NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES DEGREE – PART I
2023-24 ACADEMIC YEAR - SEMESTER I
BAR 1001 DESIGN STUDIO I
PROJECT 1A, B and C: Introduction to Design
1 OBJECTIVES
 To express ones ideal place – USE CREATIVE IMAGINATION.
 To observe and understand one's built environment – ANALYSE CONCEPT &
CONTEXT.
 To resolve a design challenge – FULFILL A FUNCTION, ACHIEVE A TASK
 Develop students’ architectural graphical, oral and modelling presentation
techniques – LEARN TO COMMUNICATE & CONVINCE OTHERS.

2 INTRODUCTION
To design as Architects we are to be observant, imaginative and resourceful.
Observation allows us to perceive and build an understanding of the environment, built
and natural, that surrounds us. An understanding is imperative if we are to act on this
environment in a meaningful way. Through observing we are also able to identify
opportunities and challenges that the existing situation has to offer us.
Imagination allows us to be creative. It is how we make something when we have
nothing. It brings us to see and invent new possibilities that are as much a part of
humanity as other everyday activities.
Resourcefulness is also fundamental to the process of design for it is the manner in which
we apply our imagination, it is the techniques and material we have available to us that
make building an object, be it a kitchen utensil or skyscraper, possible.

We also need to communicate. Once we know what we want to create, we need to

best explain this to others be it our client, the public or in this case the studio masters.
Good ideas are lost through bad communication. The computer, the pencil and our own
words are tools to master.

The 3 projects that you are about to undertake will help you realize the importance of
these skills which you will develop through this course.

3.0 TASK
3.1 PROJECT 1A – MY IDEAL PLACE.
 On a single A1 sheet depict a place that you consider your ideal or Utopia
 This may be a room, an urban square, a landscape, an imaginary or fantastic world that
contains everything that would make this place complete and you content.
 Explore different graphic media and please use colour.
 You will make a Presentation of this place to the class next week...

3.2 PROJECT 1B – SKETCHES AROUND NUST and A ZIMBABWEAN CITY OR TOWN OF YOUR
CHOICE
DESIGN STUDIO STAFF: Mr.V. Machaka; Mr C Manyepa; Mrs. Moyo, Mr M. A Sibanda; Ms A.
Mugari;
1 Attendance to ALL scheduled Studio sessions and consultations with Studio Staff is compulsory.
  You are to spend a day, sketching drawings of buildings, structures and elements of your
choice found in a Zimbabwean city or town of your choice. While this exercise will practice
your drawing skills, do not be preoccupied with the pictorial qualities of your drawings but
rather communicating the underlying principles of the architectural design. This analytical
study should express the architect`s intentions (imagine the sketches the architect made
when designing).
 These should represent at least a full day’s sketching i.e 30 sketches [10 NUST & 20 CBD].
 Draw the sketches in your sketchbooks to be submitted online on the google classroom
platform
 The location from where the sketches were taken should be indicated.

3.3 PROJECT 1C – DESIGN A LAMPSHADE USING ANY MATERIAL FROM GARBAGE FOR EXAMPLE
CANS, PLASTIC BOTTLES, STRAWS, BOTTLE TOPS ETC.
 We live in a world that disposes of increasing amounts of material. This gives rise to
innumerable environmental issues. Recycling is a fundamental need in today`s society.
You are asked to make a useful lampshade out of unwanted object (s) to give the object
or objects a second life.
 Your design may be simple or complex, light and elegant or heavy and bold, strictly serious
or playfully humorous. But it must achieve what is expected of it.
 While the economy is appreciated you may use one or more bottles and the object may
be large or small. The materials may be cut, bent, deformed, melted or transformed; glued,
tied or wired together in whichever way you wish.
 We look for originality, ingenuity, workmanship, poetry and usefulness. The object should
be submitted to the department at the time when you are called for practical lessons at
the campus meanwhile one may submit photographs and a right-up of the lampshade
and a 1minute video showing the functionality of the lamp.
Consult your tutors at all stages!

4.0 IMPORTANT DATES

Project Introduction Monday, September 11, 2023

Studio consultation and sketching Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Studio consultation and sketching Wed - Friday
Presentations of Project 1A and1 C
Submission of Project 1B Monday, September 18, 2023

5.0 EVALUATION OF WORK

 Project 1A
o Understanding of Project 15 marks
o Graphic and Verbal Presentation 15 marks
 Project 1B
o Drawing Skills 10 marks
o Architectural Understanding 20 marks
 Project 1C
o Commodity 10 marks
o Firmness 10 marks
o Delight 20 marks
 TOTAL 100mark

DESIGN STUDIO STAFF: Mr.V. Machaka; Mr C Manyepa; Mrs. Moyo, Mr M. A Sibanda; Ms A.

Mugari;
2 Attendance to ALL scheduled Studio sessions and consultations with Studio Staff is compulsory.