150
Architecture Technology
REGGIO DI CALABRIA
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
In order to achieve the expected results of the course programme and the proposed experimentation, the didactic offer articulated in the different activities pursues the following qualifying and specific training objectives:
For the purposes of the qualifying objectives, at the end of the training experience of the executive design Course, the student will have to have an in-depth knowledge of the functional, performance, material, technical-constructive, regulatory, managerial, environmental and climatic aspects related to the implementation of construction processes in an architecture that increasingly has to deal with its contexts of relationship, and respond with qualitative actions and realisations in the awareness of the dynamics of transformation and change of contexts. This awareness will be based on knowledge of the transformative cycles of natural, anthropic and artificial systems, which increasingly must respond to the needs of decarbonisation or carbon neutrality, contrast climate change and control of the energy-material cycles of resources. Due to the specific objectives, the student will also have to know how to use the skills acquired to verify the feasibility of the project, the construction operations of the works, the transformation of the physical artefact/natural environment, framing this in the various innovation trends; showing the ability to integrate the various knowledge, manage the complexity of the problems and reflect, more generally, on the ethical responsibilities of the architect's profession.
Course Prerequisites
At the start of the course, the lecturer will check that students have met the prerequisites. Should any gaps in knowledge be identified, the lecturer will notify the Programme Coordinator so that appropriate remedial measures can be arranged.
For propaedeuticity purposes, you may not take the examination if you have not passed the 'Technological Culture of Environmental Design' examination
Teaching Methods
1_ COURSE STRUCTURE AND TEACHING
Lectures: (classroom hours/year): 40
Exercises: (classroom hours/year): 8
Practical activities: (hrs/year in the classroom): 5
Other: Activities at the TCLab Testing Envelope laboratory: 7
The training activities will take place starting from the second semester of the academic year 2025/2026
2_ AUTONOMOUS LEARNING OF THE STUDENT
Outside the hours of frontal teaching provided, the student will have to study the topics covered in the frontal lectures on the recommended texts, will have to critically draw the executive development of the project, supporting the graphic designs with photographic documentation and will have to prepare summary sheets of a capitular, descriptive and detailed nature according to scaled, even experimental, insights.
In principle, according to the steps:
- In-depth study/study on bibliography (theoretical part)
- Test preparation (experimentation)
- Examination preparation
Assessment Methods
The work produced in the classroom and at home, partly individual, partly developed by groups, will be checked and assessed during the weeks indicated in the teaching calendar, and (collectively) according to scheduled progress reports. Checks are scheduled throughout the year in order to 'accompany' the student to the appropriate maturation of the knowledge acquired, also with a view to taking the subject at the first useful exam. In relation to the topics covered in the teaching modules, students are required to carry out exercises and partial verifications, according to deadlines to be specified.
In support of these activities, teaching material will be provided in advance, with specific bibliographies, bibliographic-typical sheets, fact sheets on technological systems, anthological material, etc.
Verifications will be carried out according to the following steps:
0_ interviews to verify entry knowledge at the start of training activities
1_ intermediate verification on the programme on lectures and seminars (7-15 April 2026)
2_ final verification - Final Review/ WORKSHOP (between 13 and 20 May to 2026)
Theory (and discussion of the work produced):
The profit examination, aimed at the certification of the 6 credits foreseen, having verified the compulsory attendance percentage (70%), consists of an interview based on the theoretical aspects developed during the year, the reconsideration of partial assessments and the evaluation of the graphic works produced.
Texts
Recommended texts for theoretical aspects:
Koyrè, A. (2000), Dal mondo del pressappoco all’universo della precisione, Einaudi, Torino.
