Analysis and Diagnostics of Architectural Cultural Heritage
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The teaching course aims to enhance students' understanding for analysing architectural assets to
assess their heritage attributes, recovery interventions, protection, enhancement and conversion, as
their impact on defining the territorial and landscape context within the relevant regulatory
framework. Throughout the program, traditional lectures are supplemented with practical activities
and seminar meetings involving professionals from the field, aimed at applying the knowledge
gained within the course to real-world scenarios, in line with the expected professional profiles and
career opportunities. The aim is to provide participants with the skills and operational tools
necessary to undertake high-responsibility roles in the conservation of architectural and landscape
cultural heritage, including those of ethno-anthropological and monumental significance, even in
complex contexts, to support restoration interventions.
assess their heritage attributes, recovery interventions, protection, enhancement and conversion, as
their impact on defining the territorial and landscape context within the relevant regulatory
framework. Throughout the program, traditional lectures are supplemented with practical activities
and seminar meetings involving professionals from the field, aimed at applying the knowledge
gained within the course to real-world scenarios, in line with the expected professional profiles and
career opportunities. The aim is to provide participants with the skills and operational tools
necessary to undertake high-responsibility roles in the conservation of architectural and landscape
cultural heritage, including those of ethno-anthropological and monumental significance, even in
complex contexts, to support restoration interventions.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the teaching course, you are expected to be able to:
1) Understand techniques and methods for analysing settlement systems within their environmental and
landscape context, considering natural and anthropic risks, as well as socioeconomic variables influencing
them.
2) Comprehend the possibilities and limitations for intervening in existing heritage in accordance with the
relevant legislation for the safeguarding of architectural and landscape cultural assets.
3) Apply knowledge and understanding developed in practical exercises on case studies to operate at the design
and decision-making level, also supporting restoration, protection, and enhancement operations of assets
promoted by public and private conservation bodies or territorial organizations.
4) Exercise critical, communicative, and study-related cross-disciplinary skills to present the results of analyses
on studied case studies.
5) Operate with broad autonomy to continue studies and practice the profession with mastery of scientific
investigative methods and diagnostic techniques supporting restoration interventions, as well as surveys of
architectural assets of ethno-anthropological and monumental significance.
1) Understand techniques and methods for analysing settlement systems within their environmental and
landscape context, considering natural and anthropic risks, as well as socioeconomic variables influencing
them.
2) Comprehend the possibilities and limitations for intervening in existing heritage in accordance with the
relevant legislation for the safeguarding of architectural and landscape cultural assets.
3) Apply knowledge and understanding developed in practical exercises on case studies to operate at the design
and decision-making level, also supporting restoration, protection, and enhancement operations of assets
promoted by public and private conservation bodies or territorial organizations.
4) Exercise critical, communicative, and study-related cross-disciplinary skills to present the results of analyses
on studied case studies.
5) Operate with broad autonomy to continue studies and practice the profession with mastery of scientific
investigative methods and diagnostic techniques supporting restoration interventions, as well as surveys of
architectural assets of ethno-anthropological and monumental significance.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Constructive features of buildings (foundations, masonry, floors and vaults, roofs and vertical connections, choice of materials).
Elements of analysis, verification, and diagnostics of architectural cultural heritage (secondary structural elements and non-structural elements, beams and columns, actions on structures, compression, tension, shear, bending, point load, wind and snow actions, isostatic structures, constraints and reaction constraints, safety requirements and evaluations) and evaluation of urban and territorial systems, examined within their environmental and landscape context and in the framework of natural and anthropogenic risks to which they are subject.
Analysis of organizational structures and morphologies of human settlement in its historical development. Stylistic features and methods of assessing cultural interest.
Regulatory framework for recovery, requalification, and reorganization interventions of settlements of cultural interest at various scales.
