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According to The Swedish Schools Inspectorate’s (2014) quality review, technology subject is all too often characterized by practical work that does not illustrate the theory. In this study, the theory is used to describe the practical work in technology teaching. The purpose of this study is to increase the knowledge of how practical problem solving together with oral interaction affects students’ understanding of the theory behind the water tower as a technical system. Previous research shows how oral interaction strengthens students’ learning through the zone of proximal development (ZPD). When Students work in groups they can use each other’s knowledge and together support each other to reach a new development zone. Through group collaboration, they also increase their skills in practical problem solving through oral interaction and exchange of knowledge.  The methods in the study are design study, observation with observation schedule and observation with video analysis. The teaching approach in the design study is based on the students’ understanding of the theory behind the water tower as a technical system with the help of practical work in groups. The design of the design study is based on students in year six having to understand the theory behind the water tower by constructing a water tower themselves. The results of the study shows that students in year six through our approach to technology teaching are given the opportunity for a gradual increase of knowledge acquisition. The gradually increasing of understanding is based on the students developing from initially lacking knowledge of the water tower as a technical system in level one and in level four the students understanding how the different technical systems work together. The results shows that this way of working is a good addition to the existing technology teaching, with a focus on the theoretical knowledge in the technology subject.

The aim of this thesis is a revitalization of the grounds once belonging to Zbrojovka Brno. These grounds are in the zoning map defined as “brownfield”. Within Brno’s limits, the area has an extremely convenient location. Since the grounds are situated in the central part of Brno, the complex is in terms of traffic and transport in the vicinity of both, the current and the newly planned ring-road. Important factors influencing the project are the river Svitava which borders the west side of the area, and a railroad corridor skirting the east side of the location. Assigned area was, for the purposes of this thesis, expanded by the grounds once belonging to Zetor and the adjoining area towards Markéty Kuncové Street. Several buildings from the former grounds, which fit in into the urban concept and were in good technical conditions, have been preserved. From a functional point of view, the newly designed grounds will meet all the requirements for a fully independent municipal district. The multifunctional development contains primarily housing complexes, administrative buildings, public facilities, recreational areas, as well as other functional structures. The urban concept of this project is a result of a study of surrounding blocks. Based on an analysis of the size and height of these buildings, an idealized block was designed and then recreated into a symmetrical raster of blocks with the street width of 20m. This raster was subsequently applied to newly designed points of entry into the area. Total urban and mass proposal of the development areahas been further influenced by principal conceptual points. Among these conceptual points belong the perspective axes which connect the conceptual points with an orientation point, in this case the former factory’s smokestack. Creating a new arm for the Svitava River is another point. Taking into account that the whole vicinity of the factory grounds is without quality public greenery elements.