Examination arrangement

Course content

Our time faces fundamental challenges related to the destruction of nature, resource consumption and climate change as a result of human activity. Urban sprawl and construction activities are responsible for a large part of this development. How can architecture as a discipline and human form of expression be a constructive contributor to reversing this? What should the architect's role be and how do we need to restructure our thinking? Circular architecture is about resource responsibility at all levels, a frugal use of materials, and solutions that exploit the inherent properties of materials and buildings. This is achieved by combining the conservation, transformation and reuse of buildings, materials and building components, as well as designing with longevity and adaptability in mind. It is also about adapting to new perspectives, open processes, and the ability to act and shape in a world where the future is unpredictable and uncertain.

The design courses AAR4680 Circular Studio - existing buildings (AUTUMN) and AAR4690 Circular Studio - Materials (SPRING) are a part of the department for architecture and technology’s focus (IAT) on sustainable and circular architecture. These, together with the recommended knowledge courses, complement each other and provide a good basis for further specialisation in the realm of circular architecture. 

Course content

Circular Studio addresses fundamental discussions about the role of the architect, critical thinking and investigation of the potential of the profession. Technological, societal, humanistic and artistic aspects are part of these investigations.

Students are introduced to different perspectives and methods that together provide a wide range of tools for the development of circular architecture.

Content elements will be:

- Reuse / extended use and refurbishment / repair of buildings and components: Methods, craftsmanship and resources.

- Transformation of buildings. Assessment of building condition and transformation capacity, evaluation of possible functions and constructive capacity.

- Circular resource management and architectural design. Creative processes, adaptability and reusability, ecology, aesthetics and tectonics.

- The architect's role as a societal actor in a circular production system. Environmental assessments, service life analyses, industrial and craft material cycles, new low-tech materials and solutions.

- Life cycle of circular buildings and neighborhoods: Energy action, energy calculations and indoor environmental quality in new and existing buildings, opportunities for reuse. Emission assessments, life cycle analyses, low-emission materials and creative circular solutions beyond material selection and energy needs.

Based on a joint introduction to the topic of circular architecture, each student will formulate their own project goals according to their chosen specialization area within the circular studio. Some will work on problems in a group, while others will choose individual problems and working methods.

The semester will have three phases:

1. Common kick-off. Here, students will receive an introduction to all theory courses that are related to the specialization areas. The theory courses differ in their schedule, some will be intensive at the beginning of the semester, while others accompany the design course throughout the semester.

2. Project phase, with a common mid-term event..

3. Common exhibition, final presentation, discussion, and critical reflections to round up the semester

Circular Studio - Buildings (FALL)

The course examines the life cycle of buildings from different perspectives with the aim of ensuring that the buildings around us live as long as possible and contribute to the greatest possible societal benefit with the lowest possible use of resources. The students examine existing buildings that will meet changing needs while retaining most of the buildings. In the course Circular Studio - Buildings, students can specialise in one these 4 areas:

Building conservation

Building conservation is an exercise in designing measures, interventions and additions to existing buildings to improve their function or facilitate new uses. Good resource management is combined with preserving and emphasising cultural-historical qualities. The related theory course AAR4825 is held in the first six weeks of the semester. Through fieldwork, archival research, self-study, counselling and lectures, historical, architectural and technical characteristics are uncovered as a starting point for design.

Students will learn that becoming well acquainted with the built environment provides both more resistance and a better basis for design. They will learn about the interaction and conflicts between new and old building systems, material qualities and the management of buildings in accordance with legislation and regulations. Concepts such as energy use, accessibility, safety, reuse, circular economy and sustainability are discussed.

Energy in use

In this specialization area, students will focus on energy systems and comfort in use. Students will be introduced principle, methods, tools, and technologies for energy systems and solutions for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning through the co-coordinated course AAR4926 Integrated Energy Design. The course will apply this knowledge in the design process of an adaptive reuse project through energy calculations and a focus on improvement of comfort while minimizing energy demand and taking into account wider benefits. Students will compare different solutions through energy calculations and integrated technologies to support the choice of solutions in their project. 

Making is Thinking 

We focus on sustainability and circularity by challenging prevailing design habits and conventions. Through hands-on learning methods, open creative processes and bricolage techniques, we uncover new possibilities and train the ability to take creative advantage of the unusual, the strange and the unexpected.

The specialization area examines the field in which architecture and other creative disciplines mutually reinforce each other. We want to involve real stakeholders and the population by using temporary interventions as a strategy in community and urban development. Related theory course is AAR4909 Making is Thinking.

Light and Color

The specialization area focuses on the effect of light, colours, and materials in an architectural context through full-scale experimenting in Romlab, model studies in Daylight Lab, relevant design methodology and case studies. Sustainability is addressed through the aesthetics of adaptation to, and preservation of, heritage forms and encouraging sustainable material choices and circularity in resource reuse. The subject is anchored in an independent architectural design task that varies to reflect and respond to contemporary architectural challenges, i.e., infill project or building rehabilitation, for example urban densification or rehabilitation of building volume. Related theory course is AAR4850 Light and Lighting.

Learning outcome

KNOWLEDGE

- The student has a broad knowledge of circular architecture, where resource management is practised from historical, technological, system-based, ethical and aesthetic perspectives.

- The student has insight into the opportunities and challenges associated with the interaction in existing buildings and can critically discuss this, both in an architectural and a societal context.

SKILLS

- The student is able to discuss and develop concrete solutions for complex problems related to existing buildings.

- The student has the ability to handle planning processes that involve a high degree of unpredictability, uncertainty and constantly changing conditions.

- The student is able to transfer theoretical perspectives on circular resource resource management to specific architectural forms and assess the overall quality of the design.

- The student is able to assess the generality, flexibility and elasticity of existing buildings, and enhance and develop these qualities through his / her design.

GENERAL COMPETENCE

• The student can communicate his/her own architectural work at a professional level, both in a practical and academic context.
• The student takes independent responsibility for their own learning and professional development and can apply their knowledge within the framework of the architectural discipline in general and the field of circular architecture in particular.  
• The student can reflect critically on the practice of the discipline and make contributions based on ethical considerations.  
• The student understands how resource use in construction relates to the environment and climate, and the role architects can play in giving shape to sustainable architecture.

Learning methods and activities

seminars, academic literature, participation in research projects, hands-on fieldwork and individual supervision to working meetings with external partners. The focus is on student-active forms of learning where collaboration, attendance and responsibility for, and reflection on, one's own learning are central.

Each student is responsible for contributing to an active and favorable learning environment, which requires attendance and committed participation in academic gatherings and work in the studio.

Both joint and individual excursions to relevant places in the surrounding area can be arranged. These are voluntary, but are closely linked to the academic work and are therefore strongly recommended to attend.

The teaching team is a resource for everyone but will take special responsibility for their respective area of specialization. In the course, students and teachers are in a joint learning situation.

Further on evaluation

The assessment in the course is carried out as a portfolio assessment with oral adjustments. The portfolio's requirements for content will be stated in the current task description. The portfolio content is submitted for assessment within the given deadline. At the adjusting oral exam, the student will conduct an oral presentation of the project work to the examiner.

Re-sit exams are normally scheduled for the next ordinary exam period.

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Admission to one of the following programmes of study is required:

Architecture (MAAR)

Architecture (MAAR2)

Course materials

Academic texts in PDF format and recommended books. Upon admission, the student will be informed of the necessary and recommended equipment and tools required to complete the course.