77819 - Architectural Design M

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has acquired the necessary knowledge for the conception and organization of the elements and parts of an architectural project, whether it is a new design, or a project intervention on an existing building. The student at the end of the course is able to build an autonomy of judgment on the appropriateness and effectiveness of the design process. The formulation of the hypotheses and design requirements of a building will therefore be considered as a convergence of the needs and relationships existing between the characteristics of the individual places in which these buildings are situated, with the compositional and spatial order of the building and with the requirements of technical order.

Course contents

The proposed design methodology originates from the study of the "phenomena" that affect the historical context, according to an approach that, starting from the analysis of existing places and buildings, leads to the synthesis of the typological forms and reference compositional figures of the historical fabric, and their "variation" in hypotheses of intervention and design solutions, according to a path that can be summarized as follows:
Analysis of settlement forms in the historical context
- Localization of the project area
- Study of the elements that characterize the historical context
- Survey of the geometry and shapes of existing artifacts
Synthesis of the forms and compositional figures of reference
- Definition of design elements
- Recovery of the forms and re-use of the existing one
- Reinterpretation of the compositional figures in the design
Architectural project
- Elaboration of the project elements
- Dimensioning of the architectural project
- Representation of the compositional forms and proportions
The architectural design is articulated according to a process of synthesis between the historical and landscape components of the intervention area, "the identity of the place" (genius loci), the compositional and spatial order of the existing buildings, and the needs of character technical, in particular functional and distributive, as well as constructive.
The theme of the architectural project is dealt with, both for recovery and re-functionalization of historic buildings, and for the construction of new volumes within the existing settlement. The design methodology follows the example of the "masters" of architecture, who have been able to re-read and interpret the architectural forms of the places, to translate them into contemporary design choices perfectly integrated with the historical context of reference.
The student will be guided, through theoretical lessons and practical-applicative exercises, in the training course aimed at the acquisition of skills in order to acquire the elements, which characterize the artifact of historical value, to arrive at the formulation of hypotheses of reuse and re-functionalization compatible with the historical interest, and with the designing of new architectures or architectural elements, on a "proportionate" scale with the meaning of the places, which know how to relate to the current landscape and the pre-existing ones, to favor their enhancement and use.
The theme of re-use will be developed through the critical re-reading of historical transformations, which have modified the existing spatiality, as it came to us, and the compositional analysis of similar cases, which will be proposed and analyzed during the lessons, with particular reference to interventions performed in a historical context, so as to identify a few significant elements for the formulation of the project (the wall, the pillar, the arch, the porch, the double volume, etc. ...).
The intervention on the existing one will be articulated with architectural and structural elements of a temporary nature, which maintain the historical value of the building and places unchanged, so as to guarantee the continuity of the historical reading. An exercise is an essential part of the course, for which an area of intervention will be identified in the Ravenna area, as a spatial context in which to propose hypotheses of intervention aimed at the enhancement of existing artefacts and open spaces. Within the Laboratory, consisting of integrated courses, and in particular in conjunction with the Performance Design course, the student will develop the theme from a compositional, technological, constructive and material point of view, according to an overall and coordinated vision of the architectural project.

Readings/Bibliography

L. Quaroni, Progettare un edificio. Otto lezioni di architettura, Mazzotta, Milano 1977.

A. Acocella, L’architettura dei luoghi, Edizioni Lateroconsult, Roma 1992.

F. Dal Co, G. Mazzariol (a c. di), Carlo Scarpa. Opera completa, Electa, Milano 1999.

G. Bertramini, K. W. Foster, P. Marini (a c. di), Carlo Scarpa, Mostre e musei 1944/1976, Case e paesaggi 1972/1978, Electa, Milano 2000.

A. Natalini, Architetture raccontate, con testi di V. Savi, Electa, Milano 1989.

P. Zermani, Paolo Zermani. Costruzioni e progetti, con scritti di R. Gabetti, S. Polano, P. Portoghesi, Electa, Milano 1999.

M. Mulazzani, Massimo e Gabriella Carmassi, Electa, Milano 2004.

V. Degli Esposti, Il luogo e il tipo. Conservazione e trasformazione dell’edilizia di base, Dipartimento di Architettura e Pianificazione Territoriale, Bologna 2001.

A.C. Dell’Acqua, V. Degli Esposti, A. Ferrante, G. Mochi, Paesaggio costruito: qualità ambientale e criteri d’intervento, Alinea Editrice, Firenze 2008.

M. Balzani (a c. di), Restauro, Recupero, Riqualificazione. Il progetto contemporaneo nel contesto storico, Skira, Milano 2011.

Teaching methods

The course will be structured by alternating frontal lessons, seminars with external guests and practical classroom activities for the assigned exercise. The lectures will focus on the definition of a design methodology proposed in connection with the exercise, by defining analytical and design patterns, identifying themes drawn from the study of projects and interventions carried out in the territory or in the bibliography.

Assessment methods

The learning assessment will be articulated, during the course, in periodic intermediate cheks, structured in the form of synthetic presentations through drawings and graphic drawings of the work performed, relating to the topics covered in the lessons and the progress of the assigned exercise. It is also provided at least two collective testing in the classroom, during which will be assessed state of relative exercise assigned advancement.
The final exam will consist of an individual interview aimed to verify the knowledge and understanding of the texts of the course bibliography and to evaluate the papers produced during the exercise. The final grade will take into account both the assessments acquired during the periodic audits and the examination.
The end of course evaluation will be based on the knowledge of the topics illustrated, on the level of critical understanding of the bibliography, on the results achieved in the intermediate verifications, as well as on the ability to represent and expound the work done for the exercise in a correct, concise and effective manner. The outcome of the design exercise will be evaluated considering the consistency between the reference compositional elements, the proposed design solutions and the course program covered during the lessons.

Teaching tools

Lectures with slides, audio and/or video reproductions.
Seminars with the partecipation of external guests.

Office hours

See the website of Beatrice Celli