Course content

Our time faces fundamental challenges related to the destruction of nature, resource consumption and climate change, resulted by human activity. Urban sprawl and construction activities are responsible for a large part of this development. How can architecture as a discipline and human way of expression be a constructive contributor to reversing this? What should the architect's role be and how do we need to re-structure 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 conservation, transformation and reuse of buildings, materials and building components with a strategy of adaptability and longevity in mind. The architectural quality of a building, especially its visual-aesthetic quality, plays a decisive role in the emotional connection with the building, which in turn influences how well people care for the building and how well they maintain it in the long term. The visual and aesthetic quality depends on the mutual relationships between new and existing buildings and on the spatial and functional design of the interior spaces, in which the use of daylight, colour and the selection of materials are of decisive importance. It is also about developing new perspectives through open creative processes, searching for ways to act in a world of an unpredictable and uncertain future.

The design courses AAR4680 Circular Studio - Buildings (AUTUMN) and AAR4690 Circular Studio - Materials (SPRING) are a part of the Department for Architecture and Technology’s (IAT) focus on sustainable and circular architecture. These, together with the recommended knowledge courses, complement each other and provide a good basis for further specialization in exploring 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 perspective 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 (Autumn)

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 their material structure. The students choose one of the following perspectives for their exploration:

Building conservation

The building conservation course emphasize the values of our built heritage and vernacular architecture. However, preserving this heritage can sometimes require contemporary interventions. These changes or additions can be necessary to improve the buildings’ function but also to facilitate new use. Good resource management is then combined with preserving cultural and architectural qualities. The integrated theory course AAR4825, building documentation and analysis is held in the first six weeks of the semester. Through fieldwork, archival research, self-study, supervised studio teaching and lectures, historical, architectural and technical characteristics are uncovered as a starting point for design. Note that Scandinavian language is required.

Light and colour

The specialization area focuses on how design with daylight, colours, and materials interact in architecture through full-scale experiments, model studies, 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 architectural design tasks to reflect and respond to contemporary architectural challenges, i.e., urban densification. Integrated theory course is AAR4850 Light and Visual Perception.

Making is Thinking 

This perspective 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. Making is Thinking examines the field in which architecture and other creative disciplines mutually reinforce each other. We seek to involve real stakeholders and the public by using temporary interventions as a strategy in community and urban development. Integrated theory course is AAR 4909 Making is Thinking.

Integrated energy design

Students will focus on an integrated design process for zero emission buildings. In connection with the co-coordinated theory course AAR4926 Integrated Energy Design, students will learn and apply principles of performance-based design, evaluation methods, and schematic design of building energy and comfort systems. Emphasis is on the interaction between energy systems and architecture, including the use of renewable energy sources. This knowledge is crucial for adaptive reuse projects where building performance assessment informs the design process and solution choices. 

Learning outcome

KNOWLEDGE

- The student has a broad knowledge of circular architecture, where resource management is practiced 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 can discuss and develop concrete solutions for complex problems related to existing buildings.

- The student can handle planning processes that involve unpredictability, uncertainty and constantly changing conditions.

- The student can transfer theoretical perspectives on circular resource-management to concrete architectural concepts.

- The student can assess the generality, flexibility and elasticity of existing buildings, and enhance and develop these qualities through design-work.

GENERAL COMPETENCE

- The student can communicate his/her own architectural design-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 consumption in constructions relates to the environment and climate, and the role architects can play in giving shape to sustainable architecture.

Learning methods and activities

The focus is on student-active forms of learning where collaboration, attendance and responsibility for, and reflection on, one's own learning are central elements. Typical activities are seminars, workshops, participation in research projects, hands-on fieldwork, meetings with external partners, individual supervision and lectures. Each student is responsible for contributing to an active and favorable learning environment, which requires attendance and committed participation in academic gatherings as well as work in the studio. Both joint and individual excursions to relevant places in the surrounding area can be arranged. These are voluntary but closely linked to the academic work and therefore strongly recommended. 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.

This course is offered to incoming exchange students and will be taught in English if necessary.

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.