81905 - Product Morphology

Learning outcomes

The module takes the inputs offered by the teaching of Architectural Design and places them within a design process related to a component or a product of sufficient complexity to explore its peculiarities. At the end of the course, the student: - knows how to design an object by experimenting with parametric applications that allow for the realisation of unprecedented forms through traditional representation processes; - knows how to use parametric design and 3D printing as study tools and as tools for the final representation of the designed artefact.

Course contents

The course provides a cognitive path dedicated to the design experiences that have interpreted, in the past as well as in the present, the relationship between construction, technology and living space in the light of the needs that characterise human evolution.

The relationship between human beings and extreme spaces is investigated by defining in particular three thematic areas: architecture as exiztenz minimum, architecture as utopian vision and architecture as confrontation with extreme physical and climatic conditions.

The analysis of the projects identified within the three thematic areas is intended to offer students a wide repertoire of approaches and strategies, capable of suggesting possible suggestions, research directions and lines of experimentation for the focus of unprecedented and anticipatory design challenges.

The minimal living cell, modular structures that can be dismantled and transported, and living shells, as well as architectures conceived for space or radical living solutions, together with projects for extreme contexts such as the Antarctic region, space stations, desert territories or those subject to strong flood risks, will help to focus on problems and imagine sustainable solutions, acquiring awareness of the opportunities and criticalities of the proposed design experiments.

Readings/Bibliography

A detailed bibliography will be provided during the course.

Teaching methods

The course is organised through lectures, seminars and workshop activities with design/application exercises of the acquired notions.

Assessment methods

The examination of the teaching module will be taken in conjunction with the course modules and the assessment will take into account the results achieved.

Grading in the examination will depend on the quality of the exercises and discussion of their presentation, with reference to the course bibliography. Particular importance will be attached to the ability to use appropriate and correct disciplinary terminology.

The examination will consist of the exposition and presentation of the analysis and design work. The quality of the presentation, the knowledge acquired, the theoretical depth, the correctness of the design and the quality of the deliverables will be considered.

Teaching tools

The relevant teaching materials will be made available to the student in digital format on UNIBO's VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/ ).

Office hours

See the website of Annalisa Trentin

See the website of Elena Mucelli