Semester 2, Gent
Master of Architecture, Engagement: Craftsmanship
Academic year 2024-2025
Tutor: Aurelie De Smet
STUDIO MODULAR ARCHITECTURE FOR CARE FOR MODULAR ARCHITECTURE
DESCRIPTION
This is a service-learning(1) studio exploring the topics of modular and circular architecture, temporary use of Waiting Spaces for housing, cohousing for different target groups, de-institutionalisation of the care sector, and in-/exclusion of vulnerable people in the housing system.
The studio will involve close collaboration with the actors and stakeholders from the following real-live projects:
- Fobrux by POM Vlaams-Brabant and city of Vilvoorde,
- Carehousing vzw by Ans Janssens and Charlotte Claes, and
- vzw Oranjehuis vzw’s dream of a ‘Mobile Shelter/house’.
Moreover, the studio will also be embedded in the following transdisciplinary Participatory Action Research projects:
- Solidary Mobile Housing and WoonBox by SAAMO Brussel vzw and the KU Leuven Faculty of Architecture, and
- Space for Care-trajectory by the Gentse Stadsacademie.
Guided by the tutor(s), the students will use literature study, participatory fieldwork, and community-engaged research and design to work on co-creating a relevant output with and for the societal partners and other stakeholders involved in these cases.
The studio starts from the premise that today’s complex challenges (also referred to as ‘wicked problems’) are both technical and social and that a transdisciplinary approach and systemic change are needed to address these. As a result, the studio aims to encourage students to critically reflect on the societal role of spatial designers and acquire knowledge on social-spatial processes, methods and tools for co-creation and innovative – transdisciplinary and transitional – approaches in architecture. The studio will stimulate students to develop a ‘critical spatial practice’-attitude and become aware of their potential to act as ‘agents of change’.
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(1) Service-learning is an experiential leaning method in which students work together with and for social actors – click here to find out more.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
modular architecture (prefab & adaptable), circularity (regenerative design – donut economy), cohousing, temporary/transitional use of Waiting Spaces, transdisciplinarity (QH Model of Innovation), agency of design / design as politics, infrastructuring in/through design, critical spatial practice, transition design, participatory action research, codesign, systems thinking
TIMELINE (tentative)
The studio will unfold according to the following service-learning cycles:
01_INVESTIGATING – w1-4
As a first step, the students will familiarize themselves with the cases by visiting the project sites and getting acquainted with the involved actors and stakeholders and their needs & wishes. Moreover, they will collectively explore the course topics and conceptual framework and will be triggered to reflect on their own interests, skills, and expertise, in relation to this. Finally, we will also discuss methodological, practical, and ethical issues.
02_DESIGNING & PREPARING – w3-4
In parallel, the students will be supported to gradually define goals and formulate potential answers, together with the case partners. Based on these, they will then also determine success criteria and develop action plans.
03_TAKING ACTION – w4-7
After investigating and preparing, it is time for action. In this phase, the students will realise their self-defined goals. The aim of this step is to demonstrate an understanding of the challenges at hand and test the proposed answers through ‘design/action’.
04_REFLECTING & COMMUNICATING – w8/9
As a next step, we will come back to the classroom and take the time to collectively engage in a critical reflection about (1) what happened on the terrain, (2) what this means in the light of the course topics and conceptual framework, and (3) what we can learn from this for the future. We will also evaluate the impact of our engagement on the other stakeholders as well as on ourselves.
05, 06, 07_RE-INVESTIGATING, RE-DESIGNING & PREPARING, RE-TAKING ACTION – w9-12
After completing the first phase, students will go through the previous cycle again. Building on their experiences from the first phase, they will now work towards a more detailed project (proposal).
08_RE-REFLECTING & COMMUNICATING – w13&14
During a presentation and celebration session, the students will present their process and results to each other and the other involved stakeholders. The aim is to look back at what has happened, reflect on what we learned, celebrate this together, and possibly make recommendations/plans for the future. In the last week, the students will transfer the produced knowledge to the partners and we will come together one last time for a collective de-briefing.
ACTIVITIES
- Lectures and study visits
- Literature and case studies
- Group brainstorming, reflections & discussions
- Community-engaged research and design
- Participatory fieldwork
- Individual reflections
OUTPUT
Throughout the course and in close collaboration with the SMH project partners, the students will deliver the following materials, to be handed in at the end:
- Design product: a project proposal / installation / intervention / tool / report / … fitting the topic of ‘modular architecture for (student)housing’ and delivered in (inter)action with the involved stakeholders (individual or group work)
- Final presentation: an account of the (co-)development process of the design product (individual or group work)
- Process journal: a personal documentation of the course process (individual work)
- Reflection paper: a summarizing personal reflection on the course topic, process, and result(s) (app. 500 to 2000 words) (individual work)
EVALUATION
The students will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Course participation: attendance, enthusiasm, effort to deliver the design product, respectful interaction with other the partners, … -> this will be evaluated based on weekly observations by the tutor, the process journal, and an assessment by the societal partner(s)
- Course result(s): delivery of a design product that aligns with the course topic(s) and the stakeholder expectations -> this will be evaluated based on the design product(s), the final presentation, and the reflection paper
- Development process: the academic, professional and/or personal growth of the student -> this will be evaluated based on the process journal and the reflection paper
FUTHER READING
on Solidary Mobile Housing and WoonBox:
www.solidhomes.be
www.solidarymobilehousing.be
https://www.saamo.be/brussel/project/woonboxcinoco/
on the Space for Care-trajectory by the Gentse Stadsacademie:
https://stadsacademie.be/traject/ruimte-voor-zorg/
on Fobrux:
https://www.vilvoorde.be/bgo-buda-zuid
https://www.pomvlaamsbrabant.be/places/fobrux
on Carehousing vzw:
https://carehousing.eu/
on vzw Oranjehuis:
https://www.oranjehuis.be/
https://pers.kortrijk.be/230409-vzw-oranjehuis-opent-mobiele-woonsite-kwe-de-stek
on other relevant topics:
https://www.vaph.be/over-vaph/algemeen/wetenschappelijk-onderzoek/academische-werkplaats-de-institutionalisering
https://www.kenniscentrumwwz.be/kennisbank/cahier-12-wonen-met-zorg-vernieuwende-visie-en-praktijk
https://transitiondesignseminarcmu.net/
https://www.re-story.be/nl/stories/2018/5/4/kate-raworth?rq=donut
IMAGE
(generated with openart.ai)