Contemporary Practice

The focus of Contemporary Practice will be framing, clarifying, and questioning the evolving professional identity of architecture. Through lectures, case examples, discussions, guest lectures, and a series of short projects, students will be introduced to and discuss many of the conventions of, and connections between design, practice, and the building production industry. Materials covered will include programming, design, construction documentation, sequencing, coordination, and communication. Financial and legal responsibilities, ethical and contractual forces, and how such concerns impact the design and delivery of architecture will also be included in the course. This course will look at changing relationships and opportunities for architects in multidisciplinary teams and question where current practices can be transformed.