BS725 FOLDING IN ARCHITECTURE
| Course Code: | 8540725 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 8.0 |
| Department: | Building Science |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Graduate |
| Course Coordinator: | |
| Offered Semester: | Fall and Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
This course aims to provide foundational knowledge of folding systems in architecture, particularly in relation to kinetic, responsive, and resilient design approaches. Students will explore the role of folding as a design and structural mechanism by integrating computational approaches and modeling techniques. Through lectures, research, and hands-on projects, students will gain an understanding of kinetic systems, mechanisms, and movement in architecture. They will be expected to develop their own design strategies by combining mathematical principles of folding with physical and digital modeling. By the end of the course, students will be able to conceptualize, design, and prototype kinetic architectural systems informed by folding logic.
Course Content
This is an experimental computational design course. This course outlines the basic knowledge on folding in the state of art kinetic, responsive and resilient systems in architecture. In this course, along with mathematics of folding, computational design techniques will be employed to explore not only the mechanisms in digital environment but also in physical one. By conducting a series of hands-on project and providing a research paper on the project, it is aimed to enable students to obtain the targeted knowledge and skills.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will understand the principles and applications of folding in architecture and kinetic design. They will be able to apply computational design tools and mathematical reasoning to develop folding-based mechanisms. Students will gain skills in digital and physical modeling, fabrication techniques, and performance-based design thinking. They will be capable of analyzing natural folding systems and translating them into architectural components. Finally, students will be able to articulate their design processes and outcomes through visual, verbal, and written presentations, demonstrating a critical understanding of movement and responsiveness in architecture.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | To be able to implement the knowledge attained throughout the undergraduate education in building science related areas of education, practice, research-development-innovation and to be able to contribute to the developments in these areas | ✔ | |||
| 2 | To be able to define the technical topics and problems, analyze and bring proposals of solution regarding building materials, building physics, construction, construction management, conservation processes and the relationships of the environment and the nature | ✔ | |||
| 3 | To be able to gather and accumulate local and global professional knowledge (theoretical, technical and practical) on building related (building physics, materials, construction, construction details) topics | ✔ | |||
| 4 | To be able to interpret and analyze the information coming from different disciplines regarding buildings, and create new knowledge from them | ✔ | |||
| 5 | To be able to analyze, evaluate and provide solutions to a problem within an ethical framework and with scientific approach | ✔ | |||
| 6 | To be able to propose a research topic or study within an ethical framework, using scientific methods, and with a inter-disciplinary approach/point of view, and develop, evaluate, and run as a research proposal | ✔ | |||
| 7 | To be able to publish the developments and results regarding a research topic in national and international scientific media | ✔ | |||
| 8 | To be able to follow and grasp the new and contemporary technologies / advances in the field of building science | ✔ | |||
| 9 | To be able to follow and interpret the new and current technologies/developments regarding the field of building science | ✔ | |||
| 10 | To be able to have the consciousness of ethical liability in building related professions | ✔ | |||
| 11 | To be able to use the information and communication technologies in an advanced way in the processes of building construction, facilities management, and conservation processes; to be able to use, manage and share the attained knowledge by using these technologies | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution