Heritage and Architecture Design Studio: Research and Architectural Design

Heritage en Architecture defines research and design on all levels of scale: the use of materials and technology, the reuse and redesign of a building or a building complex, and the development of landscape and urban structure. For all scale levels the value of the entire context is considered, which is of vital importance to address the challenges and face the responsibilities of working on existing built structures. Particular attention is paid to values regarding architecture, urban context, construction, and interior, related to architectural history and current societal questions like sustainability, climate design, ecological system, or circular materials.

Re-designing and researching buildings of significance in cultural-historical context is the main concern of Heritage en Architecture. In this course, the research of existing built structures leads to conclusions that provide the position and interpretation for the transformation or conservation in the architectural design.

The developing discussion in this studio by 'Learning from others' for Heritage en Architecture, by theory, and reference material is guiding for the architecture of the re-design. In the beginning of the course in small groups students research related questions to the proposed subjects for the transformation design. The design process is supported by lectures and workshops and building visits.

Students individually create a re-design that shows a meaningful translation of an intervention strategy into the spatial, functional, contextual, material, and architectural-technical design. The design choices are based on an understanding in relation to cultural value, theory, and current societal issues.