Learning objectives
By the end of the course, students will be expected to:
1. Understand the design process from the definition of needs to their first formal translation in architecture (from prefiguration to sketch to final representation), with a particular focus on the concept of type (see content field).
2. Analyse and understand the relationship between idea and architectural form, and between form and function, particularly in the Italian context (1st Dublin descriptor).
3. Apply the skills acquired in the field of architectural design with reference to content (2nd Dublin descriptor).
4. Develop a necessary and indispensable autonomy of critical judgement (or self-criticism) in relation to architectural design, addressing specific issues outlined in the content (3rd Dublin descriptor).
5. Acquire initial communicative skills in the field of architectural design, particularly in relation to the issues outlined in the content (4th, 5th Dublin descriptors).
This framework outlines the broad expectations of students, encompassing theoretical understanding, practical application, critical thinking and effective communication within the field of architectural design.
Course unit content
The architectural project is the synthesis of different fields of applied knowledge and operates through the translation of needs (functional, social, historical, as well as structural, linguistic, poetic, aesthetic) into architecture. The design studio is the space where the student-teacher and student-student relationship unfolds dialectically, encapsulating the synthesis of all the knowledge already acquired or in progress.
The Architectural Design Studio I + Workshop consists of a course in Design I - Architecture of Living (60 hours - 6 ECTS), a course in Composition I - Building Typology and Urban Morphology (60 hours - 6 ECTS) and an intensive workshop. The theoretical and practical focus of the studio is on the concept of type as a fundamental component of architectural and urban phenomenology, exploring the relationship between architectural typology and urban morphology, as well as overcoming and updating the typological model in relation to the transformation of the contemporary city. Key themes include the evolution of the concept of type and the relationship between form and function in distributive interpretation.
In addition to the compositional and design application, a short series of lectures will introduce the theoretical aspect of type through the built experience in the history of the city. The analysis of a case study is also appropriate to illustrate a methodology for the structural interpretation of architectural form; site reconnaissance; analysis of its historical formation; functional feasibility; distributive design interpretation; use and characteristics of spaces between building and city; plan-section-elevation relationship; plastic and volumetric control in three dimensions.
Preliminary acquisition of manual work through sketching technique and critical didactics (note-taking technique), photographic practice of reconnaissance, knowledge and organisation of cartographic materials and design representation, basics of CAD use, use of books and sources in general; creation of spatial and plastic analysis model, principles of construction technique.
For the academic year 2024/2025, the project theme that will characterise the students' educational experience in the studio is related to the form of space in its complementary duality: architectural and urban, interacting with the theatrical phenomenon. The aim is not to design a specific theatrical typology in the traditional sense, but to create a space that, while constructed and artistically relevant, is semantically and functionally open. This space should stimulate new or renewed forms of theatrical expression, capable of interacting with a broad system of cultures and the public and collective dimension of the city. In this definition, both the theatrical space, shaped by a precise architectural structure, and the spaces of the city that host it become protagonists, establishing a significant urban relationship in terms of expanding the meaning and potential for interaction of the theatrical space.
Full programme
The specific course programme as well as the application context will be published on the Moodle Elly page of the design studio.
