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ICM 427 - Design Theory and Methods

Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences · Architecture · Undergraduate

ECTS: 3 T+P+L: 2+0+0 Departmental Elective
Coordinator: Doç. Dr. Şahika ÖZDEMİR

Course Objective

This is a theoretical course that examines fundamental concepts related to the introduction to architecture. The course covers the basic concepts of architecture; the relationship between the architectural profession and other professional disciplines; the nature and stages of the architectural design process and design problem; and theoretical approaches and techniques related to the design process.

Course Content

The aim is to examine the design theories and methods used in creating a design product, analyze the design process, explore approaches to form-making, and foster student participation by establishing an environment for mutual discussion and exchange of ideas.

Required Resources

Course Notes

Recommended Resources

- Modern Sanatın Öyküsü, N. Lynton

- Sanatın Öyküsü, E.H. Gombrich

- Yorumlar, Bülent Özer

- Resimde Müziğin Etkisi, N.İpşiroğlu

- Görme Biçimleri, J.Berger

- Yaratma Cesareti, R.May

- Mit ve Anlam, C.L.Strauss

- Felsefe Sözlüğü, A.Cevizci

Explanations

  • Midterm Examination: The date, time, and venue of the midterm examination will be announced by the Dean’s Office.
  • Practical Exercises: Practical exercises will be carried out in accordance with the topics covered during the course. Submission deadlines for each exercise will be announced separately.
  • Quizzes: Quizzes will be announced one week in advance, and the announcement will specify the course content to be covered.
  • Final Submission: The final submission will consist of six practical applications completed throughout the semester. These applications must be integrated into the student's architectural design project developed within the concurrent Architectural Design Studio. For each application topic, students are required to prepare one A3 or B2 presentation board that explains both the theoretical framework of the application and its implementation within the architectural project. Final submissions must be submitted both digitally and in printed format.
  • Final Assessment Policy: As the final assessment is based on a comprehensive project submission rather than a written examination, there is no make-up (resit) examination for this course.

Rules

  1. Attendance: According to the University Regulations, students who fail to attend at least 70% of the total course hours will receive a grade of DZ (Absent) and will automatically fail the course.

    Late Arrival: Students are expected not only to attend class but also to arrive on time. Please note that three late arrivals are considered equivalent to one full absence. A late arrival is defined as entering the classroom after attendance has been taken by the instructor and more than 10 minutes after the scheduled start of the class.

    Seeking Assistance: Students are encouraged to ask questions during class or office hours and to seek assistance whenever necessary. Obtaining timely support is an important part of the learning process and is strongly recommended.

    Academic Integrity: All coursework submitted for assessment must represent your own original work and effort. Acts of academic misconduct, including plagiarism and cheating, are subject to the University's Academic Integrity and Disciplinary Regulations and may result in disciplinary action and the corresponding sanctions.

    Assessment Policy: The assessment methods and grading criteria specified in this syllabus are final. No additional assignments, examinations, or make-up assessments will be offered for the purpose of improving course grades.

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Tasarım, tasarlama ve biçimlendirme yaklaşımları ile ilgili kavramsal bilgi ve becerilerini geliştirir
  2. Tasarım sürecinin teorik alt yapısı konusunda farkındalık geliştirir.
  3. Çağdaş tasarım kuramlarını öğrenir
  4. Mimari okumalar ve tartışmalar yoluyla kuramsal düzeylerini geliştirir

Core Area Distribution

(21) Arts%50 (58) Architecture and Building%50

Teaching Methods

ExpressionQuestion-AnswerDiscussion

Assessment & Evaluation

HomeworkProject / DesignTesting (Essay / Tests: True-Falls, multiple-choice, short answer, matching)

ECTS / Workload

ActivityQuantityDuration (h)Total Workload
Course Duration (Including Exam Week)15230
Out of Class Study Period14228
Midterm133
Quiz000
Assignment166
Practice000
Final166

Course Schedule

WeekSubjectPreparation
1Course Description; Examination of Course Content; Study Plan
2Components of the Architectural Field – Form, GestaltReading
3Components of the Architectural Field – Function, Function in Architecture, Technology, Environmental Balance/Natural BalanceReading
4Design and Designing; Design Thinking; Design Thinking and Problem Solving; Design Problems; Design Problems and Solutions; Design ProcessReading
5Design Process Strategies – Deduction, Induction, Hypothetical Deduction; Design Problems; Design Thinking MethodsReading
6Design Thinking and Learning – Cognitive Styles; Knowledge; Memory; Knowledge in Philosophy; Types of Knowledge; Categories of Design KnowledgeReading
7Knowledge in Architectural Design; Types of Knowledge Related to the Design Problem; Categories of Design Knowledge; Structure of Design Knowledge; Design Knowledge ResearchReading
8Ara SınavAra Sınav
9Design and Theory I: Myth and MeaningReading
10Design and Theory II: Architecture as MetaphorReading
11Design and Theory III: HyperrealityReading
12Design and Theory IV: DeconstructionReading
13Design and Theory V: Neoliberal RealitiesPreparation for the Presentation
14In-Class Presentations and Article CritiquePreparation for the Presentation
15In-Class Presentations and Article CritiquePreparation for the Presentation
16Final SınavıFinal Sınavı