Terri Meyer Boake, BES, BArch, MArch, LEED AP
Professor School of Architecture University of Waterloo
email: tboake@uwaterloo.ca

 

AE101:
History of the Built Environment

Fall 2023:
Final Research Project


"why?" and "why not?"

last updated November 6, 2023 1:59 PM


Outline:

INDIVIDUAL PROJECT

The final project for the term will ask you to conduct some thoughtful research into a particular building that you find captivating. One that pushes the course questions of "why?" and "why not?". This is combined with the notion that we must also become good communicators, and adept at understanding some of the cultural as well as technological factors that have influenced changes in design over the centuries.

1. Select a building that you find highly interesting. You can source this from something that you have visited, something I have talked about in class, or something that you have discovered on the internet. Age doesn't matter. Ancient, old, recent - but it has to have been constructed. This is a particularly cool site to look at https://www.archdaily.com/

2. The building should provide you inspiration for discussing the project along the lines of asking: why? and why not? Why does it have its form or materiality or some peculiar aspect of its design that questioned the status quo of its period. How did the designers push "why not!?" when they detailed it, chose its materials, pushed the boundaries beyond what was normal for the time. You are required to write 500 words discussing this. Sentences. Good English. Spell check please.

3. Prepare a poster (digitally) that would be 55.87cm x 55.87cm orientation if printed (it is SQUARE). Font to be Calibri 14pt or similar in size (per the mockup). The mockup is to present layout size, font size and expected image resolution quality. Make yours look nicer. You can prepare the poster in InDesign, Photoshop or MSWord and MS Publisher.

To be submitted as a PDF to LEARN.

5. Include on the poster:

- name of the project
- date of the project
- city, location
- architect, engineer or designers involved

- images of the project that will let the viewer understand what you are talking about. No specific quantity. Your judgment call.

- image references: you must always reference images. If it is internet sourced just paste the URL in small font on the image. This also includes any images in the background.

- bibliography: minimum 3 references and Wikipedia is NOT a reference that you can use at University. Sorry. Chicago Style required.

Do not put your name on the board. Your name should be in the filename. Filename will consist of your student ID and name. For example 12345678_Boake.PDF

Evaluation:

- Research /20
- Graphics /20
- Compelling explanation of why and why not /10
- Bibiograpy /5
- Image references /5
TOTAL /60

Total 26% of the term grade

Due Date: Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 11:59pm

Late Penalties: Projects submitted after the deadline will be subject to a 5% penalty per day, commencing at 12:01am. After 5 days, no grades will be awarded for this project.

SOME SAMPLE PROJECTS FROM LAST YEAR'S CLASS TO GUIDE YOUR WORK:

 
 
 
 


last updated November 6, 2023 1:59 PM