DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
ARCHITECTURE GENERAL COURSES
DAP-AGC/1010 - Introduction to Architecture
Introduces architectural education and practice in the United States. A study of the aesthetic, technological, behavioral, social, environmental, and legal forces which determine architectural forms and urban patterns. A look at architecture as a way of viewing the world in the context of a liberal arts education.
Prerequisite: None
DAP-AGC/1400 - European Historical Landscapes
Description and classification of the main categories of European man-made Landscapes are the main focus of this course. Emphasis is made on the cultural and historical values of these landscapes and the need of their preservation within the framework of the European Conference on Landscape.
Prerequisite: None
DAP-AGC/2050 - Architectural Technology
Principles of design as based on functional analysis rather than aesthetical aspects. Relationships between function and form, context and site, energy and spatial distribution. 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
Emphasizes details of construction. Examines interfaces of materials and systems: foundation/wall, wall/window, wall/roof, floor/wall, etc. Investigates the effect of materials and processes on the appearance and life of building components. Studies interior and exterior finishes, joints, fire protection, and specification.
Prerequisite: DAP-AGC/2050 Architectural Technology
DAP-AGC/2080 - Architectural Context: Place and Culture
Through the study of historical and contemporary examples, this course helps students develop a deeper understanding of how the design of buildings interacts with the physical and cultural contexts of human traditions, landscapes, settlements, cities and suburbs.
Prerequisite: Environmental Architecture Major
DAP-AGC/2090 - Light and Color in Architecture
This course analyzes theory and application of light and color in architecture. In a project and laboratory format students develop an understanding of the implications and effects of light and color in space.
Prerequisite: Environmental Architecture Major
DAP-AGC/2200 - Natural landscapes in the USA
Description and classification of the main categories of USA natural Landscapes are the main focus of this course. Emphasis is made on the rich and complex variety of these landscapes from the East to the West coast and from the Northern to the Southern States. 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 on representing 2D and 3D views of architectural spaces and details through hand-drawn sketches. In particular, plan and vertical views as well as prospective and axonometric representations will be carried out within the lab part of the course.
Prerequisite: DFA-SAC/2000 Drawing and Representation
DAP-AGC/3090 - Industrial Architecture
This course puts particular emphasis on the interpretation and conservation of historical memory. In this mind-frame, the course proposes key points which will help the 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 which record construction procedures and means of production which came about before the introduction of concrete and starting from the 1600’s. Visits to houses which are examples of importance in Torino and the Piemonte Region will be fundamental to the course.
Prerequisite: Environmental Architecture Major
DAP-AGC/3600 - Architectural Refurbishment
Principle of architectural survey with particular reference to Italian building types. 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
Criteria and methodology for the preliminary phase of the design process: 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
Introduces the fundamentals of statics and strength of materials. Provides a theoretical and scientific basis for understanding how various structural systems and structural materials work and withstand loading. The concepts introduced during the course 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. 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
This course takes an in-depth look at the relationship between the public and architectural planning. Students will learn about the environmental planner’s responsibility to the as well as efficient and effective methods of engagement
Prerequisite: Environmental Architecture Major
DAP-AGC/4010 - Seismic Study
Seismic 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
The objective of this course is to supply the students with the necessary cultural tools to identify the “cultural asset” and its progress through history, understand its characteristic aspects and delineate the guidelines for conservation projects. The protection and culture of conservation on an international level will be discussed along with the methods of restoration with particular attention to landscapes and historical gardens. Visits to different places 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 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
This sequence of studios is aimed at developing students’ design skills from drawing and conceptual representation to the ability of managing complex architectural projects, while considering environmental impact reduction and an energy conscious approach.
The first course in this sequence deals with the basic architectural composition and representation rules as well as methods, tools, and conventions of architectural and environmental design, including CAD. It 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 the first preliminary phase of an architectural project: site analysis and design.
The subject and site of the project to be developed through the BS program will be chosen and architectural precedents analyzed. Emphasis will be placed on the interactions between architecture and context, i.e., use, location, orientation, and general form of buildings as well as location of outdoor activities in relation to: social conditions, landscape, local climate, energy saving, environmental impact, multisensory comfort, transportation, and historical cultural heritage.
Prerequisite: DAP-ADC/1100 Architectural Design Studio I
DAP-ADC/2100 - Architectural Design Studio III
This studio will deal with the second preliminary phase of the architectural project: design programming.
Emphasis will be placed on the following aspects regarding the design briefing: analysis of activities and related environmental impacts, functional and environmental requirements of spaces connected to the activities, interrelationships between activities and spaces, dimensional requirements.
Prerequisite: DAP-ADC/1200 Architectural Design Studio II
DAP-ADC/3100 - Architectural Design Studio IV
This studio will deal with the schematic design phase of the architectural project by approaching perceptive and aesthetic aspects such as: building form and spatiality, transparency and opaqueness, heaviness and lightness, verticality and horizontality, linearity and curvilinearness.
Prerequisite: DAP-ADC/2100 Architectural Design Studio III
DAP-ADC/3200 - Architectural Design Studio V
This studio will deal with the schematic design phase of the architectural project by approaching technological aspects such as: environment-sound construction and structural typologies, selection of eco-compatible materials, definition of scenarios for the de-construction phase.
