PEM 120E - Natural Systems &Design

Course Objectives

This course introduces students to the concept of design with natural systems. The main goal of the course is to develop an understanding of natural parameters as a source for design. Through the series of class discussions the course aims to investigate the ability of design to respond natural systems and to reveal different approaches and methods of design that refers to nature by looking contemporary praxis.

Course Description

Considering nature as an environment with all its components. The functioning of nature and the concept of ecosystem. Design with nature. Introduction to ecological design. Texture-process relationship. Vernecular landscapes. System approach. Topography and landscape. Topography types and formation events according to their forms. Functional uses of land forms and topography design. Spatial description, landscape control, climate control and routing effect. Water as a natural component and fluvial morphology, drainage. Concepts of type, typology, archetypes, anologies