Instructors: Julio Bermudez and James McCrery

 

This This class investigates architectural design processes and methods through design exercises, comparative analysis, and critical
discussions, both theoretically and practically. The overall premise is that every design process occurs within a general methodology
that (pre)determines its ideology, universe and mode of inquiry (i.e., questions, strategies and tactics), knowledge base, representation
techniques, goals, and expectations. During the first part of the semester, the focus is on understanding the fundamental nature of the
design process whereas the second (and longer) part is devoted to study a variety of architectural design methods. In addition to readings
and lectures geared to establish a conceptual framework, the course uses short, hands-on assignments and case-studies. A final project
asks students to take a position and apply the insights collected throughout the semester using three seminal architectural texts as
referential contexts.

school of architecture and planning — the catholic university of america  —  fall 2022