HILT Grants: Making space for interdisciplinary critical thinking

TL;DR

The project aims to create physical and virtual spaces for interdisciplinary students to engage in architectural discourse and produce objects as a mode of research.

Transcript

The project was to develop spaces, both physical and virtual, that would allow students and faculty from across the university to engage in thinking through making. We got into it, I think, through our collaborative teaching in the Harvard architecture studies undergraduate track, which is in its fifth year now at Harvard. So new, but there is an i... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 The project aims to connect interdisciplinary students and faculty through physical and virtual spaces, fostering discourse and knowledge production through making.
• 🧑‍🎓 Students from diverse backgrounds bring unique perspectives and challenge preconceptions of what architecture and architectural objects are.
• 🤔 The project emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary thinking in architecture studies and encourages collaboration between different departments.
• 💦 The website serves as a platform to showcase student work, facilitate ongoing conversations, and support the evolution of the program.
• 🤔 The project emphasizes the value of creative thinking and acknowledges the intellectual weight of making in the classroom.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the motivation behind creating physical and virtual spaces for students and faculty to engage in thinking through making?

The project aimed to support and connect ongoing making projects while fostering real conversation about the objects being produced, beyond just technical skills.

Q: What is the significance of the virtual discursive space in this project?

The virtual space is considered just as important as the physical space, providing an intellectual platform for architectural discourse and encouraging dialogue about the objects being made.

Q: How does the project cater to students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds?

The project welcomes students from various disciplines, allowing them to bring new perspectives and lens to architectural work, although technical skills and the language of architecture need to be taught to everyone.

Q: What has been the impact of the website in showcasing student work and generating interest in architecture studies?

The website has helped attract more students to the studios and generate broader interest in architecture studies, providing a platform for visibility and a lasting means of communication and engagement.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The project focuses on creating spaces for students and faculty to engage in physical making and visual output, linking the work to broader initiatives across the university.

• The website created through the grant showcases student work and facilitates discourse about the objects produced.

• The project emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of architecture studies, attracting students from various disciplines and encouraging diverse perspectives.