AS/Habitat for Humanity Housing Unit: From Design Development to Bidding Architectural Studies at Middlebury partners with Habitat for Humanity of Addison County for the design and realization of high-quality, energy-efficient, affordable housing. The objective of this interdisciplinary studio course is to develop the design of the housing unit from a conceptual level to the point that it can be bid upon competitively by contractors. This intensive process will be driven by a schedule of deliverables conceived to allow for construction to start upon their completion. Studio components include materials selection; energy analysis; code review, construction detailing; permitting; physical and digital modeling; engineering coordination; and construction specifications. Students should expect a substantial amount of work outside of class time.

Intermediate Architectural Design This studio course emphasizes the thought and method of architectural design. Members of this studio will be involved in developing their insights towards cultural value systems and their expression in the environments they create. Participants work primarily in the studio space and rely heavily on individual instruction and group review of their work. The course provides a foundation for more advanced study in the areas of architecture, landscape architecture, and other fields related to the design of the built environment, and an opportunity to work with the Cameron Visiting Architect.

Thesis in Architectural Studies: Research This studio course constitutes the first part of the two-term senior design project in Architectural Studies.  Pre-design research includes precedent study, programming, site analysis, and formulation of a thesis to be investigated through the design process.  Preliminary design work begins with conceptual studies, and culminates in a coherent schematic design, to be developed further in Senior Architectural Design, Part II.  Students present their work in graphic, oral, and written formats.

Architecture of Planning and Place As the earliest design activity of the architectural process, context analysis and planning play a significant role in shaping our built environment, from individual dwellings to campuses, towns and cities. This course introduces students to fundamental planning concepts such as open space and density, site characteristics and context, and the circulation of people, traffic, and services, with a strong focus on the relationship between built and natural environments. We will examine national and international case studies as well as local examples. Though no formal architecture experience is required, students will learn and use methods of graphically representing information and conveying design concepts.

Thesis in Architectural Studies: Design This studio course constitutes the second part of the two-term senior design project in Architectural Studies.  Building upon the architectural research, analysis, and preliminary design work conducted during the fall semester, students develop their thesis projects to a higher level of understanding and refinement. Students also engage in intense peer review and work with visiting design critics, concluding with public presentations of the final projects, and a project portfolio describing all aspects of the completed design.

AS/Habitat for Humanity Housing Unit: Research, Planning, and Schematic Design  Architectural Studies at Middlebury partners with Habitat for Architectural Studies at Middlebury partners with Habitat for Humanity of Addison County for the design and realization of high-quality, energy-efficient, affordable housing. The objective of this studio is to research, plan, and begin the architectural design for a housing unit with a specific program and location. Students will work primarily in the studio space and rely heavily on internal and external review of their work. The course provides a foundation for more advanced study in architecture, landscape architecture, and other fields related to the design of the built environment, and provides opportunities to work with professionals and Cameron Visiting Architects. This studio will continue into HARC 0372. Students should expect a substantial amount of work outside of class time.

AS/Habitat for Humanity Housing Unit: Construction Documents Architectural Studies at Middlebury partners with Habitat for Humanity of Addison County for the design and realization of high-quality, energy-efficient, and affordable housing. The objective of this interdisciplinary studio course is to finalize and generate the construction documentation for the housing unit design generated in HARC 0371 & HARC 0372. A schedule of deliverables with an accompanying set of deadlines will need to be met to allow for construction to start in spring 2021. The studio components include final architectural and constructional detailing; building code compliance; building permitting finalization; physical and CAD modeling; structural coordination; and construction specifications.  Students should expect a substantial amount of work outside of class time. (Approval Required)

John McLeod

Reviews and ratings for John McLeod at Middlebury College.John McLeod teaches AS/Habitat: Design Dev., Interm. Architectural Design, Arch Studies Research Thesis and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is John McLeod good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

I had this class with sam ostrow, not john mcleod. This course is extremely difficult and should not be taken by students who are not planning on pursuing architecture. It felt very applicable to postgrad experiences. 

Professor Mcleod is a nice person but not a good lecturer. We would spend most of our class time doing desk crits (which would take five minutes per person), or doing lectures. Very little time is spent working on our projects.

John is an amazing Professor and is the single reason this program at Middlebury exists. This course represents the last in a series of three courses and is the most intense of the three. This course focuses on producing a series of construction documents for a real world house. This is a very involved process but is equally rewarding. Through this process you gain insight into structural design, assemblies, high performance standards, and more. This is by far the best course you can take at Middlebury if you are truly interested in practicing architecture.