31049 - Architectural Composition t

Academic Year 2018/2019

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Ravenna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Building Engineering (cod. 9199)

Learning outcomes

The module will provide the student with the necessary skills to design the constitutive elements of a building by analysing the main architectural languages of past decades and highlighting their compositional rules.

 

Course contents

The student of this module will learn how to use the basic notions and the most common 2D and 3D drawing software packages. These skills are usually gained after passing the exam of Building Design T-1. The student will also command a basic knowledge of Chemistry and Technology of Materials, Building Technology, and will be able to contextualise the critical and historical development of architecture according to the skills gained in the module of History of Architecture T.

The module is structured on three distinct time phases pivoting on the following expertise:

  1. Geometrical, spatial and design criteria of residential building structures and non-residential ones in elementary and complex aggregations. Basic theoretical notions of urban, architectural and construction typologies of housing systems.
  2. Urban form according to the most common, general organisational principles (linear, axial, grid, central, radial, clustered.
  1. Distributional, typological and functional organization of the main residential building types (linear, axial, grid, central, radial, clustered ).

The application of the principles illustrated in a), b), c) will take place during a simple analytical, design, distributive and formal practical session, chosen in a residential suburban neighbourhood in the town of Cento (Ferrara).

Readings/Bibliography

  • Benevolo Leonardo, Storia dell'architettura moderna, Laterza ed., Roma – Bari, 1985, 2010, p. 1084, ill.
  • Tessenow Heinrich, Osservazioni elementari sul costruire, Giorgio Grassi ( a cura di); Franco Angeli ed., Milano, 2005, 124 p., ill.

The complete book reference will be available in PDF format on the website, the URL address will be provided during theoretical classes. The timetable will be published on the website.

Teaching methods

The module is structured on three distinct time phases pivoting on the following expertise:

  1. Geometric, spatial and design criteria of residential building structures and non-residential ones in elementary and complex aggregations. Basic theoretical notions of urban, architectural and construction typologies of housing systems.
  2. The historic, urban form according to the most common, general organisational principles (linear, axial, grid, central, radial, clustered) within the scope of their layout and fruition.
  3. The application of the principles contained in a) and b) in a simple analytical, design, distributive and formal practical session in the town of Argenta (Ferrara).

The module is organised according three main learning methods:

    • Weekly face-to-face classes on architectural and urban design.
    • Twice weekly workshops with the application and development of simple design exercises in a defined territorial, urban and building scope.
    • Monthly public presentation of PRM - Project Review Meeting (SAL - Stato di Avanzamento Lavori)

    Classes have the objective of framing basic notions of architectural design within the geometric, spatial, functional, technical and cultural scope typical of design disciplines. The notions will develop during the entire module with the aim of providing the Engineering student with critical, formal and technical tools necessary to the management of a simple residential design project in a defined urban environment. The contents of the practical session will be constantly referring to local, regional and national urban tools and current technical, legal regulations that discipline the whole construction sector.

Assessment methods

Throughout the course, the following range of assessment methods will be used to help measure the student progress:

  • 2 intermediate examinations: (I, II PRM) in order to monitor the management of compositional and design themes of the student.
  • Weekly homework: with the development of disciplinary themes assigned by the lecturer.
  • 2 general coordination seminaries based on the development of a design session with lecturers and invited specialists, who will assess the acquisition of skills through a final oral exam.

    The final assessment will consist of:

  • A review of graphic and written documents of the design session. Examiners will inform the student about assessment criteria, will provide clarifications and will decide whether the assessment will need to be modified.
  • An oral exam with the lecturer to ascertain the assimilation of theoretical, technical and legislative concepts, which will be the subject of the practical session.

A passing grade will be guaranteed to students that will demonstrate an operational command and expertise in relation to key concepts illustrated in the course, in particular to theoretical, formal, distributive and functional contents of the architectural design. A higher grade will be awarded to students that will demonstrate the knowledge and ability of utilising the contents of the course illustrating them with a correct use of language, resolving complex design issues, and showing a good operative and technical level of expertise. A failing grade is due to an insufficient knowledge of key concepts, lack of technical language, lack or insufficient operative level of expertise.

Teaching tools

Students will have the opportunity to discuss with the lecturer and his collaborators during the week through an easy to use learning platform (or through social media), which will also allow students to publish the project review of the design session and will allow the lecturer and his team to add information and study material.

During face-to-face classes, the lecturer, his team and invited experts will provide theoretical classes as well as further study material

Office hours

See the website of Andreina Milan