Papers by Author: Thomas Fischer

Abstract: Within undergraduate architecture programs, structural design is typically taught in the engineering tradition, with a focus on fundamental principles, analysis and calculation. Architecture students however often find it difficult to make use of such learning in the design studio. This paper discusses a course offered to postgraduate students of architecture that was developed to integrate digital architectural design and structural design in the making of physical structures. As a part of the course, students designed cardboard chairs that were presented to and tested by five year old children to demonstrate to architecture students the immediate responsibility that structural designing incurs. The integration of design, construction of structurally sound chairs and the subsequent testing by users enabled participating students to incorporate structural thinking into their design processes. The applied exercises enriched the theoretical aspects of the course and provided opportunities for multi-faceted and engaging learning experiences.

Abstract: Architectural designing, creating new form and often unknown structural assemblies, is, we argue, distinct from structural engineering approaches that focus on the dimensioning of members in well-understood kinds of assemblies. Based on a review of compositional approaches, we offer in this paper an appraisal of the dominant educational approaches in structural engineering and architectural design. Based on current trends in both professions, we anticipate a future that sees architectural and structural engineering responsibilities no longer strictly separated but collaboratively integrated, in a way that harnesses benefits of specialist expertise, yet–somewhat reminiscent of the role of the medieval master builder–recognizes the need for generalist awareness and oversight required to achieve architectural and structural innovation. From this position, we propose a learning approach for architectural students that focuses less on rote learning and calculation and emphasizes applied learning through model building and the development of "structural commonsense" through the detailed study of precedent case studies.