Recently, M.Arch 3 students in Dave Dugas and Julia McConnell's Lab held their midterm review.

Students started by making a series of conceptual diagrams, analyzing the compositional logic and strategies of a painting. From there students "diagrammed the diagram", treating it as a drawing with its own set of logics. Students have moved from initial study of frame as that which frames an image or painting (a moment in time); to that of the composition. Then onto the idea of frame as a series of layered analysis that combines to form a conceptual framework. And finally, the idea of frame as a set of steps and generative workflows that create systems through which we can imagine spaces. Further exploration beyond the initial two frames expands the notion of re-framing: space, perception and architectural potential.

The work seen at midterm culminates in a 50% fill. A fragment, not quite whole, a part not yet completed. Students were encouraged to explore how they might imply continuity of space and systems whilst forming a spatial logic derived from earlier diagrammatic studies. Careful attention to representation and workflow was seen as an integral portion of the process. The studio is structured as an inverted workflow, fronting composition, iteration, representation and digital workflows early. In the remaining time post-midterm, we will be taking a step back and looking at fundamentals of orthographic sequence and moving towards our final interpretation of frame; as tectonic. Students will be iterating a chunk of their composition into a small 800sq ft or less program of their choosing, with a required stick framing construction system. Students will need to interpret how their new small system may take inspiration from Part Il and imply a continuity, as if the structure is only part of a whole