Analysis and Diagnostics of Architectural Cultural Heritage

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
AGR/10
Language
Italian
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.
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.
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.
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 Built 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 built cultural heritage. Students will be guided in developing case study during the teaching course. Revision, discussion, and comparison will be conducted at conclusion of lectures.
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.
Assessment methods and Criteria
ATTENDING STUDENTS
The learning assessment will be divided throughout the teaching course, consisting of :
‐ Two in-progress written tests with a time limit of 60 minutes each, focusing on the content of the lectures and the reference teaching material. The first consists in four open-ended questions; the second in one open-ended question and one building structural analysis exercise. The written tests will be submitted immediately at the end of the allocated time. Students will not be allowed to consult notes or texts during the test (except for mental/concept maps for certified students with specific learning disabilities, provided they have agreed on the required compensatory tools with the instructors, within the timeframes required by University regulations).
‐ A final oral exam consisting of a seminar presentation of a built cultural heritage analysis, applying the course content. Students can complete it throughout the progression of lectures.

The final evaluation, expressed in thirtieths, will take into account all the work completed. It will be the weighted average of scores obtained from the exam tests and the in-progress assignments.

NON Attending Students
The case study will be structured in a short paper, the topic and reference bibliography of which must be agreed upon with the Teacher.
The final exam requires two mandatory assessments to be taken on the same day.
‐ The written text covers the entire course program and the reference teaching materials. It consists of four open-ended questions and one building structural analysis exercise. The written tests will be submitted immediately at the end of the allocated time. Students will not be allowed to consult notes or texts during the test (except for mental/concept maps for certified students with specific learning disabilities, provided they have agreed on the required compensatory tools with the Teacher, within the timeframes required by University regulations).
‐ An oral examination focused on: presentation of the paper developed, the full course program and reference bibliography, including the optional supplementary text assigned.
The final evaluation, expressed in thirtieths, will be the weighted average of scores obtained from written and oral tests.

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 built cultural heritage.
‐ 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