Angaben zur Professur

Lehrstuhl 

Professur T. Emerson

Typ 

Professur für Architektur und Entwurf

Standort 

HIL

Webseite 

www.emerson.arch.ethz.ch

Assistierende 

Lucio Crignola, Sonja Flury, Boris Gusic , Amy Perkins

Kontakt E-Mail 

perkins@arch.ethz.ch

Angaben zur Entwurfsklasse

Typ 

Entwurf V-IX

Thema 

Groundworks

Beschreibung
des Entwurfs-programmes 

The architecture of the city lies between the buildings. Too complex in nature, form and design to be understood as a single space, ground has become the network of mobility that defines the contemporary city. Above the surface, life, visibility, architecture. Below, out of sight, waste efficiently removed in exchange for energy effortlessly provided. Between, the impervious membrane designed and constructed to seal and separate. It is described, used, and legislated in fragments; representation, mobility, safety, utility, expensive or cheap, hard or soft. But mostly hard. In Zurich 37% of the city is sealed. A modest proportion compared to many contemporary cities but enough to raise summer temperatures by three degrees compared with the surrounding countryside. Over-heating, or instant flooding from extreme weather is the norm in the sealed city. But the ground is not a surface. The ground is a space whose natural and constructed metabolism above is determined by the actions of matter below. The city needs porous ground and generous planting to absorb and sweat in equal measure to support human and non-human life. The urban heat island effect, floods and impoverished biodiversity are not the natural consequences of urbanisation but the result of design and construction. The in-between has been designed with as much care and attention as the architecture that stands beside it. From Bürkli to Europallee, architecture has constructed the ground. Breaking down the concrete barrier between air, water and earth, between light and darkness, we will construct a new space where the actions below naturally support those above. Ecology has proved that the richness of life above the ground is determined by the complexity and community below. Ecological thinking, in collaboration with the Crowther Lab at ETH, will offer both literal and metaphorical method for reimagining how the architecture of ground can enrich and protect the city. We shall challenge the separation between ecology and architecture. Architecture is ecological. Nolli’s foundational notation of public versus private will be (re)turned inside out. It is the white space that needs our attention. Using the Atlas, we shall develop an approach to design based on observation and documentation through sampling. Crossing the Boyle Family’s Earth Pieces (1963-present) with Crowther’s ecological inoculation, fragments will form a new whole. Construction will determine scale shifts that extend far into contemporary territorial flows and deep into material structure. Starting in the garden and in the ground, earth works will be the primer for a new experimental garden prepared with the Crowther Lab which, will in turn, lead to actions across Zurich’s greatest continuous interior.

Thematische und methodische Schwerpunkte 

Entwurf, Konstruktion

Lernziele 

Critical thinking, personal attitude: Be aware of the impact and context of the architect and construction industry within a broad field of disciplines, understanding the multitude of complex and unpredictable social, societal cultural and environmental factors influencing decision making. -Demonstrate, through design work, a critical understanding of climate change and the ethical responsibilities of the architect -Reflect on pieces of work in progress or already completed both individually and in conversation with peers and faculty -Demonstrate, through design work, a growing knowledge of contemporary and historical architectural discourse -Critically interpret requirements and working priorities in light of constraints to work practice arising from Covid, home working and personal circumstance. Communicate with teaching team if difficulties arise. Working methodology: Understand historical, theoretical and social context, using primary and secondary research methods, demonstrating a critical and reflective approach to a topic. -Conduct qualitative site/building analysis through photography and observational drawing -Perform basic topographic surveying -Use archives to conduct systematic analysis into social history, uses, materials, etc. -Interpret and synthesize information into a concise and ongoing knowledge base for the design of a project -Develop an understanding of the geology, climate, ecology, etc. of a place -Assimilate small, fragmentary observations into broad understanding of place Acquisition of subject-specific knowledge: Acquire and deploy technical knowledge in a range of fields -Consider and understand the relationship and impact of a design on a wider landscape -Understand the impacts of construction on ecology -Demonstrate an understanding of the impacts of time on the repair and maintenance of a project -Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary and historical construction techniques -Demonstrate a critical understanding of the use of materials in relation to non-renewable resources, embodied energy, recyclability Conversion of a conceptual intention into an architectural project: Use a broad range of knowledge and skills and to formulate a response to a brief using individual and collective values and judgement. -Develop an integrated and relevant structural, constructional and environmental concept for the project -Formulate a spatial concept for a project, demonstrating an understanding of conceptual, spatial and programmatic decisions -Design with reference to historical, political, cultural and other creative and technical fields -Demonstrate an ability to assimilate a broad range of working practices, identifying and engaging especially with those which help to demonstrate and further ideas Capability to design: Generate design proposals in response to a brief using the understanding of a body of theoretical and practical knowledge. -Demonstrate an ability to design interior and exterior spaces, as well as the thresholds and the surrounding spaces -Demonstrate awareness of a design project’s environmental performance in construction and in use -Demonstrate a good understanding of professional regulation and ethical responsibilities of the architect -Design buildings, spaces and landscapes which are fully accessible Representation and presentation in different media: Apply a range of communication methods and media to present design proposals clearly and effectively, with the competent use of CAD drawing programmes. -Develop a critical eye in photography of place, space and design work with reference to broad photographic traditions -Develop model making skills of small conceptual models, as well as working models made of everyday household materials, with precise conceptual purpose -Demonstrate high technical and critical proficiency in 2D and 3D CAD drafting and modelling -Develop an understanding of the status and purpose of different kinds of representation, and deploy them effectively -Use detailed drawings and models to illustrate the constructional concept of a project -Demonstrate high technical and critical proficiency in image making and collage - Clearly and concisely describe a concept, working practice, and outcome through written and oral material in English or German. -Explore use of film and short film clips to present three-dimensional work. Note, advanced editing skills is not required. Engagement in the studio: Evaluate evidence, arguments, and assumptions in order to make and present judgements within structured discourse, demonstrating the ability to work, learn, and communicate with others. -Actively participate in group projects such as the garden -Actively listen to others -Be able to learn alone, as part of a group and as a whole studio -Demonstrate an ability to work comfortably with ambiguity as circumstances change -At all times demonstrate honesty, integrity and respect for fellow students, teachers and staff.

LV-Nr. des Entwurfs 

052-1115-21

Zusätzliche integrierte Disziplin(en) 

Unterrichts-sprache 

English

Arbeitsweise 

Einzel- und Gruppenarbeit, davon 5 oder mehr Wochen Gruppenarbeit

Daten Zwischenkritiken 

Datum Schlusskritik 

Einführungs-veranstaltung 

10am on Tuesday 21.09.21 in the Emerson Garden

Zusätzliche Kosten 

CHF 0 (Schätzung, ohne allfällige Seminarwochenkosten)

Verfügbare Plätze 

24

Plakat des Entwurfs-programmes 

Plakat ansehen (PDF Datei)

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