Profile of <span>Misty Kaplan</span>
Office
Mahaney Arts Center 214
Email
mistyk@middlebury.edu
Office Hours
By appointment

Courses Taught

Course Description

Introduction to Architectural Design
Are you fascinated by buildings and interested in trying your hand at architectural design? This course will introduce you to principles of architecture and teach you the skills architects use to explore and communicate design ideas. We will consider urban and rural settings, sustainability, energy efficiency, functionality, comfort, and the role architecture plays in shaping community. Classroom instruction by a practicing architect will provide hands-on drawing, model-making, and materials research. Students will work to analyze existing buildings and design their own. Students seeking to improve their understanding of the built environment as well to develop their design-mind to reconcile social-ecological challenges are encouraged to take this course. No prior experience is needed.

Terms Taught

Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024

Requirements

ART, WTR

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Course Description

Architectural Design Analysis: Observe, Distill, Create
Architectural analysis and precedent studies offer powerful ways of engaging with the built environment and can serve as tools for enhancing or redefining a creative process. Learning to see the world through a “prepared eye” engenders a framework for conceptualizing new architectural forms and expressions. In this hands-on studio, students will learn the fundamentals of formal precedent analysis, deepening their understanding of design principles and strategies, while also exploring more abstract modes of investigation. We will experiment with methods of visualizing information that challenge traditional means of representation and examine how these, in turn, can be used as unique, form-making architectural tools. (HARC 0130 or approval by instructor) 3 hrs. lect.

Terms Taught

Spring 2025

Requirements

ART

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Course Description

Supervised independent work in architectural analysis and design. (Approval Required)

Terms Taught

Fall 2022, Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Fall 2025

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Course Description

Thesis in Architectural Studies: Research
This studio course constitutes the first part of the two-term senior design project in Architectural Studies. Pre-design research includes precedent study, programming, site analysis, and formulation of a thesis to be investigated through the design process. Preliminary design work begins with conceptual studies, and culminates in a coherent schematic design, to be developed further in Senior Architectural Design, Part II. Students present their work in graphic, oral, and written formats. (HARC 0330 or equivalent) 6 hrs. sem.

Terms Taught

Fall 2024, Fall 2025

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Course Description

Thesis in Architectural Studies: Design
This studio course constitutes the second part of the two-term senior design project in Architectural Studies. Building upon the architectural research, analysis, and preliminary design work conducted during the fall semester, students develop their thesis projects to a higher level of understanding and refinement. Students also engage in intense peer review and work with visiting design critics, concluding with public presentations of the final projects, and a project portfolio describing all aspects of the completed design. (HARC 0731) 6 hrs. sem.

Terms Taught

Winter 2025, Winter 2026

Requirements

WTR

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