DEPT. ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING

DAP-AGC/1010 - Introduction to Architecture

Architecture is based on experiencing space through time. This course's objective is to provide a capability in understanding architecture through elements such as light, shadows, relationship with landscape, details and materials. The objective is to develop a strong sensitivity to architectural beauty and quality.
Prerequisite: None

DAP-AGC/1400 - European Historical Landscapes

Gardens and parks through history are explored. Emphasis is made on the cultural and historical values of different landscapes, their maintenance, and the need of preservation.
Prerequisite: None

DAP-AGC/2050 - Architectural Technology

The course explores several construction techniques and structures, identifying different solutions to similar problems. It furnishes an overview of integrated building systems exploring the interrelationships of construction techniques, structures, and environmental controls systems, as they relate to building design.
Prerequisite: None

DAP-AGC/2070 - Building Technology

The course examines elements of building construction. It explains relationships and details of: foundation/wall, wall/window, wall/roof, floor/wall, etc. This course studies interior and exterior finishes, joints, fire protection, and specification.
Prerequisite: DAP-AGC/2050 Architectural Technology

DAP-AGC/2080 - Architectural Context: Place and Culture

This course helps students to develop a deeper understanding on how architectural design interacts with the physical and cultural contexts of human traditions, landscapes, settlements, cities and suburbs. The study of historical and contemporary examples will be fundamental in analyzing different contexts.
Prerequisite: Environmental Architecture Major

DAP-AGC/2090 - Light and Color in Architecture

The use of light and color is fundamental in architecture. Students will develop a project understanding the implications and effects of light and color in space. Laboratory format is provided to analyze those implications.
Prerequisite: Environmental Architecture Major

DAP-AGC/2200 - Natural landscapes in the USA

The course aims to focus on the description and classification of the main categories of natural landscapes in the USA. The rich and complex variety of these landscapes from the East to the West coast and from the Northern to the Southern States is explored. The geological and climatic characteristics and forces forging the main landmark landscapes of the National Parks are described and discussed.
Prerequisite: None

DAP-AGC/3070 - Hand Architectural Drawing

This course has the aim of developing students' skills of representing 2D and 3D views of architectural spaces and details through hand-drawn sketches. The course will include a lab section in which plan and vertical views as well as prospective and axonometric representations will be carried out.
Prerequisite: DFA-SAC/2000 Drawing and Representation

DAP-AGC/3090 - Industrial Architecture

The course proposes key points which will help students appreciate the documentary-historical importance of industrial heritage. This heritage reflects the technical knowledge, entrepreneurial ability, experimentation and artisan know-how of those who helped to create it. Various sites, factories and exhibits will be taken into consideration.
Prerequisite: Environmental Architecture Major

DAP-AGC/3600 - Architectural Refurbishment

Architectural Refurbishment starts with the study of principles of architectural survey, with particular reference to Italian building types. Other elements include the following: analysis and representation of building conditions after aging; criteria for planning restoration and remodeling actions on degraded and/or unused buildings; cost estimation of those actions.
Prerequisite: Environmental Architecture Major

DAP-AGC/3650 - Architectural Programming

Basic concepts of management are provided. Criteria and methodology in different phases of the design process are analyzed. Among the concepts to be considered: context analysis, commissioning, client requirements, foreseen activities, schedules and needs of users, laws and building-code standards related to a project, optimization of building-construction planning.
Prerequisite: Environmental Architecture Major

DAP-AGC/3700 - Structures I

The course introduces the fundamentals of statics and strength of materials, providing a theoretical and scientific basis for understanding how various structural systems and structural materials work and withstand loading. Main concepts are investigated with qualitative methods, as well as quantitative analysis. The scope of this course is limited to the examination of simple structural elements, such as trusses, beams, and columns.
Prerequisite: DNP-PHY/2000 Building Physics

DAP-AGC/3800 - Structures II

Application of statics principles to building structures. Dimensioning of horizontal and vertical structural systems, considering different structural materials. The scope of this course includes the examination of complex structural systems.
Prerequisites: DAP-AGC/3700 Structures I or Permission by the Professor

DAP-AGC/3900 - Public Involvement

The course involves the study of architectural planning and the relationships with the needs and requirements of the public. Approaches to sustainability, responsiveness, and efficacy are considered.
Prerequisite: Environmental Architecture Major

DAP-AGC/4010 - Seismic Study

This study looks at the interaction of earthquakes and buildings, and how loads are applied and distributed through a structure. Lectures and projects analyze the influence of building configuration in response to earthquake loads.
Prerequisite: 90 credits or Permission of the Instructor.

