Brief information about the School of Design & Architecture at ADA University
The School of Design and Architecture (SDA) is outlined in collaboration with the Politecnico di Milano in the framework of Italy-Azerbaijan University initiative and will offer bachelor's, master's and non-degree certificate programs in Design, Architecture and Urban planning. ADA University is intertwined with the country’s plans where economic and cultural growth is leading the way. The urban areas are growing, and the country landscape and profile are evolving. Together with the leading agricultural sector, other productive sectors aim to evolve beyond oil-offering production towards promising new non-oil areas.
The School of Design and Architecture will share the polytechnic approach to Design, Architecture, and Urban Planning. Graduates will gain foundational disciplinary knowledge and practical experience - thanks to fundamental courses and the learning-by-doing educational approach that pursues up-to-date development lines in project-based design studios. The School of Design and Architecture offers an international level of study suitable for entering the job market as a junior architect or designer.
More information about SDA can be found at www.ada.edu.az/en/schools/sda
Why applying for this position
The School of Design and Architecture is the place for constant education and innovation, where students will develop the knowledge and skills to contribute to the country’s goal. Indeed, the School of Design and Architecture will raise a new generation of Designers, Architects, and Urban Planners who will participate in the country’s progress, sharing and making the vision for it.
For this purpose, the School of Design and Architecture will collaborate with public institutions to promote coordinated efforts toward progress, indicating priorities, developing projects, and anticipating future scenarios. Furthermore, the School of Design and Architecture will collaborate with local communities to promote the country’s development beyond Baku and with global partners to reach a multicultural environment and international status.
Due to this ambitious program, joining SDA will be an opportunity for academic growth and engagement within a new international community of designers and architects.
Brief description of responsibilities:
Send letter of application (max 1 page), curriculum vitae, portfolio of selected students’ works (if available), list of publications and link/PDF to maximum three papers, summary of teaching evaluations (if available), and contact information of three references to sdarecruitment@ada.edu.az
The cut-off date for application is 19 July 2024.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Details of the job position
Programme: Bachelor in Architecture
Year: 1st
Disciplinary Area: Architecture and Urban Design
Courses (tbc): Architectural Design Studio I / Typological Characters of Architecture and Urban Morphology/Architectural and Landscape design Studio
Semester: First / Second
Start dates: February 2025 (teaching starts September 2025) / October 2025 (teaching starts January 2026)
Description of the Disciplinary Area:
Numerous disciplines contribute to the graduate's training through teachings directly aimed at the critical-applicative dimension, which is experimented with in the workshops the student will be gradually trained to synthesize the main project idea and to solve the complexity of different problems in only one solution that must be appropriately and effectively communicated. Particularly, the field of Architectural Composition, within the training courses, aids in acquiring competencies inherent to the theories, techniques and instruments of design of architectural and building artefacts. In the sphere of architectural and urban design, the student also learns to analyze architecture and urban examples concerning their historical, geographical and physical context and to read the relationships between the architectural artefact and the morphological characteristics of the building. Finally, alongside the theories, techniques and instruments of design, the basic skills in project communication and teamwork are taught.
Courses with different modules (see description below) are made up of two competencies-specific modules (i.e. Architectural composition and Architecture of Interiors).
Applicants can apply to just one module within the course according to their competencies.
The Architectural Design Studio introduces students to the fundamentals of architectural projects, emphasizing theoretical, analytical, and practical knowledge. It involves basic design exercises focusing on the interaction between architectural and interior design disciplines, exploring the relationship between space, the human body, and its functionality. Students will utilize freehand sketching, architectural drawing, and modeling techniques to develop compositional aspects of projects, considering typology and context. The studio includes theoretical lessons on composition and interdisciplinary contributions to enrich the learning experience.
Basic knowledge required to teach the course contents
Architectural composition module:
-Ability to develop a project of Architectural design from the preliminary phases to the definition of requirements for development.
-In the architectural and urban design field, the knowledge targeted within these teachings is articulated toward the knowledge and understanding of the type-morphological characteristics of architecture with a focus on the relationships with the compositional and distributive aspects of buildings and related settlements.
-The role involves guiding students through compositional and design exercises, emphasizing the interaction between architectural and interior design disciplines.
-Strong understanding of architectural foundations and theoretical principles.
-Ability to teach various technical and expressive methods in architectural composition.Experience in organizing and assessing students' project outcomes through examination and public display.
2) Course in Typological characters of Architecture and Urban Morphology (Architecture Programme)
The course of Typological Characters of Architecture and Urban Morphology concerns the study of distributive, typological, and morphological features, implemented through the analysis of architecture's compositional, constructive, and functional characters, both at the scale of buildings and of the city, highlighting their fundamental relationships with the environment. Through the critical analysis and study of emblematic architectures, cities, and parts of cities, as well as of the design thinking of prominent architects, the course intends to provide the basic tools for understanding the foundations and principles of architectural and urban design in a broad temporal perspective, which ranges from antiquity to the contemporary era. Therefore, the course's main objective is to provide students with the basic knowledge and a critical and oriented point of view on architecture, its paradigms, and its techniques to tackle architectural and urban design with the awareness of its inherent complex dimension.
Basic knowledge required to teach the course contents
-In-depth understanding of distributive, typological, and morphological features of architecture and urban spaces.
-Proficiency in analyzing compositional, constructive, and functional aspects of architecture and urban design.
-Experience in guiding students to tackle architectural and urban design challenges with awareness of their complex dimensions.
-Capability to teach foundational principles and paradigms of architecture and urban design.
The Architectural and Landscape Design Studio explores the interplay between architecture and its surrounding landscape, whether urban or natural. Students will design small architectural structures, considering the contextual significance of architecture and landscape design within historical, socioeconomic, and territorial contexts. They will also examine the evolution of landscapes over time. The studio emphasizes the use of tools and strategies to address contemporary ecological and social challenges. Through a critical lens, it delves into urgent topics shaping architectural design's relationship with open spaces and landscapes, including multi-dimensionality, climatic influences, and collective engagement, while integrating contemporary practices and theories of landscape architecture.
Basic knowledge required to teach the course contents
Architectural Composition module:
- Ability to teach foundational theoretical concepts relevant to architectural and landscape design.
- Familiarity with basic compositional and design exercises in architectural and landscape contexts.
- Proficiency in guiding students through the design process, encompassing both architectural and landscape elements.
- Skill in fostering creativity and innovation in architectural and landscape design solutions.
- Knowledge of analytical and instrumental tools used in architectural and landscape design processes.
Landscape module:
- Expertise in integrating landscape design considerations into studio activities.
- Capability to provide guidance on the relationship between built environments and natural landscapes.
- Strong understanding of architectural and landscape design principles.
- Expertise in integrating architectural and landscape design considerations into studio activities.
- Understanding of the interaction between architectural and landscape design disciplines.
* - These fields are required.