Course detail

Specialized Studio B4 – Experimental Design

FA-SB4-AEAcad. year: 2025/2026

In this course students elaborate a one semester project and develop their knowledge gained in the previous bachelor study program. The course develops the skills of the future architects focusing on the theoretical and conceptual part of the design.
In the module Experimental Design, the solved topics are characterized by an experimental and conceptual approach in all components of design - urban, architectural and structural solution. In the module, students use advanced CAD methods (including parametric design and other creative programming methods) and have the opportunity to use CAM techniques at an equipped workshop of the Model Center of the faculty.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

15

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

B.Arch. Martin Kaftan, MSc, Ph.D.

Department

Department of experimental design (UET)

Offered to foreign students

The home faculty only

Entry knowledge

Not applicable.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

To complete the course successfully, students must submit the complete project on time. The required content and extend of the work reflects the assigned topic and is defined by the supervisor at the beginning of the semester.

The grading scale is given in Article 14 of the Study and Examination Rules of BUT. The recommended grading scale is the following:
  • A: excellent design showing personal contribution, all aspects and components of the project are excellent
  • B: very good design, or excellent design with partial deficiencies
  • C: good design, technically correct
  • D: technically correct design with partial deficiencies
  • E: sufficiently developed design, with all assigned tasks completed, it complies with the legal requirements (standards)
The works which do not meet the minimal requirements (specified as E) are graded failed (grade F).

The supervisor is authorized to require parallel or preceding participation in relevant selective courses.
Students must attend one consultation a week at the times specified by their supervisor and the in-semester design critiques. Students must submit a design project that meets the requirements specified by the supervisor at the beginning of the semester.
The design project must be submitted by the deadline specified by the directive The rules of study at FA, and any changes must be stated before the students register.
In the case of a student's apology and with approval of the supervisor, personal participation may be substituted with online participation in the studio.

Aims

The course develops the students´ knowledge and skills needed to create a quality architectural and urban design in their future independent work as an architect.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

ARCHITIZER. The World's Best Architecture. Phaidon Press, 2020. ISBN: 978-1838660666. (EN)
Česká architektura – Czech Architecture (series). Prague: Prostor, 1999-today. (EN)
GALILEE, Beatrice. Radical Architecture of the Future. Phaidon Press Limited, 2020. ISBN: 9781838661236. (EN)
NEUFERT, Ernst. Architects' Data. John Wiley & Sons, 2019. ISBN: 9781119284352. (EN)
NORBERG-SCHULZ, Christian. Genius loci. ELECTA ED., 1979. (EN)
PHAIDON, eds. The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture. Phaidon Press, 2004. ISBN: 9780714843124 (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme NE_A+U Master's

    specialization --- (do 2022) , 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization --- (2023) , 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization --- (do 2022) , 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Studio work

104 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

B.Arch. Martin Kaftan, MSc, Ph.D.