Edition: 2025/2026 _1st Semester

The Open Course “Architecture and Drawing - 20th Century Multi-Family Housing” stems from the interest of researchers associated with Housing study, invited to lecture in the optional course “Architecture and Drawing”, within the Master Degree in Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture - University of Porto (FAUP) integrating a series of Guest linked to the Milanese School of Architecture (AUIC_POLIMI).

In the First semester, each session will be given by a guest speaker with the possibility of establishing open dialogues between professors and researchers of Scuola di Architettura Urbanistica e Ingegneria delle Costruzioni del Politecnico di Milano (AUIC_POLIMI) and the Faculty of Architecture - University of Porto (FAUP), expressing a multifaceted view on 20th Century Multi-Family Housing.

Objectives

Today, students have a noticeable difficulty in quickly and efficiently identifying, observing, noting, and retaining many of the facts and structural forms that make up an architectural work. In order to complement the fleeting perception enhanced by the speed of the means of dissemination of architectural images currently available on the internet, which has led to the loss of the slow process of apprehension and the habit of “project study,” it is important, as a pedagogical objective, to foster the ability to focus one's gaze on the relevant facts of an image, a drawing, or a comment, with acuity and effectiveness. Consequently, the objective of the Free Course is to help create and develop the ability to observe, highlight, and understand (and represent, through quick drawing) the architectural signifiers essential to project analysis.

Based on a set of unique cases of multi-family residential buildings, the Free Course explores the various meanings of drawing in design: drawing understood as a means of conception and communication but above all as a way of thinking, understanding, and doing architecture; drawing also understood as the preferred tool in the in-depth study of the project—its conceptual options/models and respective themes/principles of composition.

One case study per class is presented, explained and framed thematically in the theory and history of architecture, based on a lecture given by a guest lecturer.

Professor responsible for the first semester: Prof. Helder Casal Ribeiro

Fields of Specialization

Required Reading

Moneo Rafael; La solitudine degli edifici e altri scritti. ISBN: 88-422-0923-6
Moneo Rafael; Inquietud teórica y estrategia proyectual. ISBN: 84-95951-68-1
Hearn Fil; Ideas that shaped buildings
Ockman Joan; Architecture culture 1943-1968. ISBN: 0-8478-1522-6
Nesbitt Kate 050; Theorizing a new agenda for architecture. ISBN: 1-56898-053-1
Solà-Morales Ignacio de; Diferencias. ISBN: 84-252-1663-X
Solà-Morales Ignasi de; Territorios. ISBN: 84-252-1864-0
Solà-Morales Ignacio de; Intervenciones. ISBN: 84-252-2043-2
Solà-Morales Iganasi de; Eclecticismo y vanguardia y otros escritos. ISBN: 84-252-1949-3
Solà-Morales Ignasi de; Los artículos de Any. ISBN: 978-84-936693-6-2

Bibliographic Notes

The specific bibliography for each of the works discussed is available in the UC document folder.

Teaching methods and learning activities

There will be 12 classes for the presentation of works and projects, each lasting 2 hours. In these classes, students will create diagrams, drawings, or representations appropriate for a predominantly graphic translation of the material presented, experimenting with personal systems of interpretation and graphic design. The medium must be paper, in A4 format. The work done by each student will be handed in at the end of each class. Comments will be made periodically on samples and case studies of the work done and handed in.

Professional Abilities

The Open Course will not only provide in-depth knowledge of a set of landmark architectural works, but above all will hone the ability to analyze quickly and accurately and to record through drawing what would otherwise be nothing more than a succession of more or less impressive images. It is a matter of questioning ways of looking and also of deepening the acuity of observation and analysis, which is essential for understanding and memorizing a work of architecture.

Information

Teaching language
Portuguese - Suitable for english-speaking students

Working method
Face-to-face

Type of assessment
Evaluation distributed without final exam

Assessment components

Designation	Weight (%)
Attendance	40,00
Laboratory work	60,00
Total:	100,00

Frequency acquisition
Attendance in at least 75% of classes and respective papers delivery.

Calculation formula of final grade
The final grade will be the weighted average of attendance at classes (40%) and the classification of practical assignments (60%).

Vacancies: 5

Fees:
70 ¤ Members U.Porto (student, teacher or other) 
100 ¤ General Public
Application fees: 20¤

Placement
Application Order
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Online applications (Edition: 2025/2026 1st Semester)

Submission of Applications: 8th of August to 8th September 2025
First results: 9th September 2025
Preliminary hearing: 9th to 22nd September 2025
Final Results: 22nd September 2025

Registration: 22nd to 23rd September 2025
Open Course begins on 26th September 2025
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Submit Application

Contacts

Academic Affairs and International Cooperation Services
Catarina Martins
T: +351 220 425 418
E-mail | faup.continua@arq.up.pt

General information

Study Plan

Certificates

Predominant Scientific Areas