In general terms, the laboratories guide the students to the research of historical sources (material, graphic or textual, bibliographical and/or archival), to their analysis and interpretation, to their discussion and finally to the restitution of the research carried out through tools such as writing or graphic analysis. Through an in-depth experience conducted on specific case studies, each laboratory aims to provide students with the critical and methodological skills necessary to conduct an autonomous and conscious study and research project. The laboratories also aim to strengthen students' critical skills with regard to some central themes of contemporary historiographical debate. More specifically, the laboratory History of architecture and cities Lab A will allow the students to gain an appropriate terminology, methodology and tools of the discipline. At the end of the course, students will be able to analyze architecture and cities using a critical approach to the past, that will become a tool for understanding the present. The principal learning outcomes are: - Knowledge of the methods of historical analysis of architectural heritage. - Knowledge and understanding of the cultural, social, economic urban transformations in relation with the concerned theme of the course. - Knowledge of the architectural production and of the cities in space and time in relation with the concerned theme of the course. - Ability to identify historical sources and to use them correctly. - Ability to use an appropriate specific vocabulary about architecture and cities and for historical sources. - Ability to organize and correctly interpret data collected by historical analysis at different scales. - Good exposition of different critical interpretations on the same monument/space. - Exercise to use personal skills and social abilities to collaborate within a group for producing an historical research project

It is recommended that the student has passed the History of Contemporary Architecture exam (1st year) and attended the History of Modern Architecture exam (2nd year). At the same time, the knowledge of the basic architectural vocabulary (parts of buildings, building elements, primary forms in the history of architecture, Architectural Orders) is recommended, even if it will be improved in specific lectures.

The laboratory, delivered in English and offered to international students from different countries and cultural areas, aims to provide the main tools for historical research, from the use of the historical sources to the analysis of architecture and urban sites, considered in their evolutionary process up to the present, with a diachronic and synchronic approach. In order to achieve the broadest possible methodological approach, highlighting the variety of historical sourced and their complexity, the course will focus on some architectural works and related urban spaces chosen as case-studies. The students will deal with architectural elements or urban spaces with a specific complexity, focusing on the architectural works/urban space itself and on the related historical sources (primary and secondary ones), from the Baroque period to today. At the end of the laboratory, the students will be able to know, understand and use a variety of historical sources (historical cartography, drawings, iconographic materials, written texts, published works and others) with a critical approach, developing – with a written text and a graphic exercise – a scientific historical research. The aim is to provide the student to correctly apply the methodology of historical research and also to expand his/her vocabulary. The theme of the laboratory is framed to obtain a critical approach from the past to the present, considering the historical analysis of architecture and urban space like a tool for other studies. This framing is intended to evidence the historical structure of architecture and cities in today’s contemporary condition. The course will be organized into students’ teams, with review sessions and visits (when possible), according to a timetable to be previously provided to students. Each student team is invited to realize written texts and graphic elaborations using historical sources derived from the archives, provided by the professors, and books, available in the Politecnico’s libraries. More specifically, the course topics for the a.y. 2024/2025 will analyze in depth Guarino Guarini’s works - considering his studies, projects, building sites, buildings, cities in which he worked - and his influence after him, from the Baroque period to the contemporary age.

The laboratory will guide students through a plurality of exercises aimed at developing specific skills: bibliographic research; identification and critical use of primary sources; critical readings of key texts; deconstruction of existing research works; paper writing exercises; visual analysis of buildings; individual and group presentations; collective discussions; etc. Each of the teaching modules will be subject to specific forms of revision and will contribute to the formation of the overall evaluation.

