ARH 420 Structures: Systems Investigation

Develop your structural intuition by breaking physical models. Working with a structural engineer and an architect, you will invent a structural system for your studio project that is integral to the architectural design identity, and compare structural behaviors of different building geometries using load path diagrams. You must take this course concurrently with ARH 410.

Architects collaborate with structural engineers in the design of buildings. For this collaboration to be successful it is important for architects to cultivate an intuitive sense of how building structures behave. We will develop structural intuition through load testing physical models and making careful observations. Structural design this semester will aspire towards a close integration with architecture. A clear architectural design intent and an open-mindedness for inventive structural systems are the necessary ingredients for a meaningful integration. When structural design is approached as an architectural design opportunity, rather than as a restriction on design freedom, compelling and rigorous design proposals will follow. Grounded in a critique of prevalent contemporary structural systems, we will explore and experiment with creating conditional rules for structural behaviors to invent new structural systems.

Our goal this semester is to integrate the architectural design intent with the structural solution. The structural proposal will be uniquely adapted to the architectural studio project. In other words, the structural proposal will not be one that is generic. To this end, we will actively seek to create a structural problem. The presence of a structural problem in your project is a good litmus test for the integration.

Constraints make better design. For this reason, the competing design criteria between architecture and structure is welcomed in this class. The negotiation and compromise that must happen to reconcile the competing priorities is what we refer to as the integration between architecture and structure, our goal.

Prerequisites: ARH 320, ARH 330, & ARH 410 (ARH 410 must be concurrent)

Course Learning Outcomes

Develop structural intuition to visualize structural behaviors using physical model load tests and load path diagrams
Evolve and adapt structural systems to accommodate programmatic and spatial criteria by identifying, defending, and resolving irregularities in common structural systems
Research principles of structural behavior in withstanding gravity and lateral forces in contemporary structural systems
Critique precedent buildings in terms of their structural expressiveness and the relationship between structural efficiency and architectural form
Assign different density and thickness to structural elements so that matter is organized in response to force
Assign stereotomic or tectonic materiality to structural elements consistent with architectural design concept
Propose structural load paths that reinforce the architectural design concept
Determine structural modules based on understanding of span limits for different structural systems that best accommodate program needs
Explain decision making process of structural system selection and adaptation through diagrams and annotations
Acquire vocabulary for structural elements and their behaviors

NAAB Criteria

PC 3 Ecological Knowledge and Responsibility How the program instills in students a holistic understanding of the dynamic between built and natural environments, enabling future architects to mitigate climate change responsibly by leveraging ecological, advanced building performance, adaptation, and resilience principles in their work and advocacy activities.
PC 5 Research and Innovation How the program prepares students to engage and participate in architectural research to test and evaluate innovations in the field.
SC 6 Building Integration (Ability) How the program ensures that students develop the ability to make design decisions within architectural projects while demonstrating integration of building envelope systems and assemblies, structural systems, environmental control systems, life safety systems,
and the measurable outcomes of building performance.