The concept of structure permeates every aspect of architecture and is present throughout the entire design process. The structure of the urban environment, space, materials and load-bearing elements all shape the design. Structure represents order and the rationale of architecture, while structured thinking and design form the basis for projects capable of offering coherent answers to complex questions.
Integral to the core thematic «Building as a System» developed by the Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, and by way of complementing the cooperative master’s course at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, the course focusses on the building as a holistic entity in its urban context. Spatial structure, bearing structure, service supply structure and infrastructure all contribute to the integrated concept of the building structure. They are co-dependent and mutually influential and become – depending on their importance – characteristic elements of the architecture.
Under the title «structure_transfer», relevant issues concerning civil society are being addressed and the students’ sense of awareness and responsibility for our built environment sharpens. By forging exchanges with university level institutions abroad, ideas and projects for the corresponding sites are developed, dialog with lecturers and students at the partner institutions is fostered and one familiarizes with their culture. These programs last one year, with semester projects taking place alternately – one abroad and one in Switzerland.
To the Architecture and Structure focus on the website of the cooperative master’s course.
Franziska Furger, architect at the Cangemi architectural practice
During my bachelor’s degree program, my rucksack became laden with «architecture». The master’s degree program then gave me the opportunity to unpack it. The knowledge I acquired was further developed in an in-depth project. At the same time I was always able to learn new things, which really expanded my horizons. I enjoyed working in the studio. This promotes exchanges between the students. The knowledge of each individual is shared with fellow students and constantly passed on. The exchange semester at the Dublin Institute of Technology greatly enriched my degree program.
Daniel Hauri, architect at Graber & Steiger
A bachelor’s degree in architecture gives us all the tools we need to start work immediately. The knowledge that we bring to the table is held in high regard, but the scope of our possibilities is limited. And we are also driven by curiosity – we want to be more than just co-pilots and want to choose our direction, altitude and destination ourselves. The master’s degree program sees young architects come together who all follow the same goal: to continue tirelessly to research, discover and expand their personal horizons. In contrast to the bachelor’s degree, the master’s program takes students to new heights. Of course, this also means that the fall is greater, but our personal flight controllers – lecturers and fellow students – have a keen intuition in handling this challenging situation. We learned how to hone the skills we have acquired, to gain new perspectives on the discipline and to develop our own position on a sound footing. In doing so we not only grew professionally, but also personally as well. The campus at the Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture is more than just a place of learning – for students, it is a community combining work, life and personal interests.
