After successful completion of the course, students are able to understand the complex processes of a design task from the field of architecture and to apply them in their own design by developing independent approaches to solutions, structured in clear sub-steps.

In praise of walking

Traces in time and space
Walking brings body and mind into vibration, makes us alert to the surrounding conditions and increases our perceptiveness, even for the smallest, or seemingly unimportant, details. In unison with the breath and our steps engraved in the sand, leaving traces in the past, the path spreads out before us. Walking is a silent method of re-enchanting time and space.[1] This innate mode of locomotion brings together multiple senses, enhancing through muscles and joints the perception of gravity and acceleration, of orientation and inclination.[2] Walking also has a spiritual dimension.
That walking also has an inherent spiritual power is proven by the ever-growing numbers of pilgrims who set out every day, for a wide variety of reasons. 

Frugality, deceleration, balance
The aim of the design is to create a place of contemplation to welcome the pilgrims arriving at the end of the day with a balance of good food, rest and quiet devotion. The idea is to create a "pilgrim's rest", grounded by its architecture, a manifesto of slowness, and at the same time captivating by its sensual materiality and simplicity. 
Clay-clay-earth, are the materials that will accompany and dominate this design. The technical, ecological and design qualities are evident, because like no other building material, clay meets ecological and building biology requirements, is locally available, easy to work with, improves the indoor climate through a monolithic construction and can be recycled at will.[3] 
Durability and monofunctionality characterize this place, thus offering protection and privacy and a natural clarity. 
This aspired simplicity, opposes the omnipresence of an artificial, sensual experience of a globalized world.
the design, further developed. A deepening on the topics of model making and earth building, will accompany the design process in workshops and lectures.

Building on the analyses of the themes of pilgrimage, accommodation and spiritual spaces and the building site in Lustenau, concepts are developed within the framework of the themes of "pilgrim's rest" and "building with clay". These are further developed through precise spatial refinements and almost exclusively on the basis of models in different scales, supporting the design. A deepening on the topics of model making and earth building, will accompany the design process in workshops and lectures.

An excursion to Vorarlberg from 12-16.10.23 supports the introduction to the design topic. Participation is obligatory for the design participants. See details in the LVA description 253.K01.

You can find a detailed timetable for the supervision in the TISS -communication documents!

Preparatory information about the design topic can be found in TISS - Communication - Links!

I am looking forward to your applications via portfolio!

The entry into the design process begins with short assignments, accompanying lectures, basic analyses and in-depth workshops. The design is developed mainly on the model, starting with the urban scale up to the detailed scale. The design is presented in the form of plans and presentation models. A final digital documentation completes the task.

Kapfinger Otto: Martin Rauch, rammed earth, Lehm und Architektur, Birkhäuser, 2001

Kapfinger Otto, Sauer Martin (Hrsg): Martin Rauch, Gebaute Erde, Gestalten und Konstruieren mit Stampflehm, Detailverlag, 2015

Boltshauser Roger, et. al (Hrsg): Pisé-Stampflehm, Tradition und Potenzial, Triest Verlag, 2020

Le Breton, David: Lob des Gehens, Mathes und Seitz, Berlin, 2013, S21.

Ekelund, Torbjörn: Gehen: Eine Wiederentdeckung, Vom Laufen, Wandern und Flanieren – eine Liebeserklärung an die achtsamste Art der Fortbewegung, Malik Verlag, 2021