During the course we will focus on geometric methods of representations that will allow us to handle information and descriptions of form at an urban scale. The objective of the course is to learn to represent and manipulate attributes characteristic of the larger architectural scale of the city and landscape. We want also to answer to recent trends and developments in relation to working at these scales, such as the increase of information available at urban and regional size, and the development of computational methods of analysis of urban morphology and space.
During the course we will look at two main techniques, that will be introduced during the first weeks through a number of exercises. These techniques will later be informed by material and data from the parallel design course. The first technique is based on the conventions for representing values on a 2 dimensional surface, through contour lines and height maps, as used in meteorology, social sciences, engineering, and cartography. The second techniques is based on the principles of projection, and will focus on drawing a type of diagram known as a shadow volume or isovist.