The course unit aims to bring students closer to three types of structural principles – statics, materials and construction – that were on the conceptual genesis of reference structures of the past.
On statics, the objective is to develop an intuitive and holistic relationship between form and structure using graphical methods and physical models. Starting with the simplest structural behavior, arch (compression) and cable (tension), the students will be able to visually understand, qualify and question the behavior of all types of structures.
The students should explore the inner structural behavior of different materials –  e.g. stone works best in compression, steel can work in tension and compression – and understand the common field in which different materials can work together. Each material has an origin, a preferred way of behaving and memory that are deeply linked with the technological development and the local know-how.
Lastly, the student should understand how the production processes, assembly, transportation and constructive processes have influenced and were on the genesis of new solutions. The answer to restrictions, how to overcome difficulties and transgress the existing status quo was key to define new solutions, such as bridges and big span canopies.

The students should be able to develop a synthetic thinking between form, structure, materials and construction during their own conceptual design process.
With these processes of learning, based on drawing, historic references and experimentation, the students should be able to develop a common language that can foster a more informed dialogue with engineers and other professionals of construction.
At the end of this course, the student should be able to design and build a structure, applying at least one of the structural principles and execute it on a built form.

1. STATIC PRINCIPLES
1.2. Fundamentals: compression and tension
1.3. Graphical statics and synthesis between form and structure
1.4. Absence of evidence: flexion
1.5. Overlaying
1.6. Transgressions

2. MATERIAL PRINCIPLES
2.1. Natural materials – stone and wood
2.2. Industrial revolution materials – metal alloys
2.3. Reinforced concrete as liquid stone
2.4. Prestressing and denying mass its own weight
2.5. Hybrid materials

3. CONSTRUCTIVE PRINCIPLES
3.1. Production
3.2. Design for assembly and disassembly
3.3. Transportation
3.4. Constructive Processes

Each weekly class is divided in three parts: theory, fast exercises (graphical statics and model making), and workgroup tutorial. Invited guests (architects, engineers and builders) will provide complementary knowledge.
The workgroup consists on designing and constructing a structural element in a material to be defined. Each team of five students should design, plan and build one concrete object, where it should question at least one of the three structural principles.
As in a design studio, each team member will be responsible for specific topics of the workgroup (managing, drawings, images and renders, on-site construction, photography, publications).
At the end of the semester each team must deliver three panels describing the project, the process and the construction, while producing a short and synthetic analysis on the built object.