Calendar

SES # TOPICS KEY DATES
Part I: Observing the City
1

Introduction

Course Structure and Objectives 

Warm-up Exercise, Short Walk 

‘Reading’ the City

Assignment 1 handed out
2

Walk - East Cambridge/Kendall

Observations About How People Use Space 

Students Take Notes and Diagrams

 
3

A Methodology For Physical Analysis

Land Uses 

Blocks and Parcels 

Streets 

Open Spaces, Edges/Entries 

Building Types 

Architectural Implications 

Parking 

Transportation

 
4

Walk - South End/Back Bay

Students Take Notes and Diagrams

 
5

Freehand Sketching and Drawing Types I

Techniques for Sketching in Pencil and Pen/Ink 

Plans 

Figure/Ground 

Sections 

Elevations 

Axonometrics

 
6

Walk - Fens/Muddy River

Observations About Natural Context/Open Space 

Observations About Physical and Natural Spaces 

Students Take Notes and Diagrams

Assignment 1a: Observing Behavior (Subjective Reading) due
Part II: Interpreting the City
7

Freehand Sketching and Drawing Types II

Showing Materials (Conventions) on Drawings 

Symbols 

Line Types 

Scanning Sketches and Labeling by Computer 

Hand Lettering

 
8

In Class Presentation (Assignment 1 - Part A and B)

What characteristics of physical space do you think impact the way people use it? 

What characteristics are not related to physical space?

Assignment 1b: Physical Environment (Objective Reading) due

Assignment 2 handed out

9

Rendering By Hand

Colored Pencils and Markers 

Land Use Colors 

Hue, Saturation and Value 

Primary, Secondary, Complimentary, Analogous and Neutral Colors, Color Interaction and Color Harmony 

Rendering Trees 

Shade and Shadows (Plan and Elevation)

 
10

Walk - Alewife

Bringing Together Natural Context/Public Placemaking and Objective Readings of Place 

Meet Outside Alewife T (end of red line) at 9am 

Students Take Notes and Diagrams

Assignment 2a: Natural Context due
11

Fundamentals of Line Drawings I

Context Plan 

Existing Conditions Plan 

Opportunities and Constraints Diagram 

Concept Plan 

Illustrative Design Plan 

Fundamentals of Drafting by Hand

 
12

Walk - Cambridgeport

Observations About Public Spaces / Placemaking 

Meet at 9 am 

Students Take Notes and Diagrams

Assignment 2b: Open Space due
13

Fundamentals of Digital Work

Photoshop - Collage Techniques

 
14

Walk - Suburbs

Observations About Public Spaces/Placemaking 

Meeting at 9 am 

Students Take Notes and Diagrams

 
15

Fundamentals of Digital Work II

AutoCAD 

Converting Files to PDF 

Printing Tips

 
16

Review Assignment Two

Open Space and Public Space/Placemaking

Assignment 2c: Public Spaces / Placemaking due

Assignment 3 handed out

Part III: Representing the City
17

Models

How to Make Study Models

 
18

Walk - Final Project Site

Detailed Observations of Final Project Site 

Meet at 9 am 

Students Take Notes and Diagrams

 
19

Perspective Basics

How to Lay Out a Basic Perspective Drawing 

Model Photography Underlays 

Site Photograph Underlays

 
20

Presentations - Case Studies

Group Presentations - PowerPoint or Web (15 minutes each including Q&A)

Assignment 3a: Case Studies due
21

Graphic Presentations

Layout 

InDesign 

Photoshop

 
22

Laying Out Final Panels

Presentation of Cartoon Sets 

Presentation Techniques

 
23

Work Day

Continue to Work on Mixed-use Presentation 

Desk Crits and ‘Dry-run’ Presentations

 
24

Final Review

Review of Final Project, With Outside Critics

Assignment 3b: Mixed Use Infill Proposal due

Course Info

As Taught In
Fall 2004
Level
Learning Resource Types
Activity Assignments
Design Assignments
Written Assignments