Elements of analysis, verification, and diagnostics of architectural cultural heritage (secondary structural elements and non-structural elements, beams and columns, actions on structures, compression, tension, shear, bending, point load, wind and snow actions, isostatic structures, constraints and reaction constraints, safety requirements and evaluations) and evaluation of urban and territorial systems, examined within their environmental and landscape context and in the framework of natural and anthropogenic risks to which they are subject.
Analysis of organizational structures and morphologies of human settlement in its historical development. Stylistic features and methods of assessing cultural interest.
Regulatory framework for recovery, requalification, and reorganization interventions of settlements of cultural interest at various scales.
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
Lectures; participatory teaching (group work, workshops); on-site teaching with hands-on methods, using a laboratory approach.
To bridge theory and practice, and provide criteria and methods for Architectural Cultural Heritage, the teaching methodology combines teacher-led lectures, class discussions, individual student reports, field surveys, and individual analysis of case studies. Students will further explore topics through field activities to experiment with and apply techniques and methods learned in various contexts of built cultural heritage. The development of a case study survey will enable students to deepen their understanding of human settlement morphologies and the techniques and tools for assessing, programming, and planning the protection of architectural cultural heritage. A detailed guide for developing the case study will be provided during the lessons to assist students in addressing each aspect comprehensively. Revision, discussion, and comparison will be conducted at the conclusion of the lessons.
Due to the applied nature of the course, attendance at lessons is highly recommended, although not mandatory.
Student self-directed work:
Students will engage in independent study of assigned textbooks and teaching materials, as well as pursue additional reading of their choice for deeper understanding. They will also complete exercises assigned by the teacher.
To bridge theory and practice, and provide criteria and methods for Architectural Cultural Heritage, the teaching methodology combines teacher-led lectures, class discussions, individual student reports, field surveys, and individual analysis of case studies. Students will further explore topics through field activities to experiment with and apply techniques and methods learned in various contexts of built cultural heritage. The development of a case study survey will enable students to deepen their understanding of human settlement morphologies and the techniques and tools for assessing, programming, and planning the protection of architectural cultural heritage. A detailed guide for developing the case study will be provided during the lessons to assist students in addressing each aspect comprehensively. Revision, discussion, and comparison will be conducted at the conclusion of the lessons.
Due to the applied nature of the course, attendance at lessons is highly recommended, although not mandatory.
Student self-directed work:
Students will engage in independent study of assigned textbooks and teaching materials, as well as pursue additional reading of their choice for deeper understanding. They will also complete exercises assigned by the teacher.
Teaching Resources
Teaching materials available on www.ariel.it
Textbook assignments:
Agostini S., Manuale di Edilizia Rurale. Criteri di progettazione integrata, Edises, Napoli, 2015 (Sezioni I e II, da pag.5-95);
Agostini S., Di Battista V., Fontana C., Architettura rurale nel paesaggio, Maggioli, 2017.
The texts are available at the Library of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences.
Further reading
Mordà N., Carlucci C., Raimondi G., Il degrado degli edifici in muratura. Patologia e diagnostica, Maggioli Editore, 2018
Felitti M., Mecca L.M., Diagnosi, monitoraggio e soluzioni per il recupero, Maggioli Editore, 2018.
Textbook assignments:
Agostini S., Manuale di Edilizia Rurale. Criteri di progettazione integrata, Edises, Napoli, 2015 (Sezioni I e II, da pag.5-95);
Agostini S., Di Battista V., Fontana C., Architettura rurale nel paesaggio, Maggioli, 2017.
The texts are available at the Library of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences.
Further reading
Mordà N., Carlucci C., Raimondi G., Il degrado degli edifici in muratura. Patologia e diagnostica, Maggioli Editore, 2018
Felitti M., Mecca L.M., Diagnosi, monitoraggio e soluzioni per il recupero, Maggioli Editore, 2018.
