Jonathan Knowles
Jonathan Knowles has been teaching in RISD’s Architecture department since 2001. His studios and technology seminars are devoted exclusively to performative architecture: buildings that reduce energy consumption through their form and/or the technical makeup of their enclosure. Jonathan has also taught at the City College of New York, Parsons the New School of Design, Cornell University and Columbia University.
Recent academic projects include the design and construction of a modular building system sponsored by sustainable building supply manufacturers CertainTeed/Saint-Gobain that culminated in a 140-sf pavilion inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s cabin at Walden Pond (2023); the Saint-Gobain International Student Competition, which focused on revitalizing an area of Lisbon, Portugal and earned RISD grad student Xuhan Zhao a funded opportunity to present her design as a competition finalist (2022); and the Sheridan Small Homes project, energy-efficient, 850-sf residences clustered near Providence’s Woonasquatucket Bike Path in order to maximize green space. Partners included RISD, the city of Providence, ONE Neighborhood Builders and Building Futures.
Jonathan is a partner at BriggsKnowles A+D, based in Providence, a design studio recognized for its use of light, color and ecological strategies. The work of the firm has been covered in such outlets as The New York Times, Le Monde, IDEAT, Dwell, Domus, Metropolis Magazine and Fine Living (HGTV). Recent projects include Saugerties Residence in New York’s Hudson River Valley, which features a passive house approach, Bensonwood Prefab panels and natural materials; Roscoe Residence, which integrates elements of the landscape and is camouflaged with a shou-sugi ban exterior finish; and South Kingston Residence, which features a novel, triangulated light-frame construction using struts and straps to achieve maximum structural performance at minimum cost.
Courses
Fall 2023 Courses
ARCH 21ST-05
ADVANCED STUDIO
SECTION DESCRIPTION
These studios, three of which are required for graduation, are offered by individual instructors to students who have successfully completed the core curriculum. They are assigned by lottery. Once assigned to an advanced studio, a student may not drop studio.
Estimated Cost of Materials: $50.00 - $200.00
Fee: Some advanced studio sections have a fee for course supplies or field trips. The fee is announced during the registration lottery held in the department.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Preference is given to Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | BArch, MArch (3yr), MArch (2yr): Architecture
ARCH 2178-01
INTEGRATED BUILDING SYSTEMS
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Conceived as the culmination of the technologies sequence of courses, this course allows students to choose amongst the three instructor's differing approaches to the problem of conceiving technology holistically, in relation to a set of architectural criteria. The conceptual and technical aspects of building systems are considered and emergent environmentally-conscious technologies are emphasized for research and application.
Prerequisite: All required technologies courses.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | BArch, MArch (3yr), MArch (2yr): Architecture
ARCH 2354-01
ADVANCED TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This 3 credit advanced seminar offers students the opportunity to focus on advanced applications of technology in architecture. Students will explore the relationship between design and technology within topics such as advanced energy modeling, advanced structural analysis, high performance structures, high performance building facades, and sustainable design. These seminars are designed to strengthen students' ability to conduct research, explore material performance and enable validation of design concepts based on applied technology.
Estimated Cost of Materials: $30.00 - $50.00
Preference is given to Junior, Senior, Fifth-year or Graduate Architecture Students.
Elective
Spring 2024 Courses
ARCH 2255-01
ENCLOSURE DESIGN
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Comprehensive design of building enclosures - integrated consideration of structural design, tolerance, detailing, thermal transmission, air transmission, and moisture transmission. Introduce typical and atypical systems of enclosure with emphasis on relative advantages of different systems depending on location, intended performance, and design intent.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Preference is given to Junior Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | BArch: Architecture
ARCH 255G-01
ENCLOSURE DESIGN
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Comprehensive design of building enclosures - integrated consideration of structural design, tolerance, detailing, thermal transmission, air transmission, and moisture transmission. Introduce typical and atypical systems of enclosure with emphasis on relative advantages of different systems depending on location, intended performance, and design intent.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MArch (2yr) and (3yr): Architecture
Summer 2024 Courses
ARCH 1560-01 / ID 1560-01 / IDISC 1560-01
*PORTUGAL: DESIGN WITH AND FOR NATURE
SECTION DESCRIPTION
In this 3-week, 3-credit summer course, we will learn about design with nature, by designing for nature inspired by the Azores. We will explore the potential of biofibers working with our partners from University of Azores. Biofibers were for centuries one of the primary materials used in the design of ordinary products and building components. With the introduction of plastics and other synthetic materials at the advent of the 20th century, the use of the natural materials declined. But thanks to a growing environmental consciousness and new attitudes, traditional crafts are being reconsidered in innovative ways. In the Azores and Portugal, the traditional handicraft culture is still thriving. Artisans continue to create beautiful objects including wonderful woven baskets, hats and fiber dolls. We will explore these traditions and then look at new approaches that use multiple techniques for a varied set of applications that range from pressed composite containers, algae based fabrics, to 3d printed woven and compressed building components.
