OVERVIEW

The Course and the workshop aim to teach students the conceptual operative tools and knowledge to act conscientiously with regards to existing buildings, particularly on older listed buildings.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The theoretical side of the course aims to help students to be aware of the discipline’s topics and issues related to conservation, maintenance and appreciation of architectural heritage as a collective resource and an essential testament to our history. It does so by drawing on the historical and theoretical foundation developed during the undergraduate L-17 Course as well as providing the most important concepts of the discipline.
During the theoretical-practical Workshop students will simulate a restoration project and use the conceptual and operative tools acquired, which are key to dealing with historical architecture appropriately, with particular reference to listed buildings.
 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The Course aims to provide students with the following skills:

• Learning and using the knowledge deriving from the debate in restoration as well as the legislative and normative texts on restoration as well.   
• Surveying and analysing an architectural artefact in all its morphological and constructive components as well as linking them with the relative historical period and archaeological stratification.
• Assessing the state of the stability and conservation of the structure; identifying the causes of its degradation and instability and the possible historical reasons behind them as well as potential evolution with the passing of time.
• Organising and compiling technical sheets regarding the analytical and diagnostic phases.
• Learning and correctly using intervention techniques to tackle degradation and instability and prevent further possible pathologies.
• Assessing the systems and technology required to combine the constant use and reuse of the historical artefact with that of preserving it and its formal qualities.
• Identifying the possible solutions for the future maintenance of the artefact.

Preparing technical and admin sheets for restoration projects

PREREQUISITES

The following topics form a fundamental basis in understanding the themes covered in the Course:

• History of architecture
• History and theory of restoration
• Constructive characteristics of load-bearing wall constructions
• Survey and representation of architecture

Furthermore, it is essential to learn how to use the correct technical terminology for historical architecture as well as the tools for analysis and regional planning.

TEACHING METHODS

Classes are as follows:

• Monographic lessons on the aforementioned topics;
• Workshops in groups of 3-5 students on the restoration project of historical artefact (which does not need to be a monument). Workshops can take place in the lecture room or on site; therefore the project site needs to be accessible, with recognisable historical-spatial-formal qualities as well as clearly requiring restoration.

The topics are analysed integrating moments for reflection and experimentation, in order to guide students to the completion of a definitive restoration project.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The Course examines the discipline of restoration in all its aspects: from its theoretical and methodological basis of a historical, philosophical and scientific nature, to the methods and techniques for surveying, analysing and diagnosing historical structures; from the general contents and elements of a restoration project to the methods and techniques of intervention on specific parts of building and its specific material. The various topics are considered within the contemporary theoretical-disciplinary context of Restoration together with the national and international regulations on protection, preservation and restoration of existing architectural (urban and rural) heritage. Moreover, the Course investigates the relationships connecting architecture with its natural or artificial context, as these will be pivotal elements in making decisions in the restoration project

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Essential bibliography (fundamental study material for the exam)

• Aa Vv, Cos’è il restauro? Nove studiosi a confronto, Venezia: Marsilio, 2005.
• Carbonara G., Trattato di restauro architettonico, Torino: Utet, 1996 (vol. I, sez. A, pp 3-73)
• Musso S.F. (a cura di), Recupero e restauro degli edifici storici. Guida pratica al rilievo e alla diagnostica, Roma: EPC Libri, 2016 (4° edizione aggiornata e ampliata).
• Musso S.F. (a cura di), Tecniche di restauro. Aggiornamento, Torino: UTET, 2013 (saggi generali e saggi introduttivi a ogni specifica categoria di intervento).

Due to the broad and complex nature of the subjects studied, bibliographical references will be provided during classes on the online platform, AulaWeb, and additional support material will be provided to guarantee easy access to the basic information communicated during the Course. The material uploaded on AulaWeb is a supplementary support only and must not in any way substitute the regular attendance to the classes.

   Detailed bibliography (recommended but not compulsory)

Restoration history:

• Di Biase C. (a cura di), Il restauro e i monumenti. Materiali per la storia e il restauro, Milano: CLUP, 2003.

Knowledge of historical structures:

• Cagnana A., Archeologia dei materiali da costruzione, Mantova: Società Archeologica Padana, 2000.

Archaeological analysis:

• Boato A., L’archeologia in architettura. Misurazioni, stratigrafie, datazioni, restauro, Venezia: Marsilio, 2008.

Restoratorion project:

• Doglioni F., Nel restauro. Progetti per le architetture del passato, Venezia: Marsilio, 2008.

Technical terminology:

• Galliani G.V. (a cura di), Dizionario degli elementi costruttivi, Torino: Utet, 2001.

For an overview on the discipline in the last 20 years and to keep oneself updated, it is recommended to read the Journal of the Internal Conference on Science and Cultural Heritage in Bressanone (1985 to today) and, among others, the following journals:

“Arkos”, “Kermes. Arte, conservazione, restauro”, “Palladio”, “Recuperare l’edilizia”, “Restauro & conservazione”, “TeMA. Tempo, Materia, Architettura”, “ANANKE”.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

RITA VECCHIATTINI (President)

SARA DE MAESTRI

CHIARA ROMANO

ANNA BOATO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September

Class schedule

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN RESTORATION + LABORATORY

EXAMS

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Students are admitted to sit the exam only prior acknowledgment by the professors of their actual attendance to the classes as well as the completion of their restoration project, carried out during workshops. Their work has to be compiled according to the indication provided during the course and given to the professor  in digital format, within the deadline agreed before the date of the exam.

The exam is divided into two parts: in the first part the restoration project developed by the group during the workshops is evaluated; the second part is an individual interview on the fundamental notions of the discipline and it aims to verify the preparation of each student on the topics explained during the lessons and studied individually on the texts listed in the essential bibliography.

In general, students must demonstrate the ability to present and synthesise information as well as to critically elaborate and use the notions acquired during the course.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

It is compulsory to attend at least 70% of the workshops as specified in the Manifesto degli Studi of the Polytechnic School, and it will be verified with a sign-in sheet.

There are no propaedeutic exams, however, students are advised to have already passed the following exams: History of Architecture, History of Architecture Drawing and Survey and Technical Architecture I.