TECNOLOGIE E SISTEMI COSTRUTTIVI PER L'ARCHITETTURA M - Z

Academic Year 2024/2025 - 2° Year
Teaching Staff: Stefania DE MEDICI
Credit Value: 10
Scientific field: ICAR/12 - Architectural technology
Taught classes: 56 hours
Exercise: 26 hours
Term / Semester:

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course focuses on the principles of Architectural Technology, a discipline aimed at understanding the processes of implementation and transformation of the built environment, as well as methods and tools required to define, evaluate and control construction choices. The student will gain the basic knowledge needed to analyse and evaluate the construction systems and their elements, understanding their performance in relation to technologies and materials used for their realization.

At the end of the course, students will have acquired an adequate knowledge of:

  • the main traditional and contemporary construction systems;
  • the most common construction materials;
  • the construction elements and the methods of analysis of their performance.

Furthermore, the students will develop operational, critical and synthetic skills:

  • to propose, structure and manage design solutions and building performance, according to the expected requirements;
  • to assess the compatibility of intervention solutions with the built and the natural environment, in the design, construction and maintenance.

Exercises and tests of learning in progress will guide students in the practical application and verification of acquired knowledge, as a solution to the complexity of building systems. The course will contribute to develop the communication skills of the students, leading them in the organization of the presentation of knowledge, also through exercises which require analysis and project drawings.

Course Structure

The course includes lectures, seminars and practical exercises. Learning process check tests (optional) will be scheduled (open-ended questions and drawings).

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

The final examination consists of a discussion on the topics covered in the lectures, the ex tempore representation of construction joints and the practical exercises, in order to test the achieved knowledge.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.

Required Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of architectural representation is required; therefore, we recommend students have successfully passed the Laboratory of Representation and Descriptive Geometry examination.

Attendance of Lessons

Class attendance is not compulsory, but is recommended. Active participation in lectures promotes the development of specific skills and the ability to integrate knowledge of building systems and their classification and structure. Attendance encourages critical discussion of the topics covered and comparison with other students and the lecturer; it also promotes awareness in learning processes.

Detailed Course Content

The course includes lessons aimed at providing the basic knowledge for the governance of the architectural project and graphic exercises on the analysis of building systems. In fact, the course proposes an approach based on the systemic view of the built environment and on performance-based building analysis. The course will focus on the construction elements, their relationships, their materials and their functions.

Textbook Information

  1. McLean W., Silver P., Introduction to Architectural Technology, Laurence King Publishing, London, 2013
  2. Allen E., How buildings work: the natural order of architecture, Oxford University Press, New York, 2005.

Other references will be suggested as the course progresses, depending on the topics covered in the classes.

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Fundamentals of technological design culture1,2
2Performance-Based Building Design1,2
3Class of Needs Usability2
4Class of Needs Comfort2
5Class of Needs Safety2
6Construction systems1
7Foundation1
8Masonry1
9Arch, vault and dome1
10Slab1
11Roof1
12Stairs1
13Window fixtures1

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The final examination is an interview, intended to test the following results:

1. knowledge of the topics covered in the lectures;
2. ability to present the topics of discussion and knowledge of the technical language;
3. ability to autonomously and critically relate the knowledge acquired;
4. ability to develop project solutions according to the expected quality levels, in the critical discussion of the students' work.

The learning check may also be performed online, should the conditions require it.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

A few questions are given as examples only:

Main design criteria to ensure fire safety / user safety / thermohygrometric comfort / acoustic comfort / accessibility and practicability / maintainability / etc.

Building systems in pre-industrial construction.

Difference between pitched roofs with Piedmontese and Lombard-style frames.

Construction systems for pile foundations.

Technical devices and their functions.

 

The main exercise topics are also given:

Description of the Building System.

Survey and requirement-performance analysis of existing buildings.

Analysis of construction elements and/or technical devices.

Performance evaluation of built architectures.
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