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Structural Art III

Course Code:

Π1-6030

Semester:

ST' Semester

Specialization Category:

ΜΕΥ

Course Hours:

3

ECTS:

5

Eclass Link:

https://eclass.uniwa.gr/courses/IA174/


General

The course series entitled “Structural Art” is developed in four parts, in purpose to analyse the materiality of architectural space as a single and indivisible condition, through which is conceived and implemented space design. Therefore, these course series, are focusing on concepts such as natural or artificial materials, specifications of skins (surfaces), equipment and building systems, traditional construction methods and digital modelling and construction applications as components of the desired properties of space – i.e. as a conceptual problem – through a human-centred view. The specific objectives of each course (I, II, III, IV), aim to correlate the above elements, with parameters such as health, safety, physical and perceptual ergonomics and comfort, as also the conceptual aesthetic choices, as they are affected by the structure, the skins (surfaces) and equipment of architectural space. Through these course series, students will be able to grasp the concept of Space as a universal condition, by their familiarisation with construction methods from historical and traditional techniques to modern construction technologies. Nowadays, this factor appears to be crucial for the teaching of design as a single process between matter and conception – e.g. the modern production of space as a function of the mass industrial production of standardised systems or the logic of digitalisation of design process (CAD, BIM, parametric design and optimisation simulations) as a function of specialised digital fabrication applications (digital fabrication). On the other hand, a broader familiarity of students with the materiality of architectural space and its production methods, will allow them to deal with all application scales, from surfaces’ junctures and specifications of building system, to the original conception of forms and shapes of space, with the sensitivity required for an anthropocentric design. In conclusion, a main objective of the course series of “Structural Art” is to establish the issue of the architectural space materiality, in student’s consciousness as a design of properties, that is a fundamental and indivisible function for space design. Part three of Structural Art (“Structural Art III”), has as a primal objective to introduce students to the history of construction techniques and technologies, ranging from the techniques of anonymous folk / traditional architecture, to the technology of historical buildings as found in Greece.

Cource content

The content of the course “Structural Art III” is organised in three parts, in purpose to analyse the anonymous folk and traditional building techniques, as a function of the material constraints of a site, and also as a function of the social and historical context where these elements are expressed. In addition, the course may include case studies of shell pathology and refurbishment/rehabilitation strategies followed in relevant modern architectural projects. The structure of the main sections is as follows:
Part 1: Folk and anonymous traditional construction techniques: the condition and the peculiarity of a site.
1. Mainland Greece.
2. Greek islands.
3. The tower houses in Mani.
Part 2: Historical technologies: from anonymous technique to documented technology.
1. Neoclassical morphology and building I: Conceptual construction; composition of neoclassicism and the basic forms of structural frame. Carrying structure and roof types.
2. Neoclassical morphology and building construction II: Prefabricated elements and decorations.
3. Neoclassical morphology and building construction III: Frames & cabinets, panelled wooden structures and stairs.
Part 3: Memory and History: construction logics and technologies as a cultural legacy.
1. From construction technique to historical technology: conceptual distinction between technique and technology. Modernity, historicity, and memory in construction.
2. The construction logics as a cultural legacy: a conceptual construction of tradition and modernity towards the memory of a site. The concept of preserving cultural heritage as a modern technical-conceptual problem.
 

Programme aims

The general purpose of “Structural Art” course series is to highlight the various construction logics, various building and decorative materials, their respective mechanical behaviours in real life conditions and -according to every project requirements- also their assembling modes in specialised and / or original architectural and construction details, as a conceptual problem, which is in a direct and constant dialectical relation with the programmatic and conceptual structure of design. The ultimate goal of the course “Structural Art III” is twofold
– First, to familiarise students with specificities, requirements, specific provisions and approaches of a project that is inherent in existing traditional and historical shells although concerning a modern space, and
– Secondly, to treat the stock of -documented or not- history of constructions as a cultural legacy of a specific site, preserved not as a museum item but as a living organism, having also a present and a future.
In the above context, the course “Structural Art III” aims to establish in students the perception that historical technologies and anonymous folk techniques are not only a technical background for a modern design, but also the condition to perceive design act, as an act of responsibility towards historical memory of a culture and the timeless identity of every site.
 

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding

The course “Structural Art III” is organized on the basis of a series of lectures-presentations by teachers and in case, visiting professors in combination to eventual educational visits.
In order to foster a critical discussion and collaboration, students can optionally undertake group work on a topic related to the course subjects (determined at the beginning of the academic semester by the instructors).
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able:
-To manage their choices regarding technical constraints of the existing shell in view to conceive a modern design project, which should take into account the pathology of the building and the need to find solutions to integrate modern infrastructure.
-To understand the broader implications of past technical choices, also taking into account their relationship to the material, historical, and environmental constraints of every site.
-To perceive every site’s history, as expressed through its own materiality and peculiarity and compose creatively their conceptual and technical choices in a modern project.
-To perceive existing structure of a shell as a historical and collective memory set and proceed their conception with the aim to preserve it as a living organism.
Therefore, this course is considered as an important deepening course that would allow students to contemplate design as a material condition having several implications to the memory of a site and its preservation.
General Abilities
A general objective of this course is to help students develop the following general skills (according to the general skills that a graduate of this department must have acquired, as listed in the Diploma Supplement):
Research, analysis and synthesis of data and information, using the necessary technologies.
-Adaptation to new situations.
-Decision making.
-Autonomous work.
-Teamwork.
-Working in an international environment.
-Working in an interdisciplinary environment.
-Production of new research ideas.
-Project design and management.
-Respect for diversity and multiculturalism.
-Respect for the natural environment.
-Demonstration of social, professional and moral responsibility and sensitivity to gender issues.
-Critical and self-criticism culture.
-Free, creative and inductive thinking culture.
-Combined options culture.
 

Bibliography

Darling, J.K. (2004). Architecture of Greece. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press

Galland, P., Kisitzin, K.A., Diethardt, A.O., Young, C. (2016). «Unesco-World Heritage Centre», World Heritage in Europe Today, 2016. Available at: http://whc.unesco.org/en/world-heritage-in-europe-today/

ICOMOS (1964). International Restoration Charter (The Venice Charter, adopted by the Second International Congress of Architects and Technicians of Historical Monuments, in Venice, May 25-31, 1964). Available at: https://www.icomos.org/venicecharter2004/

Karantoni, F.V., Papadopoulos, M., Pantazopoulou, S.J. (2016): «Simple Seismic Assessment of Traditional Unreinforced Masonry Buildings», International Journal of Architectural Heritage, DOI: 10.1080/15583058.2016.1183062

Philippidis, D. (1982-1988). Greek Traditional Architecture, Volumes 1-8. Athens: Editions Melissa.