Studio Experience

Department of Architectural Studies

The studio experience is the heart of a design program. In the Department of Architectural Studies this "heart" is a sequence of applied interior design studios including Studio I, II, III, IV, and Thesis Design Studio. Students in this sequence (except for ARCH Studio) are each assigned a studio workstation which is not scheduled for use by anyone else during the semester. Students are encouraged to make this workstation the place where they do most of their design work.

It is in these studios that knowledge gained from supportive courses is used to help solve a variety of design problems. It is where design problems are identified, discussed, dissected, and where alternatives for solutions are explored. It is where a great deal of critical and creative thinking take place in the curriculum.

An essential component of the studio experience is the design critique. Instruction in design studios is built around the critique experience to provide meaningful feedback as a reference point for future work. Criticism is a tool, tactic, and vehicle for conveying content and generating better work. ‘Criticism’ is derived from the Greek word krinein, meaning to separate, to sift, and to make distinctions. The field of criticism includes: identification, description, explication, explanation, interpretation, evaluation. Diversity of interpretations and biases keep a stimulating dialogue alive--often reflecting the preferences and world view of the critic.

The following policies are intended to support the studio experience:

24 Hour Use
Students in ID Studio I, II, and III, and Thesis Design Studio may use their studio spaces anytime, 24 hours a day.

Security
Studio locks Combinations for individual studio room locks are supplied only to students in each studio. The department expects students to keep these combinations confidential. Combinations are changed each semester.
Personal lockable storage Students may supply their own lockable storage unit for use with their assigned workstation.
Building locks Enter through Stanley Hall south entrance using coded i.d.card during evenings and weekends.
Entering or leaving after dark For safety reasons, it is advisable for students to enter and exit from the building in groups of two or more during late evening or early morning hours when it is dark outside.
Telephone Telephones for local calls are located in the halls outside 229 Stanley Hall.
Lockers Lockers, located in the second floor hall of Stanley, are assigned by the ARCH Administrative Assistant in 137 Stanley. Students must provide their own lock and complete a locker agreement form. Lockers must be renewed each semester. Contents of lockers not renewed are removed so the locker can be available for another student.

Computers
A limited number of personal computers may be set up in each studio depending on the number of available electrical outlets (which varies among the studios). Students who do much of their design work on a computer can avoid missing out on the studio experience by keeping their own computer at their workstation in the studio. Providing a lockable enclosure is advisable.

Disabilities
To request academic accommodations, register with Disability Services, A038 Brady Commons, 882-4696, and discuss specific needs with the studio instructor.

Alcohol
The use or possession of any alcoholic beverages are prohibited on all University property except in specific and approved locations as described by University policies.

Studio Maintenance
Cutting surfaces To keep drafting tables in usable condition for drafting, all cutting of materials should be done on designated cutting surfaces within each studio. This may be a separate cutting table or portable cutting surfaces as designated by the studio instructor. Students may request permission to sand marred drafting surfaces to make them smooth and more usable or may choose to purchase a drafting surface overlayment.
Spray mounting or spray painting should be done outdoors or in a location other than Gwynn/Stanley Hall. Spray mounting must not be done on the floor in the classroom, in the corridor, or on sidewalks because it bonds with the finish and cannot be removed except by total floor stripping. Use of sprays is also considered a health hazard when appropriate ventilation is not provided.
Trash removal Storing trash is a fire safety issue, so a "clean as you go" strategy is recommended. Students should bag trash on a regular basis. Custodians will remove all trash that is bagged and placed in the hallway daily. Trash bags will available in the Resource Library. If additional bags are needed, please contact Erica Jobe in 137 Stanley Hall.
Disposal of sharp objects To avoid accidents when custodians are gathering trash, glass and sharp objects should be disposed of in a separate container located in the custodian closet on the 2nd floor of Stanley. A key for the closet may be obtained from the Dean’s office, 113 Gwynn Hall.

End of Semester
All student projects, personal materials and trash must be removed from studios by the day after graduation each semester so studios can be prepared for the next semester. Students in each studio are responsible for bagging all trash for custodians to remove. Items left after the last day of final exams will be subject to removal and will not be retrievable.

Additional Support for the Studio Experience

Faculty Appointments
Faculty office hours are posted on the ARCH bulletin board outside of 137 Stanley Hall and on faculty office doors. Appointment forms are located in a hall bin located across from the entrance to 137 Stanley. Students are encouraged to seek faculty advice, particularly in the areas of individual faculty expertise.

SEDA
The Student Environmental Design Association (SEDA) includes the student chapters of the American Interior Design Association and the Construction Specification Institute. SEDA has meetings with invited speakers and usually plans excellent field trips each school year. Keep up to date by checking their activities on the SEDA bulletin board outside 137 Stanley and checking their information on the web (accessible from the ARCH home page).

Field trips
Department and SEDA sponsored field trips are strongly encouraged. These include a St. Louis trip in the Fall and Kansas City trip in the Spring. Out of state visits are also scheduled each year (such as to Chicago, IL, Eureka Springs, AK, Columbus, IN). Field trips will usually be announced in ARCH classes and also posted on the ARCH and/or SEDA bulletin board (outside 137 Stanley Hall). See web site on "Professional advancement in environmental design," accessed from the Architectural Studies Department home page, for suggested independent field trips.

Galleries
The Rogers Gallery, on the first floor of Stanley, features traveling exhibitions, shows by designers, and student work. An Internet gallery of student portfolios is available to students, alumni, and the general public through the department’s home page. ARCH students and alumni may add their own portfolios by contacting Dr. Brent. This resource provides potential employers with a quick look at student and alumni design work.

Mailboxes
All ARCH students are assigned a department mailbox located in the hall next to the 146 Stanley Hall computer lab. The mailboxes are often used for department communications to students. In addition, students may use them to communicate with other students. If an ARCH student name is missing, see the Administrative Assistant in 137 Stanley Hall. Faculty mailboxes are located in the mailroom located to the left of the reception area in 137 Stanley Hall.

Resource Library
This resource space for ARCH students is located in 232 Stanley Hall. It includes product information that is needed for many design studio projects. Operating hours of the library are posted next to the door.

Thesis Presentations
Seniors present their capstone thesis projects on the last Tuesday or Thursday prior to finals week stop day. Critics from the design community and ARCH faculty participate in the critique. The event is open to the public; all ARCH students are encouraged to attend. Watch the department bulletin board near the end of each semester for the date, time, and place.