366 research outputs found
Elements of interior architectural design against stylish approaches
The importance of this book is related to different reasons. Firstly
it deals with interior architectural design that is a key topic in
architectural practice even if it is a neglected subject in most schools
of architecture nowadays as “interior design is often misunderstood
as only a kind of decoration”.[1] On the contrary, as Prof. Chen
Yi states, “we believe that interior design and architectural design
were indistinguishable since the beginning of the civilization”.[2]
As a matter of fact interior space is “the space enclosed by walls,
wherever they are arranged or configured. It is primary and
characterizing of every architectural work, it is addressed to the
fruition by whom it is going through, crossing or stopping; […]
it has a meaning clearly distinct from that of the other figurative
arts…”.[3]
Moreove
Urban and architectural strategies for the new green towns
Obiettivo del workshop internazionale ospitato dalla Tongji
University di Shanghai è stato la progettazione di una città ecologica
di nuova fondazione per 40 mila abitanti sull’isola di
Chongming, collegata recentemente alla terraferma con
nuove infrastrutture viarie e ferroviarie. Il tema è stato approfondito
tenendo in considerazione le esigenze giĂ espresse in
termini di politiche insediative, sociali e urbanistiche e finalizzate
in un masterplan che i partecipanti hanno però liberamente
modificato, elaborando cinque diversi modelli urbani
Urban environment quality assessment using a methodology and set of indicators for medium-density neighbourhoods: a comparative case study of Lodi and Genoa
One of the main issues in urban sustainability and environmental assessment relates to the selection of indicators (SOCCO, 2000), as there are already many international and recognised core sets (DELSANTE, 2007; LEE; CHAN 2009). Nevertheless, specific local contexts are still in need of appropriate, original indicators and indices (MALCEVSCHI, 2004). This paper deals with the urban quality assessment of medium-density neighbourhoods, which typically include dwellings but also public functions, public spaces and urban infrastructure. The evaluation method is based on a set of 74 indicators used within a specific computational method that is based on scores and defined through pairwise comparison matrices (SOCCO, 2003) to convert qualitative and quantitative evaluations into scores (0 to +100). The assessment involved two different urban contexts in the cities of Lodi and Genoa (Italy). It tests if the set can be used in other sites and cities; the results show significant findings and potentialities, but also some limitations. As significant connections have already been found between urban quality and well-being surveys of inhabitants (ORLANDO, 2007), the possibility to act comparatively in different contexts increases overall research potentiality.
The paper deals focus on neighbourhood scale in medium density cities, that usually includes not only dwellings but also public functions, spaces and urban infrastructures. A specific set of 74 indicators is set to effectively describe medium density neighbourhoods. It has been created and tested in European cities, but it can potentially be adapted to other urban contexts. Each indicator has been accurately described through quantitative and/or qualitative data, so that it can be assessed through a range of 4 qualitative evaluations (from excellent to not sufficient).
To translate these evaluation in numeric values a specific methodology is used, based on scores and defined through pairwise comparison matrices. Indicators are organised in tree structure, with four main domains and 18 macro-indicators. Each indicator is finally expressed through a numeric value and weighted in relationship with others. The final overall urban quality index translate the 74 indicators into a synthetic numeric value: it can be monitored, compared with other case studies and precedents, interlaced with other data (e.g. pollution, health). Meaningful relationships have already been found with well-being surveys on resident inhabitants, and further development could be linked to e.g. urban quality of life
Pressures of social and programmatic needs on architecture and urban form: towards a renewed approach to sustainability in the post-crisis era
The paper investigates the “pressures specific to the twentieth
century that combination of program imposes on architecture and
urban form” (Holl, 2011).
Financial crisis (2007-2008) and its consequences – not just in terms
of urban development – have still not been absorbed/metabolized from
urban settlements, also because of still un-solved causes that generated
the problem (in terms of economic tools, financial rules, real estate
procedures, etc) (Rossi, G. 2011).
Large post-industrial sites’ reuse, under used districts for offices
and services, housing districts and urban peripheries represent the
result of last decades’ globalization processes, real estate and finance
driven processes, property speculation, etc
The complexity of contemporary society implies the creation of new
categories of spaces in which design processes are reversed: social
forms and communities’ needs provide reason and meaning to
architectural transformations.
Participation procedures, contractual communities, reappropriation
processes are some of the tools that through different
disciplines could have strong impact on architectural figures and forms.
