Architecture Design Studio: Occupancy

The Occupancy Studio raises a designer¿s involvement with human needs, functional and space programming, building planning and schematic design with its focus on the relationship of the building user (owner/client, occupant or visitor) to the built environment. At the crux is how an architect develops a methodology to understand the individual or aggregated occupant and assemble decoded, distilled and articulated criteria for the design of space. Studios may emphasize intellectual or theoretical approaches to user-based design, in-depth study of client needs resulting in a detailed program, or participatory design with a real or surrogate client such as a community group. Each semester offers a range of such ideas. Studio faculty varies building typology, conceptual approach, programming studies or development and historical precedent. Studios share information and project knowledge with each other. This healthy mix enlivens design process and class participation. An important aspect of the Occupancy studio and the following Systems Integration studio is understanding the application of codes and zoning requirements, which students research themselves after attending lectures on the basics of life safety, egress and the intrinsic order of code applications. Students are encouraged to work both in teams and as individuals.