Course for Architects, designers, and thinkers (REQUIRED graphic skills)

Objectives:

This course introduces the concept of “evolving values” of heritage, promoting the “human-centered” development of sustainable heritage conservation and use. The module presents the multiple roles of heritage in addressing todays technological, societal and cultural developments, as well as contemporary challenges such as climate change/environmental degradation/energy crisis, and overtourism, highlighting, among others, the need to build shared understandings and collaborative and participatory programs for the management and valorization of heritage with a multidisciplinary and integrated approach.

In particular, this module will provide students with insights into the methods, tools, and means of the presentation, fruition, and enhancement of heritage values, resources, and material cultures beyond their physical manifestations, esp. through digital technologies.

Students will learn about the importance of heritage conservation, as “sustainable management of changes” over time. The course aims to encourage students to recognize that any long-term sustainable project within heritage sites must respect/preserve the “values system” and “authentic sense of place”, without compromising the “integrity” and “authenticity” of those sites.

Assessment:

Students in small groups will work on a short research (visual and/or textual) essay to be agreed upon with the professor regarding a heritage case study topic and or site in Milan. Students will be assessed based on three aspects: their presence; active participation in workshop activities and the quality of their outcomes.

Topics to be followed:

-          Cultural heritage

-          Sustainability and resilience

-          Climate change

-          Authenticity and integrity

-          Inclusive conservation and reuse

-          Tourism 

 

 

Bibliography

-          Laurajane Smith, Uses of Heritage, Anno edizione: 2006, ISBN: 9780415318303

-          Stefano Della Torre, Italian perspective on the planned preventive conservation of architectural heritage, in: Frontiers of Architectural Research, Anno edizione: 2020,ISSN: 2095-2635

-          Mehrnaz Rajabi, Climate Change, Resilience and Cultural Heritage. In-Between International Debates and Practical Encounters, Editor: Springer: 2024, ISBN: 978-3-031-61241-1

-          Don Norman, The design of everyday things. Basic Books, Inc., New York: 1998, ISBN: 978-0-262-64037-4

-          Alfredo M. M. Ronchi, eCulture: Cultural Content in the Digital Age, Springer: 2009, ISBN: 978-3-540-75273-8

Further readings will be given according to the chosen research.

The students will present the outcomes of their research essay. Graphic and scientific quality will also be considered in the evaluation of the work as well as effectiveness of their communications.

Visit of Milan by day and night with aperitivos and pizza party.