Educational Program - Open Thesis Fabrication

OPEN THESIS FABRICATION
25 credits

NTRODUCTION
In design and architecture, Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) fabrication equipment has given designers unprecedented means for executing formally challenging projects directly from the computer. The impact of digital production in these fields allows the production of complex geometries and opens up a wide field of research and experimentation.
Open Thesis Fabrication is a 15 week program taking place from September 2010 to December 2010. The course is open to students and professionals who would like to develop a specific research agenda within the field of digital design and fabrication. The program focuses on the development and completion of full scale prototypes using advanced CNC machinery, applying experimental materials and testing smart energy solutions.
Student projects will be followed by experienced tutors and regularly discussed with external guests and consultants with expertise in the field. Along these special sessions will take place specifically related activities such as: factory and building sites visit, field trip etc.

TEACHING STAFF
The teaching staff of the program are divided in 2 categories: Permanent and Guest advisors.
Permanent advisors will be following the Thesis Projects through arranged meetings along the 15 weeks.
Guest advisors will be participating in the program every 2 weeks. Guest advisors will be different every time and they will all attend the presentation of the Final projects.

PERMANENT ADVISORS
Marta Malé-Alemany,Digital Fabrication Expert
Vicente Guallart, Self Sufficient Housing/Neighborhouds Expert
Luis Fraguada,Digital Design expert
Victor Viña, Electronics advisor
Alex Posada
Bartosz Zygmunt (to be confirmed)

GUEST ADVISORS
Hanif Kara,Engineer
Florian Foerster,Engineer
Axel Kilian,Architect
Matthias Kohler,Architect
Bostjan Vuga,Architect
+expert lectures and special desk crit sessions (to be confirmed)

PROGRAM RESEARCH AGENDA
Students of the Open Thesis Fabrication Program will be aked to choose their own topic and project within the frame of the IAAC Research Agenda

The Research topics are the following:
1.Digital Tectonics/Fabrication, Automation in Construction
2.Solar and Self Sufficient Housing
3.Digital Design and Parametric Tools
4.Interactive Architecture,Internet 0 technology

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Within the program several related activities will take place such as:
Factory Visits
Building Sites Visit
Optional Field trip (additional fee required)
Special desk crit sessions with consultants
Desk crits with advisor tutor (every two weeks)
All activities (besides the field trip) are obligatory.

COLLABORATING COMPANIES
The program seeks to develop projects that could possibly continue developing in collaboration with Industry Companies. Therefore,representatives of several companies will be participating in the program following the projects.

Some of the collaborative companies with IAAC and Open Thesis Fabrication are:
CRICURSA, www.cricursa.com
ESCOFET, www.escofet.com
SANTA& COLE, www.santacole.com
VISOREN, www.visoren.es
ABELCIR, www.abelcir.com

The program is aimed at MAA graduate students interested in further developing a Thesis project and professionals from the field of Architecture,Engineering,Fine Art,Design,Landscape,etc.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE/CALENDAR
Open Thesis Fabrication starts on September 9th. The first week is an introductory week where the students will be given a bibliography of readings (book,articles and software manuals) and they will have a short introduction to the Fab Lab BCN, one of the most equipped digital laboratories in Europe.

After the introduction participants should present their Thesis topics within the Open Thesis Fabrication Research Agenda which they will be developing during the 15 weeks of the program. There will be weekly activities and conferences such as desk crits with advisor tutors every 2 weeks.

Final submission of the supervised projects will take place on December 16th and 17th along with an Open exhibition of the final projects.

PRICE
The  price for  this  special program  is 4.500 euros and students can develop the project during a 4-month period; from September to December. 

APPLICATIONS
The documents required for the applications are the following and should be sent digitally to applications@iaac.net
- Curiculum Vitae
- A letter of intent explaining the project that student wishes to develop as long as his/ her interests.
- A copy of valid passport (valid copy of I.D. is accepted)
- A copy of a non-refundable application fee of  50 euros, payable by bank transfer to the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalunya at the bank:
Caja de Arquitectos in Barcelona (Spain)
Account Number: 3183-0800-8200-0064-8636
IBAN: ES86 3183 0800 8200 0064 8636
BIC/SWIFT: CASDESBB
 
COURSE DIRECTOR
Marta Malé-Alemany

CREDITS
25 credits