Matthias Schuler
is the founding principal
of Transsolar, a consultancy
regarding energy efficiencies in
building construction, and of
Transplan, a MEP firm dedicated
to the realization of the
conceptual processes.
He is working globally, residing
in Stuttgart, and will spend 1day each two weeks with the studio.

John Durbrow
is a principal architect and
Senior Vice President at
Murphy/Jahn Architects in
Chicago. Murphy/Jahn has
worked in close collaboration
with Transsolar over the years to
expand the potential for
innovative design while
maintaining energy efficiency
and comfort. John will spend one afternoon a week with the
studio.

Patrick Charles
is a studio professor at
IIT, having spent a significant
period with Renzo Piano Building Workshop. He will maintain
studio initiative and continuity.

Students
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Goals
This studio adapts integrated energy technologies as a means of focus toward a disciplined approach to design. We seek a group of self-directed, analytical students to explore the incorporation of design initiative, technology and global responsibility into the goal of realizing a higher quality built environment.

This will be a mutually supportive class. The Studio emphasizes a collaborative approach to the design process both through the consultancy support provided by the instruction team, and also through the consultancy- like behavior requested from each student towards the rest of the class. Students will gain an ability to communicate effectively at both conceptual and detailed implementation levels.

Concepts which will be explored will be documentable, far reaching, innovative and ultimately feasible. Fuzzy, unresolved, or evasive conceptual approaches will not be successful. Nothing stated above limits the goals of an attempt for an innovative and beautiful architecture.

Projects Week 1:
Students will draw for topics, which will be researched and presented in a short paper of uniform format, culminating in a studio source book posted on this web site. Each student will thereby become an "expert" in a field and thereby a resource for his classmates. Each student will develop the thesis of his approach to this topic according to the conviction he acquires.

The pool of topics will include: Glass technology, Wind power, Solar power, Fuel cells and related mechanisms, Centralized vs. decentralized power systems, Smart Materials, Bio-mass resources, Daylighting strategies, Historical review of energy issues, Case study of Hooker Building, Centrosoyuz, and other pioneering efforts, Mass vs. minimalism, Sensor Technologies, Control vs. accommodation, Super-insulation theory and other passive approaches, Targets of influence, Materials Section guidelines

Weeks 2 through 4:
A program for a residential high-rise will be distributed along with a selection of 4 sites : South Beach, Florida, Chicago, Illinois, Nags Head, North Carolina, and Honolulu, Hawaii.

Four student teams will prepare site documentation, site analysis, and responsive design guidelines for each location. Also, at the end of this phrase, each team will address an "opinion report" of Global topics drawn from the following pool:

The Malthusian premise,
The influence and magnitude of architectural practice,
Legal dictates and polices ("LEEDS Program" sprawl, etc.),
Current trends/ Noble Gestures.

The presentation of these opinions will be discussed at an evening get together.

Week 4 until End of Semester:
Students will select one of the sites and work independently toward the realization of the program. The final presentation will require the building and a prototype unit be fully and thoroughly developed. Strategies for dealing with climate, comfort, quality of environment and energy use will be documented.

Studio Web Site: http//:www.iit.edu/~archtecs will receive student postings

Contact: charles@iit.edu