Transitional Territories is an interdisciplinary studio that deals with the changing nature of the territorial project in lowlands regions (maritime, riverine, and/or delta areas) and the strategic role of Architecture, Urban Design and Spatial Planning in fine-tuning the ever-changing interrelations between natural processes, societal practices, and (geo)political frameworks. The studio approaches design as a mean to research, disclose, imagine, represent and question the various processes leading to the present state of criticality and risk.

Water-related territories—at sea, delta, and/or riverine landscapes—are increasingly becoming the arena of radical climatic changes, resource depletion, political and economic instability, and socio-spatial inequalities. Their fragile state requires the envisioning of an interdisciplinary design knowledge that mediates spatial and material structures, ecological performance, and socio-cultural representation at multiple scales. Within this context, the central question of the studio is how biophysical, socio-economic, cultural and political changes and related risks can be addressed by a site-specific and context sensitive urban project in face of present days urgencies.

Studio Assignment

During the graduation year students will be asked to reflect on aspects of spatial morphology (scale, form, structure, performance), landform (geology, altimetry/bathymetry, topography), and the diachrony and diversity of mechanisms (e.g. logistics, energy production, coastal management, migration) re-shaping the North Sea continuously. TT studio individual projects will be sited in different geographic locations (of choice) along the sea’s north, central and south coastlines. Within the scope of the TT studio, students will be able to formulate their fascination and choose their own assignment (design, engineering, policy) which can vary from buildings, constructions and public works to urban areas, landscapes and regions.

Studio Meta-Themes

Risk and beyond: exploring a projective dimension towards the sea (and/or triggered by the sea), and in the specific context of the North Sea region

Exploration of the limit: the notion of “limit” as conceptual framework at the base for an explorative design research in the North Sea region

Water related design as a creative (or, conversely, innovative) form for reimagining Architecture/Urbanism/Landscape Architecture/Water Engineering purpose and their collective character

Studio objectives

To develop an innovative didactic exchange among the disciplines of Architecture, Urbanism, Landscape, Water Engineering and Policy Analysis

To operate analytical research at the large territorial scale of lowland regions

To formulate comprehensive Architecture, Urbanism, Landscape, Engineering and Policy design strategies (considering the different spatial and temporal scales relevant for the design)

To elaborate and apply a comprehensive Architecture, Urbanism, Landscape, Water Engineering and Policy Analysis research and innovative design methodologies

To prepare students to work/ initiate both research and design projects in design offices and governmental departments

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

operate analytical research across scale – from, territorial, landscape scales, to architectural, object scales

share and integrate knowledge from other disciplines

formulate a highly individualised design approach

apply innovative design methodologies and creative techniques for their design

select and apply comprehensive constructive techniques

express and represent their design ideas at appropriate scales through writings, drawings, and physical models.