OVERVIEW

The course provides conceptual and technical tools to consciously design architectural project, in its conceptual and realisation phases. The course therefore focuses the themes of constructive culture in contemporary architecture starting from the morphological-spatial conception to the methods of its realisation. The technical issues necessary to tackle an architectural project at different scales and in different contexts are then addressed, relating the role of  executive choices within the creative process. The examination of different solutions is framed in the panorama of contemporary needs, in terms of resource saving, efficiency and effectiveness, durability over time, imposed by the socio-cultural and environmental context of the present and near future. The lectures deal with fundamental themes of the contemporary culture of architectural design also through the critical reading of paradigmatic examples, offered with images, executive drawings and virtual tours.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide the cultural and technical tools of the discipline of Architectural Technology for the understanding of buildings, their structural, energetic and functional behaviour. The knowledge and skills acquired will be useful for sustainable architectural design in response to the needs of contemporary society.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• identify and describe the relationships between architectural-spatial configurations, structural forms, executive techniques and materials with particular reference to the increasing role of the building envelope, a technical and expressive element;
• correctly set up a design exercise, responding to the specific needs dictated by the context and the type of users;
• assessing aspects and problems related to the actual feasibility and construction choices;
• recognise and distinguish the relationships and impacts of executive choices on the environment (criticality, durability, resource saving, efficiency);
• describe the potential and limits of digital tools.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is structured in the form of lectures, possibly supplemented by external seminars given by specialists. The provision of face-to-face or distance learning will be linked to any continuing health emergency. Students are expected to be actively involved in applying the knowledge imparted during the lectures.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The lessons cover the following fundamental topics:

1) Technique, technology and architecture: the role of executive techniques in the design process, executive development and construction. The birth of technological disciplines.

2) The role of structure in the design of space. Structural morphology in contemporary architecture.

3) Building industrialisation, history and actuality

4) Constructive approaches between tradition and ephemeral design: dry construction in steel and wood.

5) Complex geometries: design, construction and realisation.

6) Technology, digital processes and new materiality: the role of digital technologies and matter in contemporary architectural design.

7) Building envelope and ornament: matter and expression, detailed solutions.

8) Requirements and performance of the building envelope: strategies and materials for thermal, acoustic and light control.

9) Relationships and interactions of the concepts of durability and durability in building construction.

10) Approach to building thermal insulation, strategies, solutions and materials.

11) Dry construction in wood: renewable resource and decarbonisation of the building industry.

12) The fire risk: protection, materials, construction solutions.

The examination of the technical topics is framed within wider cultural contexts and horizons, also taking as an example recent projects and achievements and with the possible help of digital tools.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Specific teaching materials, drawn from an extensive bibliography, will be made available in aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GIOVANNA FRANCO (President)

ADRIANO MAGLIOCCO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/9915/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The verification of takes place by means of a final oral examination during which the students may be asked to interpret and describe in a plausible way specific construction solutions also on the basis of iconographic material shown. The oral exposition can be accompanied by simple graphic elaborations that help the student to correctly explain technical arguments.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral examination allows to verify

• the ability to analyse, also from a technical and executive point of view, an architectural project from a critical perspective and using an appropriate technical vocabulary;
• the ability to recognise hierarchically the phases of the construction process and the different construction methods;
• the ability to identify the impact of different construction solutions on the environment and their effectiveness with respect to the users' needs and required performances.

Exam schedule