Prerequisite: DAP-ADC /3100 Architectural Design Studio IV
DAP-ADC/4100 - Architectural Design Studio VI
This studio will deal with a first part of the architectural project design development, including: structural configuration; definition of materials and layers for the envelope as well as internal partitions; architectural detailing.
Prerequisite: DAP-ADC/3200 Architectural Design Studio V and 90 credits.
DAP-ADC/4200 - Architectural Design Studio VII
This studio will deal with the completion of the architectural project design development, including: schematic configuration of the HVAC system; definition of sustainable scenarios for building commissioning, operation, and maintenance; project communication.
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
Introduces students to the basic principles of Environmental Design, i.e., a resource and energy-conscious approach to land, urban, and building transformation and construction. 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: landscape typology and evolution; landscape and townscape architecture and their influence on the environment; ecology of landscape; impact mitigation function of planting; selection of vegetation elements for outdoor microclimate control.
Prerequisite: None
DAP-EDC/2040 - Garden Architecture
This course introduces the history of gardens in Western culture and the organization of man-made landscapes. It will explore the formation of the idea of gardens in European culture, ranging from natural gardens to Roman gardens and medieval and 15th-century gardens. Discussions will provide a background for learning about Italian mannerist gardens, French gardens, English and Dutch classical gardens and Chinese-English gardens. Students will be introduced to the relationship between European cities and the land, from the cities of the prince of the absolutist period to the complex of delights and pleasure domes, as well as 19th and 20th -century urban parks.
Prerequisite: None
DAP-EDC/2060 - Introduction to Sustainable Architecture
This course analyzes the various characteristics of green buildings that include: 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.
Prerequisite: environmental architecture major
DAP-EDC/2700 - Climate and Architecture I
This course deals with the principles, methods, and tools of bioclimatic architecture, as described for the first time by Olgyay’s Design with Climate (1963). Main topics are: 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: Environmental Architecture Major
DAP-EDC/2800 - Climate and Architecture II
This course focuses on the application of a bioclimatic approach in architecture, from archetypical pre-modern examples to contemporary buildings. Regarding the former, the will be particular emphasis on Middle East and Mediterranean architecture, e. g., Egyptian Malkaf, Iranian Wind tower, Southern Italian Sassi, Trulli, Camera dello Scirocco.
Prerequisite: DAP-EDC/2700 Climate and Architecture I
DAP-EDC/3300 - Environmental-friendly garden and park design
This course deals with methods and tools to design urban gardens and parks as well as private gardens in a way that reduce environmental impacts and act as a microclimate 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
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts, methods, and techniques of environmental control of indoor spaces through its various aspects: thermal, visual, and acoustic comfort. The influence of design choices on indoor climate as well as the possible conflicts between needs and requirements will be analyzed.
Prerequisite: DNP-PHY/2000 Building Physics
DAP-EDC/3550 - Environmental Control Systems II
This course deals with technologies, both passive and active, 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 ventilative cooling, day lighting devices, solar light shelves, wells, and tubes, acoustic insulation. Active systems will be dealt with as well, 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
Landscape, particularly at an urban level, has a significant role in mitigating the adverse impacts of anthropogenic activities on the environment. In this course, the main effects of plants on pollution reduction are analyzed in relation to various sinks/elements: 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 application of ecological principles to restoration. Principles of ecosystem and landscape management, project management, and the integration of ecosystem services into productive landscapes. Policy and planning for mainland and island restoration; evaluation of pest and weed impacts and priorities for control as well as cultural, social and economic considerations.
Prerequisite: 90 credits
DAP-EDC/4300 - Environmental Evaluation of Projects
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 multicriteria tools will be explained, encompassing various environmental aspects: 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. Main approaches to weight and benchmarking of criteria and values.
Prerequisite: 90 credits or permission of the instructor.
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INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COURSES
DAP-IDC/1100 - Introduction to Industrial Design
Design is seen, for example, as the added worth to a coffee machine or an armchair, a personal computer or a motorcycle, products which are part of a market that is more and more competitive and differentiated. Seeing design in this way is the philosophy which brings fortune to this part of industry.
The course will discuss fundamental rules for the use of color, materials and finishing, graphic representations and communication strategies beyond a historical/critical analysis of the design.
The project planning will also involve the participation of companies and external partners as well as the preparation (depending on the theme discussed) of models with various materials (polystyrene, paper, cardboard or wood).
Prerequisites: None
DAP-IDC/1200 - Interior Design
Interior design is the job that is most attentive to and sensitive to changes in style. The professional figure of this discipline is involved in the management of internal spaces of different natures: residential, commercial and collective.
This Interior Design course has the goal of the students making professional figures; making them capable of understanding and dealing with the entire project that is extended to graphics, industrial design and architecture.
The project creation will involve companies and external partners and will involve (depending on the themes discussed) the creation of models to be created using various materials (polystyrene, paper, cardboard or wood).
Prerequisites: None
DAP-IDC/1300 - Fashion Design
Courses within this field will introduce students to the history of fashion design, generally considered to have started in the 19th century with Charles Frederick Worth who was the first designer to have his label sewn into the garments that he created. Moreover, knowledge of modern international garment industry and fashion marketing will be provided. Students will have the chance to visit the main European fashion houses. Consistently to SJIU’s mission, fashion design courses will favor the use of recycled fabric where appropriate. Within fashion design workshops students will be able to produce a collection which is then shown to buyers and prospective employers at the University show.
Prerequisites: None
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