The studios intend to transmit specific knowledge in order to tackle the design of a building in connection with the built fabric it is part of, and rehabilitate it. Such knowledge includes: • identifying and understanding the typological, morphological, functional and technological characters of the existing fabric • understanding the complexity of the design process, identifying the solutions and details more appropriate to respond to the needs expressed by the design theme. At the end of the studios, it is expected that students will acquire the following knowledge and skills: • understanding of the design potential arising from the interaction between form and technique • ability to deal with architectural design at the scale of the single building, in particular demonstrating consistency of design choices (both regarding spaces and building techniques); skill to analyse and satisfy functional requirements, above all regarding living quality; skill to appropriately specify building materials and systems according to physical properties, expected performance and feasibility • capacity to identify the criteria needed to establish a dialogue between project and context, stemming from the interpretation of the characters of the latter • capacity to manage autonomously an architectural project in a given time and to comply with the schedule of design activities, which calls that the project be completed by the end of the semester.

• Knowledge of and ability to use the technical architectural drawing at different scales • knowledge of and ability to use the basic technical language • knowledge of the down-breaking of the technological system and the functional role of subsystems, and ability to use such knowledge in architectural design

Educational activities will consist in the organic development of a design process, both through theoretical lessons and project reviews performed by the two teachers – singularly or jointly. The Atelier "Building in the built environment" aims to develop an architectural and constructive project in a specific context of so-called "slow territories" or "minor territories". Those are rural areas where the local development is based on the attention to landscape and environment, the valorisation of local identity, the cultural heritage and the food&wine traditions. The project will be developed in alpine or hilly area. The project will focus on functions related to the local economy: rural buildings, wineries, services for tourism, typical products retail. The project could deal with new building or with the refurbishment of an existing one. The targets of the design process are: - the integration of the building in the specific context, with the valorisation of local resources and respecting the local identity and culture (traditional architecture, local materials and building technologies etc.); - the project of the building envelope with the choice of appropriate technologies and materials; - the project comfort and the quality of indoor spaces.

Students will be working mainly in groups of two or three. Meetings with professional architects and experts, as well as visits to built works and/or building products manufacturers may complement the studio activity. Both the teachers’ lessons and such meetings and visits will preferably take place during the first phase of the studio work, while the second phase will be mainly dedicated to the completion of the project, the implementation of the final documents, and cross-checks at different scales.

As references the following publications are suggested: - A. De Rossi, Atlante dei paesaggi costruiti, Blu, Peveragno 2002. - A. De Rossi, R. Dini, Architettura alpina contemporanea, Priuli & Verlucca Editori, 2012. - E. Arbizzani, Tecnica e tecnologia dei sistemi edilizi. Progetto e costruzione, Maggioli, 2015. - M. Berta, F. Corrado, A. De Rossi, R. Dini, Architettura e territorio alpino. Scenari di sviluppo e di riqualificazione energetico-edilizia del patrimonio costruito, Editore Regione Piemonte, 2015. - D. Bosia, R. Marchiano, R. Pavesi, L. Savio, L’architettura rurale del G.A.L. Montagne Biellesi. Guida al recupero dell’architettura tradizionale, Blu Edizioni, Torino, 2015. Further bibliographic references will be provided by teachers during the Studio.

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

Regular attendance of the lectures is recommended in order to develop the design activities. During the Atelier, the student's works will be reviewed and discussed with the professors. Final exam will consist in the presentation and discussion of the requested materials concerning the project. In particular, the discussion will deal with the architectural project, the technological details, the constructive feasibility and the representation of the project through physical models. The evaluation will be formulated as follows: - 40% reviews and discussions of student's work during the Atelier; - 60% final discussion of project design. Assessment criteria will include the ability to transfer the knowledge acquired during the activities of Atelier (lessons and project reviews), the project constructive feasibility, the level of awareness of architectural and technological choices and their integration degree. Assessment criteria will include also the capacity of comply with scheduled deliveries, and to conclude the project by the end of the semester. Pass marks in both disciplines are required in order to pass the final examination.

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.