In general terms, the laboratories guide the students to the investigation of historical sources (graphic or textual, material, 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 speci􀃕c 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 The laboratory aims at promoting an advanced knowledge of an architectural theme studied in its urban, environmental, historical, compositional and figurative aspects: the student will be guided to situate a specific building in its historical environment by establishing a correct relation between the historical context, the building system, and the architectural language evaluating and interpreting the datas and information acquired in the formulation of an autonomous judgment of the architectural expressions of the contemporary age.

It is strongly advised to have passed the History of Contemporary Architecture exam. And, in any case, the basic skills and competences acquired during that course will be taken for granted. A sound historical culture and a good familiarity with the English language are indispensable requirements for the laboratory.

The laboratories provide an alternation between ex cathedra lessons, exercises conducted at least partially at an individuai level, and finally moments of collective discussion on cross-cutting issues, with ongoing discussions and public presentations. The forms in which the laboratories will be held will be strictly related to the topics chosen and will depend on the contingent situation with different degrees of e-learning teaching. Between 1965 and 1969 all the great masters of modern architecture, Le Corbusier, Gropius e Mies, pass away, while in 1972 two blocks of Pruitt Igoe public housing in St Louis are demolished, thus leading the architectural critic Charles Jencks to decree the ultimate death of Modern architecture and the beginning of Post-Modernism; that same year a group of economists, political leaders and entrepreneurs publishes the report "The limits to growth", and soon afterwards the Kippur war and the consequent oil crisis strikes the entire developed world. The issue of how to critically reconsider the legacy of Modern architecture emerges now more urgently than ever. The laboratory aims at investigating the diverse expressions of a season of contemporary architecture plural and eclectic in its nature in which finds expression a varied ensemble of experiences, both theoretical and experiential. A new centrality accorded to the user and his/her issues is accompanied by a rediscovery of history; a renovated interest for drawing and decoration taking takes the shape of alternative explorations in architectural language ranging from ironic citations, to pop and kitsch; the study of urban morphologies prepares the ground to a novel sensitivity for contexts and a more harmonious relationship with the built environment. At the centre of these and other themes, is architecture as a system of cultural expression and communication, of shared values and social symbols.

The laboratory will alternate ex-cathedra lessons and specific exercises to be conducted either in small groups or individually, and collective discussions on some issues of common relevance. IMPORTANT NOTE: At the time of writing, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic makes it difficult to predict to what extent the course will be held through direct interaction in the classroom or through a plurality of remote teaching instruments. The organization of the course might be subject to change in response to such variables. A detailed program of course activities will be provided at the beginning of the semester. Monographic classes (totally of about 20 hours) will focus each on a different genre of documents and materials of architectural and urban history chosen across the historical period indicated: buildings, urban plans and architectural projects, architectural exhibitions, critical theories and histories. The single episodes will be chosen within an Italian as well as an international context, predominantly European and NorthAmerican. The seminars will have a confrontational as well as an autonomous nature and will be articulated into two stages: the first one dedicated to the analysis and comprehension of texts of theory and history; the second one to the study of a significant building designed and built within the period under consideration. Through a plurality of languages, techniques and tools, from bibliography to graphic analysis and writing, the students will be asked to document, read and interpret the case-study building by adopting at each stage the perspective of one of the actors involved in the process of its production and reception: the designer, the critic and the user.

Due to the laboratory's thematic character the bibliography will vary accordingly. The following texts serve as an introduction to some of the themes touched by the laboratory. Marco Biraghi, Storia dell’architettura contemporanea II, 1945-2008, Torino: Einaudi, 2008; Le parole dell’architettura. Un’antologia di testi teorici e critici: 1945-2000, a cura di Marco Biraghi e Giovanni Damiani, Torino: Einaudi, 2009; Diane Ghirardo, Architecture after Modernism, New York - London: Thames & Hudson, 1996. Apart from the aforementioned reference texts, each lecture will be accompanied by a list of selected specific readings. Pdf documents with the text and images of the lectures will be uploaded on the course portal the day after each lecture.

Text book; Multimedia materials; Simulation tools;

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

La valutazione si baserà sull’esito di tutte le attività svolte nel corso del laboratorio, nonché della capacità dello studente di partecipare in itinere alle discussioni. In sede di esame finale, lo studente dovrà dimostrare di saper ripercorrere criticamente il lavoro svolto e analizzare in modo pertinente i temi e i casi studio oggetto di ricerca, con riferimento a specifiche fonti primarie e secondarie. L’esame si articola in due momenti: una serie di verifiche individuali in itinere e l’esposizione in pubblico dei risultati ottenuti dalla ricerca svolta in gruppo sul singolo caso-studio. In entrambe le occasioni lo studente dovrà dimostrare familiarità con i testi indicati in bibliografia e le tematiche affrontate a lezione.

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.