75372 - History of Architectural Processes and Technques M

Academic Year 2021/2022

  • Moduli: Davide Righini (Modulo 1) Pier Giorgio Massaretti (Modulo 2)
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
  • Campus: Ravenna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Engineering of Building Processes and Systems (cod. 8829)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has acquired the concept of evolution of construction techniques and knows how to contextualize the functional and figurative outcomes with respect to the socio-economic and technical conditions within which the architectural structure was produced. In particular, at the end of the course the student is able to conduct the analysis of an artefact of historical building, to document it and to return it in critical form.

Course contents

The course objective is to provide the students with the knowledge necessary to understand and interpret the most characteristic techniques and processes of architecture from Antiquity to the Contemporary period. The course is articulate, from time to time, around the study of the work of one or more protagonists, or one or more creative aspects fundamental to architecture. In the study of creative works and processes, the contributions of architects are taken into account. Art and technique, idea and matter, creative processes and building logic constitute dialectical polarities in the analysis of the works.

Readings/Bibliography

For the preparation of the exame the student must prepare the following texts:

- for module 1:

1. Cirillo Atzeni, Giorgio Pia, Ulrico Sanna, I materiali dell'edilizia storica. Storia, tecnologia, applicazioni, Roma, Aracne, 2010 (edd. succ.), pp. 2, 11-70, 83-103, 121-123.

3. Giorgio Cricco, Francesco Paolo Di Teodoro, Itinerario nell'arte, Versione Verde, voll, 1-3, Zanichelli, Bologna 2016 (4th edition), in particular the introductory chapters and those devoted to architectural techniques. The study of the manuals should be integrated with the notes taken in class.

Teaching methods

The course is divided in lectures dedicated to individual topics and case study analyses. We will address these in chronological order, highlighting moments of continuity and disruption. During lessons and exercises the students will be asked to discuss the proposed topics, exercising the ability to critically analyze the architectures and the relationship between forms and building techniques. Course attendance is not mandatory. However, it is strongly encouraged, especially for those students without prior exposure to the study of the History of architecture.

Assessment methods

The final exam consists of an interview that aims to assess the degree of knowledge reached by the student through the study of the reference texts and in-depth analysis.

The discussion of the course topics will be based on the recommended texts and articles and lecture notes.

In particular:

1. Those students who show developed analytical skills of selected readings and their correct contextualization within a complete vision of the issues discussed during lectures will be given a mark of excellence. Mastering of field-specific language and good expression during the examination will also be required (A =28-30 con lode).

2. Those students who show mnemonic knowledge of the subject and a superficial analysis of selected readings, as well as a correct but not always appropriate mastering of the field-specific language will be given a satisfactory mark (B = 25-27 and C = 23-24).

3. Those students who will show vague knowledge and superficial understanding of selected readings, limited analytical skills and a not always appropriate expression will be given a ‘pass’ mark roughly (D = 18-22).

4. Those students who show gaps in their knowledge and lack of familiarity with selected readings will not be given a ‘pass’ mark (E).

Teaching tools

Powerpoint and video. The slides we illustrate and comment on during lectures integrate the bibliography of readings with useful information and iconographic material. Students can find all slides on the Virutale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it).

The material provided to the students, even if supplemented by the notes taken in class, is not a substitute for the reference texts, but is an aid for a better use of the lessons.

Office hours

See the website of Davide Righini

See the website of Pier Giorgio Massaretti