Architecture as a System: Urban Catalysts for Lynchburg, Virginia

This paper proposes a critical analysis of “ARCH 2010 Introduction to Urban Architecture” at the School of architecture of the University of Virginia. The studiois part of an overall strategy that tries to subvert the traditional method of teaching in architectural design. In a conventional linear process, students start withthe design of a small-scale architectural object and continue to design buildings in progressively larger scales. Provided with a strong urban context, the 2010 Studio follows a sinusoidal transition of scale, moving from small to large and back again. The ultimate goal of the studio is to put forward/produce an urban architectural project by linking the architectural object with the urban landscape as catalysts for the change within the city. The architectural proposals should be a strategic and thoughtful response to previous research on existing urban systems, and should support the revitalization of public life in their immediate environment and in the whole city. The course was divided in four parts: Elements and infrastructures of the urban environment, developed at Charlottesville Down Town Mall, Urban systems and networks, strategic development plan for 9th street, and design of a mixed-use building and public space (The last 3 parts took place in Lynchburg, Virginia). To connect these four main “problems” there were “transitional exercises” inserted in between them. With the same critical attention, this paper will analyze the final results, the various stages of the course as well as the areas of overlap between different phases, specially designed to ensure the student’s awareness of the consistency of the complete process.

https://doi.org/10.35483/ACSA.Intl.2016.25

Volume Editors
Alfredo Andia, Dana Cupkova, Macarena Cortes, Umberto Bonomo & Vera Parlac

ISBN
978-1-944214-10-4