Back to All Events

SG209 Program A


Sketching and Analyzing Historic Buildings

June 3 - 28, 2024

3 Units
Instructor: Prof. Max Cardillo

Course structure

Mornings: Lectures 1.5 hours (4 weeks)
Afternoons: 4 hours - Sketching and analyzing historic buildings in San Gemini (2 weeks) Students will alternate 2 weeks working on the restoration field project and 2 weeks sketching and analyzing historic buildings.

Course Description

This course develops intellectual skills in identifying and analyzing historic buildings and their cultural contexts. Building typologies, architectural styles, materials, structural systems, and construction methods are discussed. In the sketching workshop and onsite participants develop analytical skills through observational drawing and documentation.

Course Objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • identify and analyze historic buildings and their settings.

  • demonstrate knowledge of the evolution of the Italian city, building typologies, architectural styles, traditional building materials, structural systems, building components and construction methods.

  • develop analytical skills through methodical observation and documentation of historic structures.

  • communicate effectively through sketching observations and analysis of buildings.

Summary of Lecture Content

 1)     Introductory lectures Historical Overview of the region of Umbria. A panoramic view of the history of the region from Pre-Roman times to present.

2)     Historical tour  of the city of San Gemini. Observe the various physical features of the Urban environment as they have developed from Roma times to the present.

3)     Methods of Describing Buildings and Urban Environment

  • Manual Graphics – sketching, paintings, architectural drawings (2D, 3D)

  • Verbal – legal, surveys, literary

  • Photography – still, cinematic, videos, photogrammetry

  • Digital photo modelling

  • Laser scanning

4)     Physical and Historical Analysis of Buildings (San Giovanni Battista)

  • Physical description

  • Historical evolution and context

  • Iconography

5)     Shape of Italian Cities – the classical city

  • Early human settlements

  • Sardinian, Phoenician and Greek Cities

  • Roman Castrum, Colonia, Urban infrastructure

6)     Ceramics uses in Architecture  - Visiting lecturer Elena Lorenzetti

  • Structural uses

  • Special surfaces – roof tiles, floors

  • Decorative elements

7)     Visit to the archaeological site the Roman city of Carsulae

  • Evolution of the city of Carsulae

  • Features of the Roman city

8)     Shape of the Italian city – Middle Age

  • Organic developments

  • Bailey, castles and defensive perimeter

  • Central square and markets

  • Planned medieval settlements

9)     Shape of the Italian city - The Renaissance and Modern City

  • The Ideal City

  • Gun powder and City defensive perimeter

  • The hub and spoke plan

  • The baroque city

  • The industrial city

10)  Structural System in Historic and Modern Buildings

  • Foundations, walls, columns, beams, trusses, arches, vaults, domes, slabs, frames

11)  Italian building types - Classical

  • Temples, basilicas, domus, villas, insulae, thermae, amphitheater, theaters, stadia, tombs, columbaria.

12)  Visiting Lecturer TBD

13)  Italian Building Types – Middle ages

  • Christian basilicas, round churches, octagonal churches, city halls, loggia,  houses, merchant’s houses, palaces

14)  Italian building types - Renaissance & Modern,  

  • Renaissance Basilica, Central plan church, domes

  • Bankers palaces, Villas, rural houses

  • Baroque architecture

  • Neoclassicism and revival architecture

  • Rationalism

15)  Historic Building Materials

  • Earth, wood, stone, bricks, lime mortar, hydraulic cements, glass

16)  Traditional Construction Methods

  • Foundations  

17)  Traditional Construction methods

  • Walls and columns

18)  Traditional Construction methods

  • Floors, roofs

19)  Visiting Lecturer TBD

20)  Traditional Construction Methods - Finishes

  • Floors, exterior walls, interior walls, roofs, ceilings

21)  Air, Heat, light and Power

  • Ventilation

  • Heating and Cooking

  • Illumination

  • Electricity

 

Assingments

Sketching assignment

Produce 10 sheets of sketches: five give a general description of the building and five to present details ,components and analytical diagrams.

Written assignment

3-page reports, describing the history, evolution and special features of the building analyzed.

 

Earlier Event: July 17
SG207 Program E
Later Event: November 25
SG201 Program A