Course Syllabus

Course Information：

Year-Semester	Course Number	Course Name	Phase	Credits	Hours	Required/Elective	Instructor	Class	Student NO.	Withdraw	Note
Fall Semester Year 2026	366736	Material Systems and Sustainable Tectonics	1	2.0	2	★	Charng Shin Chen	4ARCH2	28	0

Course Plan：

Instructor	Charng Shin Chen　Office Hours
Email	charngshin.chen@mail.ntut.edu.tw
Last Updated	2026-06-08 00:57:08
Course Objective	從「材料」的角度看設計，始終是一個充滿啟發且值得深入探討的位置。當前，建築產業對環境造成的衝擊尤為顯著，包含營運與隱含碳排放、大量廢棄物污染、熱島效應等問題，皆反映快速開發對自然環境所帶來的劇烈破壞。因此，「設計階段決定建物 80% 環境影響」的觀點逐漸受到重視，而將「材料視為設計過程固有部分」的「材料系統（Material System）」概念，也再次使忠於材料本質與特性的精神回歸設計核心。 本課程將聚焦於「木框架／實木」、「竹」、「稻草」、「軟木」、「夯土」、「磚」、「石材」等植物基與低碳材料，探討其於當代建築與空間設計中的應用可能。課程將從封閉式材料循環（Closed-Loop Material Cycles）與永續設計觀點出發，透過國內外案例分析，說明不同材料之構造系統、材料細節與製造邏輯，並進一步探討其與場域脈絡、地方文化及永續經濟性之間的關聯，建立同學對於材料、構築與環境之整合性理解。 Viewing design through the lens of “materials” has always been an inspiring and meaningful position for exploration (Chris Lefteri, 2014). Today, the architecture industry has caused significant environmental impacts, including operational and embodied carbon emissions, large amounts of construction waste, and urban heat island effects, all of which reflect the rapid environmental degradation brought about by intensive development. As a result, the idea that “the design phase determines 80% of a building’s environmental impact” has become increasingly important. At the same time, the concept of “Material Systems,” which considers materials as an inherent part of the design process, has brought renewed attention to the essence and integrity of materials within architectural design. This course focuses on plant-based and low-carbon materials, including timber framing/mass timber, bamboo, straw, cork, rammed earth, brick, and stone, exploring their potential applications in contem
Course Schedule	．Introduction（Circular Design／Material Experience／ Material-Driven Design (MDD)／Design for Disassembly (DfD) ） ．Material Sections（Wood Frame／Mass Timber／ Bamboo／Straw／Hemp／Cork／Earth／Brick／Stone／Reuse ） ．Tectonics C&C and Environmental Impact（Carbon Estimates／Embodied Carbon by Material & Assessment）
Evaluation and grading policy	The course evaluation is mainly divided into two parts: "Lectures " and "Group Reports." The course assessment consists of two main components: Lectures and Group Research Presentations & Reports. ．"Lectures." Each lecture will be accompanied by either an in-class exercise or a summary of an article reading. (Grading criteria: Attendance – 20%; In-class Exercises and Reading Summaries – 20%.) ． "Group Research Presentation & Reports."Students will conduct research on the material, analyze related architectural case studies, and develop shop drawings. ( Grading criteria: Initial PPT Presentation & Report – 40%; Revised Report – 20%)
Materials	All right reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Foreign-language textbooks:No 1.《Cradle to Cradle: Remaking The Way We Make Things》 ，William McDonough & Michael Braungart，2002。 2.《Material Innovation: Architecture》， Andrew H. Dent & Leslie Sherr，2014。 3.《Transmaterial Next: A Catalog of Materials that Redefine Our Future》， Blaine Brownell，2017。 4.《Exploring Materials: Creative Design for Everyday Objects》（中譯：做設計的第一堂材料課）， Inna Alesina & Ellen Lupton，2020。 5.《Materials for Design》（中譯：設計師的材料學：創意 × 實驗 × 未來性），Chris Lefteri，2015。 6.《Manual of Biogenic House Sections》，Paul Lewis ＆ Marc Tsurumaki & David J. Lewis，2022。 7.《自然的建築》（中譯：自然的建築是連結：場所、素材和地球環境的幸福關係的建築），隈研吾（Kengo Kuma），2014。
The access to curricular consultation	Email：charngshin.chen@gmail.com - - - Line Group: [ 1151_Material Systems and Sustainable Tectonics ]
Expanding teaching and resources	● 混成學習 (Blended Learning) 課程結合實體授課與線上學習（同步視訊／非同步活動）。 Combines face-to-face instruction with online learning (including synchronous video sessions or asynchronous activities).
The course corresponds to the SDGs	SDG9：產業創新與基礎設施（Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure） SDG11：永續城市與社區（Sustainable Cities and Communities） SDG12：負責任的消費與生產（Responsible Consumption and Production）
Does the course incorporate AI	● 無（None）
Note	1. Category: Student Group Practice and Discussion; Distance Learning 2. Content: Week 17: Revise "Group Research Presentation & Reports." Week 18: Complete and submit "Group Research Presentation & Reports." 3. Duration: 4 hours 4. Learning Outcomes: Students will revise their group report and complete the final submission. 5. Assessment Weighting: Revised "Group Research Presentation & Reports." accounts for 20% of the final grade. Together with the Initial version (40%), both outcomes 60% of the overall course grade.