DAP-AGC/4400 - Architectural Restoration

In this course students will develop the capability of identifying the needs of conservation projects and guidelines. The protection and culture of conservation will be discussed along with the methods of architectural restoration. Visits to various sites for research, meetings and seminars with external specialists will be planned.
Prerequisite: 90 credits or Permission of the Instructor.

DAP-AGC/4990-4991 - Senior Project in Environmental Architecture

Students use the methodology of environmental architectural design in an extended project (e.g., a research thesis, an internship at an environmental design and consultancy office or local Municipality Administration, a critical study, or a project based on the transformation of an urban and/or off-city area).
Prerequisite: 90 credits or Permission of the Instructor.
Credits: 8 credits total (4 credits per semester. It is not possible to receive credit for the first semester until the second is completed).

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Architectural Design Courses

DAP-ADC/1100 - Architectural Design Studio I

During the Design Studio I students can develop their design skills while conceiving simple projects, defining methods, tools, and conventions of architectural and environmental design, including CAD. The course provides a working forum for developing creative and critical thinking as well as cultural, social, and ecological awareness in design.
Prerequisite: None

DAP-ADC/1200 - Architectural Design Studio II

This studio will deal with a more complex design project. Digital interactive tools will be used to generate a control on energy consumption, the relationships of building orientation and technology.
Prerequisite: DAP-ADC/1100 Architectural Design Studio I

DAP-ADC/2100 - Architectural Design Studio III

Aiming to define the design of a complex structure, the design will focus on technological devices and architectural innovations that help the designer to create a building with very low impact in energy consumption. Special attention will be given to materials, alternative energy production and details.
Prerequisite: DAP-ADC/1200 Architectural Design Studio II

DAP-ADC/3100 - Architectural Design Studio IV

As in Design Studio III, the project will be complex and will be developed both formally and technologically, looking at the coherency between form, function and technology towards a design of quality and sustainability.
Prerequisite: DAP-ADC/2100 Architectural Design Studio III or Permission of the Instructor.

DAP-ADC/3200 - Architectural Design Studio V

This studio will focus on design in relation to an un urban context. The design project will employ to establish new relationships between technology and forms. The course will aim to develop a part of an urban block with innovative character and attention to contemporary social needs.
Prerequisite: DAP-ADC /3100 Architectural Design Studio IV

DAP-ADC/4100 - Architectural Design Studio VI

The relationships between built/un-built; urban void and revitalization will be at the basis of this Design Studio, analyzing relationships between urban planning, landscape architecture and architectural design.
Prerequisite: DAP-ADC/3200 Architectural Design Studio V and 90 credits or Permission of the Instructor.

DAP-ADC/4200 - Architectural Design Studio VII

Multidisciplinary will be at the basis of the design. Students will be also asked to apply innovative tools to develop their ideas. In order to develop a complex project, several inputs from different disciplines will be furnished.
Prerequisite: DAP-ADC/4100 Architectural Design Studio VI and 90 credits.

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Environmental Design Courses

DAP-EDC/1020 - Introduction to Environmental Design

This course introduces students to the basic principles of Environmental Design. Specifically, sustainability means a coherent and respectful approach to design; with an energy-conscious approach to land and innovative urban development. The course explains theory, methods, and tools related to climate site analysis, environmental design programming, environmental impact assessment, and mitigation strategies.
Prerequisite: None

DAP-EDC/1300 - Introduction to Landscape Environmental Design

This course lays out the basic principles of the environmental approach to landscape architecture. Design criteria are described with regards to the following aspects: differences in landscaping; relationships between landscape and townscape architecture; ecology of landscape; mitigation impact and use of planting; selection of vegetation elements for outdoor microclimate control.
Prerequisite: None

DAP-EDC/2040 - Garden Architecture

This course introduces the history of gardens both in Western and Eastern culture and the organization of man-made landscapes. It will explore the formation of the idea of gardens in European culture, going through history, from natural gardens to Roman gardens, and from Medieval to 15th-century gardens. Middle-East and Chinese gardens will be analyzed, as well as the traditional Japanese gardens.
Prerequisite: None

DAP-EDC/2060 - Introduction to Sustainable Architecture

Sustainability covers different realms. Specifically, sustainable architecture should provide solutions to develop cities and buildings that produce low impact in terms of pollution and energy consumption. This course analyzes the following relationships: materials/resources, atmosphere/energy/ water efficiency, indoor improvement quality and sustainable sites. Students will learn about the US Green Building Council's Green Building Rating System and review well-known structures that exemplify sustainable architecture. Other certification systems will be explored.
Prerequisite: environmental architecture major

DAP-EDC/2700 - Climate and Architecture I

This course deals with the principles, methods, and tools of bioclimatic architecture. It explores traditional architecture and how it is adapted to different climate characteristics. Several case studies will be analyzed. The course focuses on concepts such as human comfort, indoor climate. Part of the study will include energy efficient strategies and buildings' envelope.
Prerequisite: Environmental Architecture Major

DAP-EDC/2800 - Climate and Architecture II

Contemporary buildings will be studied through considerations of: outdoor thermal comfort and climate site design, solar radiation as a building shaping factor, solar shading, shading devices design, wind environment, wind barriers, energy analysis and modeling.
Prerequisite: DAP-EDC/2700 Climate and Architecture I

DAP-EDC/3300 - Environmental-friendly garden and park design

Gardens and parks can act as a microclimatic control of outdoor spaces. Interactions between trees and shrubs and climate characteristics such as solar irradiation, air temperature and humidity, and wind speed and direction are the main teaching subjects.
Prerequisite: None

DAP-EDC/3500 - Environmental Control Systems I

Thermal, visual, and acoustic comfort: these are the main aspects of environmental control. Basic concepts, methods, and techniques of environmental control of indoor spaces will be analyzed. The relation among needs, requirements and design will be evaluated through the studies of several solutions.
Prerequisite: DNP-PHY/2000 Building Physics

DAP-EDC/3550 - Environmental Control Systems II

Passive and active systems will be studied. Specifically, the course introduces the technologies aimed at controlling indoor climate for comfort, while saving energy, and reducing environmental impacts. Various passive technologies will be analyzed: thermal solar walls, sun spaces, night ventilation cooling, day lighting devices, solar light shelves, wells, and tubes, acoustic insulation. Active systems will be dealt with highlighting their effectiveness and building/architectural integration.
Prerequisite: DAP-EDC/3500 Environmental Control Systems I

DAP-EDC/3800, DSE-ENV/3800 - Landscaping for environmental impact mitigation

In cities, landscape has a significant role in mitigating the adverse impacts of pollution on the environment. In this course, the main effects of plants are analyzed in relation to various elements, such as air, water, soil, sound. Criteria, methods, and techniques to select proper species and design configuration for the mitigation needs of site and local context are taught.
Prerequisite: None

DAP-EDC/4200, DSE-ENV/4200 - Ecological Restoration and Management

The course analyses the most recent applications of ecological principles to restoration. It examines the main principles of ecosystem and landscape management, connected project management, and the integration of ecosystem services into productive landscapes. The course also includes policy and planning for mainland and island restoration, evaluation of pest impacts and priorities for control as well as cultural, social and economic considerations.
Prerequisite: 90 credits

DAP-EDC/4300 - Environmental Evaluation of Projects

The course introduces the concepts, methods, and tools for evaluating the environmental impact of settlements and building projects. LCA-based methods (Life Cycle Assessment) as well as score-based multi-criteria tools will be explained. Several environmental aspects will be considered: resource depletion, green gas emissions, emissions to air, soil, and water, water management and recovering, non-renewable and renewable energy use, waste production and management, recycling and toxicity of materials, assembling and disassembling of construction systems, outdoor comfort conditions.
Prerequisite: 90 credits or Permission of the Instructor.

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INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COURSES

DAP-IDC/1100 - Introduction to Industrial Design

Relationships among industry, design and market will be explored. Through historical/critical analysis of products, the meaning of design and being a designer will be pointed out. Use of color, materials and finishings, graphic representations and communication strategies will be part of the fundamentals of this course. The project planning will also involve the participation of companies and external partners. Models will be useful tools of study.
Prerequisites: None

DAP-IDC/1200 - Interior Design

Through historical/critical analysis of thoughts, tendencies and projects, the discipline of Interior Design is explained and taught. Each student will be asked to develop their own project in interior design for housing, office buildings, etc. The design method will involve companies and external partners. The creation of models with various materials (polystyrene, paper, cardboard or wood) will be One of the most important tools, together with the use of specific software for design.
Prerequisites: None

DAP-IDC/1300 - Fashion Design

A critical approach to tendencies through history will be the starting point to study this discipline. Knowledge of the modern international garment industry and fashion marketing will be provided. Sustainability and the use of innovative and recycled materials will be introduced. Workshops will permit students to develop their own ideas and collection.
Prerequisites: None

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