AI224 - ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 1 (GRPA)

The Architectural Composition 1 course is aimed at studying and
understanding the basic compositional techniques for designing
simple architectural structures. The course is divided into two parts. The
first part involves reading and interpreting elementary architectural
references, primarily relating to single-family living
spaces. In the second part, these same architectural references
form the basis for designing small living spaces based on assigned
architectural-functional programs.
Architectural space, both in the reading phase, the
interpretation phase, and the more specific re-presentation
of the design, is broken down into its primary components with particular reference to:
horizontal elements, bases, floors, and roofs; vertical
elements, masonry partitions and diaphragms; specific elements, frameworks,
structures, and connections.
These components will be investigated not only in their physical dimension
and spatial organization, but also in their material and constructive consistency, attempting to highlight the often very evident relationship between
forms, materials, and technologies.
The understanding of the primary components and their technical rendering
is combined with the study of some fundamental themes
on the organization of space (such as: lightness,
transparency, density, modifiability, seriality, overlapping
of parts, etc.), essential for defining a coherent framework
within which to harmonize the individual parts.
The project, therefore, takes the form of a sort of final equilibrium
in which the size of the individual construction elements and
the size of the spaces they enclose are integrated within a compositional strategy
capable of satisfying the requirements of the assigned architectural-functional
program.