Presentation

Educational aims

The 2nd cycle Degree Course in “Architecture for the sustainable project in the built environment”, class LM-4 aims at training professional with specific competence in the field of architecture, according to the provisions of the EEC directive 85/384. The degree course, through its educational activities, has its central nucleus in the architectural project at various scales, from the object, to the building, the town, the region; the project, which is carried out as a process, taking also advantage of its own procedures, constitutes an instrument of knowledge and experiential-scientific activity, which has as its object the physical reality in view of its useful and necessary modification to the life and living of man and the needs of associated life. 2nd cycle graduates in architecture must be able to design, at various scales, using the tools of architecture, including those of planning sciences, and must possess the skills to verify the feasibility of the project, the operations of construction of the works, of transformation and modification of the natural and artificial physical environment, with full awareness of the aesthetic, distributive, functional, structural, technical-constructive, infrastructural, managerial, geographical, economic and environmental aspects and with critical attention to cultural changes and to the needs expressed by the contemporary society. The educational objectives aim at favouring the acquisition of the knowledge, skills and competences necessary for an architect to face the main current and future project challenges, with a view to a transformation and management of the built environment providing adequate, conscious and sustainable responses to the contemporary society. At the end of the two-year course and through the exams, student must demonstrate their ability to achieve executive design syntheses in the fields of architectural and urban design, urban planning, construction of architecture, restoration of monuments: they must be able to produce specific thematic and disciplinary in-depth studies in view of the degree thesis. A part of the training is oriented towards learning and knowledge of theories, methods, and disciplines; another theoretical-practical part of the training is oriented towards learning and practicing their "know-how" in the instrumental and specific professional activities. Theoretical-practical activities are carried out in the laboratories, that have as their purpose the description of the physical and architectural reality, and the knowledge, understanding and practice of the project. Attendance to the laboratories is mandatory, and it is ascertained by the teacher in charge. To ensure appropriate teaching assistance, also in accordance with the EEC Recommendation, referred to in point 1, paragraph 2, in the laboratories a personalized relationship must be ensured between the teacher and the learners such as to allow individual control of the project practice; therefore, no more than 50 students can be admitted to each laboratory. Laboratories: Integrated Course “Laboratory of Survey and project of the built environment”, “Laboratory of Urban planning for the ecological city”, “Laboratory of Building Rehabilitation” and the integrated course “Laboratory of Restoration and Architectural Design in the built environment”; students can also choose one of the two optional laboratories: “Laboratory of Conservation and Consolidation of buildings” or “Laboratory of Sustainable Living Design” The Laboratories may be structured in modules and integrate more disciplinary area. Integration may be related to the same disciplinary area or different disciplinary areas. Some parts of the educational activity may also take place in qualified facilities of scientific research institutes as well as in the research and development departments of public or private agencies and companies operating in the field of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Urban Planning, subject to the stipulation of specific agreements that may also provide the support of experts for special educational activities (intensive courses, seminars, internships). In the second year, an experience in the world of work through a mandatory internship period is also specifically envisaged. The Degree Course will address the architectural project with particular attention to the issues of modification and regeneration of consolidated urban and settlement fabrics, of grafting and transformation interventions, of their recovery, restoration, and enhancement, with respect also to open spaces. On the other hand, the course will deal with the new forms of contemporary living, investigating this complex phenomenon from residence to work, from culture to free time, from collective services to diffused museum systems, verifying it at different scales of intervention, up to the definition of the interior space and construction detail. A correct balance between theoretical, practical and applicative aspects will be guaranteed, assuming the indispensable requisites of feasibility and environmental, economic and social sustainability as project data.

work perspectives

Architect Functions: high quality and responsibility functions in the design and in the management of building sites, in various application areas: architecture, interior architecture, restoration, building, urban and landscape renovation. Skills: - preparation of projects in the fields of architecture and building- engineering, urban planning, architectural restoration, and in urban and landscape environment at large. - knowledge and command of the processes of transformation and modification of the physical environment and landscape. - knowledge of the aesthetic, distributive, functional, structural, technical-construction, managerial, economic and environmental aspects. - critical attention to cultural changes and to the needs expressed by contemporary society. - knowledge and management skills of the tools related to the building and economic feasibility of construction works and operations. - knowledge and management skills of the technical-construction, economic and environmental aspects of the projects. - management of other professional and of the operators involved. Professional opportunities: Private practice, public and private institutions and bodies (institutional bodies, public and private agencies and companies, professional firms and design companies), operating in the fields of design, construction, conservation and transformation. Graduates in Architecture, subject to the relevant State Exam, can access the professional register of the Order of architects, planners, landscape architects and conservators, section A, “Architecture” sector. This section allows the exercise of the professions of Architect, Planner, Landscape Designer and Conservator.

Characteristics of the final exam

To be admitted to the final examination, students must: - Have acquired all the credits provided by the educational activities of the educational programme; - Have demonstrated knowledge of at least the English language, attested by passing an assessment test according to the procedures established by the educational programme. The final exam (10 credits) consists in the presentation of a thesis developed under the guidance of a supervisor and any co-supervisors, who support its interdisciplinary character. The thesis work must express the ability for experimentation and originality and must lead to specific project outcomes, presented in a broad and innovative cultural scenario. The thesis can be developed during a company internship and express an innovative project proposal as the result of a concrete professional experience. The objective of the final examination is the assessment of the acquisition, by the student, of a solid and personal approach to the definition and solution of design problems in the disciplinary area and in the chosen themes as well as of a scientific ability which can develop in specific training courses for research. The final examination consists in the writing, public presentation and discussion of a thesis consisting of a written paper accompanied by graphic and multimedia representations, models or prototypes, produced by the student, under the guidance of a supervisor, and related to the activity of research and/or development of a project, even complex, with high originality and scientific and/or applicative relevance, consistent with the educational objectives of the course. The graduation commission is made up of at least 7 members. The final exam score will be expressed out of 110 with possible honours.