The aim of the DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STUDIO is to experiment the complexity of the design act, from the idea to the realization, by acquiring knowledge about the ways of controlling the relationships between technological, environmental and structural aspects. This also through the experimentation in the project process of alternative and innovative techniques. The laboratory aims to illustrate the cognitive, methodological, organizational and procedural tools in the different steps of the building process aimed at the constructability of complex architectural interventions mainly in new construction. Particular attention in the DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STUDIO is reserved to functional, constructive and environmental choices in relation to structural design and anti-seismic design criteria from the very beginning of the design activity (concept).

Expected learning outcomes

Expected learning outcomes are the ability to develop a buildable project. In particular the design capacity of managing: the proper architectonic dimension; the constraints related to the environmental, physical, regulatory and cultural context in which the intervention is based; the ways of use; the coordinated and interdisciplinary control of technological and structural issues of the project, based on priority requirements. Moreover the ability to anticipate the decision-making of the different technical options available today and to use the tools to support project decisions.

In particular the Studio comprehends two interconnected sections: Technological and environmental design, Structure and Earthquake resistance criteria.

The first section will mainly relate with construction techniques, materials, spaces, performances and values and environmental issues that represent an actual resource which must be carefully and thoroughly evaluated in the design process.

The second one will focus on the criteria leading to the selection of the best structural solution (materials, structural scheme, construction techniques) with respect to the different design requirements.

Main educational targets

The work into the laboratory aims students to synthesize information acquired along the semester and during the previous courses and laboratories. The project is where this crucial synthesis takes place. Students are introduced to verify and apply into the project former acquired abilities (technology, history, architectural composition, analysis of physical and social context, study of program requirements) and new pieces of information acquired during the in the course (architecture technology, structural design). The target is gained through a progressive effort in approaching the final result.

The target of teaching is to achieve for every student a personal capability to approach technologies and techniques as a tool that should be used into the architectural project considered as a unique ensemble.

The course consists in lectures and workshop activity.

The steps of the work will be the followings:

1- context survey and analysis;

2- functional program analysis;

3- project approach;

4- main idea formulation;

5- project development;

6- project presentation.

Educational structure.

The DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STUDIO is based on the design activity in which the student acquires the ability to control and coordinate inside the design process building technologies and structural elements.

The development of the design process, foreseen the verification of progresses at the different scales.

 Moreover, learning activities are configured through:

- lectures and seminars held by the teachers, also with the contribution of external speakers;

- tutoring in the classroom;

- supplementary activities extra classroom for the study, the graphics processing and research.

The judgment will be in progress through the experience of the Studio.

The final exam will consist in an oral interview, individual and mandatory, on both lectures and seminars.

Students will have to proof the achievement of an individual critical position on the themes developed during the semester and present their final design proposal and outcome.

The criteria for assessment are:

for the theoretical part: the level of knowledge of the tackled topics; critical thinking; clarity and pertinence of the vocabulary;

for design part: clear correspondence between technological and structural solutions and morphological and typological setting of the project, at all scales; proper definition of the construction details in relation to the performance aspects of technological subsystems; accuracy of the graphical representation at different scales; completeness of the information at the scale of the final design.