Course overview
This week-long workshop will immerse participants in a materials-led design process. Students will explore full-culm bamboo as a construction material through physical model-making, small-scale construction exercises and software tutorials in Rhinoceros, Grasshopper and Ladybug. They will use algorithmic design tools for environmental analysis, optimising designs for full-culm bamboo and balancing aesthetic considerations with those of buildability and durability.
The course will take place at the AA in Bedford Square, but it will connect virtually with students and tutors from the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) in Indonesia. A lecture series will cover topics from material characteristics, the ISO22156:2021 code, the study of locally available species of bamboo, as well as traditional and engineered construction techniques.
Knowledge gained throughout the week will inform individual research projects, and we ask for a project proposal with your application. We will develop tailored briefs and objectives with each applicant prior to the course’s start date.
Prominent features of the course
Learning bamboo’s characteristics and the principles of building with bamboo.
Lectures to understand principles and details of joint systems for full-culm bamboo.
Physical bamboo model-making.
Material-led concept design process to consider the practicalities of natural materials.
Individual research portfolio for a chosen context to identify latent bamboo resources.
Lecture series of experimental bamboo constructions and the exploration of new structural applications for bamboo.
Lectures on societal attitudes to bamboo in construction and methods to address these through architectural design.
Small scale construction with full-culm bamboo.
Teaching of architectural design software and their application through a generative design approach to design for full-culm bamboo. These will include:
Transposing the physical model into Rhinoceros 3D.
Scripting in Grasshopper to generate alternate versions of the model based on parameters such as different sites, species and user requirements.
Solar exposure analysis in Ladybug.
Optimisation of the design in Galapagos, focusing on one key question developed through the course (such as the largest floor area with minimum material use or the smallest roof area to provide adequate climatic protection).
Fees
AA Visiting School Fees include £60 AA Membership fee, payable by all participants.
• £695 — Standard Programme Fee (including a 1-year AA Digital Membership worth £60)
• £635 — AA Member Fee
• £508 —AA Full-time Student Fee
• £540 — Fee for Full-time students of Melbourne University
Fees do not include flights or accommodation, but accommodation options can be advised. Students need to bring their own laptops, digital equipment and model making tools.
Applications
Click "Apply" button on this webpage. If you cannot apply online, contact the Visiting School Office.
Complete the online application form, then follow the application confirmation email instructions to log in to your Application Portal (step-by-step guide on using the Application Portal).
Once the application form and full payment are received, you will be registered onto the programme.
A CV and Cover Letter are required as part of standard application process. Upload your CV and Cover letter (300-500 words explaining your particular interest in full-culm bamboo and what you want to get out of the course) to your Application Portal. Use Evidence/Supporting documents section on the left-hand side of the page to upload your CV and Cover letter (step-by-step guide on using the Application Portal).
Full-time Architectural Association and Melbourne University students must ensure to register with your university email to automatically apply the reduced fee.
Eligibility
The programme is open to current architecture and design students, PhD candidates and professionals of all ages.
Software requirements Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino (SR7 or later), Ladybug.
Visas
All participants travelling from abroad are responsible for securing any visa required and are advised to contact their home embassy early. An official letter can be issued by the Visiting School Office confirming enrolment onto the programme once an applicant has settled their full fees, this letter can be used when applying for a visa.
Insurance
All participants are responsible for securing their own travel and health insurance. Please ensure that your travel insurance also covers your personal belongings i.e. laptop, equipment, tools, passport etc. The AA and ITB take no responsibility for lost/ stolen property.
