Academic year/semester: 2026/27/1

ECTS Credits: 6

Available for: Only for the faculty’s students

Lecture hours: 0
Seminarium:0
Practice: 4
Laboratory: 0
Consultation: 0

Prerequisites: Minimum 1 completed year in architecture or civil engineering studies. IMPORTANT: Students can choose whether ONLY MSc courses, or ONLY vertical studio courses! Exceptions we can make on individual decisions based on special requests, maximum for less than 50% of the courses - please contact our international coordinator.

Course Leader: Lama AlNatour, Oliver Sales, Sánta Patrik

Faculty: Ybl Miklós Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, 1146 Budapest, Thököly út 74.

Course Description:
The course focuses on designing a contemporary public building in a dense urban context, with special attention to context-sensitive spatial development, integration of architectural and engineering aspects, and the conscious use of contemporary ornament and inspiration. Students will explore the role of ornamentation in architecture today, including material and technological possibilities, as well as the ethical use of AI, historic references, and precedents. Participants will work in international and interdisciplinary teams, collaborating through a vertical studio system.

Competences:
- Ability to develop context-aware architectural concepts - Integration of structural and material thinking in early design phases - Ethical handling of inspiration and architectural references (AI, archives, contemporary practice) - Use of ornament as a spatial and conceptual design tool - Effective collaboration in multicultural and interdisciplinary teams - Visual and verbal communication of complex architectural ideas

Topics:
1. week: Introduction / Site visit / Urban fabric analysis
Project briefing, team formation, mapping the context (urban, historical, material)
2. week: Case studies: public architecture, ornament, inspiration
Presentation of case studies and conceptual dialogues on ornament in architecture
3. week: Design Task I: massing and urban integration
Massing concepts, urban integration, functional logic – desk crits
4. week: Design Task II: structural and material logic
Initial structural strategies and engineering input – guest lecturer (CE background)
5. week: Lecture: contemporary ornament – material, pattern, detail
Contemporary ornament: digital fabrication, tectonics, abstraction
6. week: Workshop: the ethics of inspiration
AI tools, proactive prompt direction for creative use, visual references – short exercise
7. week: Consultations + Midterm presentation
Concept presentation, peer feedback
8. week: Development Phase I: ornament as spatial expression
From concept to material and tectonic expression – integration of ornament
9. week: Team studio day / Desk crits
Individual/team consultations
10. week: Digital tools for ornament design
Parametric approaches, fabrication logics, AI tools
11. week: Engineering integration: structural systems, envelopes
Load-bearing structure, envelope, environmental performance – CE input
12. week: Studio day / Consultations
Individual/team consultations
13. week: Final Phase: Representation & Communication
Graphic design, storytelling, diagrams, model suggestions
14. week: Final presentation
Studio presentations, feedback session, reflection, peer assessment

Assessment: final mark based on: • Design project outcome (60%) • Engagement and collaboration (20%) • Interim submissions & presentations (20%)

Exam Types:

project-based evaluation

Compulsory bibliography: Farshid Moussavi: The Function of Ornament Herzog & de Meuron: Natural History Stan Allen: Points + Lines

Recommended bibliography: Articles and case studies shared during the course

Additional bibliography: none

Additional Information: The course will be held in English. Students are expected to work in mixed teams. Basic Rhino/Grasshopper skills are recommended but not required.