Lecturer: Letizia Galli  

Course name: Architectural Survey And Restoration
Course code: 504235
Degree course: Ingegneria Edile-Architettura
Disciplinary field of science: ICAR/19
L'insegnamento è caratterizzante per: Ingegneria Edile-Architettura
The course relates to: Ingegneria Edile-Architettura
University credits: ECTS 12
Course website: n.d.

Specific course objectives

Course programme

The course in Architectonical Restoration aims to provide students with the skills to plan in the field of existing architecture. Given that territory is not a limitless resource and that many recent constructions, often of questionable constructive and architectonical quality, has lead to an excessive consumption of land, it is very probable that in the short term ever more attention will be dedicated to the restoration of abandoned buildings. This patrimony could became part of a virtous cycle of recovery, with many positive effects, not least economic.
A building constructed in the past is a complex entity. As well as being an icon of architectural history, it represents the thought, the will and the desire of many generations. It also symbolizes those who brought it into existence, transformed it and even those who abandoned it because its true value and interest were not recognized. Such buildings are the concrete testimony of methods and practices that have now been forgotten or lost or that are so difficult, costly and that no craftsmen would be able to reproduce.
As knowledge from the past is often ignored and working method and practices are not valued, they are forgotten and this heritage is lost, often unconsciously.

• Theoretical lesson on changes about the idea of restoration.
• Lessons on the most important principles of the discipline (e.g. concept of authenticity, time, memory). Particular emphasis will be given on themes about the philosophy of art (aesthetics).
• Technical lessons on traditional construction materials, their common states of decay due to different causes (less of mentaining, parasitics, pollution and others) and on solution for each kind of problem.
• Lessons about italian and international laws and charter in the field of conservation of heritage and monuments.

Students will be followed by the teacher and the tutors during a practical exercitation on a specific theme (a construction). They must develop an architectonical survey, a decay analysis using a specific system code (Nor.Ma.L. 1/88) and they must schedule treatments for each pathology observed on the matter of the studied construction. Students also must propose a recovery plan on a specific subject given by the teacher.

Course entry requirements

Course structure and teaching

Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 80
Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 40
Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in lecture theatre): 60

Suggested reading materials

Testing and exams

Italian students will sit the oral exam in Italian. Student of the ICC Course must sit a written exam in English. Erasmus students must sit a written exam in English or in Italian, if they are fluent in italian. Further all students must present their practical exercises orally in Italian, if mother tongue, or in English if not. Both the written and oral exams will be based on subjects discussed during lessons.
We stress that presenting only the practical exercise is not sufficient to pass the exam.
The final mark will be an evaluation of the written exam and the oral performance.
Compulsory Attendance
Attendance of laboratory hours is required. A maximum of three absences are allowed. We strongly advise students to attend the entire course.