051-0781-16L  Costruire correttamente/Constructing Correctly: Curve and Fold to Bear Loads and Forces

SemesterAutumn Semester 2016
LecturersG. Birindelli
Periodicityevery semester recurring course
Language of instructionGerman


AbstractIn line with the approach of P.L. Nervi's book, our study is based on factors that, outlined by him, are still today all the more relevant as a lesson for architecturally and structurally justified buildings. We will observe selected buildings both of our time and of the past for their space, architecture and construction, understand them and interpret them according to universal values of design.
Objective'Costruire correttamente' (Constructing Correctly), the 1955 book published by Pier Luigi Nervi, covers crucial factors for building that, outlined by him, are still today all the more relevant as a lesson for architecturally and structurally justified buildings. His thoughts represent valuable criteria and indispensable tools for observation and carrying out investigations of the built environment.
Lessons learned from this can enrich the design work of today's and tomorrow's architects.
All of these (see abstract) i.e. analyses, observances, hypotheses, groupings and cross-comparisons, will help the students in their careers to find their own strategies and approaches to design and to be aware of them. And so, according to the advice of Pier Luigi Nervi : "...At every stage of his training, the future architect should be constantly and methodically guided to search for essential elements in each problem, be it large or small. The study of the architectural works of the past should consist in the critical examination of their functional and structural solutions and of the relation between these and form, in order to show that form is a consequence and not a determinant of functional and structural needs." [P.L. Nervi: Costruire correttamente, Milano 1955; English version titled "Structures", 1956, p.28].
ContentThe main thread of this course, that runs over two semesters (*), are buildings of all ages that could be categorised under notions such as « most viewed », « most technically daring », « most unknown », « most discussed » or « most worthly of discussion », and carry instructive aspects of the teachings of Pier Luigi Nervi ("costruire correttamente"). In the lecture, these buildings will be investigated on-the-spot, described from the designers' point-of-view and will be commented on with reference to any redesign resulting from the interplay of architectural and structural concepts. Harmonies and discords should be discovered.
Occasionally there will be guest lectures. These people, who were directly involved with a certain building, will portray the emergence and development of the project.
In this sense, the course is also intended for civil / structural engineering students and presents a possible bridge between the two prospective project partners - architect and engineer.

(*) Begins in the autumn semester. Entry into the course in the spring is possible.
Lecture notesNone for the time being