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ANNA UNIVERSITY CHENNAI: : CHENNAI- 600 025

UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENTS

M. ARCH. (DIGITAL ARCHITECTURE) FULL TIME
CURRICULUM (REGULATIONS 2009)

No. Code No Course Name L P S C
SEMESTER I
Common to M. Arch., M. Arch. (Digital Arch.) and M. Arch. (Landscape Arch.)
1. AA 9111 Contemporary Processes in Architectural
Design I
3 0 0 3
2. AA 9112 Architecture and Critical Theory 3 0 0 3
3. AA 9113 Traditional and Contemporary Landscapes 3 0 0 3
4. AA 9114 Sustainable Architecture and Building
Design
2 0 6 5
5. AA 9115 Urban Design Studio 2 0 6 5
Sub Total 19

SEMESTER II
6. DG 9121 Contemporary Processes in Architectural
Design II
3 0 0 3
7. DG 9122 Performance Evaluation of Buildings 3 0 0 3
8. DG 9123 Visual Design through Algorithms 3 0 0 3
9. DG 9124 Visualization Studio 1 0 4 3
10. * * * * * * Elective I * * * 3
11. DG 9125 Digital Design Studio I 0 0 12 6
Sub Total 21

SEMESTER III
12. AA 9131 Research Methodologies in Architecture 3 0 0 3
13. DG 9132 Digital Production, Solid Modeling and RP 1 0 4 3
14. * * * * * * Elective II * * * 3
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15. * * * * * * Elective III * * * 3
16. DG 9133 Dissertation 0 0 6 3
17. DG 9134 Advanced Digital Design Studio II 0 0 12 6
Sub Total 21

SEMESTER IV
18. * * * * * * Elective IV * * * 3
19. DG 9141 Portfolio Production and Web Publishing 0 0 6 3
20. DG 9142 Thesis 0 0 16 8
Sub Total 14

Total no of credits required for the award of the degree 75

List of Electives- M. Arch (Digital Architecture)
21. AA 9123 Services in High Rise Buildings 3 0 0 3
22. AA 9151 Building Management and Control
Systems
3 0 0 3
23. AA 9153 GIS Modeling in Urban Planning 3 0 0 3
24. DG 9153 Introduction to Scripting 3 0 0 3
25. DG 9154 Introduction to Algorithms 3 0 0 3
26. DG 9155 Virtual Society 3 0 0 3
27. DG 9156 High End 3 D Modeling 1 0 4 3
28. DG 9157 Web Design 1 0 4 3

L- Lecture T- Tutorial S- Studio C- Credits











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ANNA UNIVERSITY CHENNAI: : CHENNAI- 600 025
UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENTS

M. ARCH (Digital Architecture) Part Time- Day Time
CURRICULUM (REGULATIONS 2009)
No. Code No Course Name L P S C
SEMESTER I
Common to M. Arch., M. Arch. (Digital Arch.) and M. Arch. (Landscape Arch.)
1. AA 9111 Contemporary Processes in Architectural
Design I
3 0 0 3
2. AA 9114 Sustainable Architecture and Building
Design
2 0 6 5
3. AA 9115 Urban Design Studio 2 0 6 5
Sub Total 13

SEMESTER II
4. DG 9121 Contemporary Processes in Architectural
Design II
3 0 0 3
5. DG 9122 Performance Evaluation of Buildings 3 0 0 3
6. DG 9123 Visual Design through Algorithms 3 0 0 3
7. DG 9124 Visualization Studio 1 0 4 3
Sub Total 12
SEMESTER III
8. AA 9112 Architecture and Critical Theory 3 0 0 3
9. AA 9113 Traditional and Contemporary Landscapes 3 0 0 3
10. AA 9131 Research Methodologies in Architecture 3 0 0 3
11. DG 9132 Digital Production, Solid Modeling and RP 1 0 4 3
Sub Total 12

SEMESTER IV
12. * * * * * * Elective I * * * 3
13. * * * * * * Elective II * * * 3
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14. DG 9125 Digital Design Studio I 0 0 12 6
Sub Total 12

SEMESTER V
15. * * * * * * Elective III * * * 3
16. DG 9133 Dissertation 0 0 6 3
17. DG 9134 Advanced Digital Design Studio II 0 0 12 6
Sub Total 12

SEMESTER VI
18. * * * * * * Elective IV * * * 3
19. DG 9141 Portfolio Production and Web Publishing 0 0 6 3
20. DG 9142 Thesis 0 0 16 8
Sub Total 14

