Complex Projects
Complex Projects encourages students to explore an “architecture of dialogue”, one that is dialectic, inclusive and relational. It does not content itself with the notion of architecture for architects, addressing purely an elite selection of connoisseurs and making sense only within the bounds of its own field. It engages with reality to transform it from within. Architects develop designs of buildings and spaces which are only constructed if they are regarded as useful and embraced by stakeholders. Complex Projects explore how the normal can become both exceptional and useful, refrains from formal prejudice, and is implicitly sustainable.
Focus and Approach
Architectural projects are fully integrated designed buildings. Integrated design requires a process that is highly complex and has a strong architectural guidance. Besides, the number of participants and stakeholders in any architectural project has increased exponentially. Not only when designing large projects, but at any scale the requirements (functional, spatial, and technical) are ambitious, often contradictory, and the expectations on meeting them are high. Design proposals must be verified and validated against these demands. In Complex Projects the objective is to engage this complexity with professional knowledge, a set of skills and critical thinking. We ask our students to be inquisitive and open minded.
Programme
MSc1 Complex Projects Design studio
Fall semester 2022
As an introduction to Complex Projects, the MSc1 design studio ‘Dutch Change’ focuses on the Netherlands’ ground. By getting familiar with the Dutch environment, the new MSc students will learn to understand the complex systems behind buildings and establish a connection between building design and process improvement. In the fall semester of 2022, Dutch Change focuses on the changes within the food industry, researching its territorial impact and exploring architectural typological innovations.
Programme MSc 1 fall semester 2022 (pdf)
MSc2 Complex Projects Co-Creative Design
Design and Research studio in collaboration with Digital Culture
Spring semester 2023
The MSc 2 design and research studio explores a specific theme with the aim of positioning the architectural project into a broader social, cultural, political and economic context. In 2023, and in the occasion of the CP 10 years anniversary, the aim of the studio is to reflect on the evolution of design tools, methods and outputs in the architectural profession by looking back at the work produced by Complex Projects. Based on this data students will speculate on the future of the architectural design defining a projection they believe to be realistic for the future’s development. They will also be visualising the implications Ai might have on architectural design. Students are encouraged to present their work in a creative and original manner, from axonometric line drawings to mixed-media collages.
Programme MSc 2 spring semester 2023 (pdf)
MSc 2 studio Interactive Architecture spring semester 2023 (pdf)
MSc3 & MSc4 Complex Projects
Graduation Studio in collaboration with Digital Culture
The focus of the Graduation Studio is the building. During the year diverse aspects of the building will be researched and integrated into a compelling project. While focusing on the building, students will investigate various scales and subjects: global relevance, urban contexts, building concepts, functionalities & technology, materializations and critical details. In the first semester students will conduct research and translate it into a design question in the form of a project brief. The following semester will be used to provide an answer to the brief in the form of a project proposal. The aim of the graduation studio is to develop a methodological and structured approach to the design process. In order to learn how to process, organize and use a large amount of data in the design process, students are confronted with the complex and demanding design assignment.
Programme MSc 3 spring semester 2023 (pdf)
Staff
Prof.ir. Kees Kaan, dr.ing. Henriette Bier, dr. Olindo Caso, dr. Manuela Triggianese, dr. Esther Gramsbergen, ir. Henri van Bennekom, Hrvoje Smidihen, Yang Zhang, Jelmer van Zalingen, Yagiz Soylev.
Additional information
Additional information about the projects and student work can be found here.
For detailed course descriptions, please visit the study guide:
MSc 1 (only in fall semester)
MSc 2* (only in spring semester)
MSc 3
* The MSc 2 semester of the Architecture track consists of 5 credits of compulsory courses and 25 credits of electives, of which an approved MSc 2 Architecture design project. See also the MSc 2 design projects page for an overview of MSc 2 Architecture design projects. Visit the study guide for an overview of 5 EC electives. AR0109 City of Innovations project, AR0136 Making, AR2AA010 The Architecture of Health, AR0175 Campus Utopia are offered by Complex Projects.