Curso Proyecto: Housing in Colombia / Design Studio
The Housing in Colombia course intends to explore the architectural possibilities for assessing the way in which intermediate cities are facing pressure for urban development in most of the country, and the advantages or obstacles that collective housing projects may have in supporting this growth. The course will focus in the urban regeneration of central urban areas in Fusagasugá, a municipality not far from Bogota that exemplifies many of the typical urban conditions of other intermediate cities in Colombia. Hoping to strengthen critical thinking and innovative design skills, both Colombian and international exchange students will interact, within a framework of mutual collaboration and comparative perspectives on collective housing issues.
The Studio course will focus on the comprehensive design of a medium density collective housing project (not single family houses) -in different design scales, that will hopefully integrate with the existing context and ideally bring quality of life to residents within a typical intermediate city in a sloped topographical condition.
Curso Herramienta: Housing in Colombia / Tools
The Housing in Colombia course aims to explore the architectural possibilities to assess how intermediate cities are dealing with the pressures of urban development faced in the country, and the benefits or obstacles that residential projects may have to support this growth.
The course will be focused on the center of Fusagasugá, a municipality not far from Bogotá, combining research exercises and real experience derived from the excursion planned on a weekend at the beginning of the semester.
This “Tools course” in particular, will focus on the general context of housing in Colombia through the study of historical phases, geographical conditions, prospective visions, as well as the framework on housing and land policies. Through analytical activities, discussions and research, students are expected to support their decision-making process within the Design Studio course - taller (taught by professors Maria Luisa Vela and Marc Jané).
The course is divided in two modules: The first module faces the challenge of Understanding the site and local conditions, while the second module Connects information through the evaluation of different resources and alternatives that should be applied on the residential proposal within the design exercise.
The language of instruction in this course will be English and it welcome all local or international students with intermediate and advanced English communication skills interested in increasing their technical vocabulary in architecture and urban studies, broadening their knowledge on Colombian approaches to social housing and preparing future experiences abroad. No English exams or certificates are required, as far as you can explain your ideas.