OVERVIEW

The course provides basic knowledge to understand the role of technology in architectural design, offering a broad overview of traditional and contemporary architectures to explore the qualitative behavior of structural materials and basic structural concepts and schemes, the performance and characteristics of building materials, and the technical specifications and performance of building components and elements.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to transmit the fundamentals of architectural technology disciplines. It focuses on managing the main factors that influence architectural design and construction.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide students with a foundational understanding of Architectural Technology, including construction and production processes, material performance and uses, key structural forms and concepts, construction elements, and construction site organization.
The course takes a requirement—and performance-based approach, emphasizing the role of technology in the architectural design process.

By the end of the course, through participation in the planned learning activities, students will be able to:

• Describe the principles and rules of structural stability.
• Describe the technical characteristics of material resources and their use in construction.
• analyze buildings in their various parts, performance requirements, and construction methods;
• Represent construction elements with simple graphic elaborations;
• Evaluate the impact of technological choices on the expressive and symbolic values in architectural design.
• communicate effectively in written and oral form;
• adapt their communication to different contexts;
• use various sources and tools, processing and evaluating the information;
• Manage constructive communication.

The course also aims to promote the following transversal competence: “Basic functional literacy”, which includes the ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form, adapt communication to the context, and use different types of resources and tools.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements

TEACHING METHODS

The course is primarily delivered through ex cathedra lectures given by the instructor, supplemented by thematic seminars. Students will conduct individual and group analyses and graphic representations of case studies and projects. Site visits and/or practical activities will be organized where feasible, based on student numbers.
Students with certified physical or learning disabilities, registered with the University, who wish to discuss any accommodations or other aspects related to lessons, courses, or exams, should contact the instructor and the Department of Architecture and Design disability advisor. (https://architettura.unige.it/commissioni_e_referenti_dipartimento)

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The topics covered during the lectures are divided into the following modules:

1. Fundamentals of construction: vocabulary of building elements, principles of structural stability, actions, and loads affecting constructions
2. Building materials: origin, processing, performance characteristics, product types and applications – stone, ceramics, mortars, wood, metal alloys, concrete, glass
3. Methodology and tools of technological design: requirement and performance-based approaches, stakeholders in the construction process
4. Material, functional, and performance characteristics of the building system: building components – vertical and horizontal structures, vertical enclosures, windows and doors, roofs, stairs, partition walls

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

A. Laurìa, Tecnologie di base per la residenza, Firenze, Edizioni A-Z, 2000

M. C. Torricelli, R. Del Nord, P. Felli, Materiali e tecnologie dell’architettura, Bari, Laterza, 2001

M. Salvadori, Perché gli edifici stanno in piedi, Milano, Bompiani, 1995

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Student learning is assessed through a final oral exam. Optional written assessments may be scheduled during the semester and correspond to the course's thematic modules.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam assesses students' ability to understand and analyze buildings in their various components. Evaluation criteria include:

• ability to describe the principles and rules of structural stability, the technical characteristics of materials, and their use in construction
• ability to analyze buildings in their parts, performance requirements, and construction methods
• ability to graphically represent construction elements
• Proper use of technical vocabulary concerning materials and construction methods
• ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral forms, adapted to the context.