OVERVIEW

The course illustrates the deep conceptual relationships connecting the principles of structural mechanics and the forms in architecture, with focus on the traditional and innovative solutions that allow their critical interpretation and conscious government. The theoretical lessons and the design laboratory activities are aimed at developing the mature interpretative sensitivity and methodological skills necessary for understanding, evaluating and optimizing the symbiotic synergy between aesthetic appeal, functional performance and structural efficiency in the contemporary architectural and engineering design.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Acquisition of the ability to identify and critically analyze the relationships between architectural form and principles of structural mechanics. Ability to identify and understand the traditional and innovative solutions adopted in the structural design of modern and contemporary architecture, through the geometric representation and the definition of qualitative and quantitative mechanical models. Ability to express the static and dynamic response of these models in parametric terms, to appreciate the dependence of structural performance on the fundamental parameters of shape and structure, to propose alternative design ideas aimed at solving any performance issue.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Development of the ability to identify and critically analyze the fundamental relationships between architectural form and principles of structural mechanics. Proficiency in identifying and understanding the traditional and innovative solutions adopted in the structural design of modern and contemporary architecture, through the geometric representation and the definition of qualitative and quantitative mechanical models. Competency in expressing the static and dynamic response of mechanical models in parametric terms, in appreciating the dependence of their structural performance on the fundamental properties of form and structure, in proposing alternative design ideas aimed at solving any performance issue. Ability to understand, compare and constructively dialogue between the interdisciplinary needs of the various players interacting in the design dynamics.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of theoretical lessons and a design laboratory. Students are required to produce a paper (report and design tables) regarding the critical analysis of the structural morphology of a work of modern or contemporary architecture. Lessons can be held electronically, on the Teams platform, if necessary for emergency situations.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

THEORETICAL PART (30 hours) – Introduction to structural morphology. Resistance principles based on the shape or the mass and their historical evolution. Structural morphologies: (i) high-rise multi-storey buildings, architectural forms and reference structural models (beam frames, frames and walls, diagrids), optimal distribution of stiffnesses in relation to the dimensioning action, (ii) long and/or large spans, architectural forms and reference structural models (beam grillages, plates), distribution of stresses, boundary conditions (iii) systems mainly resistant to compression, reference structural shapes and models (arches and shells), relationship between shape and stiffness (iv) systems mainly resistant to traction, shapes and structural models of reference (cables and cable networks), relationship between shape and stiffness, (v) structural lattices resistant to traction and compression (reticular structures), relationship between shape and stiffness . Analysis and discussion of some case studies of structurally ineffective or inefficient morphologies and related countermeasures (Campanile San Patrizio in Rome, Faculty of Engineering of Aquila, etc.). Complements: structural and microstructural optimization of topological and parametric nature, parametric design.

VIDEO - The course is connected to a Canale Stream which shows a preview of the slides.

LABORATORY (20 ore) – Critical selection of case studies of modern or contemporary architecture of engineering interest. Inverse analysis: graphic restitution of the main architectural components, modeling description of the resistant structure and identification of the relationships between architectural form and structural mechanics. Direct analysis: Simplified and/or advanced structural modeling, interpretation of design choices and analysis of critical issues. Proposal of alternative and/or innovative design solutions.   

A gallery of images relating to the architectural and engineering projects analyzed by the students during the past years is reported below. Left to right and top to bottom:  (1) Il rifugio Gouter sul Monte Bianco, versante Francia; (2) The Twist Museum a Jevnaker, Norvegia; (3) Padiglione del Cile all'Expo di Milano 2015; (4) Cannon Place a Londra, Inghilterra; (5) Nido d'Infanzia Iride a Guastalla. The documents related to each project are downloadable from the Aulaweb page.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

A bibliographic selection of over 40 texts on the topic of Structural Morphology and on complementary issues is available on the Aulaweb page of the Course. Among them

UP TO THE NINENTIES

• Pizzetti, G., Trisciuoglio, A.M.Z. (1980). Principi statici e forme strutturali. Utet.
• Cedolini, M. (1991). Strutture: morfologia strutturale in architettura. Arsenale.
• Fowler, C.E. (1929). The ideals of engineering architecture. Thomas Telford Publishing.
• Robbin, T. (1996). Engineering a new architecture. Yale University Press.
• Salvatori, M., Heller, R., Nervi, P.L., Pace, C. (1996). Le strutture in architettura. Etas libri.
• Torroja, E., Benvenuto, E., Levi, F. (1995). La concezione strutturale: logica ed intuito nella ideazione delle forme. CittàStudiEdizioni.

THE TWO DECADES from 1990 to 2010

• Allen E., Zalewski W. (2009) Form and forces - Designing efficient, expressive structures, John Wiley and Sons.
• Charleson, A. (2005). Structure as architecture - A source book for architects and structural engineers, Routledge.
• Coronelli, D.A. (2010). Architettura e Struttura - Esempi di Meccanica e Concezione. Pàtron Editore.
• Deplazes A., (2005). Constructing Architecture - Materials, processes, structures. Birkhäuser.
• Lenci, S., Consolini, L. (2007). Percorsi per un metodo progettuale tra forma e struttura. Aracne.
• Blanciak, F. (2008). Siteless - 1001 Building Forms. MIT Press.
• Motro, R. (2009). An anthology of structural morphology. World Scientific.
• Motro, R. ed. (2009). Structural morphology and configuration processing of space structures. World Scientific.
• Moussavi, F. Lopez, D. (2009). The function of form, Actar.
• Rappaport, N. (2007). Support and resist: structural engineers and design innovation. Monacelli Press.

THE LAST DECADE

• Sandaker, B.N., Eggen, A.P., Cruvellier M.R. (2013). The structural basis of architecture. Taylor and Francis.
• Adriaenssens, S., Block, P., Veenendaal, D., Williams, C. eds. (2014). Shell structures for architecture - Form finding and optimization. Routledge.
• Schwartz, C. (2016). Introducing architectural tectonics - Exploring the intersection of design and construction. Routledge.
• Moffett, K.M. (2017). Forming and Centering - Foundational Aspects of Architectural Design. Emerald Group Publishing. 
• Nervi, P.L. (2018). Aesthetics and Technology in Building: The Twenty-first-century Edition. University of Illinois Press.
• Macdonald, A.J. (2019). Structure and architecture. Routledge. 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARCO LEPIDI (President)

ANDREA BACIGALUPO

LUIGI GAMBAROTTA

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/9914/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists in the discussion of the paper and in an oral test on one or more topics covered in the theoretical lessons.