Bibliography
Bibliography
- Marco Biraghi, Questa è architettura. Il progetto come filosofia della prassi, Einaudi, Torino 2021
- Carlos Martí Arís, La cèntina e l’arco. Pensiero, teoria, progetto in architettura, a cura di S. Pierini, Marinotti, Milano, 2007
- Carlos Martí Arís, Le variazioni dell’identità. Il tipo in architettura, a cura di M. De Benedetti, CittàStudi, Milano, 2012
- T. Brighenti - A. Calderoni - C. Gandolfi (a cura di), Viaggi, «Stoà», n° 6, Thymos Books, Napoli 2023
- F. Ballabio - A. Calderoni - C. Gandolfi (a cura di), Lessico, «Stoà», n° 8, Thymos Books, Napoli 2023
- A. Calderoni - C. Gandolfi - J. Leveratto, A. Nitti (a cura di), Modelli, «Stoà», n° 1, Thymos Books, Napoli 2021
- A. Calderoni - C. Gandolfi - J. Leveratto, A. Nitti (a cura di), Disegni, «Stoà», n° 2, Thymos Books, Napoli 2022
- Paulo Mendes da Rocha, La città per tutti, a cura di C. Gandolfi, Nottetempo, Milano 2021
- Adalberto Del Bo - Carlo Gandolfi (a cura di), Otto lezioni su Aldo Rossi, Festival Architettura Edizioni, Parma 2022
- Emanuele Fidone - Carlo Gandolfi (a cura di), Paulo Mendes da Rocha. Spazio Tettonico, LetteraVentidue, Siracusa, 2020
- Carlo Gandolfi, Matter of space. Città e architettura in Paulo Mendes da Rocha, Accademia University Press, Torino, 2018
- Fernando Távora, Dell’organizzazione dello spazio, a cura di C. Torricelli, Nottetempo, Milano 2021
Optional Bibliography
- Robert Bresson, Note sul cinematografo, Marsilio, Venezia, 2008
- Le Corbusier, Verso un’architettura, a cura di P. L. Cerri e P. L. Nicolin, Longanesi, Milano, 2015
- Le Corbusier, Il viaggio d’Oriente, Faenza editrice, Faenza, 1974
- Giorgio Grassi, L’architettura come mestiere e altri scritti, Franco Angeli, Milano, 1985
- Giorgio Grassi, Scritti scelti 1965-1999, Franco Angeli, Milano, 2000
- Jacques Gubler, Motion, émotions. Architettura, movimento, percezione, a cura di C. Gandolfi, pres. di M. Botta, postfazione di C. Gandolfi, Marinotti, Milano, 2014
- Rafael Moneo, La solitudine degli edifici e altri scritti, a cura di D. Vitale e A. Casiraghi, vol. I e II, Allemandi, Torino, 1999 e 2004
- Antonio Monestiroli, La metopa e il Triglifo, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2002
- Pierluigi Nervi, Scienza o arte del costruire?, introduzione di A. Rossi, CittàStudi, Milano, 1997
- George Perec, Specie di spazi, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino, 1989
- Heinrich Tessenow, Osservazioni elementari sul costruire, a cura di G. Grassi, Franco Angeli, Milano, 1985
- Maurizio Vitta, Dell’Abitare. Corpi, spazi, oggetti, immagini. Einaudi, Torino, 2008
- Livio Vacchini, Capolavori. 12 architetture fondamentali di tutti i tempi, Allemandi, 2007
- Steen Eiler Rasmussen, Architettura come esperienza, Pendragon, Bologna, 2006
Teaching methods
The teaching activities will be carried out by favouring active learning modalities, alternating between lectures, case studies and in-depth seminars. During the case studies (generally authors and/or projects of contemporary architecture), the confrontation with the students on the basic themes of architectural design will be privileged, also in order to bring out any prior knowledge on the subject in question on the part of the students.
During the course, experiential learning cycles will be activated, in which students will be asked to apply their knowledge through a rewriting of an architectural project.
The slides used to support the lectures will be uploaded to the Elly platform on a monthly basis. Registration for the online course is required to download the slides.
Assessment methods and criteria
The course provides for the verification of learning through the assessment of the project, which is intended as a synthesis of knowledge and the student's ability to apply it. Any other exercises and/or in-depth studies (ex-tempore/research/case studies) will be assessed during the year.
The final oral examination consists of an individual interview which tests the student's knowledge and ability to critically understand built architecture (1st Dublin descriptor) in relation to the project. The interview will also test communication and learning/reasoning skills, clarity of exposition and use of discipline-specific terminology (4th, 5th Dublin descriptors). The ability to apply knowledge will be tested through project work.
During the final examination, in the case of group design/exercise, it is necessary that each member of the group has mastered the whole exercise as well as making explicit the parts that he/she has personally supervised.
Other information
The course will be supported by the Moodle Elly platform, where useful course materials will be uploaded.
