece of furniture. Start researching finishes for discussion in section next week, creating samples on scrap wood of various types of stains or clear finishes.

Hajo and the GSIs will stop by the shop next Thursday evening to answer questions.

4. READINGS

Handout: Tage Frid and others, on finishes and stains.

Recommended: Howard Davis, The Culture of Building, Oxford University Press, NY 1999.

BUILDING PROCESS AREA OF EMPHASIS

ARCHITECTURE 160

THE NATURE OF ORDER

◊

AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS

November 18, 1999

INSTRUCTOR: HAJO NEIS

GSIs: Fernando Marti, Brandon Ankenbrandt, Bizhan Khaleeli

SESSION 13:

THE ART OF MAKING AND COLOR

1. LECTURE

We will see a variety of actual projects in making, including the Julian Inn in San Jose. The lecture will conclude with a discussion of color in the context of a process of unfolding. Color is not a superficial, commercial covering, but an inner light that emerges from within.

2. GSI PRESENTATION

Brandon Ankenbrandt will present a garden sanctuary currently under construction.

3. EXERCISES

Please sketch an important structure preserving transformation in your furniture project that worked well. Has there been a transformation in your design involving color? We will have a discussion about this in class. Please turn in the sketch to your GSI at end of class.

4. MEETINGS IN THE WOODSHOP

Monday night Hajo, Brandon, Fernando, and Bizhan will be available to answer questions in the woodshop. Additionally, for the following two weeks discussion sections will meet in the woodshop and/or the work area adjacent to the woodshop.

5. FINAL REVIEW

1:00 to 6:00 p.m., Wurster Hall Second Floor Lobby

This will be a formal review with guest critics, both CED faculty and outside reviewers. We will only review finished projects. Unfinished projects will be marked down and graded when finished. Please be prompt as we have 90 students to present in four hours. Please inform your GSI if you need to leave at 5 p.m., so we can schedule accordingly.

In addition to your furniture you need to present your process journal describing your initial vision of the essence of the piece you intend to build, and the major transformations which created more life in the piece as it evolved. In the final review, you should be able to present at least one successful structure preserving transformation in your design and building process. The work should express the qualities of wholeness and deep feeling about which we have been speaking in this class. Remember our comparison exercises in which we ask "which one has more life?" Your project should express this same sense of life - this will be the criteria we use in grading the projects.

6. READINGS

Recommended: Christopher Alexander, The Nature of Order, Book 4, "Color and Inner Light" chapter (in library)