Henning Martin-Thomsen

This study trip goes to Denmark, the southernmost of the three Scandinavian countries (Sweden and Norway are the other two). The title `MAKING WITH FIRE¿ alludes to the particular focus on art, architecture, and design based on clay, whether it be ceramics or architecture, traditional or contemporary, all of which there is ample evidence of in Denmark. The primary base will be the capital, Copenhagen, consistently ranked as one of the world's most livable cities. We will also venture to the western parts of Denmark as well as to Southern Sweden for further explorations of clay and brick in all its manifestations, experience the varied landscapes and cities of the region, and study how culture, climate, landscape, and resources inform art, architecture, and design¿on-site, in studios, in galleries, and in museums.

Highlights include the CLAY Museum in Middelfart, the brick cathedral in Ribe, one of the oldest towns in Scandinavia established in the 8th century, the renovated 13th-century brick Koldinghus Castle, the brand-new LEGO House in Billund by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels/BIG, filled with 25 million LEGO bricks and full of fun and exciting activities, and a visit to the equally new Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense (yes, the renowned author of fairy tales) by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. On the itinerary is also a one-day visit to Southern Sweden and the stellar St. Petri Church by brick master architect, Sigurd Lewerentz, and the city of Lund, founded around the year 990. In addition a string of studio, gallery, and museum visits will help us dive into the art, architecture, and design of Denmark. We will be creative and have a lot of fun including playing with LEGO bricks and enjoying the very special Midsummer Evening festivities with singing and bonfires¿`MAKING WITH FIRE¿ as it were. You don¿t want to miss out on this study trip.

This study trip goes to Denmark, the southernmost of the three Scandinavian countries (Sweden and Norway are the other two). The title `MAKING WITH FIRE¿ alludes to the particular focus on art, architecture, and design based on clay, whether it be ceramics or architecture, traditional or contemporary, all of which there is ample evidence of in Denmark. The primary base will be the capital, Copenhagen, consistently ranked as one of the world's most livable cities. We will also venture to the western parts of Denmark as well as to Southern Sweden for further explorations of clay and brick in all its manifestations, experience the varied landscapes and cities of the region, and study how culture, climate, landscape, and resources inform art, architecture, and design¿on-site, in studios, in galleries, and in museums.

Highlights include the CLAY Museum in Middelfart, the brick cathedral in Ribe, one of the oldest towns in Scandinavia established in the 8th century, the renovated 13th-century brick Koldinghus Castle, the brand-new LEGO House in Billund by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels/BIG, filled with 25 million LEGO bricks and full of fun and exciting activities, and a visit to the equally new Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense (yes, the renowned author of fairy tales) by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. On the itinerary is also a one-day visit to Southern Sweden and the stellar St. Petri Church by brick master architect, Sigurd Lewerentz, and the city of Lund, founded around the year 990. In addition a string of studio, gallery, and museum visits will help us dive into the art, architecture, and design of Denmark. We will be creative and have a lot of fun including playing with LEGO bricks and enjoying the very special Midsummer Evening festivities with singing and bonfires¿`MAKING WITH FIRE¿ as it were. You don¿t want to miss out on this study trip.

Comprehensive design studio incorporates cultural and program analysis, systems analysis and principled component choice, and the design and documentation of a very complete building. Course Goals and Objectives 1) Design culture: methods of integration and information synthesis in contemporary architectural design. 2) Design practice: advanced design methods, emphasizing feasibility, and comprehension through the design of a large building with an extensive systems integration challenge. 3) Design techniques and skills: develop an advanced level of architectural representation, with an emphasis on analysis, plans, sections and elevations, and model construction.

This is a comprehensive design studio focused on a complex building design and its systems. Three milestone critiques during the semester are also punctuated with nine project assignments that interface with the project development.

Thesis studio asks students to determine and research an original problem with pertinent issues, and design an innovative response to some aspect of architectural production.

Course Goals and Objectives
1) Give individual students the opportunity to discover, define, and research a significant aspect of architectural production in depth.
2) Develop a personal approach to an important issue of contemporary significance to the field of architecture and communicate it concisely.
3) Work with originality, clarity, and high production values at the end of an architectural education.