Friday, August 27, 2010

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

WEEK 1



ARCH 3252_FALL 2010

§ Course Description

ARCH 3252 is an introductory course on computer applications in architecture. Understanding the digital tools and becoming familiar with the digital design process is a vital part of the course. We will focus on developing 3D modeling skills and utilizing digital fabrication to realize the designs.

The course will consist of a weekly lecture, tutorial, and workshop. It is designed to be a supplement for the design studio. Design studio and ARCH 3252 assignments and projects will be coordinated. Students are strongly encouraged to approach both design studio and ARCH 3252 as a joint endeavor, and to apply the digital design process and tools learned in ARCH 3252 to the design studio work.

This course is required for both architecture and architectural engineering students. Even with different focuses in the two professions, ARCH 3252 will concentrate on establishing the fundamentals of computer applications toward digital design for both architecture and architectural engineering students.

§ Course Objectives

1. To establish knowledge of fundamental computer applications for digital design using 3D modeling and digital fabrication.
2. To facilitate skills for the design studio.
3. To demonstrate the practical use of computers in architecture.
4. To expand the boundaries of design through the use of the computer as a design tool.

§ Faculty

The course instructor is assistant professor Seung Ra. Invited guest speakers will give special lectures on Digital Graphics and Publishing. Teaching Assistants are Austin Horton and Jacob Gann.
Office hours are by appointment. The telephone number is 405 744-6043.

§ ARCH 3252

1. Lectures
- Dates : Wednesday 2:30 to 3:20 PM / Location : ARCH 170(Auditorium)

2. Lab
- Dates : Section 1 - Wednesday 3:30 to 5:20 PM / Section 2 - Wednesday 6:45 to 8:25 PM / Location : ARCH 120(Computer lab)

3. Software
- RHINO 4.0
- Adobe Photoshop CS4 and InDesign CS4
- AutoCAD 2009
- 3Ds MAX 2009 (As a rendering engine)

3. Hardware
- A laptop computer which meets or exceeds the school requirements, with required software installed.
- It is highly recommended that you have a USB flash drive and external hard drive to back up your work.

4. Required Materials
- Mastering AutoCAD 2009 and AutoCAD LT 2009, by George Omura, Wiley Publishing, Inc.
- You will be required to purchase coated paper for plotting. I strongly suggest that you coordinate with your colleagues and purchase quality paper, such as HP 7 mil Basic Photo Satin for plotting.

5. Attendance
- Attendance is mandatory during the entire class period.
- Every unexcused absence will decrease your final grade by 6.7 percent.
- Punctuality is important to ensure you receive the full benefit of the lecture. If you are more than 15 minutes late, you will be considered absent.

§ Course Evaluation

Evaluation will focus not only on attaining a basic level of knowledge, but will also reward exceptional achievement in digital design.

There will be a total of 6 assignments. Each assignment is worth 10 points. If you exceed the expectation of assignments, you will be awarded extra points which will add onto your final grade. If you wish to improve your projects, you may resubmit the assignment by the beginning of next class. The final project will be coordinated with the final design studio project. The requirements will be announced at the beginning of the last project of design studio. If you are not enrolled in the design studio, you will be assigned an equivalent project.

Any technical issues with plotting, scanning, and personal computers will be part of your performance and responsibility. Consider the amount of time required for plotting when managing the time required to complete a project. Late work will not be reviewed.

1. Grading Criteria
- A (90-100%): Exceptional. Work demonstrates skills beyond those covered in class and exceeds all of the requirements of the assignment.
- B (80-89%): Above Average. Work demonstrates skills covered in class and meets all of the requirements of the assignment.
- C (70-79%): Average. Work demonstrates an adequate knowledge of skills covered in class and meets the basic requirements of the assignment.
- D (60-69%): Poor. Work lacks an understanding of the skills covered in class and fails to meet all of the requirements of the assignment.
- F (Below 60%): Unacceptable. Work fails to demonstrate basic skills and to meet basic requirements of the assignment.

2. Factors
- Class Assignments: 60% - At the end of the class, you must upload your work to the class blog. The location is http://fall2010arch3252.blogspot.com/. Late work will not be evaluated, excepting illness with Doctor's notice or family emergencies.
- Final Project : 30%
- Final Exam : 10%

§ ARCH 3252 Lab Policy

- UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD STUDENTS ATTEMPT TO CHANGE, MODIFY, OR “UP-GRADE” ANY OF THE COMPUTERS OR SOFTWARE IN THE LAB. DO NOT PLACE ANY PERSONAL SOFTWARE ON ANY LAB COMPUTER. FAILURE TO CONFORM TO THE ABOVE WARNING CAN RESULT IN SEVERE PENALTIES, INCLUDING POSSIBLE FAILURE IN THE COURSE AND FURTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS.
- No food or drinks are allowed in the Lab. The one exception to this rule is that you may have water as long as it is in a CLOSED container.
- No Cellular phones may be used during the class.
- No internet usage or emailing during class.

§ Special Accommodation

- Any member of the class who feels that they have a qualified disability that requires special accommodations should speak to the professor before, during or as soon as possible after the first day of class. The faculty is committed to working with the student and the OSU Office of Student Disability Services to provide appropriate and reasonable accommodations to ensure that each student has a fair opportunity to perform to the best of their ability in the course.

§ Other Important Policies
 
- ARCH3252 WILL FULLY SUPPORT the Oklahoma State University Syllabus Attachment Fall 2010 and School of Architecture Policies. Please read the attached University and School policies for Important Dates, Academic Integrity Policy, and Class Attendance Policy.