The laboratory is based both on of the teaching traditional method and the so-called innovative teaching. The course will alternate between ex-cathedra lessons, specific exercises to be conducted either in small teams or individually, and collective discussions on some issues of common relevance. Lessons will be focused on theoretical-practical explanations of the main sources of historical research and on the main topic of the course or some topics related to it. Note-taking is absolutely mandatory. Specific exercises, to be conducted either in small groups or individually, will follow the lectures. During the workshop - if necessary, started with a review on Western history of modern and contemporary architecture - the students will apply the methodology for the historical research. Students will carry on historical research in small teams (2-3 students). Each students’ team will be invited to discuss his topic with the teacher and each other, actively participating in the laboratory. The groups will be requested to produce a research paper, organized with written text and graphic elaboration, and will present the results of the critical and analytical work carried out during the workshop. All exercises and the historical research project of each team will be taken in consideration in the evaluation criteria.

There is no single mandatory textbook. Some fundamental texts, available in Politecnico’s libraries and in other public libraries, are recommended. A more detailed reference bibliography will be provided at the beginning of the laboratory or at the beginning of some lessons. Additional bibliography, references to websites and other readings are given throughout the course; most of them will be available for download from the course website. The following texts serve as general reference to literature on the themes touched by the laboratory: - D. Watkin, “The Rise of Architectural History”, London, The Architectural Press, 1980 - J. Summerson, “The Classical Language of Architecture”, Cambridge, MIT, 1963 [1st. ed; later editions are available] - R. Wittkower, “Art and Architecture in Italy, 1600-1750”, Penguin, Harmondsworth, 1973 revised ed. - R. Pommer, “Eighteenth-century Architecture in Piedmont: the open structures of Juvarra, Alfieri, Vittone”, New York/London, Univ. Press, 1967 - M.D. Pollak, “Turin 1564-1680: urban design, military culture and the creation of the absolutist capital”, Chicago-London, Chicago Unibersity Press, 1991. - V. Comoli, C. Olmo (Eds.), “Turin”, Torino, Allemandi, 2000 - A.L. Cardoza, G. W. Symcoz, “A History of Turin”, Torino, Einaudi, 2006. - E. C. Robison, “Optics and mathematics in the domed churches of Guarino Guarini”, in “Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians”, L, 4 (1991), pp. 384-401. - A. Morrogh, “Guarini and the Pursuit of Originality. The Church for Lisbon and Related Projects”, in “Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians”, LVII, 1 (1998), pp. 6-29. - G. Dardanello, S. Klaiber, H. Millon (eds.), “Guarino Guarini”, Torino, Allemandi, 2006 - M. van Beek, “The Multifaceted Uses of Guarini’s Architettura Civile in 1968”, in Michela Rosso (eds), “Investigating and writing Architectural History: Subyects, Methodologies, Frontiers. Papers from the Third EAHN International Meeting”, Torino, Politecnico di Torino, 2014, pp. 109-114.

Lecture notes; Text book; Multimedia materials;

Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Individual graphic design project; Group graphic design project; Individual essay; Group essay;

The final exam will consist of an oral interview during which the student will have to demonstrate the ability to critically review the work carried out during the semester and to analyze in a pertinent way the topics and case studies covered by the laboratory. The oral interview is the final presentation of the work done during the laboratory, followed by a public discussion with questions. The exam will be taken in group and carried out in oral form. It aims to assess the learning of the topics discussed during the course and covered in the workshop, demonstrating: - Knowledge of the methodology of historical research. - Knowledge of the methods of historical analysis of architecture and cities. - Ability to identify historical sources and to use them correctly, with an appropriate vocabulary. - Ability to organize and correctly interpret data collected by historical analysis at different scales. - - Ability to organize scientific historical research - Ability to discuss the main questions of different critical interpretations on chosen architecture and cities. The questions will be based on the study of the notes and the course materials (books and pdf file) provided from time to time during the course. The evaluation will be carried out continuously over the course of the semester and will be based on the outcome of all the activities carried out during the workshop, as well as the student's ability to participate in discussions. The final evaluation, for each student (individual evaluation), will consider the exam as well as the student’s work during the laboratory. The evaluation "with laude" is possible when the student, with a specific and accurate historical and critical approach, demonstrates all required abilities.

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.