19090 - Architectural Composition Theories (A)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, the student knows and is able to identify the close relationship between project practice and theoretical reflection typical of architectural culture, and at the same time the general elements of architectural and urban composition theory.

Course contents

The Course of Theories of Architectural Composition (4 CFU), integrated with the Laboratory of Architectural Design of the third year, offers a corpus of lessons aimed at clarifying some theoretical issues addressed in the context of architectural and urban research developed within the School of Architecture of Cesena to investigate its sources, evolution and dissemination in the Italian and international context. During the lessons, a series of theoretical texts and writings considered as essential references will be introduced and critically interpreted, paying particular attention to the figure of some authors, their cultural environment, the influence of their theoretical contributions for the contemporary project. The interpretation and analysis of the work of these authors will allow the student to investigate the reasons for the project and to gain awareness of the discipline of composition. Recurring concepts such as type, form, city, composition, character, monument, structure, language and representation, common to the theoretical contributions proposed, will be explored in the specific disciplinary field of reference. The relationship between text and project, between text and image will be deepened. Some principles on which the architectural discipline is based are illustrated, both at the scale of the building and at that of the city, the sources and reference texts will also be expanded through the use of complementary contributions from guests of other Italian universities. A specific critical bibliography will be provided on the main topics covered in class and, where necessary, an additional in-depth anthology will be made available to students. The texts and projects presented and discussed during the lessons will allow the student to develop a personal preliminary reflection on the project. Theoretical knowledge will therefore constitute a basic tool for the process of making architecture.

Theoretical foundation and practical experience will confront each other in the one-to-one relationship between textual and design dimension. The lessons will be accompanied by the development of an exercise aimed at deepening the topics introduced during the course.

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended texts

 - Aldo Rossi. L’architettura della città, Clup·Città Studi, Milano 1991.

- Aldo Rossi, Autobiografia scientifica, Pratiche Editrice, Parma 1999.

- Colin Rowe e Fred Koetter, Collage city, Milano, Il Saggiatore 1981.

- Luciano Semerani, L’altro moderno, Allemandi, Torino 2000.

- Rafael Moneo, La solitudine degli edifici e altri scritti, Umberto Allemandi, Torino 1999.

- Rafael Moneo, Inquietudine teorica e strategia progettuale nell'opera di otto architetti contemporanei, Electa, Milano 2005;

Recommended and optional texts

- Antony Vidler, Il perturbante dell’architettura, Einaudi, Torino 1989.

- Ignasi de Solà-Morales, Decifrare l'architettura, “inscripciones” del XX secolo, Umberto Allemandi, Torino 2001;

- Giorgio Grassi, Scritti scelti, 1965-2015, LetteraVentidue, Siracusa, 2023.

 

- Rafael Moneo, Ronchamp, Electa, Milano, 2023.

- Ildebrando Clemente, Infanzia della forma. Opere e progetti di Aldo Rossi, Adda Editore, Bari 2008.

- Ildebrando Clemente, Lucus. Intorno al significato nell’architettura di Gianugo Polesello, Aion, Firenze 2016.

- Ildebrando Clemente, Hejduk impossibile in John Hejduk, Aion, Firenze 2015.

- Ildebrando Clemente, Twisted. La poetica di Aldo Rossi in Aldo Rossi, Aion, Firenze 2017.

- Ildebrando Clemente, La favola di Dio e del bottone, in: Adolf Loos, Soundings, Aion, Firenze 2022.

- Ildebrando Clemente, Composizione e immagine del progetto, in: Tipo Architettura Città. Undici lezioni, a cura di M. V. Cardinale e S. Perego, Maggioli Ed. Rimini, 2017.

- Ildebrando Clemente, Disperdere e radunare: la fondazione dello spazio urbano nei progetti di Gianugo Polesello, in: Fondare e ri-fondare, a cura di A. Morigi e C. Quintelli, Il Poligrafo, Padova, 2018.

- Ildebrando Clemente, Tessere il tempo. Progetti sul tema del museo, Aion, Firenze, 2023.

- Ildebrando Clemente, Carevoci. Architettura Natura Museo, Aion, Firenze, 2025

- Franco Rella, L'arte e il Tempo, Jaka Book, Milano, 2012.

- Franco Rella, Forme del sapere. L'eros, la morte, la violenza, Bompiani, Milano, 2014.

- Ildebrando Clemente, Toccare lo spazio, in La questione architettonica del suolo. Nel tempo dello spazio relativo. Seminari di Valserena, Mimesis, Milano 2025, pp. 98-109. 

 

Specific bibliography will be provided during the course of the lessons.

Teaching methods

The teaching module will take place through lectures but also through the comparison with some invited teachers. The lessons will propose a methodology that considers the relationship between text and iconographic apparatus as a priority. The use of photographic images and architectural drawings will allow in fact to deepen the reflection on architecture and, in particular, on analogue composition as a design method and tool for critical analysis.

Assessment methods

The Architectural Design Laboratory III (CI 12 CFU) consists, in addition to the characterizing teaching of Architectural Composition I (4 CFU), by a module of Theories of Architectural Composition (4 CFU).
The final exam and the verification of the understanding of the laboratory contents, or of the learning of the design techniques, will take place through the evaluation of the presentation of the project documents, of the exercises carried out during the year and the verification of knowledge of the theoretical issues dealt in the modules of Theories of Architectural Composition.

Students with SLD (Specific Learning Disorders) or temporary or permanent disabilities: Please contact the relevant University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). The office will suggest any necessary accommodations to the students concerned. These accommodations must be submitted to the lecturer for approval at least 15 days in advance; the lecturer will assess their suitability, taking into account the learning objectives of the course.

AI can be a useful tool to support individual study with in-depth analysis, summaries, and self-assessment activities. Regarding assessment, the use of AI during the in-person exam is prohibited. Any such use constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Lectures supported by slides, audio, and/or video presentations. Desk reviews to monitor and refine design work.

All measures that can facilitate teaching activities for students with disabilities will be taken into account.

Students with SLD (Specific Learning Disorders) or temporary or permanent disabilities: Please contact the relevant University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). The office will suggest any necessary accommodations to the students concerned. These accommodations must be submitted to the lecturer for approval at least 15 days in advance; the lecturer will assess their suitability, taking into account the learning objectives of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Ildebrando Clemente