Master Seminar Course
Syllabus
Course Background:
The development mode and policies of the 20th century start showing frightening consequences and humanity is dealing with increasingly monumental environmental and social problems. Sustainability issues have come to the forefront of design in the last 30 years and developed from a laughed-at trend to a crucial aspect of our profession today.
However, most of the initiatives for more sustainability are still in the mindset of “doing less bad” instead of actually “doing good”.
Course objectives:
The goal of this course is to make the students aware of the reality, urgency and severity of today’s sustainability issues. The course shall primarily
Course content:
1. 绪论：仿生学和仿生设计Introduction to Biomimicry & Biomimetic Design （6学时）
2. 指定参考书阅读和课堂汇报Book Presentations （4学时）
3. 参考书阅读讨论Book Discussion （2学时）
4. 仿生设计案例一Biomimetic Design Case Study 1 （4学时）
5. 仿生设计案例一汇报Biomimetic Design Case Study 1 Presentations （2学时）
6. 仿生设计案例一讨论Biomimetic Design Case Study 1 Discussion （2学时）
7. 仿生设计案例二Biomimetic Design Case Study 2 （4-6学时）
8. 仿生设计案例二汇报Biomimetic Design Case Study 2 Presentations （2学时）
9. 仿生设计案例二讨论Biomimetic Design Case Study 2 Discussion （2学时）
10. 仿生学研究项目概念及讨论 Research Project Conception & Discussion （4学时）
Total （32-34学时）
Study means:
The communication of knowledge and expertise as well as the learning will mostly occur through discussions, which employ online content, readings, case studies, research and insights from academic work. The assimilation, comprehension and integration of this new knowledge will occur in discussions, student presentations, exchange, self-study and the final proposal of a research project.
Class time and non-class time make up about 1/3 and 2/3 respectively of the total work time of this course.
A list of readings is provided below, from which each student must completely read at least three books.
Reading list:
参考书Books
参考论文Papers
Assignments and Examinations:
No examination will be held in the final two semester weeks (exam weeks). Students’ performance will be assessed 100% through course work assignments. Assignments will be based on lecture contents, the students’ current studio projects and current issues of sustainability. Assignments may encompass self-study and observations, text reviews and critiques, case studies, conceptual texts, etc.
Assessment & Grading:
Class involvement and contribution may significantly raise a student’s grade. Class attendance is expected throughout and random records will be used to correct grades up or down. A written, justified explanation to the coaching team is necessary in case of non-attendance. Class attendance of at least 80% is required to pass the course.
Depending on the assignments, each student will receive group grades and/or individual grades that are weighted according to importance and their average will constitute the final grade. The final grade may be adjusted based on aspects below.
This course treats design as a field of ongoing research and creativity. Thus the students are invited to propose creative, future-oriented and innovative ideas and concepts, based on thorough study of feasibility and the life-quality and sustainability issues at hand.
Plagiarism (copying) is warned. Acknowledgement must be given to any and all references, ideas and sources of information used to produce any of your work.
The development mode and policies of the 20th century start showing frightening consequences and humanity is dealing with increasingly monumental environmental and social problems. Sustainability issues have come to the forefront of design in the last 30 years and developed from a laughed-at trend to a crucial aspect of our profession today.
However, most of the initiatives for more sustainability are still in the mindset of “doing less bad” instead of actually “doing good”.
Course objectives:
The goal of this course is to make the students aware of the reality, urgency and severity of today’s sustainability issues. The course shall primarily
- help students understand what Biomimicry is, and how inspirational and beneficial it can be to emulate natural strategies for innovative human development, creation and production.
