Studio Philosophy

Community of Respect + Shared Responsibility

This is an upper level studio. The projectÌs variables are complex. The project cannot be solved through design alone. It involves pointed social issues, tough ecological challenges, serious economics, hotly debated engineering, and entangled politics. Because of the complexity, the project demands that specific issues be addressed with precision and careful methodology. Consequently, students will be asked to accomplish tasks that they may not consider 'design,' tasks that will demand specific guidance by the instructor. By the same token, the project demands that students be afforded a freedom in exploring the relationships between issues. Consequently, students must assume greater leadership responsibilities than in most previously completed studios. They will lead discussions and undertake their "own" research with regard to programmatic development and theoretical framing. In my mind, this expresses my respect for your own abilities, talents, and sense of responsbilit--which I believe makes for better and more satisfying work. Communal Learning Stellar work is expected. However, the studio will not operate as a collection of 'stars' who work individually. If there are any stars, it is because all of the studioÌs participants are stars and form a constellation. Each student is expected to positively encourage the others and contribute to the work of the studio as a corporate body. To continue the celestial metaphor, black holes will not be allowed to remain in our studio universe. The project is too complicated to complicate it with personal issues or agendas. And besides, the very core of the project is about discovering and making manifest how the Fens can contribute to the civic good of a CITY.