Project Methodologies

Code:

MIP009

Acronym:

MP

Instance: 2004/2005 - A

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Methodologies of Intervention in Architectural Heritage

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIPA	12	Plano Oficial a partir de 2003	1	8	16	-

Objectives

The purpose of this course is to identify the complexity and specific issues related with restoration and recuperation projects, especially as far as it concerns the role of History of Architecture and of the City in the elaboration of intervention proposals. Importance is to be given to the capacity to interpret and be aware of pre-existent historical facts (in order to be able to act upon them), instead of defending the concept of professional specialisation in the field of building technology applied to architectural heritage.
It is precisely the difference in architectonic meaning and historical depth that distinguishes interventions in architectural heritage from ex-novo interventions in a bland area of the contemporary city, and thus demands a specific training for developing restoration and recuperation projects. The higher level of complexity and greater amount of information concerning the pre-existing context require an increase in the rigour and quality of the project methodology.
The main aim of this course is to develop a project methodology based on a permanent evaluation of the relation between the theoretical reasoning and the design, whether analytical or propositional. Experimentation of project methods is to be oriented by an attempt to justify the theoretical claims chosen as an answer for a specific work, programme and place. Therefore, theoretical and historical investigation cannot be seen as a project phase which takes place prior to the process of design – it is a parallel and complementary process, a working part of the project exercise itself.

Program

The contents of the course is organized in three themes for project exercises:

1- Architectural restoration
To carry out an architectural intervention (without a pre-established programme) which shall contemplate a building in ruins of acknowledged patrimonial value. Methodologies for analysis of the given case will be discussed; simultaneously programme strategies and project intervention principles which allow a strict conservation of the building shall be defined.

2- Architectural restoration and recuperation
To carry out an architectural intervention (with a pre-established programme) which shall contemplate an abandoned and/or underused building of acknowledged patrimonial value. The alternatives originated from the various interpretations of the programme, state of conservation and financing conditions will be an object of study; simultaneously, project intervention principles which conduct the full recuperation of the building and its surroundings, with possible resort to strict conservation activities, are to be defined.

3- Recuperation and urban rehabilitation
To carry out an urban architectural intervention (with a pre-established programme) which shall contemplate a historic and consolidated urban area in a state of social and physical degradation, of acknowledged patrimonial value. An assessment will be made of the alternatives originated from the socioeconomic analysis of the resident population, the typological and morphological study of the built environment and public space, the evaluation of the existing infrastructure system, the analysis of the buildings’ state of conservation and of the financing programmes and/or strategies for urban recuperation and rehabilitation.


These three project themes may be developed in three independent works or be associated in the same work, as long as it approaches all the matters required.
A series of issues related with Theory of Architecture – history and project; tradition and modernity; concept and context; urban project and identity recovery; public space and building; the façade tradition - must be dealt with in the projects.
Elaboration of the design projects will be supported by the general and specific information delivered in the subject areas of History, Theory, Construction and Architectural Heritage Management.

Teaching methods and learning activities

The contents will be explored through the elaboration of three design projects, in the context of practical and theoretical sessions, study visits, debates in seminars or during the course’s sessions.
Students are expected to carry out a process starting with intervention proposals for a specific building and ending with intervention proposals for a given historic and consolidated urban area.
Although the projects are based on real situations, emphasis will be given to their experimental value rather than to their “professional” feature of a ready-to-build product. The projects are thus to be seen as a pretext for acknowledging and analysing a given reality, the object of architectural intervention.
At the end of each project, there will be a presentation, including a comparative judgement and an objective assessment.
The design projects will imply not only individual work but also group work, especially as far as it concerns researching, carrying out surveys, making scale models and preparing debates.
The project is considered to be a synthesis of all the information gathered and a materialisation of the theoretical precepts of intervention.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam