TECNOLOGIE E SISTEMI COSTRUTTIVI PER L'ARCHITETTURA M - Z

The course introduces the principles of Architectural Technology, a discipline concerned with understanding the processes involved in the construction and transformation of the built environment, and provides methods and tools for defining, assessing and controlling technological choices in building design.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• know and understand the basic principles of Architectural Technology and the systemic approach to the building process;
• know the main traditional and contemporary construction systems;
• know the characteristics and main applications of building materials;
• understand building components, their functions and their relationships within the building system;
• understand the relationships between materials, construction technologies and the performance of building components.

Applying knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• analyse construction systems and building components, identifying their technological characteristics and performance;
• identify and develop construction solutions consistent with use requirements;
• apply methods and tools for defining and controlling technological design choices;
• represent and describe construction solutions at different levels of detail.

Making judgements

Students will be able to critically assess technological and construction solutions in relation to building requirements, expected performance and the characteristics of the built, natural and human-made environment, considering the different stages of design, construction and maintenance.

Communication skills

Students will be able to organise and clearly communicate the knowledge acquired and their design choices, using appropriate discipline-specific technical language and graphic representation tools through analytical and design drawings.

Learning skills

Students will develop the ability to independently expand their knowledge of materials, construction systems, building components and building performance, using appropriate technical and disciplinary sources.

The course includes theoretical lectures, seminars and practical exercises.

The theoretical lectures are aimed at providing knowledge of materials, construction systems, building components and their performance, as well as the methods and tools of Architectural Technology.

Seminars provide opportunities to explore specific topics and case studies in greater depth. Practical exercises are aimed at applying the knowledge acquired through activities involving the breakdown of the building system, requirements-performance analysis, the study of building components and technical devices, and the graphic representation of technological solutions.

Optional in-course learning assessments may be scheduled in the form of written exercises with open-ended questions and the preparation of graphic work, with the aim of monitoring and supporting students’ self-assessment of their learning progress.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above in order to ensure consistency with the Syllabus.

Basic knowledge of architectural representation and descriptive geometry is required. In particular, students should be able to read and produce architectural drawings at different scales. This knowledge is important for carrying out the activities included in the course.

The course introduces the principles of Architectural Technology through an approach based on the systemic conception of the building and on requirements-performance analysis.

The following topics will be addressed:

• the building system and its organisation into systems, subsystems and technical elements;
• the analysis of user needs and building system requirements;
• the performance of building components;
• the main traditional and contemporary construction systems;
• building materials and their main characteristics;
• building components, their functions and mutual relationships;
• criteria and tools for the analysis and definition of technological design solutions.

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.

The course includes a final examination consisting of an oral interview, which also includes a critical discussion of the work produced during the course.

During the oral examination, students may be asked to use freehand sketches and diagrams to represent and describe construction details, building components, and their functioning and assembly.

The assessment is intended to evaluate:

1. knowledge and understanding of the topics addressed during the course;
2. the ability to present and discuss topics clearly and appropriately, demonstrating command of discipline-specific technical language;
3. the ability to independently and critically establish connections among the knowledge acquired;
4. the ability to justify and manage design choices in relation to the expected quality levels, also through the graphic representation of building components and construction details and the critical discussion of the work produced during the course.

The final assessment will take into account the level of knowledge and understanding of the course contents, the ability to apply the knowledge acquired, autonomy of judgement, critical argumentation skills, command of technical language, and the ability to graphically represent construction solutions.

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

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current regulations, students may request an individual meeting in order to arrange any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the learning objectives and their specific needs. Students may also contact the Department’s CInAP referring teacher (Centro per l’Integrazione Attiva e Partecipata – Services for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders).

Some examples of possible examination questions are provided below:

• What are the main design criteria for meeting specific requirements such as fire safety, user safety, thermal and hygrometric comfort, acoustic comfort, accessibility, usability, and maintainability?
• What are the main construction systems used in pre-industrial buildings?
• What are the differences between pitched roofs with Piedmontese-type framing and those with Lombard-type framing?
• What are the main systems used for the construction of pile foundations?
• What are the main technical components of a window system and what functions do they perform?

Some examples of exercise topics are also provided:

• breakdown of the building system;
• survey and requirements-performance analysis of existing building systems;
• analysis of building components and/or technical devices;
• performance assessment of completed buildings.