Through exposure to the wealth of academic offerings at the AA, from the first year of the Experimental Programme (BA(Hons)) to the PhD Programme, Foundation Course students are given broad access to the tools, strategies and methodologies that are developed within the school at large. Drawing on a number of different pedagogical practices and the knowledge of highly experienced tutors and visiting consultants, the Foundation Course offers dynamic, cross-disciplinary teaching within the context of a specialist architectural school. Over the course of the year students explore ideas and techniques such as observation, documentation, survey, inventory, scale, materiality, interpretation, representation, site, scenario and inhabited structures.
Term one focuses on the development of skills through a series of forensic examinations. In parallel with their studio work, students identify and compile a series of references, and apply critical thinking to their self-initiated research. Workshops encourage a constant translation from observation to material interpretation. On-going work is regularly discussed in individual tutorials, group presentations and juries with invited critics.
Term two focuses on site, place, space, material assemblage, appropriation, extension and occupation of the built form. Moving from survey to proposal, students develop their work in greater depth and articulate individual lines of enquiry. Speculative experimentation and methodical iteration using a wide range of techniques is encouraged.
In addition to the completion of the portfolio and the summative assessment, term three presents an opportunity to reflect on the work produced throughout the year and to make a synoptic or exploratory one-minute film. By the end of the year, each student produces a comprehensive analogue and digital portfolio that illustrates their own highly personal journey through the Foundation Course.
Saskia Lewis - Foundation Director
Juliet Haysom - Studio Master
George Massoud - Studio Master
Chiyan Ho - Tutor
Michael Ho - Tutor