Assessment methods and Criteria
ATTENDING STUDENTS
Assessment of learning will be divided throughout the course, as follows:
‐ Two in-class written tests, each lasting 60 minutes, based on the lesson content and reference material. The first will consist of four open-ended questions, while the second will include one open-ended question and one exercise of architectural structural analysis. Tests results will be collected immediately at the end of the allotted time. Students are not allowed to consult notes or texts during the test, except for mind maps/concept maps for certified Specific Learning Desorders - DSA students who have agreed with the teachers on the required compensatory tools.
‐ A final oral examination, which involves a seminar presentation of the analysis of an architectural cultural asset, applying the program's contents, to be prepared throughout the course.
The final grade will be expressed on a scale of thirty and will be the weighted average of the evaluations obtained from the exam tests as well as the hands-on exercises.
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS
For non-attending students, the elaboration of the case study is structured as a paper, whose topic and reference bibliography must be agreed upon with the teacher. The final exam consists of two mandatory components:
‐ A final written exam lasting 90 minutes, comprising four open-ended questions covering the entire course program and reference materials, as well as an exercise on the structural analysis of architectural cultural assets.
‐ An oral examination focused on the presentation of the paper developed, the course program and the reference bibliography, including an optional supplementary text agreed upon with the teaching staff to support the development of the case study.
The final assessment, graded on a scale of thirty, is composed of the average of the two exams, which will be taken on the same day, with an interval between the written and oral exams.
General Indications
The assessment parameters will focus on verifying:
‐ The achievement of objectives in terms of knowledge and comprehension abilities.
‐ The ability to apply knowledge and comprehension through the discussion/evaluation of recovery, enhancement and/or conversion interventions of architectural cultural assets.
‐ The student's judgment autonomy, also through the analysis of case studies discussed during the course or illustrated in textbooks.
‐ Mastery, correctness, and appropriateness of specific language regarding the recovery and enhancement of architectural heritage at different scales.
‐ The ability to present arguments clearly and logically.
Assessment of learning will be divided throughout the course, as follows:
‐ Two in-class written tests, each lasting 60 minutes, based on the lesson content and reference material. The first will consist of four open-ended questions, while the second will include one open-ended question and one exercise of architectural structural analysis. Tests results will be collected immediately at the end of the allotted time. Students are not allowed to consult notes or texts during the test, except for mind maps/concept maps for certified Specific Learning Desorders - DSA students who have agreed with the teachers on the required compensatory tools.
‐ A final oral examination, which involves a seminar presentation of the analysis of an architectural cultural asset, applying the program's contents, to be prepared throughout the course.
The final grade will be expressed on a scale of thirty and will be the weighted average of the evaluations obtained from the exam tests as well as the hands-on exercises.
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS
For non-attending students, the elaboration of the case study is structured as a paper, whose topic and reference bibliography must be agreed upon with the teacher. The final exam consists of two mandatory components:
‐ A final written exam lasting 90 minutes, comprising four open-ended questions covering the entire course program and reference materials, as well as an exercise on the structural analysis of architectural cultural assets.
‐ An oral examination focused on the presentation of the paper developed, the course program and the reference bibliography, including an optional supplementary text agreed upon with the teaching staff to support the development of the case study.
The final assessment, graded on a scale of thirty, is composed of the average of the two exams, which will be taken on the same day, with an interval between the written and oral exams.
General Indications
The assessment parameters will focus on verifying:
‐ The achievement of objectives in terms of knowledge and comprehension abilities.
‐ The ability to apply knowledge and comprehension through the discussion/evaluation of recovery, enhancement and/or conversion interventions of architectural cultural assets.
‐ The student's judgment autonomy, also through the analysis of case studies discussed during the course or illustrated in textbooks.
‐ Mastery, correctness, and appropriateness of specific language regarding the recovery and enhancement of architectural heritage at different scales.
‐ The ability to present arguments clearly and logically.
AGR/10 - RURAL BUILDINGS AND AGRO - FOREST LAND PLANNING - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Agostini Stella
Professor(s)
Reception:
After appointment. You can ask for a meeting appointment via email
ESP - Environmental Sciences and Policies