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. 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 analysis, 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 analysis, 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 - Materials (SPRING)

The course examines how circular use of building elements and materials can form the basis for architectural design. It emphasizes understanding material properties, processes, reuse, recycling and development of circular solutions in practice. Students will investigate the possibilities of circular elements and materials in the context of existing buildings and building parts. In the course Circular Studio - Materials, the students will choose a specific perspective to do an in-depth exploration of the issue. Four such perspectives are presented, each combined with an integrated 7,5 knowledge course:

Transformation

Students will practice adaptive re-use with an existing case building as a primary resource. Changes and interventions to buildings from the 20th century are an important contribution to prevent demolishing and subsequent waste. This is the main focus. Historical, architectural, structural and functional values will be analyzed to provide a framework for potential design choices. Adaptation to new energy systems, material resources and relevant environmental requirements will be part of the discussion. Understanding existing buildings and the potential of meaningful interventions requires in-depth knowledge of materials and structural components. This will be taught through fieldwork, archival research, self-study, supervised studio teaching and lectures. The related knowledge course, AAR4811 Building Analysis, is held during the first six weeks of the semester. The course language is Norwegian.

Design in Context

Students will examine the circular interplay between architecture and its environment through an intensive design-and-build process, with a focus on the reuse of building materials. Collaborative methods, decision-making, and planning are central to navigating complex challenges and exploring how reused materials can be integrated into new design processes and built projects. Learning is organized around one or more intensive workshops, each lasting approximately 7-14 days, culminating in the creation of a full-scale sustainable wooden structure on site. These activities may include voluntary excursions. Integrated knowledge course is AAR4863 Design in Context - Workshop. Note that students who have taken the course AAR4528 Design in Context along with the associated knowledge course AAR4863 Design in Context - Workshop in the autumn semester cannot choose the perspective Design in Context.

Experimental practice

Experimental practice is concerned with questions of sustainable architecture as a continuous and shared process of open questions and adaptive enquiry, not with a building as an object or an end-product. We achieve this by learning from each other, from other disciplines, through practices that are experimental and as such open to infinite processes of co-creative thinking. Learning happens through growing in and with the environment including sourcing natural or reusable materials that grow or are found in immediate proximity only. Integrated theory course is AAR4698 Experimental practice. In Experimental practice, being together is the fundamental tool for design and operates as an interactive loop of creativity. In this way, design also becomes a tool for shaping community.

Emissions as Design Drivers

Students will take a life cycle perspective on circularity, in cooperation with engineering students and the students of sustainable architecture (MSSUSARC). In the coordinated theory course (AAR 4817 Emissions as Design Drivers) students will receive an introduction to life cycle thinking, circularity and resource efficiency, and the related methods life cycle analysis (LCA), life cycle costing (LCC) and social LCA. Students will apply this knowledge to the design process for an adaptive reuse project, comparing the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental indicators of different design solutions and material choices to support design decisions.

Please note that if fewer students than anticipated apply for the course, one or more of the specialization areas may be merged.

Learning outcome

KNOWLEDGE

• The student has a broad knowledge of circular architecture, where resource management is central. The student has knowledge of material properties and understands how secondary materials can be used in such a way that their properties are utilized.  
• The student has insight into opportunities and challenges in the reuse of building materials and can apply the knowledge in an architectural and social context.

SKILLS  

• The student can discuss and develop concrete solutions with existing, used materials for new use.
• The student has the ability to handle material flow and access to materials that entail a high degree of unpredictability, uncertainty and constantly changing assumptions.
• The student is able to transfer theoretical perspectives on circular resource management to concrete material choices, and reconcile design proposals with material access, such that the properties of the materials are utilized.
• The student is able to assess the reuse potential of existing materials constructively, use-wise and form-wise.

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

The courses include a wide range of learning methods, from theory lectures, 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.

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

Specific conditions

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.