course-details-portlet

AAR4863

Design in Context - Workshop

Choose study year

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Autumn 2025 / Spring 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Portfolio

About

About the course

Course content

The course goal is to introduce the students to a dynamic design & build process where collaboration, decisions and architectural development are essential in an intensive and contextually complex environment. The students can develop their understanding of how context will frame the architectural development and how different external and internal factors will affect the results.

The course must be taken in combination with AAR4528 Design in Context.

Learning outcome

---Knowledge: The Candidate has... - Knowledge of theory on collaboration in teams. - Experienced knowledge on collaboration in a design & build process - Technical knowledge on the sustainable design of small scale wood architecture ---Skills: The Candidate can.... - Analyze, evaluate and discuss different elements of the architectural development process of a small scale structure or building. - Develop a small scale sustainable wood-based project as part of a team ---Competence: The Candidate can... - Communicate their work professionally and in an academic context - Take responsibility for their own learning and professional development, and to use their insights in new and novel ways. - Reflect critically on their own work, create new frames of understanding and break down conventions. - Reflect and place their own work in an ethical framework within the field of architectural practice.

Learning methods and activities

The course is organised as one or several intensive workshops. The workshop is estimated to be from 7-14 days and result in a full-scale sustainable construction in wood, most often for an external client. In addition, the student will work on a preparatory part of the work, documentation of the results and a reflection of the work. For the most part, the work will occur in a group.

The teacher will inform students at the start of the semester if there will be a voluntary excursion. Students who participate in voluntary excursions will be expected to pay an individual sum. Students who choose not to participate in the voluntary excursion will be offered an alternative teaching plan.

This course is offered to international master’s students. Language of instruction is English.

Compulsory assignments

  • Compulsory exercises

Further on evaluation

Grades are based on assessment of a portfolio and oral presentation. The portfolio should contain digital posters with professionally executed architectural drawings, illustrations, descriptive text, and model photographs that document the project work in the course. All digital material should be delivered for censorship within the stated deadline. For the oral presentation exam, the student must give an oral presentation of the project work for censorship. Participation in the design and construction phase of the projects is mandatory. All compulsory exercises must be submitted and approved to be able to submit the final exam.

Postponed exams are usually scheduled for the next ordinary examination period.

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Architecture (MAAR)
Architecture (MAAR2)

Required previous knowledge

Completed three years basic courses in architecture, bachelor in architecture or equivalent.

The course must be taken in combination with AAR4528 Design in Context in the same semester.

Course materials

Course materials will be handed out where necessary.

Subject areas

  • Architectural Theory
  • Architecture

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Architecture and Technology

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Portfolio
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Portfolio
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Portfolio
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment