AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

This module provides useful knowledge for planning maintenance, alteration and reuse projects for existing buildings, both historic and modern, with a particular focus on construction aspects, construction details and technical solutions. Building on a detailed understanding of traditional and modern construction methods, with particular attention to the topics covered during the workshop, the module addresses issues arising from deterioration, structural deficiencies and the demand for new architectural qualities, reuse and energy efficiency. The module also explores the use of digital technologies for managing information derived from the analysis and design phases of interventions on historic buildings (DBMS and GIS), the management of point clouds generated by laser scanning, and digital photogrammetry (Structure from Motion).

The training programme is designed to enable participants to acquire the following skills:

•    the ability to identify and describe forms of deterioration and functional deficiencies, as well as the causes and contributing factors that may lead to them;

•    the ability to organise information derived from a building’s diagnostic survey, including the management of point clouds from laser scanning and digital photogrammetry;

•    the ability to retrieve information contained in municipal and regional geoportals;

be able to structure a georeferenced relational database within a GIS (Geographic Information System) environment for the management of data relating to the restoration project;

•    be able to recognise potential conflicts between objectives of improvement and regeneration (for example, energy efficiency) and the preservation of existing heritage values, in order to devise a project capable of balancing conservation and innovation requirements, particularly those linked to new uses and the needs of users and spaces;

•    be able to select methods and techniques for maintenance, restoration and refurbishment based on the problems identified on a case-by-case basis, using either traditional or innovative technologies;

•    be able to develop, down to the level of detailed working drawings, certain parts of the overall project carried out during the workshop.

TEACHING METHODS

The module consists of lectures, which may be supplemented by external seminars, visits and site inspections. The module also includes the Laboratory’s project-based activities, with dedicated discussions with students to help them design and develop an integrated project that goes into the details of construction.

Students who hold a valid certificate of physical or learning disability on file with the University and who wish to discuss any reasonable adjustments or other matters relating to lectures, courses and examinations should speak to both the course lecturer and the disability officer at the Department of Architecture and Design (https://architettura.unige.it/commissioni_e_referenti_dipartimento).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The module comprises lectures, seminars, site visits and workshop-based discussions on the workshop’s subject matter. The lectures cover the following key topics:

1)    traditional building techniques, issues of deterioration and defects, and current approaches to maintenance and restoration

2)            Modern and contemporary construction techniques, issues of deterioration and deficiencies, and current approaches to maintenance and restoration

3)    Relational databases, geoportals, and the use of GIS for managing information derived from the analysis and design phases of interventions on historic buildings, as well as the management and presentation of digital survey data

4)            Energy-efficiency refurbishment of architectural heritage: minimum requirements, architectural compatibility criteria and intervention techniques

5)    Issues relating to the reuse of existing cultural heritage.

The examination of technical topics is set within broader cultural contexts and perspectives, drawing on examples of recent projects and completed works.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

G. V. Galliani, G. Mor, Manual del recupero di Genova antica, DEI, Roma 2006.

G. Franco, Atlante cronologico del Novecento in Italia pagg. 267-301 in AA. VV, Atlante della riqualificazione, UTET, Torino, 2009. 

Other documentation will be available on aulaweb

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Assessment takes place alongside the other modules that make up the workshop.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination assesses the candidate’s ability to analyse, understand and develop design solutions to the problems addressed, with particular attention to the technical solutions that can be adopted.

The assessment criteria for the examination are as follows:

•    the ability to engage in critical analysis of the state of conservation of an entire building or parts thereof, starting with the identification of construction techniques and the role of the various components

•    a sound command of technical terminology relating to materials, processing and installation techniques, and phenomena of deterioration or structural instability;

•    the ability to formulate a design problem (relating to maintenance, conservation, improvement and reuse) and to select the most appropriate methods of intervention;

•    the ability to identify possible ways of transformation that are compatible with the conservation of historical, architectural and material values.