Through multiple field trips, we will learn about the island’s rural and urban landscapes. We will examine the crossovers between our communities and study the intersection of ecology, traditional economy, and contemporary cultural activities. The main focus of this research is to use the invasive Conteira plant (Kahili ginger) as a resource for the development of a bio-based composite using biopolymers (i.e., PHA, PLA, cellulose, or starch) in order to produce a new sustainable material for biodegradable building solutions, such as textiles (netting) and other malleable surfaces. We also will visit with, and work in the studio of, a local arts organization called Walk&Talk who will be hosting their annual summer arts festival. In addition, students will be exposed to local craft traditions from wood working, basket weaving, to embroidery as a means to learn from past and to look toward an ecologically hopeful future.
Estimated Cost of Materials: $100.00
Elective
ARCH 1560-01 / ID 1560-01 / IDISC 1560-01
*PORTUGAL: DESIGN WITH AND FOR NATURE
SECTION DESCRIPTION
In this 3-week, 3-credit summer course, we will learn about design with nature, by designing for nature inspired by the Azores. We will explore the potential of biofibers working with our partners from University of Azores. Biofibers were for centuries one of the primary materials used in the design of ordinary products and building components. With the introduction of plastics and other synthetic materials at the advent of the 20th century, the use of the natural materials declined. But thanks to a growing environmental consciousness and new attitudes, traditional crafts are being reconsidered in innovative ways. In the Azores and Portugal, the traditional handicraft culture is still thriving. Artisans continue to create beautiful objects including wonderful woven baskets, hats and fiber dolls. We will explore these traditions and then look at new approaches that use multiple techniques for a varied set of applications that range from pressed composite containers, algae based fabrics, to 3d printed woven and compressed building components.
Through multiple field trips, we will learn about the island’s rural and urban landscapes. We will examine the crossovers between our communities and study the intersection of ecology, traditional economy, and contemporary cultural activities. The main focus of this research is to use the invasive Conteira plant (Kahili ginger) as a resource for the development of a bio-based composite using biopolymers (i.e., PHA, PLA, cellulose, or starch) in order to produce a new sustainable material for biodegradable building solutions, such as textiles (netting) and other malleable surfaces. We also will visit with, and work in the studio of, a local arts organization called Walk&Talk who will be hosting their annual summer arts festival. In addition, students will be exposed to local craft traditions from wood working, basket weaving, to embroidery as a means to learn from past and to look toward an ecologically hopeful future.
Estimated Cost of Materials: $100.00
Elective
ARCH 1560-01 / ID 1560-01 / IDISC 1560-01
*PORTUGAL: DESIGN WITH AND FOR NATURE
SECTION DESCRIPTION
In this 3-week, 3-credit summer course, we will learn about design with nature, by designing for nature inspired by the Azores. We will explore the potential of biofibers working with our partners from University of Azores. Biofibers were for centuries one of the primary materials used in the design of ordinary products and building components. With the introduction of plastics and other synthetic materials at the advent of the 20th century, the use of the natural materials declined. But thanks to a growing environmental consciousness and new attitudes, traditional crafts are being reconsidered in innovative ways. In the Azores and Portugal, the traditional handicraft culture is still thriving. Artisans continue to create beautiful objects including wonderful woven baskets, hats and fiber dolls. We will explore these traditions and then look at new approaches that use multiple techniques for a varied set of applications that range from pressed composite containers, algae based fabrics, to 3d printed woven and compressed building components.
Through multiple field trips, we will learn about the island’s rural and urban landscapes. We will examine the crossovers between our communities and study the intersection of ecology, traditional economy, and contemporary cultural activities. The main focus of this research is to use the invasive Conteira plant (Kahili ginger) as a resource for the development of a bio-based composite using biopolymers (i.e., PHA, PLA, cellulose, or starch) in order to produce a new sustainable material for biodegradable building solutions, such as textiles (netting) and other malleable surfaces. We also will visit with, and work in the studio of, a local arts organization called Walk&Talk who will be hosting their annual summer arts festival. In addition, students will be exposed to local craft traditions from wood working, basket weaving, to embroidery as a means to learn from past and to look toward an ecologically hopeful future.
Estimated Cost of Materials: $100.00
Elective