TECHNICAL ARCHITECTURE II AND LABORATORY M - Z

Module LABORATORY OF TECHNICAL ARCHITECTURE II

The course aims to enable students to acquire the tools necessary to address and solve typological, spatial, and technological problems that underlie architectural design—and specifically, the design of the building itself and its surroundings. The analysis is both environmental and technological in nature, aimed at meeting user needs—which are articulated as requirements and evaluated in terms of the performance of the technical elements that constitute and govern the built form. Lectures, workshops, and exercises will address various topics in building design, ranging from the building scale down to the level of construction details, with particular attention to mixed-use buildings (multi-family residences and commercial spaces), inclusive design, and environmental sustainability.

Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding

This course will enable students to:

master every phase of the design process;

understand the fundamental principles of design as a process of synthesizing form, function, and construction;

understand the criteria for the configuration, layout, and distribution of spaces in response to human needs;

understand the typological, morphological, and linguistic characteristics of the architectural structure;

understand the relationships between the architectural work and its context;

understand the constructability of the work and the role of technology in the design synthesis.

Independent Judgment

The activities carried out during the course (project development and prototype construction) enable students to acquire advanced skills in evaluation, informed decision-making, and self-criticism.

Communication Skills

These are acquired through group work, the drafting of written reports, and ongoing discussions during project reviews.

Learning Skills

The knowledge acquired during the course will enable students to adopt a design approach that prioritizes both the health and well-being of users and energy conservation and the responsible use of resources, in accordance with Goals 3, 11, 12, and 13 of the 2030 Agenda. The learning skills developed during their studies will allow graduates to pursue professional development independently.

The course will consist of lectures on theoretical topics and practical design exercises.

The design exercises will be conducted in groups. Guided tours of construction sites and manufacturing facilities are also planned.

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.

At the start of the course, students must possess: knowledge of the structure of building components and structural elements; in-depth knowledge of representation techniques and methods; the ability to develop an

architectural design; the ability to develop a construction drawing; and a good understanding of the fundamentals of technical physics.

Attendance is mandatory. Students are required to attend at least 70% of the course’s classes. At the instructor’s discretion, student attendance will be verified during classes by taking roll call or collecting signatures.

1. The Design of Multifamily Housing. The Italian, European, and Non-European Landscape: Examples of Contemporary Projects. Mixed-Use Developments.

2. Criteria for the Functional Organization of Interior Spaces. The layout of rooms in relation to orientation. User requirements. Current requirements frameworks for multi-family housing, new models of living. Flexibility of use. Inclusive design: designing without architectural barriers. Universal design.

3. Criteria for grouping building units. Building typologies.

4. Environment and sustainable development: energy and environmental issues. Architectural design and sustainability. Energy performance of buildings and design models. Passive heating and cooling strategies. Application of passive systems for natural climate control in buildings.

5. Technological design of the building structure.

5.1. The precast concrete load-bearing frame.

5.2. The steel load-bearing frame.

5.3. The timber load-bearing frame.

5.4. The building envelope. Dry-laid layered systems. Ventilated walls. Curtain walls. Shading systems.

5.5. Interior space partitioning systems.

[1]. E. Mandolesi, Edilizia, Utet, Torino.

[2]. G. Sciuto, Modelli progettuali per la sostenibilità edilizia, Ed. Anabiblo, Roma, 2010.

[3]. G. Turchini, M. Grecchi, Nuovi Modelli per l’abitare, Il Sole 24 Ore Editore, Milano, 2006.

[4]. G. Sciuto, I rivestimenti lapidei. Modernità nella tradizione, Ed. Il Lunario, Enna, 2006.

[5]. E. Arbizzani, Tecnica e tecnologia dei sistemi edilizi, Maggioli Editore, Milano, 2015.

[6]. E. Dassori, R. Morbiducci, Costruire l'architettura, Ed. Tecniche Nuove, 2010.

The exam, which is part of the “Technical Architecture II” course, consists of an oral exam that students may take only after submitting their assignments for the year’s design project.

The evaluation of the oral exam is based on the following criteria: level of knowledge of the required topics, relevance of the answers to the questions asked, quality of content, ability to connect with other topics covered in the syllabus, ability to provide examples, technical language proficiency, and ability to apply knowledge to concrete cases, including through freehand drawings of construction details.

The final grade will take into account both the outcome of the oral exam and the evaluation of the annual design project, for which the completeness, correctness, and accuracy of the graphic submissions will be considered. The design projects will be developed during the course by students working in groups of 2–3; the assessment will be conducted on a group basis. Each group member is free to sit the exam independently of the other members of their group.

Grades are expressed on a scale of 30, according to the following criteria:

• Unsatisfactory

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: significant gaps and inaccuracies

Ability to analyze and synthesize: negligible, frequent generalizations

Graphic expression skills: insufficient

Use of references: completely inappropriate

• 18–20

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: very modest, obvious shortcomings

Ability to analyze and synthesize: barely sufficient

Graphic expression skills: barely sufficient

Use of references: barely appropriate

• 21–23

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge slightly more than sufficient

Ability to analyze and synthesize: decent ability to analyze and synthesize; argues logically and coherently

Graphic expression skills: sufficient

Use of references: uses standard references

• 24–26

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: good knowledge

Ability to analyze and synthesize: demonstrates good analytical and synthesis skills; arguments are presented coherently

Graphic expression skills: good

Use of references: uses standard references

• 27–29

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: more than good knowledge

Ability to analyze and synthesize: demonstrates remarkable ability to analyze and synthesize

Graphic expression skills: very good

Use of references: has explored the topics in depth

• 30–30 with honors

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: excellent knowledge

Ability to analyze and synthesize: demonstrates remarkable ability to analyze and synthesize

Graphic expression skills: excellent

Use of references: significant in-depth analysis

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

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata - Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

Sustainable design criteria.

Building types and new housing models.

Criteria for grouping functional spaces.

Inclusive design and removal of architectural barriers.

Structural elements and joints of the steel load-bearing frame.

Structural elements and joints of the wood load-bearing frame.

Structural elements and joints of the prefabricated reinforced concrete load-bearing frame.

Structural elements and joints of the opaque building envelope.

Structural elements and joints of the transparent building envelope.

Structural elements and joints of interior partitions.

Structural elements and joints of horizontal enclosures.