School of Architecture

Florida International University

ARC 6910

Master’s Seminar

Gray Read, Robert González

Fall, 2010

Tuesday/Thursday 12:30-1:45

PCA 342

INSTRUCTOR: Gray Read, website: www.fiu.edu/~readg

Email: readg@fiu.edu Phone: (305) 348-2672

Robert González, Email: ragonzalez@me.com Phone: (504) 715-4222

CLASS HOURS: Tues, Thurs 12:30- 1:45, DM 190.

PREREQUISITES: Students must be in the final semester of design before their Master’s Project and have completed Graduate Research Methods.

Approval of Graduate Advisor

WEB INFORMATION “HOW TO DO A MASTER’S PROJECT IN ARCHITECTURE” is posted at www.fiu.edu/~readg This is your guide to the process. Web page also has link to Suggested Projects and bibliography.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides the structure within which students engage in independent research to formulate --and develop- a coherent question that they will pursue through design in the latter part of the fall semester and the spring semester. The two-semester master’s project constitutes an original contribution to current thinking in the discipline of Architecture. In this course, the question is explored through academic research and analysis, both recorded in written form. In studio, the question is usually addressed through a design exploration. This seminar will assist the student in:

1) Developing a design question and design project.

2) Developing a program and choosing a site for the design project.

3) Finding written work and case studies that address the design question.

4) Developing a means of graphic analysis appropriate to the inquiry.

5) Producing a written document based on analysis of theoretical texts and design projects that describe the theoretical inquiry and frame the design project.

The graduate seminar document should articulate a design question supported by research and a clear set of design principles, derived from analysis of case studies.

Discussion/seminar format. Group meetings twice per week. Students develop and present master’s project topics/ projects and written work for review by instructor, graduate committee and student colleagues.

OBJECTIVES: To define a speculative proposition based on research and analysis that can be tested in design. The proposition should focus on a specific instance of a larger design question, whose implications are broader than those of the particular project.

REQUIRED TEXTS: Wiliams, Joseph Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace 6^th Edition (NY: Addison Wesley Longman) 2000

Class handouts.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Florida International University has no provision for unexcused absences. Attendance at all classes is mandatory and expected. Please see University policies on religious holidays. Three (3) unexcused absences will result in failure of this class.

REQUIREMENTS: A Master’s project proposal that defines an intellectual question in the field of design and frames a design project including documentation of program and site.. This paper will conform to academic standards including footnotes and bibliography.

Interim submittals of these documents and interim presentations will also be required.

GRADING POLICY: Grades are based upon an evaluation of the quality and thoroughness of research, clarity and coherence of the written work. Student participation in class discussion sessions and consistent engagement in the thinking/ writing process will also be evaluated.

ACADEMIC POLICY:

Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas, and community service. All students should respect the right of others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and honestly to demonstrate the quality of their learning. Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of the University. All students are deemed by the University to understand that if they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Handbook.

For policies on academic misconduct, sexual harassment, and religious holidays, and information on services for students with disabilities, please refer to University policies in the FIU Student Handbook.

School of Architecture

Florida International University

Master’s Project Seminar

ARC 6910

Gray Read, Robert González

Fall 2010 SCHEDULE

WK 1 8/24 Introduction

8/26 Master’s Project Question

A1: Statement of Topic, Project, and Site (due 8/31 and 9/9-revised)

2 8/31 Individual Conferences – No Class

DUE A1: 1-page Statement of Topic, Project, and Site (200 words)

Bring to your individual Conference

A2: Preliminary Program and Site (due 9/16)

A3: Annotated Bibliography (due 9/23) and Research Review (due 9/30)

9/2 Individual Conferences – No Class

PROGRAM & SITE

3 9/7 Research - Site- Please bring laptops to class

9/9 Research - Program - Please bring laptops to class

DUE A1 revised: 2-page Statement of Topic, Project, and Site with preliminary bibliography

4 9/14 Presentations: Read Section - Amir Melloul, Kittybelle Rivera, Carlos Romero

9/16 Presentations: Read Section Julian Sandoval, Thomas Bryan, Deanna Sritalapat,

DUE A2: Preliminary Program and Site

5 9/21 Presentations: Read Section - Gayluz Rivera, Ricardo Largaespada, Michael Ordonez

9/23 Presentations: Read Section - Andy Madonna, Luis Sanchez, Manny Dorticos

DUE A3a: Annotated bibliography

6 9/28 Presentations: Read Section - Mario Menendez, Ed Seymour, Chrissy Perez, Susanne Schiffer

9/30 Presentations: Read Section - Alvaro Gazo, Alfonso Rodriguez, Christina Rodriguez

DUE A3: Research Review

A4: Building Program (due 10/14)

7 10/5 In-Class Programming exercise

Reading: Excerpt from Peña and Parshall, Problem Seeking

10/7 Developing a Thesis: Presentations and Discussion

DUE A4a: Program Exercise

8 10/12 Presentations and Discussion

10/14 Presentations and Discussion

DUE A4: Building Program

A5: Master’s Project Presentation (due 10/21 and 10/29 Friday)

(10/17 is last day to drop course with a DR grade)

9 10/19 Presentations and Discussion

10/21 Presentations and Discussion (Nepomechie Studio excused)

DUE A5a: Master’s Project Presentation – prelim posted on website

10 10/26 Discussion and Presentations

10/28 Discussion and Presentations (Last day to drop class)

10/29 Friday DUE A5: Master’s Project Presentation – Each student presents project question, research, and program analysis to Faculty Group

11 11/2 Discussion

11/4 Discussion

A7: Master’s Project Proposal (due 11/22)

12 11/9 Read Section meets in PCA 280; Gonzalez section: individual conferences

11/11 Veteran's Holiday

13 11/16 Individual Conferences

11/18 Individual Conferences

14 11/22 Individual Conferences

DUE A7: Master’s Project Final Proposal

11/26 Thanksgiving Holiday

15 11/30 No Class

12/2 No Class

12/3 Friday Master’s Project Review – Each student presents Master’s Project Final Proposal to Faculty Group

Grade Distribution

Assignments 90%

1 Statement of Topic and Project (due 8/31 and 9/9-revised) 5%

2 Preliminary Program and Site (due 9/16) 5%

3a Annotated Bibliography (due 9/23) 10%

3 Research Review (due 9/30) 10%

4a Program Research (due 10/7) 5%

4 Building Program (due 10/14) 10%

5 Master’s Project Presentation (due 10/21 and 10/29 Friday) 20%

6 Site Analysis exercise (due 11/11) 5%

7 Master’s Project Proposal (due 11/18 and 12/3) 20%

Attendance 10%