Total no of credits required for the award of the degree

75

List of Electives- M. Arch. (Digital Architecture)
21. AA 9123 Services in High Rise Buildings 3 0 0 3
22. AA 9151 Building Management and Control
Systems
3 0 0 3
23. AA 9153 GIS Modeling in Urban Planning 3 0 0 3
24. DG 9153 Introduction to Scripting 3 0 0 3
25. DG 9154 Introduction to Algorithms 3 0 0 3
26. DG 9155 Virtual Society 3 0 0 3
27. DG 9156 High End 3 D Modeling 1 0 4 3
28. DG 9157 Web Design 1 0 4 3

L- Lecture P- Practical S- Studio C- Credits



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M. ARCH. SYLLABUS
SEMESTER I

AA 9111 CONTEMPRORARY PROCESS IN ARCHITECTURE I 3 0 0 3

Objective: To investigate the contemporary theories of media and their
influence on the perception of space and architecture. To provide an
overview of various Contemporary design processes and its relation to
computation.

Unit 1 INTRODUCTION
Investigation of contemporary theories of media and their influence
on the perception of space and architecture. Technology and Art
Technology and Architecture Technology as Rhetoric Digital
Technology and Architecture

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Unit 2 ASPECT OF DIGITAL ARCHITECTURE
Aspects of Digital Architecture Design and Computation
Difference between Digital Process and Non-Digital Process
Architecture and Cyber Space Qualities of the new space Issues
of Aesthetics and Authorship of Design Increased Automatism and
its influence on Architectural Form and Space

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Unit 3 CONTEMPORARY PROCESS
Overview of various Contemporary design process and it relation to
computation: Diagrams Diagrammatic Reasoning Diagrams and
Design Process Animation and Design Digital Hybrid Design
Protocols Concept of Emergence - Introduction to Cellular
Automata and Architectural applications Genetic algorithms and
Design Computation

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Unit 4 GEOMETRIES AND SURFACES
Fractal Geometry and their properties Architectural applications -
Works of Zvi Hecker- Shape Grammar - Shapes, rules and Label -
Shape Grammar as analytical and synthetic tools- Combining Shape
grammar and Genetic algorithm to optimize architectural solutions -
Hyper Surface Introduction to Hyper surface and concepts of Liquid
architecture.

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Total number of periods 45
REQUIRED READING
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1. Peter Eisenmann, Diagram: An Original Scene of Writing, Diagram Diaries
2. MOVE, UN Studio
3. Grey Lynn, The Folded, The Pliant and The Supple, Animate form
4. Contemporary Techniques in Architecture, Halsted Press, 2002
5. Ali Rahim, Contemporary Process in Architecture, John Wiley & Sons, 2000

REFERENCES
1. Walter Benjamin, Practices of Art in the Age of Mechanical
Reproduction Colin press, 1977
2. Work of Architecture in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction,
Differences MIT press,1997.
3. William J Mitchell, the Logic of Architecture: Design, Computation and
Cognition. MIT Press, Cambridge, 1995
4. Marcos Novak, invisible Architecture: An Installation for the Greek
Pavilion, Venice Biennale, 2000

AA 9112 ARCHITECTURE AND CRITICAL THEORY 3 0 0 3

Objective: The term critical theory is a tautology. However, this term is used to
differentiate traditional theories that understand and explain architecture as
autonomous objects and hermetically sealed discipline. The objective of this
course is to explain and show how architecture is enmeshed in the society and a
product of larger socio-cultural issues and practices.

1. INTRODUCTION 6
Architectural Theory and practice- Relation between theory and practice.
Traditions in/of architectural theory. Critical Theory. Qualities and challenges
of critical theory.



2. POWER AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT 10
Forms of power. Power and knowledge. Panopticon. Colonialism as a form
of dominance. Colonialism in India. Production of Indo-Saracen architecture.
Ideas of segregation, control and surveillance in colonial towns. Discussing
New Delhi as a part of imperial vision. Idea of Ghetto, surveillance and
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control in contemporary cities.

3. ENCOUNTERING MODERNISM/MODERNITY 10
Phenomenology and architecture. Architecture and sense of place.
Fragmentation and Nihilism as conditions of modern society. Counter claims.
Encountering the idea of functionalism - Semiotic and Deconstruction as a
critical tool. Architecture of Resistance. The idea of critical regionalism.


