Research Assistant: Retracing the Community-Oriented Housing Experiments of Gunnar Hoydal in the Faroe Islands

Introduction to the topic:

Located in the north Atlantic Ocean, the Faroe Islands are an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

The collective housing projects directed by Gunnar Hoydal during his time as city architect of the Faroese capital, Tórshavn, have generally been overshadowed by his roles as national poet and writer. Very little research and documentation has been done on outstanding cases like Tórsbyrgi (1977), a long-lasting example of cohousing principles in a sociocultural and economic context very far away from cohousing’s breeding ground, Berjabrekka and millum Gilja, two participatory low-rise dense housing developments from the 1980s, or Inni á Gøtu (1990), a rare example of a support-plus-infill housing scheme in the Nordic region.

Project details:

This project intends to conduct comprehensive primary research of these forgotten local interpretations of contemporary global architectural debates, with a goal of creating and sharing information about them within and beyond the Faroe Islands. Their secluded setting brings a valuable source of information about the long-term evolution of these housing schemes, and research into them offers an opportunity to explore inconspicuous connections across the North Atlantic among the Faroe Islands, the Danish metropolis, the Americas, and beyond.

The project will take place over multiple semesters, with Research Assistants receiving specific tasks per semester. It is possible that Research Assistants will have the opportunity to travel to the Faroe Islands for a research trip, depending on the semester. At all times throughout the project, Research Assistants will gain in-depth knowledge and research skills aligned with the project, spanning from the physical frame (or “hard” infrastructure) to the goals and rules (the “soft” infrastructure) of the cases of study, passing by dream worlds and paradigms animating them. As part of the project, Research Assistants will gain a comprehensive understanding of situated research methodologies, ranging from problem formulation and research design to academic analysis and writing specific to architectural research.

Selected relevant publications:

Hansen, C. (2019). A story of connections. An intergenerational community in the Faroe Islands based on shared living [Thesis MA Spatial Design. The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation. Institute of Architecture and Design]. KADK Repository. https://kglakademi.dk/da/project/story-connections-intergenerational-community-faroe-islands-based-shared-living
Rieiro Díaz, R. (2023). Make yourself at home. A critical retracing of the legacy of the housing utopias built in the Nordic countries in the seventies. [Doctoral dissertation. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura]. https://oa.upm.es/73570/1/RODRIGO_RIEIRO_DIAZ.pdf

Recommended experience

Some knowledge of the history of architecture, especially late 20th century developments, is an advantage to understand the research framework, but not a requirement.

Additional research application required

You will need to submit an additional research application through Student Registration in order to enroll in this course.

To submit your research application, you must already be admitted to DIS.

All research application materials must be submitted on the following dates by 23:59 Central European Time:

November 1 for spring semester applicants
May 1 for fall semester applicants

Complete your additional research application through Student Registration.

If you are not already enrolled, use this link to apply to DIS before completing a research application.

Syllabus

Spring 2025

Go to syllabus

This is the most recent syllabus for this course

Faculty

architecture-and-design-rodrigo-riero[1]

Rodrigo Antonio Rieiro Diaz

Faculty

Ph.D. (Architecture, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (ETSAM), 2023). Architect Cand. arch, ERIK, 2022-present. Architect Cand. arch, WERK Ark., 2019-2022. Architect Cand. arch, Dorte Mandrup, 2016-2019. Architect Cand. arch, Mikkelsen Ark., 2015-2015. Architect Cand. arch, ERIK, 2022-present. Architect Cand. arch, Effekt, 2012-2015. Architect Cand. arch, Ábalos+Sentkiewicz, 2011-2012. With DIS since 2023.

Research Assistantship FAQ

Learn more about research at DIS.

: Earning authorship within the course of a semester is challenging. Exceptional Research Assistants may be considered for co-authorship, subject to evaluation from the supervising Research Mentor.

Though you may not ultimately become an author on a published paper, you will gain many practical skills and insights into the publication process.

: Many research projects last across several semesters, so not all RAs on the same project will conduct the same research.

: On average, students in 3-credit Research Assistantships spend at least 10 hours a week on research tasks. These 10 hours per week consist of a variety of different research-related tasks, including conducting a literature review, data collection, analyses, coding, documentation, and meetings with your mentor. You may decide on a particular block of time (consistent each week) for you to carry out the work, or adjust it on a week-by-week basis.

Students in a 6-credit Research Assistantships spend an average of 20 hours per week with lab and clinically based research tasks. You decide the exact meeting and lab times with your supervisor, but your schedule consists of classes at DIS two days a week, with two days a week in the lab.

There may be peak times in the research process where all Research Assistant students are expected to spend a few more hours, and then possibly fewer hours another week – to reflect the individual research project and process.

: Work for the 3-credit Research Assistantships may take place outside DIS, on your own time at a location of your choosing, or at DIS – this varies from project to project. The 6-credit research assistantships generally take place at labs in Copenhagen or Stockholm outside DIS.

: Students with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the 3-credit Research Assistant course. While some courses do have prerequisites, many opportunities do not require prior research experience.

The 6-credit Research Assistant opportunity is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong science background within the field of interest and some basic research experience. The student must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to an engaging opportunity involving hands-on research in universities and medical institutes in Copenhagen or Stockholm.

Introduction to the topic:

Project details:

Recommended experience

Additional research application required

Syllabus

Spring 2025

Faculty

Rodrigo Antonio Rieiro Diaz

Research Assistantship FAQ

Will I publish a research paper?

What exactly will I do?

What is the time commitment for a 3-credit or 6-credit Research Assistantship?

Where is the research work carried out?

What type of student applies for the 3- and 6-credit Research Assistant courses?