City of Innovations Project

Scheduled in Q3 in the MSc2 semester of the Architecture track, the elective City of Innovations gives students the possibility to develop specific design projects with a strong exploratory approach. The elective aims to connect education to urgent issues in dialogue with stakeholders outside the Faculty of Architecture and the Built environment.

As part of Complex Projects ambition, the definition of City of Innovationsguides the research-based design project. Research challenges can include the relationship between mobility and public space; architectural typologies and new ways of living, working and moving; cultural change and the development of our cities.

Please contact the course coordinator to know this year's case studies.

Assessment will take into consideration the research approach, dedication, commitment, effort and improvement of the team in the investigation of the context and project area, as well as the quality of design and presentation. Concrete aspects for evaluation are: research work, clarity of the problem statements, originality of the final presentation.

The assessment will be based on the following type of examination:

- Oral examination. The research and design projects are presented during the course and at the end of the course to tutors and guest critics (experts on the theme of investigation).

- Design examination. Students deliver at the end of the educational period drawings (digital), analysis reports and presentations as final products (analytical assignments). During the educational period the student receives feedback on the progress and how to develop the research and design process.

Besides studio program students are expected to fully engage with events and people which the case studies have to offer.

Assessment criteria (see EMMA rubric):

- Design and Research to be assessed on coherence, significance, elaboration, correctness and innovativeness both on main line and on aspects. Design en Research counts for 80% in the final grade.

- Presentation: to be assessed on the degree to which it is clear, intelligible, reflective and engaging both on main line and on aspects. Presentation counts for 20% in the final grade.

The maximum marking period is 10 working days*

* In accordance with Article 1.26 of the Teaching and Examination Regulations Bachelor, and Article 1.27 of the Teaching and Examination Regulations Master, the marking period for each course should be published in the Study Guide. Results need to be determined by the examiner as soon as possible but no later than 10 working days after the examination. Only with permission from the Director of Education the marking period can be extended to a maximum of 15 working days.

Standard condition for retake and repair:

The design project is awarded a grade that is a whole or half number between 1.0 and 10.0. Students pass the course with a 6.0 or higher. With a grade below 6.0: students who presented assessable work during the course are allowed to do a repair to change the grade into a ‘pass’. The repair is unsupervised and needs to be completed within 2 weeks after the end of the course. When the repair is unsuccessful, the student needs to follow the entire course again (retake).