4. SPECTACLE AND ARCHITECTURE 10
Society of spectacle. Spectacle as a form of seduction. Debating
aesthetisation of architectural issues. Critiquing learning from Las Vegas.
World in a shopping wall. Thematic environments. Theme parks and
privatization of public spaces. Visual regime in architecture. Media and
architecture.

5. ISSUES IN ARCHITECTURE 9
Gender and space. Heritage and politics of memory. City as contested
geography. Technology and Architecture.
TOTAL 45 PERIODS
REQUIRED READINGS:
1) Neil Leach (ed) Rethinking Architecture, Routledge 2000
2) Paul Allan Johnson. Theory of Architecture, Routledge 2000
3) Michael Hays (ed) Architectural Theory since 1960,MIT Press, 2000
4) Anthony king, Urban Development in Colonialism
5) Nazzar Al Sayaad (ed) Forms of Dominance,
6) Lawrence vale. Architecture and Nationalism and identity,

REFERENCES:
1) Anil Lomba, Colonialism, 2000
2) Thomas Metcalf Imperial vision, Oxford
3) Neil Leach, Aesthetics and Anesthetics,
4) Guy Debord. Society of Spectacle.
5) Michael Sorkin (ed) Variations of Theme park
6) Lan Border (ed), Intersections.


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AA 9113 TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY LANDSCAPES 3 0 0 3
Objective
To study the social and cultural influences on traditional landscapes through
analysis of form and space, citing principles of each period with examples.
To study contemporary landscape and the manifestation in the western and
Indian context.

I EASTERN TRADITIONS AND ISLAMIC LANDSCAPES 15
Early traditions and beliefs about landscape and environment in east.
Ancient Indian traditions Vedic, Jainism, Buddhism and later Hindu
movements. Symbolic meanings and sacred value of natural landscapes.
Transfer of concepts through Buddhism to China Chinese landscape
development gardens of China Pre Buddhist Japanese landscapes
impact of China on Japanese gardens Japanese gardens.

Nomadic culture of central Asia advent of Islam concept of Paradise as a
garden spread of Islamic traditions to the West and East. Eastern
expression of Islam Samarkhand and Mughul India Tomb and pleasure
garden Moghul concepts of site planning. Western expression of Islam
Spain Alhambra and General life, Granada.

II RENNAISSANCE AND THE EVOLUTION OF NEW THOUGHTS 6
Development of the enclosed garden in the Middle ages. Renaissance
Italy, France and England, Romanticism. Influences and linkages across
cultures. Study of the western landscapes till the nineteenth century.

IV THE EVOLUTION OF THE MODERN LANDSCAPE 9
Industrialization and urbanization impacts and development of the
concept of public open spaces, open space development in new towns,
parks movement.
Open space development and its urban design and planning context,
Early industrial towns and the garden city movement. Public park as a
major component of urban landscape, the works of F.L.Ohmstead, and
other pioneers. Open space development and Close conceptual
relationship between Town planning, urban design and landscape
architecture. Examples.
V THE MODERN MOVEMENT, CONTEMPORARY CONCEPTS AND
CONCERNS
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Changing concepts of space and the relationship of architecture to
landscape. Study of selected works of modern architects and landscape
architects. Postwar development in Europe. The influence of Ian Mcharg
on Landscape architecture. The works of Jellicoe, Burle Marx and others.
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Concept of sustainable landscape development, Cultural landscapes their
definition, identification, characteristics, policies, Artistic sensibility in
landscape architecture and land art, New development in urban
Landscape design.

V INDIAN CONTEXT 6
Issues in contemporary India, Analysis and understanding of philosophies of
contemporary landscape works in India, case studies.

Total number of periods - 45
REQUIRED READINGS:
1. Geoffrey and Susan Jellico, The landscape of Man, Thames & Hudson
Publication, 1995
2. Robert Holden, New landscape Design, Lawrence king publishing, UK,
2003
3. Penelope Hill, Contemporary history of garden design, Birkhauser
publishers, 2004
REFERENCES:
1. Elizabeth Barlow Rogers, Landscape Design A Cultural &Architectural
History, Hary & Abram inc. publishers, 2001.
2. Phillip Pregill & Nancy Volkman, Landscapes in History, Van Nostrand
publishers, 1993.
3. Jonas Lehrman, Earthly Paradise- Garden and courtyard in Islam,
Thames and Hudson,1980.
4. G.B.Tobey, A history of American Landscape architecture, American
elsevier Publishing Co.,NY, 1973.
5. Pieluigi Nicholin, Francesco Repishti, Dictionary of todays landscape
designers, Skira Editores P.A, 2003.



