Program Overview

Course Overview

Course Description

The city and urban landscape are the subject of the studio. Based on the context of a chosen site, we develop concepts, spatial structures, programmes, and design rules, and creatively integrate them into robust urban design and architectural proposals.

Learning Outcome

• COMPETENCE: The students gain an advanced understanding of the inner logic of urban design and practical experience. This enables them to tackle complex urban challenges, and to synthesize their knowledge into a design project at the interface between planning, architecture, and landscape architecture.
• KNOWLEDGE: The students will gain knowledge on contemporary urban transformation processes and context-based design methods. The learning objective is to analyse, comprehend, and design intricate urban environments.
• SKILLS: The candidates will learn and apply urban design tools such as sketching, site analysis and mapping, model building, scenario development, master planning, and space programming.

Course Details

Course Content

The leitmotif of the studio is to design the urban space as liveable, beautiful, and open. In an interdisciplinary dialogue with urban stakeholders and experts, we aim to reconcile the dynamic forces of urban transformation with architecture and planning in the form of an adaptable urban design. The studio topics are based on contemporary urban themes such as the design and densification of urban nodes and quarters, revitalization of former industrial and harbor areas, and the sustainable transformation of our city landscape.

Learning Methods and Activities

The studio is structured in six consecutive and interrelated phases:

1. Analysis and Vision: We investigate our site with field studies and mappings, and produce an analysis of its atmospheres, spatial structures, and activities.
2. Concepts and Strategies: The visions will then be further developed into urban design concepts and strategies.
3. Urban Design: Based on these, urban design proposals are created in the form of master plans and physical models in a scale of 1:1000 to 1:500.
4. Architecture and Open Spaces: To test and show the main qualities of the urban design projects, characteristic areas are elaborated on an architectural and landscape architectural scale of 1:500 to 1:200.
5. Design Rules: For the open spaces, buildings, and their use, design rules and flexible development scenarios are created.
6. Posters and Documentation: For the final presentation and exhibition, all drawings and visualizations will be refined, exhibited on posters, and documented in a studio publication.

Admission and Requirements

Specific Conditions

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

Recommended Previous Knowledge

• One completed urban design project and basic knowledge on the history, theory, and contemporary practice of urban design.

Required Previous Knowledge

• Completed three years bachelor studies in architecture or equivalent.
• Basic knowledge in architecture and urban design.

Evaluation and Assessment

Examination Arrangement

• Examination arrangement: Work
• Grade: Letter grades
• Weighting: 100/100

Further on Evaluation

The final project work forms the basis for the grading. All other submissions are compulsory and are appraised as approved or not approved. At the regular exam, students are offered the opportunity to present the final project work orally to the examiner. The oral presentation itself is not part of the assessment. Deferred exams are normally added to the next exam period.

Course Materials and Subject Areas

Course Materials

• Brief, assignments, instructions, lectures, reference projects, reading lists, etc.
• Working formats: sketches, collages, maps, plans, drawings, sections, elevations, perspectives, physical and digital models.
• Main working scale: 1:1000 to 1:200.

Subject Areas

• Urban Design and Planning
• Architecture