ARC3016Y S
Instructor: John Shnier
Meeting Section: L0106
Tuesday, 2:00pm - 6:00pm; Friday, 2:00pm - 6:00pm

Drawing is, at its essence a form of Visual Thought; a method of investigating the world, generating ideas and when part of process or observation, a mode for self-discovery. Drawing has always been the primary activity that has defined the working practice of architecture yet cannot be compressed into an act of finality “once the thinking is done”. Perhaps more than any other time, we have the ability to re-consider drawing---and we have more resources and tools to do it with. Is the act of drawing still essential to thinking and thus in defining the second nature of the architect?

Much of our research will be provoked by the discourse around the 18c architect and polymath Giovanni Battista Piranesi; he will serve as your protagonist instigating our discourse with an abundance of curiosity, intellect and a predilection for invention and imagination. We will also familiarize ourselves with the Emperor Hadrian whose own passion for architecture resulted in some of the western world’s most significant built works. This research studio intends to merge imagination and reality and the application of theory, technique and various bodies of knowledge while applying critical thinking. Most importantly, in selecting this studio, you must commit yourself to a two-semester exercise to develop discourse that will emerge as your Thesis project during your final term at Daniels.

The Studio Thesis is explored through the project entitled: “The Pleasure of Ruins”; a project that will embody research on the allure of the incomplete through the act of drawing. This study will take us to Rome to experience a city that embodies many of the themes of our research as well as will act as the inspirational site for your projects that will bring us in intimate contact with the material and cultural focus of our research. The project will likely take the form of a large scale book/folio but will be discussed and finalized at the beginning of the semester. Thesis Prep is very directly tied to this studio and requires students to create a film that represents their discourse through an iterative process that includes screenings of the work-in-progress throughout the semester. Oh, and we will go to Rome!