AA 9114 SUSTAINABLE AND GREEN BUILDING DESIGN 2 0 6 5
Objective: To sensitize the students to the various aspects of sustainable and
green building design in the context of global warming and climate change and to
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address the very process and tools of design to enable architecture that is
environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Unit 1 INTRODUCTION
Attitudes to architecture: a historical perspective- General premises
and strategies for sustainable and green design- objectives and
basis- Eco-mimicry as a design tool based on ecosystem analogy-
theoretical basis for a sustainable and eco friendly design

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Unit 2 ECO HOUSE
The form of the house: the building as an analogy- design from first
principles: conserving energy; working with climate: passive solar
design; minimizing new resources; respect for users; respect for site
and holism- photovoltaics and solar hot water systems; water usage;
small scale wind systems and hydro power; Case studies- Studio
project on design of eco houses: context specific

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Unit 3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF BUILDING MATERIALS

Measuring the impact of building materials- calculating embodied
energy- recycling and embodied energy- processing and embodied
energy- time and embodied energy- embodied energy of different
building materials- low energy building and masonry materials- life
cycle analysis- Case studies and analysis

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Unit 4 GREEN CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Sustainable architecture and Green Building: definition- Green
building Evaluation Systems; LEED Certification; Green Globe
Certification; Case studies which look at the environmental
approach- renewable energy- controlling the water cycle- impact of
materials on the environment optimizing construction- site
management- environmental management of buildings

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Unit 5 SUSTAINABLE AND GREEN BUILDING DESIGN STUDIO

This studio will explore collaborative learning to explore, investigate and
apply various parameters of sustainability for design development of
projected building/ urban scenarios

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Total number of periods 120
Required readings:
1. Ken Yeang; Eco design - A Manual for Ecological design, Wiley- Academy;
2006
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2. Sue Roaf et all; Ecohouse: A design Guide; Elsevier Architectural Press;
2007
3. Thomas E Glavinich; Green Building Construction; Wiley; 2008

References:
1. Brenda and Robert Vale; Green Architecture- Design for a Sustainable
Future; Thames and Hudson; 1996
2. Daniel Vallero and Chris Brasier; Sustainable Design- The science of
sustainability and Green Engineering; Wiley; 2008
3. Catherine Slessor; Sustainable Architecture and High Technology- Eco
Tech; Thames and Hudson; 1997
4. Dominique Gauzin- Muller; Sustainable architecture and Urbanism;
Birkhauser; 2002


AA 9115 URBAN DESIGN STUDIO 2 0 6 5

Objective: To identify and address the issues of urban form through precedent
studies; literature review; case studies and contemporary determinants of urban
form including globalization, real estate, digital revolution, policy and
infrastructure development

Unit 1 INTRODUCTION

A brief historic review of the development of the urban design
discipline and principles- Redefining urban condition role of
Globalisation impact of Digital Revolution sustainable
development Contemporary Processes in Urban Design

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Unit 2 SPLINTERING URBANISM

Transportation Networks Information and communication networks
Telecommuting and Urbanism

15
Unit 3 RESTRUCTURING THE CITY

Place making in the Digital Age reconfiguring public realm
Globalisation, and Generic Urban form Urbanisation and
Excursions on density

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Unit 4 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Sustainable Cities Program - Revitalization of brown field sites-
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12
Transit Metropolis- Case Studies

Unit 5 APPLICATION OF DIGITAL TECHNIQUES IN URBAN DESIGN
Depiction of Urban Spaces in Digital Media - Role of Digital Media in
Reconfiguring Urban Space Case studies Application of
Geographic Information Systems, diagramming and 3D Modeling
tools in Urban Design - Digital Media as a facilitator for participatory,
sustainable urban design.

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Total number of periods 120

REQUIRED READING:
1. Crigore Birdea (ed.), Virtual Reality Technology. Wiley and Sons, New York,
1994
2. William J. Mitchell, City of Bits: Space, Place and the infobahn, MIT Press,
1996
3. Charles Correa, Housing and Urbanisation, Thames and Hudson, 1999
4. Neil leach, Designing for the digital world, John Wiley and Sons, 2002

REFERENCES:
1 Benjamin Woolley, Virtual Worlds. Penguin Books, 19931994
2 Peter Calthorpe, The Next American Metropolis, Princeton Architectural
Press, 1993
3 Thomas A, Horan, Digital Places: Building our city of bits, Urban Land
Institute, 2000