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Published by Sitestudy.com, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
5th edition, Copyright 2009 by Sitestudy.com
General Information
Sitestudy.com courses are not site-specific and can be used to study any site, anywhere in the world. Students may take any course as often as they choose. Sitestudy.com is registered with the AIA Continuing Education System(AIA/CES). Upon completion, AIA members will receive 4.5 Sustainable Design/HSW learning unit hours, which will be reported directly to the CES for them. AIA and non-AIA registrants will receive a certificate of completion.
Each coursepack has three functions:
• It is a study guide.
• It is a take-home exam.
• It is your permanent record of your site visit
Step One: Select a Building to Study Choose a building of architectural distinction. If possible, make your selection before your trip, so that you can read up on your destination and develop a bibliography.
If you decide to select a building only after you arrive at your study site, look for books about the country, city, or neighborhood you will visit. If your practice specializes in a particular building type, such as churches, single family homes, or shopping centers, and you will study that type for your Sitestudy.com course, you might research the building type before you travel.
Remember, however, we recommend that you do consult outside references, preferably maps, drawings, photographs and articles, as well as books. See our LINKS section
Step Two: Research and Develop a Bibliography
If the building or its architect is famous, read specific books or articles. For example, if you will visit Corbusier's Ronchamp in France, read a book about Corbusier, an article about Ronchamp, and a travel guide about the architecture of Provence.
If the building is not widely published, read about the city and the country where it is located, about the historical era during which it was built, or about the building type.
(For example, if you see a beautiful church in Budapest that you would like to study, but don't know its name or history, research it as part of your bibliography requirement. Look for books on the churches of Buda, one on St. Mattias Cathedral in Pest, and read a journal article about Imperial architecture in Hungary in a journal.)
If you can't find any publications about the building per se, study its type; read about three buildings of the same type but from different eras or in different locations. For example, if you are studying an unknown church in a little town in New England, read about other New England churches. Or read about structures used for worship in three different religions: a church, a synagogue, and a mosque.
Step Three: Bibliographic References (at least three please)
These can be maps, journal articles, guide books, books, etc. Additional related references: movies, art, crafts, related learning, etc may also be included.
Step Four: Required Photographs of the Building Studied Below is a list of required photographs. It relates closely to the next section of this study, which is a series of questions for you to answer. The questions are intended to help you think of the many issues that the photographs will document. Please print two copies of your photographs; keep the "negatives" and one copy of each print. Enclose one copy of the required photographs with your completed coursepack. Be sure to identify each photo with your name. We can't assume responsibility for any losses in handling. You retain the copyright for all photos.
1. Sufficient photos to document three different scales or levels of detail on the building (for example, a complete elevation, an arcade across the front or a carved lintel over a door)
2. All visible exterior elevations
3. At least four photos of the context, be sure to show the building(s) next door, to illustrate relative heights and ornamental relationships. If the building is part of an historical entourage, show enough context to illustrate how "your" building fits in.
4. At least four photos of unusual architectural details, materials, or colors.
As you photograph the building, try to answer the following questions in both words and photographs. Think a lot; write just a few words! Remember that the goal here is your continuing education. If you finish the exercises, you will earn the learning units!
Step Five: The Building Study
Please click on the "Download and Print the Course Pack" link above to view the full course content. |
