Summer 2024 

NICE TO BE IN ORBIT

M2 Desgin Studio SS 2023/24

“In space we recognise our limits. We put ourselves in a situation where those limits are hard. We only have so much water, so much mass, so much volume and we need to work within these constraints. That mindset is essential for designing for Earth as well.”

^{Christina Ciardullo,  Founder + Principal Architect SEArch+, Researcher Yale Center for Ecosystems + Architecture  (Radio Orange Space Specials: Reciprocities: the Earth–space continuum, 13 May 2021)}

We travel only 450 km, but we do so in the z-axis, and then find ourselves in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Adjusting our acceleration to 28,000 km/h, we enter the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS). Here is our "construction site." In the vacuum, under extreme temperatures, constant micrometeoroid showers, and the small-scale hail of broken satellites, the outpost of our home planet orbits the Earth every 90 minutes. For more than 20 years, people have been living and working in Earth's orbit on the ISS. It is intended to continue until 2030, after which its parts will either be recycled, forming new space stations, or intentionally returned to Earth.

The goal of the exercise is to design a space module for microgravity and develop a suitable interior space that can serve as a home for a crew of 8 people. They should be able to carry out their daily activities and live there for 6 months. Additionally, scenarios for use beyond 2030 should be considered, and the module should be designed in a way that allows it to be docked to other space stations later on.

Particular attention should be given to transformable spaces, recyclable systems, and resource-efficient handling of materials to minimize the need for resupply for the crew.

PLATE TO PLANET

E2 Design Studio SS 2023/24

Within the design course, "Plate to Planet", we will discover the multifaceted journey of food and energy from its source to disposal, framing this exploration within the broader context of architectural studies. The course seeks to provide a foundational understanding of the circulation processes—highlighting sourcing, processing, transport, consumption, and waste management—while situating these discussions within the critical frameworks of systems thinking, culture, economics, and politics. The course is designed to offer a diverse, though not exhaustive, set of analytical tools and methodologies for investigating the complex networks that govern food and energy systems.

3M: MICROBIAL MATERIAL MATTER

SE Seminar SS 2023/24

“All life evolved from microorganisms, and all life processes are based and depend on interactions with microorganisms.  Nothing works without them, everything would work without humans” 

^{Insam et al., 2021}

In this seminar as part of Integratives Design Extremes we will experiment with growing, living, biodegradable materials, specifically focusing on SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast). This architectural design seminar is an exploration into the innovative and educational uses of SCOBY membranes within the prism of contemporary architecture. You will learn how to work with living materials, assess and iterate their properties, conduct scientific documentation of your observations alongside material tinkering, allowing you to translate material study data into practical design ideas. The course is a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experiences, aiming to prepare students for the new paradigms of sustainable architectural practices.