In the Laboratory students read, interpret and re-elaborate the specific value of Spatial Design, investigating the vast open field of project research related to the deepest and most variable characteristics of living, intended in all its extensions, that are at the origin of urban modifications. Over time, this research road has had a constant matrix in the development, in various forms, perspectives and places, of the concept of “enhancement” of indoor and outdoor spaces, in a frame of “genetic development of the urban metabolism”. It is a project vision based on the analysis and critical reading of the contemporary (and near future) conditions of living in the flow of urban transformations.

Students:
- know and understand the processes, methods and instruments needed to interpret, in a critical manner, the project themes connected with the Spatial Design sphere;
- know how to analyse the reference context and elaborate complex projects for space enhancement;
- autonomously and in a group, make and report on the design choices made, developing an aptitude for negotiation, team building, the acceptance of leadership and conflict management.

THEME OF THE LABORATORY: HYBRIDISATION_FROM CONTAMINATION TO PURITY

Humans are subjected to a continual transfer of information, knowledge, hypotheses and convictions. This is particularly evident in the creative professions and especially in design, where ideas originate, mature and perish in a constant flurry of hybridisations. 

We are interested in transforming something abstract and intangible in tangible. After the analysis on the theme of Misery, Chaos, Death, Eros, Rebellion and Diversity, carried out in previous Laboratories, this year the theme of the research will be "HYBRIDISATION". (about previous years: www.teachingislearning.it)

Hybridisation, Contamination, Fertilisation, Interdisciplinarity are our key-words.

Contamination it's not an objective, contamination is a tool to achieve a purity composed of different elements. 

Contamination is fertile. It turns everything inanimate and static into reactive and dynamic. This occurs in the natural world of biological organisms and in the artificial world created by humans with their unbridled activity and irrepressible ideas. Good viral ideas are the great potential in humans’ hands, and they are indispensable to make urgent progress and properly organise everything that, at this point, can only be saved by human beings. All this serves to say that influencing and being influenced is not a weakness, but, if well managed, a great driving force behind humans’ complex society.

The evolution of the artificial world bears surprising similarities to biological phenomena, and the birth, growth and death of scientific theories and cultural manifestations is comparable to that of cells. We are a small organ- ism that belongs to a larger organism. Our imaginations, projects and ideas behave like an expanding organism, and everything is subjected to a process of development made of constant cross-fertilisations just as in every ensemble of living cells.

The design references will be sought in the most recent production of design objects, spaces, artworks and architectures, especially in all those authors who have achieved how to create “a constant flurry of hybridisations ".

 DEVELOPMENT OF THE LABORATORY

 As in previous years, students will be asked to interpret the general theme of the laboratory in a personal way, translating it into a scale model.

During the semester an intermediate delivery will be required, a short video of 2-3 minutes maximum duration, which transmits and clarifies the first project ideas.

Students will have to demonstrate that they are able to know in depth the contents of the introductory lectures dedicated to the topic of the course.

There are no pre-requisites for attendance.

Students will be allowed to organize working groups of 3 or 4 people, and each single student will have to demonstrate his/her own contribution.
The student will be assessed in relation to the quality of the project, to its maturity and originality, to the adhesion and interpretation of the theme.

For a final exam, students will be required to deliver a scale model, a project book and a video presentation of the work.

The details of the delivery will be the subject of specific communications during the course.

https://www.domusweb.it/en/issues/2018/1027.html