Ratti, C., Matthew, C. (2014), Architettura Open Source verso una progettazione aperta, Einaudi, Torino
Recommended texts for experimentation:
Nastri, M. (2019), Progettazione esecutiva dell’architettura, Tecniche Nuove, Milano,
Rovero, L., Lanzu, S., (2012), Il disegno architettonico esecutivo, EPC Editore, Roma
Monothematic Atlases in the series: Grande Atlante dell’Architettura, Edizioni UTET
Recommended text for the in-depth study of the year's theme:
TECHNE Journal of Technology for Architecture and Environment, Issue 18, 2019 – Progetto Esecutivo/Detailed Design, Firenze University Press, Firenze
Contents
1_DESCRIPTION
As part of the activities of the second cycle of the course of study in Architecture, the Course in Executive Design, in accordance with Art. 5 of the Didactic Regulations and following the new declaratory of SSD ICAR 12, is oriented, in a renewed vision of the transformations of the environment, towards the training and experimentation of applicative syntheses of knowledge aimed at learning the knowledge characterising "the profession" of the architect" in relation to the construction of architecture.
More specifically, the Course aims to provide students with cognitive and methodological tools for greater control of the design activity, understood as knowledge of the relationships established between materials and procedures within the more general process of planning, design, production and use of an artefact. The characteristic is precisely that of positioning itself as an essential hinge in the structure of the building process, where the decision-making field of architectural design is organised and structured in a system of information aimed at the execution of the architectural idea and is compared with the real feasibility of each idea, thus assuming the role of intermediary between design and reality. The more general objective is to contribute to the formation of a new construction culture, one that is capable of mending the separation, between the moment of conception and the moment of realisation.
2_COURSE PROGRAMME
In the logic of a strongly interdisciplinary experience, which deals with a subject in which the relationship between technology, technique and constituent parts (components) is aimed at the definition of a project that reaches a good synthesis of formal, constructive and functional character, the Course will propose an exercise theme of medium complexity, credible and with a clearly defined functional programme.
The Executive Design course (6 CFU) will have the task of coordinating the entire laboratory and will set as its field of interest that of executive design with the awareness that construction activities involve human life, resources and the environment in a way that is sometimes decisive; looking at the construction as a whole and its individual organised parts, with a demanding-performance approach. In this context we will introduce through theoretical lessons and direct participation in the Course (classroom exercise phase) those specific rules on the basis of which it will be possible to draw up the executive project drawings, highlighting the role that the same project (the executive and the building site) is called upon to play.
This simulation will be expressed through graphic designs and texts that, together, will form the objective basis (i.e. referring to the subject matter) of the contractual agreement between contractor and client.
Useful and clarifying in this sense are the following phrases:
- The representation of the object to be realised is entrusted to the drawings.
- The description of the works is expressed in the specifications.
- The definition of the commitment of the economic resources required for construction is, finally, based on the quantification of the works (metric calculations) and the definition of the costs (estimates and unit price lists).
In this context, the individual disciplines, in addition to autonomously providing the basic knowledge and theoretical-applicative supports, will accompany the design exercise along the entire course; from the initial preliminary concept phase to the concluding phase of executive simulations.
As an exercise of an experimental nature, a course in Executive Design applied to the construction of a small building or (according to the student's choice) a roof will be developed,with a strong innovative technological connotation, explicated on some parts paying particular attention to the use of innovative materials, elements and components. The development will be guided by the objectives of energy efficiency, ecological conformity of choices and life cycle, and the control of carbon neutrality and climate change aspects.
3_EXPECTED RESULTS
In accordance with the Dublin indicators, at the end of the course, the student will have to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of constructability (Knowledge and ability to understand) applied through an operational exemplification to the design of a small architecture (Applied knowledge and ability to understand).
To this end, the proposed experience, through exercises to be conducted individually and/or in groups, will stimulate "autonomy of judgement" in defining the design proposal and "communication skills" in presenting and describing the design product.
The expected result in terms of "ability to learn" will concern the basic knowledge of the principles of the technological culture of design with applications to all the ideational phases, from the concept to the definition of the executive drawings.
To support these activities, teaching material will be provided in advance, with specific bibliographies, bibliographic-typical sheets, fact sheets on technological systems, anthological material, etc.
More information
Talks and Study Seminars with national and international speakers in the field will be organised during the Degree Course.