Structured into three semesters

Trimester 1 (T1)

FOCUS_

T1 is designed as an “introduction” into the program, and  provides an intensive skills-building bootcamp format featuring full-time lectures and tutorials supported by a team of researchers. The curriculum is strategically designed to prioritize the rapid acquisition of digital skills, with primariy focus on Python programming and robotic control.

METHOD_

In T1, the teaching method revolves around small design projects that encourage active and iterative skill application. This “learning-by-doing” approach facilitates a swift immersion into the digital mindset, language, and design philosophy that are integral to our school’s culture.

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OUTCOMES_

By the end of T1, you will:

• understand and apply digital tools and processes for digital design and fabrication;

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• have skills in coding, robotic control, and 3D printing;

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• be able to work in teams of 3 to 4 on computational design projects;

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• become familiarized with the digital culture of the program;

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• define your personal learning journey and skills development focus for the year.

Trimester 2 (T2)

FOCUS_

In T2, we advance:  students are tasked with applying their T1 skillset to a larger and more intricate architectural project, which is executed to a 1:1 scale. The primary objective here is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the cross disciplinary technological aspects embedded in these new architectural projects.

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METHOD_

In T2, the central teaching approach is a collaborative project in which students work together throughout the entire digital design-to-fabrication process. This project concludes with the creation of “demonstrators” designed to test the project in architectural scale. Often exhibited for a larger audience.

OUTCOMES_

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By the end of T2, you will

•  have advanced in your computational skills (individual and group);

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• understand the challenges of full scale prototyping

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• develop cross-disciplinary project management and coordination skills;

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• develop skills in group presentation and documentation of a complex digital project;

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• further refine your personal  learning and development plan for the remainder of the program. 

Trimester  3 (T3)

FOCUS_

The final T3 focuses on tackling precise research questions proposed by PhD or Postdoc researchers. The process encompasses different stages, from formulating a research brief to conducting experiments, measuring and documenting scientif results and ultimately developing physical demonstrators.

METHOD_

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Students undertake focused research projects, working individually or in pairs under the guidance of assigned researchers. Projects adhere to rigorous scientific research methods and culminate in the creation of a large-scale demonstrator. Research findings are  presented to expert  jury.

OUTCOMES_

By the end of T3, you will:

• be able to develop individual computational strategies;

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• have in-depth computational tools, and understand fabrication technologies as well as material processes;

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• perfect your  project management for digital fabrication skills;

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• perfect your documentation and presentation skills;

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• develop skills on scientific writing;

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• gain in-depth understanding of a specific digital fabrication topic.