AENG 351 - Architectural Design Studio I

Studio on designing in behavioral and socio-cultural contexts. “Inside-out” approach to Architecture. Design through the study of behavioral use of space. Age, sex, culture and individuality as well as complex functional relationships influence on architectural design. Study of the nature of human behavior and how it can be incorporated, facilitated, modified and influenced through architectural design. Design for special needs populations. Introduction to developing project brief through definition of the needs of society, users and clients. Six-hour studio period. (4 cr.)

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROJECT: “THE CONTEMPORARY PRE-SCHOOL”

Introduction: The theme of this project focuses on understanding the world through the eyes of a special user group;

young children at the age of 3 to 6 years, as related to their pre-school environment. Upon critical reflection on the education system in Egypt at the present the need for a new vision of “The Contemporary Pre-school” appears to be of great importance. Education takes priority in all development programs directed towards rebuilding the future of the country. This project adopts a progressive, critical and innovative approach towards pre-school education; and at the same time takes a very careful stand towards understanding the needs of the unique user group of pre-schools children. Each student is required to develop his/her own program for the project which reflects his/her understanding to the different approaches of early education as well as the sensitivity to the user-group needs. Students will endorse the architect’s role in responding to the user’s perception of the world and the role of pre-education in enhancing the capacities of the younger generations.

Objectives: 1. Stimulate creativity and design abilities in expressing values and needs. 2. Design for activities and human behavior through a research-based design approach 3. Understand the implications of use of different architectural spaces 4. Identify human values and needs through research and translate them into architectural design

elements 5. Think in 3 dimensions (through model making) and understand the effects of design decisions on

human behavior. 6. Develop skills in conceptualizing, designing and creatively presenting design proposals, using

appropriate communication tools- written and visual both manual, digital and 3D modeling.