- illustrate that nature solved literally all of humans’ sustainability problems already, in a sustainable way
- provide tools, methods and skills for practicing biomimetic design
- provide knowledge inside and outside students’ own design discipline, in order to get the ‘big picture’ and allow for true innovation
- instill constant thinking about nature, health and sustainability when designing
Course content:
1. 绪论：仿生学和仿生设计Introduction to Biomimicry & Biomimetic Design （6学时）
2. 指定参考书阅读和课堂汇报Book Presentations （4学时）
3. 参考书阅读讨论Book Discussion （2学时）
4. 仿生设计案例一Biomimetic Design Case Study 1 （4学时）
5. 仿生设计案例一汇报Biomimetic Design Case Study 1 Presentations （2学时）
6. 仿生设计案例一讨论Biomimetic Design Case Study 1 Discussion （2学时）
7. 仿生设计案例二Biomimetic Design Case Study 2 （4-6学时）
8. 仿生设计案例二汇报Biomimetic Design Case Study 2 Presentations （2学时）
9. 仿生设计案例二讨论Biomimetic Design Case Study 2 Discussion （2学时）
10. 仿生学研究项目概念及讨论 Research Project Conception & Discussion （4学时）
Total （32-34学时）
Study means:
The communication of knowledge and expertise as well as the learning will mostly occur through discussions, which employ online content, readings, case studies, research and insights from academic work. The assimilation, comprehension and integration of this new knowledge will occur in discussions, student presentations, exchange, self-study and the final proposal of a research project.
Class time and non-class time make up about 1/3 and 2/3 respectively of the total work time of this course.
A list of readings is provided below, from which each student must completely read at least three books.
Reading list:
参考书Books
- Benyus, Janine. M, Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature, Harper Perennial, 1997
- Pawlyn, Michael, Biomimicry in Architecture, RIBA Publishing, 2011
- Allen, Robert, Bulletproof Feathers: How Science Uses Nature's Secrets to Design Cutting-Edge Technology, University Of Chicago Press, 2010
- Forbes, Peter, The Gecko's Foot: Bio-inspiration: Engineering New Materials from Nature, W. W. Norton & Company, 2006
- Ginatta, Carlos, ARCHITECTURE without architecture: Biomimicry design, VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, 2010
- Myers, William, Bio Design: Nature Science Creativity, Thames & Hudson, 2012
- Gruber, Petra, Biomimetics in Architecture: Architecture of Life and Buildings, Springer, 2010
- DeYoung, Donald, Hobbs, Derrik, Discovery of Design, Master Books, 2009
- Vogel, Steven, Cats' Paws and Catapults: Mechanical Worlds of Nature and People, W. W. Norton & Company, 2000
- Kellert, S. R., Heerwagen, Judith, Mador, Martin, Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life, Wiley, 2008
- Beatley, Timothy, Biophilic Cities: Integrating Nature into Urban Design and Planning, Island Press, 2010
- Kellert, S. R., Wilson, Edward O, The Biophilia Hypothesis, Island Press, 1995
- Kellert, S. R., Building for Life: Designing and Understanding the Human-Nature Connection, Island Press, 2005
- Imhof, Barbara; Gruber, Petra, What is the architect doing in the jungle? Biornametics, Springer, 2013
参考论文Papers
- Benyus, Janine M. A Biomimicry Primer, The Biomimicry Institute and the Biomimicry Guild, 2011: http://biomimicry.net/about/biomimicry/a-biomimicry-primer/
- Green, Keith E., The “Bio-logic” Architecture - Environmental Design Inspired by Slime Mold, Lichen and Other Natural Sources, PDF, ACSA National Conference, Chicago, 2005: http://workgroups.clemson.edu/AAH0503_ANIMATED_ARCH/linked%20docs/Bio-logic%20of%20Architecture.pdf
Assignments and Examinations:
No examination will be held in the final two semester weeks (exam weeks). Students’ performance will be assessed 100% through course work assignments. Assignments will be based on lecture contents, the students’ current studio projects and current issues of sustainability. Assignments may encompass self-study and observations, text reviews and critiques, case studies, conceptual texts, etc.
Assessment & Grading:
Class involvement and contribution may significantly raise a student’s grade. Class attendance is expected throughout and random records will be used to correct grades up or down. A written, justified explanation to the coaching team is necessary in case of non-attendance. Class attendance of at least 80% is required to pass the course.
Depending on the assignments, each student will receive group grades and/or individual grades that are weighted according to importance and their average will constitute the final grade. The final grade may be adjusted based on aspects below.
This course treats design as a field of ongoing research and creativity. Thus the students are invited to propose creative, future-oriented and innovative ideas and concepts, based on thorough study of feasibility and the life-quality and sustainability issues at hand.
Plagiarism (copying) is warned. Acknowledgement must be given to any and all references, ideas and sources of information used to produce any of your work.
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