Consistently with the syllabus, the Architectural design theory studio aims to train the following competences: - The ability to navigate the architectural literature distinguishing between architectural history, design theory, architectural theory and criticism. - The ability to recognize and critically assume positions related to the main issues of architectural design theory. - The ability to connect architectural choices and design actions to their theoretical reasons. - The ability to produce texts capable of effectively describing and communicating the relationships between programs and design solutions, between the project process and its effects.

It is strongly recommended to have passed the examinations of the Atelier Fondamenti della progettazione, of the Atelier Città e Territorio and of the Atelier Costruzione.

The need fort “hinking about doing” leads to a methodical reflection upon Project Theory. The theoretical issues that will be addressed in the laboratory provide students the tools to develop a critical attitude towards the architectural project. The design process will be placed in close relationship with its formal outcome, the actors involved, its representation and its discursive tools. The links between the architectural products and their ideational process will be identified, on the basis of symbolic, cultural, social, economic and procedural readings which are the basis of the project actions. The concepts treated during the ex cathedra lessons will be preparatory to the construction of a knowledge base to be systematized in the future practical design approach. The training objective is to allow students to acquire autonomy that allows them to continue in-depth study of the issues addressed within the course.

The laboratory is divided into two theoretical blocks and two application blocks. In the more strictly theoretical part, the basic skills will be addressed to be able to orientate within the Theory of the Project. With the acquired tools, the student will face the concepts of history, theory and criticism during lectures. In the application part, the study of the design process through the techniques of drawing, storytelling and synthesis will be associated with the production of short texts to describe, order and be able to read architecture. During the course a project will be drawn up (as an editorial, playful or communication project), based on the Renaissance tradition of the "memory palaces", starting from which i twill be possible to verify / falsify the skills being acquired in terms of: orientation within the architectural literature, drafting / reading of short texts, (inter) relationships between history, theory and criticism, as well as the dynamics of the architectural project. The lessons and exercises will be accompanied by moments of collective comparison, tutoring and discussion. The teaching is structured by alternating lectures and workshops. Students will work in groups on the production of texts, drawings and diagrams, which will be discussed during lectures. Students will be asked for a final paper, which will flow into a self-produced editorial project.

References listed below are considered indicative to understand some central problems of Architectural Design Theory, with specific interest for the recent debate. Steen Eiler Rasmussen, ARCHITETTURA COME ESPERIENZA, Bologna 2006 (1957) Enzo Mari, PROGETTO E PASSIONE, Torino 2001 Christopher Alexander, NOTE SULLA SINTESI DELLA FORMA, Milano 1967 (1964) [https://issuu.com/repazzo/docs/note_della_sintesi_della_forma_ocr] Pier Vittorio Aureli, IL PROGETTO DELL'AUTONOMIA. POLITICA E ARCHITETTURA DENTRO E CONTRO IL CAPITALISMO, Macerata 2016 (2012) Kenneth Goldsmith, CTRL+C CTRL+V. SCRITTURA NON CREATIVA, Roma 2019 (2011) Studio’s basic references are also the books by Marco Trisciuoglio: IL MURATORE E IL LATINO. INTRODUZIONE ALLA TEORIA DELL’ARCHITETTURA (Torino 2000), LA CONCHIGLIA DI CORBU. INTRODUZIONE ALLA FORMA IN ARCHITETTURA (Torino 2003) e SCATOLA DI MONTAGGIO. L'ARCHITETTURA, GLI ELEMENTI DELLA COMPOSIZIONE E LE RAGIONI COSTRUTTIVE DELLA FORMA (Roma 2008). Other references will be provided during the semester by the teachers, who will also request further readings, and help students to perform specific bibliographic research on their own.

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

The exam will take place remotely and will consist of an interview. This will focus on the points covered in class and on the bibliography provided during the course. In particular, the student's ability to articulate a critical speech on a topic will be verified. During the exam, the outcome of the project drawn up during the semester will also be discussed, actively participating in the seminar activities and in the debate that the teacher will feed in the virtual classroom. The evaluation will be in 30ths and will be divided as follows: 15/30 project and 15/30 final interview. The student must be able to argue and express himself with clarity and appropriate language, using the specific terminology transmitted during the teaching activity.

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

The exam will take place remotely and will consist of an interview. This will focus on the points covered in class and on the bibliography provided during the course. In particular, the student's ability to articulate a critical speech on a topic will be verified. During the exam, the outcome of the project drawn up during the semester will also be discussed, actively participating in the seminar activities and in the debate that the teacher will feed in the virtual classroom. The evaluation will be in 30ths and will be divided as follows: 15/30 project and 15/30 final interview. The student must be able to argue and express himself with clarity and appropriate language, using the specific terminology transmitted during the teaching activity.