Educational aims

The general aim of the studio is to provide the ability to implement appropriate environmental and technological design strategies in relation to a given problem of design and construction, on a site characterized by both urban decay and presence of historical heritage, as well as the ability to assess the degree of compliance of design and technical solutions with key requirements, such as comfort, safety, durability, sustainability and resilience.

Specific objectives include:

- to foster a deep understanding of the relationships linking environment, technology, history, culture and design, starting from the theoretical and practical knowledge of the existing connections between the design phase, the construction process and material/energy exchanges with the environment along the life cycle of buildings and infrastructures;

- to promote the ability of making design choices in coherence with the environmental, economic and social context, providing effective solutions aimed at the enhancement of his cultural values and the sustainability of the entire building process, in a life-cycle perspective;

- to propose design methods and approaches able to support the ecological transition in a climate change perspective and meet the Sustainable Development Goals as defined by the UN  (www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals), with particular reference to the objectives 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages; 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; 13 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

- to test those methodological approaches in the delicate context of settlements in urban, peri-urban and rural areas, understanding their interactions with the built and natural environment, as well as the historical characters of the urban/rural landscape;

- to define strategies for environmental and urban regeneration, resilience-based design solutions, building reuse and public space redevelopment, rehabilitation and enhancement of the rural heritage.

Teaching methods

Teaching activities will be articulated into theoretical lectures, aimed at introducing basic concepts and methodologies, as well as on practical workshop activities, which will sustain a process of learning by doing.

The steps of the work to be developed will be the followings:

1. context survey and analysis;

2. functional program analysis;

3. project approach – design concept and references in relation to identified opportunities and constraints

4. project development – assessment and selection among different spatial and techno-typological alternatives with a multi-scale approach, up to the definition of relevant construction details;

5. project presentation.

Educational structure

Learning activities are configured through:

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

- tutoring in the classroom;

- development of the design process, with verification of progress at the different scales;

- supplementary activities extra classroom for the study and research.

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