Arch 586 Descriptive & Systematic Approaches
Syllabus for Spring 2012
February 14, 2012
This course considers two questions: How do people design? and How can computers design? We review the research that has been undertaken for answering these questions and look at the theoretical frameworks, research methods and research results.
Dorst K., “The problem of design problems”.
What are some systematic frameworks allowing one to examine the activities that designers undertake? The processes of design will be considered from a cognitive psychological framework which views thinking as information processing. Cognitive models are empirical in their derivation and their test is the degree that they describe design behavior.
Eastman C.M. “On the analysis of intuitive design processes” in Emerging Methods in Environmental Design and Planning (ed.) G.T.Moore, The MIT Press, 1970. pp.21-37.
Thagard P., Mind: Introduction to Cognitive Science - 2nd ed., The MIT Press, 2005. [BF316.6 . T48 2005]
Schon D., The Design Studio, RIBA Publications Ltd., 1985.
Are there some methods by which design intentions can be systematically explored? We will look at methods for systematic enumeration of designs using floorplans as an example.
Liggett R.S. “Automated facilities layout: past, present and future” Automation in Construction, v 9, 2000, pp. 197-215.
Stiny G. and Mitchell W J.: 1978, “The Palladian grammar” Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design 5, 5-18.
Baykan C.A. “Representations for analysis and synthesis of space layouts”.
Cross N., “Designerly Ways of Knowing: Design Discipline Versus Design Science” Design Issues v 17, n 3 2001.
Gero J., “Research Methods for Design Science Research: Computational and Cognitive Approaches”.
The course consists of readings, lectures, class discussions and assignments. There are readings on the topic that will be covered in the lecture, indicated on the course calendar. You are expected to do the reading before coming to class and participate in the discussions. The readings can be accessed digitally from the web site http://www.metu.edu.tr/~baykan/arch586/.
The course meets for three hours on Thursday 9:40 – 12:30 in Room 47.
|
|
Date |
Lecture |
Readings |
|
1 |
Feb 23
|
What is design? |
Dorst |
|
2 |
March 1 |
Intuitive design process |
Eastman |
|
3 |
March 8 |
Intuitive design process |
Thagard, Ch 1,2 |
|
4 |
March 15 |
Intuitive design process |
Thagard, Ch 3,4 |
|
5 |
March 22 |
Intuitive design process |
Thagard, Ch 5,6 |
|
7 |
March 29 |
Intuitive design process |
Thagard, Ch 7,8 |
|
7 |
April 5 |
Systematic enumeration of alternatives |
|
|
8 |
April 12 |
Systematic enumeration of alternatives |
Liggett |
|
9 |
April 19 |
Systematic enumeration of alternatives |
Stiny & Mitchell |
|
10 |
April 26 |
Systematic enumeration of alternatives |
Baykan |
|
11 |
May 3 |
Systematic enumeration of alternatives |
|
|
12 |
May 10 |
Systematic enumeration of alternatives |
|
|
13 |
May 17 |
Design research |
Cross, Gero |
Semester grades will be based on class participation, assignments and final.
Attendance and participation 10%
Class presentation(s) 30%
Assignment(s) 30%
Final 30%
The following journals are good sources to find additional readings and research materials for the topics covered in this class. METU library has an electronic subscription to these journals so that you can access and download articles and other content.
Automation in Construction http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09265805
Design Studies http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0142694X
Environment and Planning B http://www.pion.co.uk/ep/
The Design Research Society, DRS, is an organization of the design research community. You can find more about their activities and services at their website, http://www.designresearchsociety.org/joomla/index.php .
Can Baykan Matpum Bldg., Room 9 Phone: 7255 email:
baykan@metu.edu.tr
Office
hours: Tuesdays 14:30 – 16:00