Analysis, Systems & Composition

Teaching Unit ARCH-P7123 - Master 1 & 2
Teachers: Denis Derycke (coordinator), Michel Lefèvre
Invited lecturers: Uri Wegman, Julien Rippinger

The Analysis, Systems and Composition module considers architectural composition as an operation primarily based on principles that are inherent to architecture itself, devoid of any form of contextualization, function or ideological content. It assumes that the purpose of architecture mainly lies in the shapes and spaces through which architecture reveals itself, as well as in the graphic means – drawings and models – through which architecture is designed, which are often its only mode of existence. In such an approach, the design is no longer meant to produce a concrete output; the creation of exploratory composition processes becomes an end in itself.

The Analysis, Systems and Composition module requires students to analyze a phenomenon – natural or human-made – from which they can extract recurrent rules and principles. Those rules and principles will be transcribed into a spatial environment so as to set up a system susceptible to generate numerous different formal outcomes. The whole process will be undertaken exclusively by the use of a set of graphic tools chosen by the students, analog and/or digital: hand drawing, axonometric projections, 3D modeling, 3D printing, computer coding, etc. Then, students will explore the potentialities of the system they have created by using it to deliver a few formal configurations, sometimes unexpected.

The module aims to challenge the classical notion of “parti architectural”, or function-oriented design, through a method of composition guided by production, sensitivity and serendipity, rather than intellectual and rational reflection. If the module is mainly based on hands-on production, it is also nourished by lectures about some post-modern architecture trends, as well as lectures about analog and digital graphic tools, so as to use means of representation according to their specific features. Eventually, this teaching intent to tickle students about a part of history of artistic and architectural composition of structuralist inspiration that foresees computational architecture.

2023-2024 theme
Minimalist/algorithmic/serial music. Selected composers: Delia Derbyshire, Laurie Spiegel, Brian Eno, Eliane Radigue, Terry Riley, Steve Reich.

Featured Projects:

Brian Eno, Ambient 1: Music for Airports (1978)
Rose Jouslin & Paul Cruveillier

Eliane Radigue, Usral (1969)
Camille Dugué & Léa Favresse

Terry Riley, In C (1964)
Farid Mayyahian