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Start of the Degree Programme Architecture and Urban Design

Welcome to the start of the degree programme Architecture and Urban Design at the Department of CITY | BUILDING | CULTURE at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. We are organising an introductory week for first-year students and newly enrolled students at the start of the semester.

Information on starting your studies

The semester begins on Monday, the 23th of September 2024 at 10.00 am with a welcome event in lecture hall HG 067, followed by the introductory weeks with a building inspection on the grounds of the Friedenskirche. An intensive introductory phase begins, during which you will get to know your future fellow students, the lecturers on the degree programme and the study environment. You will also gain particularly detailed insights into a building.

The building survey consists of various practice steps that are closely coordinated. Perspective sketches are created in order to approach the building section. This exercise step clarifies the proportions and the rough structure of the building. In the second exercise step, the proportions are checked using scientific measurements, and in the third step, the dimensions are transferred to the sheet using technical drawings. The individual exercise steps are explained in detail on site. There are always enough teachers available to clarify questions and comments.

On this page you will find a rough overview of the building survey procedure and the associated material procurement requirements. You will also find information on the lecturers and supervisors for the first two introductory weeks. If you have any questions, please contact Lennard Dose.
 

Impressions: Building survey on the Pfingstberg

Summary of the practice steps

1. Viewing and visualising

  • Visualisation of buildings in architecturally correct sketches: The horizon, vanishing point and auxiliary lines are tools that can be used to record spatial situations.
  • Architects can also create two-dimensional drawings of buildings – such as site plans, elevations and sections – using a trainable imagination.

2. Analytical measurement

  • Precise measurement sketches allow previously determined proportions to be checked and recorded with a high degree of accuracy.

3. Layout

  • The previously determined dimensions are compressed onto a large sheet in the form of architectural drawings. Simple layouts can be created by moving them by hand.

4. Final drawing

  • Two delivery sheets are created with constructed drawings of the measured building. The sheets contain floor plans, views, sections and an axonometry.
  • At the end, all 4 exercise steps are handed in and assessed. The individual exercise steps are described in detail in separate task sheets.

There will always be enough contact persons for questions.

Important notes on required materials & costs

Paper is provided by the university.

Materials required as of 23/09/2024

  • sturdy DIN A2 plywood board as a drawing base, approx. 4mm thick
  • soft pencils (between 2B and 6B)
  • sharpener and eraser (transparent)
  • masking tape
  • camping stool
  • weatherproof clothing for working on site
  • small cutter
  • sketch roll 50m 24g/m2

Materials required from 30/09/2024 onwards

  • pocket calculator
  • folding rule
  • small tape measure, approx. 2 m (e.g. tailor's tape measure)
  • 2 pcs. TK pencils, with 2H+4H pencil leads
  • rotary sharpener
  • architect's scale (1:100, 1:50, 1:20, 1:25, 1:125, 1:75)
  • compasses
  • drawing brush

Painting and drawing supplies in Berlin & Potsdam

Contact points for painting and drawing supplies in Berlin:

Contact points for painting and drawing supplies in Potsdam:

  • H + W Inh. Patrick Weiss Zeichen- und Künstlerbedarf
    Rudolf-Breitscheid-Str. 79
    14482 Potsdam/Babelsberg
    +49 331 7103 68
  • SBP Potsdam GmbH
    Am Kanal 51
    14467 Potsdam

Cost contribution

The cost contribution for the events at the start of the semester will be around 140 euros. More information will be available on 23/09/2024.

Note on the semester ticket 2024

Please note that the semester ticket is only valid from the 1st of October 2024! For journeys to the campus before this date, you must pay for the corresponding tickets yourself.

Teachers and supervisors during the introductory weeks

Academic Assistant for Design & Performance
Support for Prof. Christina Poth's Teaching and the Guidance System Project at University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
Professor for the History of Architecture and Urban Development

Support during the introductory weeks

Tutors

  • Luise Stolzenburg
  • Adrian Krieg
  • Benjamin Hostermann
  • Elisabeth Wagner
  • Oda Baumann
  • Hannes Krüger