The Outline of《Workshop》2022

1.Basic Teaching Information

2.Course Introduction

This course is a fixed cooperative project between The School of Urban Design of Wuhan University and the University of Dundee, UK. The course alternates the site between The University of Dundee and Wuhan University each summer. Students from both universities will participate in mixed groups. The workshop will attempt to develop a strategy for the village development. In this year, the workshop will explore the changing nature of China’s countryside and the role of architects in rural developments. Students are asked to develop a strategy for the modest development of the village, taking into consideration local materials and construction techniques, the clients long term vision for the site, trends in remote working and a recent trend in inhabitants moving away from the city to a rural or semi-rural setting.

Remote Life

How can we live and work in a remote location and still stay connected? Can we live in a remote location and continue to work, socialise, get access to healthcare, contribute and participate in contemporary society?

Critical Regionalism

From afar, we will attempt to understand the place and its unique identity. We will develop our understanding of the local vernacular and utilise local materials, skills and knowledge in new ways to provide an architecture that is rooted in its place yet suitable for contemporary living.

Landscape and Biodiversity

How can the move of inhabitants from an urban to rural setting have a positive impact on the existing landscape and local biodiversity? Can we mitigate the almost inevitable loss of biodiversity and damaged to rural landscapes that accompanies rural development? Does an architecture exist that simultaneously repairs and heals the landscape while providing space for new inhabitants to dwell?

Health and Well-being

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the essential role of the outdoors on our health and well-being. Can we live amongst the natural setting, bringing the well documented health benefits while creating sensitive, low impact homes and businesses that enhance the surrounding landscape?

3.The Allocation of Content and Lecture Hours

4.Assessment Methods and Marking Criterion

(1)Learning Outcomes

·The workshop aims to broadentheunderstanding of working at bothMacro(zoomed out) andMicro(zoomed in) scales. It is essential to think of the wider context (COVID 19, Remote live/work, Climate Crisis) and the more place specific details that are critical for a successful design project.

·RemoteCollaborativeWorking. Students will be given the opportunity to broaden their skills in remote collaborative working, testing new ways of working internationally.

·The workshop intends to broaden students’ understanding of the role of the architect and architecture inenhancing and repairing landscape and biodiversity

·Students will broaden their understanding of the role of the future architect inenhancing our health and wellbeing

·Develop a broader knowledge of thelocal vernacular, materials and construction techniques in rooting architecture in its place.

·Students will gain an understanding of the role ofvirtual reality technologyand the collection of data to help develop a design project remotely from the subject site.

(2) Outcomes

·1 or 2 x A1 sheets

·Concept diagrams and drawings to explain the site strategy and your approach.

a site plan (1:500)

site sections (1:500)

housing plans (1:100)

drawings or sketches to show the construction and character of the proposal

·Optional: a 3D model of the proposal with massing of building proposals placed within the 3d model of the site, which will be presented in VR tools.

5.Textbooks and References

·Robbie Polley. Architectural styles: a visual guide. Thames & Hudson, 2021

·Kenneth Frampton. Studies in tectonic culture. The MIT Press, 2001

·Edward R. Ford. The architectural detail. Distributed Art Pub Inc, 2011

Course Form for WHU Summer School International 2022