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.
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
LevelUndergraduate
UnitArchitecture
Subject Architecture
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
FormatLecture
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
ARCH 2178-01
INTEGRATED BUILDING SYSTEMS
LevelUndergraduate
UnitArchitecture
Subject Architecture
PeriodFall 2023
Credits3
FormatLecture
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2023-09-06 to 2023-12-13
Times: F | 9:40 AM - 12:40 PMInstructor(s): Jonathan KnowlesLocation(s): Bayard Ewing Building, Room 106Enrolled / Capacity: 16Status: Open
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
LevelUndergraduate
UnitArchitecture
Subject Architecture
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
FormatSeminar
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
ARCH 2354-01
ADVANCED TOPICS IN ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY
LevelUndergraduate
UnitArchitecture
Subject Architecture
PeriodFall 2023
Credits3
FormatSeminar
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2023-09-06 to 2023-12-13
Times: W | 9:40 AM - 12:40 PMInstructor(s): Jonathan KnowlesLocation(s): Bayard Ewing Building, Room 317Enrolled / Capacity: 12Status: Open
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 2191-02 - PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
LevelUndergraduate
UnitArchitecture
Subject Architecture
Period Spring 2024
Credits 3
FormatLecture
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
ARCH 2191-02
PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
LevelUndergraduate
UnitArchitecture
Subject Architecture
PeriodSpring 2024
Credits3
FormatLecture
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2024-02-15 to 2024-05-24
Times: F | 9:40 AM - 12:40 PMInstructor(s): Jonathan KnowlesLocation(s): Bayard Ewing Building, Room 106Enrolled / Capacity: 75Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This is a course about becoming a licensed architect, a business professional and an active, engaged and responsible citizen. It is intended to help prepare students for the challenges and opportunities confronted by a life in Architecture. Lectures are organized around four themes: The architect as a trained and certified Professional in traditional and alternative careers; the architect as an operative in the world of business and commerce; the origins of architectural projects; and the detailed work performed through professional Architectural Contracts. Regular panels, composed of RISD alums and other allied professionals provide an external perspective on all elements of the course, and allow students the opportunity to direct discussion in ways appropriate to their needs.
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 2255-01 - ENCLOSURE DESIGN
LevelUndergraduate
UnitArchitecture
Subject Architecture
Period Spring 2024
Credits 3
FormatLecture
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
ARCH 2255-01
ENCLOSURE DESIGN
LevelUndergraduate
UnitArchitecture
Subject Architecture
PeriodSpring 2024
Credits3
FormatLecture
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2024-02-15 to 2024-05-24
Times: W | 1:10 PM - 4:10 PMInstructor(s): Jonathan KnowlesLocation(s): Bayard Ewing Building, Room 106Enrolled / Capacity: 95Status: Open
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.