Design tools and procedure are also rapidly changing: on the
contrary of what traditional design processes prescribe, the managing
of project scales is changed: the approach "from large to small scale"
could be substituted by iterative processes, and urban links or
connections derive both from territorial approach and interior spaces’
definition. Urban analysis and design tools should be updated: sections
and three of four dimensional design take precedent over plan layouts.
Process reveals itself as more important than mere shapes, and
architecture show again its being a science in strong relationship with
society
Collective housing as a good way to reduce city fragmentation
Today the study of the fragmentation represents an important
occasion to meditate on the city and on the evolution of the
relational strategies of settlements. If we analyse in a critical way
our contemporary cities, we can see several interventions of the last
decades, that brought, more or less consciously, to discontinuity and
isolation (gated communities to the new ghettos). In this situation the
individual becomes part of a small community; but how long does it
can go on? Are the public and sharing spaces, in which we can open
ourselves to the city and in the same time we can develop a sense
of identity and belonging, well designed? Are they at human scale? A
tendency, that can be observed in the modern western cities, is the
intervention as collective living and cohousing that are producing urban
continuities and community relations trying to institute relationships
with the outside, always keeping their own differences and identities.
Anyway the architectonic results don’t seem already innovative and
the general quality of the interventions remains of low level. The
innovative examples for collective living can certainly be considered
positive for what deals with functions, topics and sense of community:
spaces where liveability increases and where a rediscovered relation
between Man and Environment is at the centre of the project, have
been designed. So the lacking passage to completely solve, thanks to
the cohousing projects, the fragmentation of the city, deals with the
architectural aspect. Architects must underline the importance of the
architectonical results in terms of language and spatiality to increase
the integration capability of the intervention. In this case the design of
architecture has a fundamental role for the next development of the
city and for solving all the fragmented and inclusive situation
Indicators for urban quality evaluation at district scale and relationships with health and wellness perception
The paper is related with a research that was aimed to better define urban quality and sustainability
at a district scale (4000-10000 inhabitants), specifically referred to European towns and settlements.
An innovative set of indicators (72) has been developed, starting from and taking into consideration
also existing literature, both in terms of indicators and sets of indicators (OECD, UN, Agenda 21, and
existing European databases as CRISP), four “thematic” areas have been defined dealing with
architectural quality, accessibility, environment and services. Within each of these areas some macroindicators
and micro-indicators have been defined. The aim is to translate something that is usually
considered subjective into something “objective” and finally defined with a number (0-100). Microindicators
and macro-indicators are weighted thanks to a mathematical method based on symmetrical
matrixes, so that there is a correct balance between different areas. Indicators are both qualitative
and quantitative, so they are not just referred to urban planning procedures. The research has been
already successfully applied to some Italian districts in towns as Lodi, Genova and Milano. The set of
indicators was needed also to work within a multi disciplinary team that has already included
engineers, architects, planners as well as doctors and physicians. As a matter of fact the results in
terms of urban quality have been compared with medical results concerning health and wellness
perception (using SF-36 international recognized questionnaires) by users (inhabitants), finding (non
linear) relationships between urban quality and well being perception by inhabitants. The results of
this research can be used to: better define design strategies (by designers) accordingly to users
wellness, or evaluate ex-post the results of design activities (by municipalities or public authorities)
An investigation of the ventilation requirements to prevent deterioration of timber and mould growth beneath suspended floors
Urban analysis techniques and role of morphology in post crisis urban design: the case of Rubattino and Ortica districts in Milan
Urban spaces and towns are facing different and contradictory dynamics, between "endless" expansion and "shrinking" trends. Post financial crisis urban renovation also deals with different practices, between real estate development and temporary use entailing reappropriation of urban areas. It is nowadays almost impossible, at least in Europe, to realize major town plans similar to those carried out in the past decades, but new forms of urban renovation, much more complex and fragmented, or temporary and low cost, are now spreading. They allow the participation of different actors (public /private partnerships), flexible timing and spatial organization, with the not secondary goal of reusing urban territories and buildings. The aim of renovation projects is more and more focused on social issues and challenges, for example in terms of quality of life and health, also by means of innovative housing programs, and sustainable layouts over the years: which will be the effects of this "programmatic" architecture on urban morphology? The completion of elaborate programmes requires deep and integrated urban analysis, based on a "reading of the town" through multiple and complementary methodologies (i.e. considering the town as combination of layers, the town seen as an archipelago or a "town within the town"). Urban morphology plays an important role in defining urban strategies, especially within fragmented or superimposed layouts. Rubattino and Ortica districts in Milan represent a meaningful case study for research and design: it could be described as a multi-layered and multicomposed scenario, considering its various parts and their "complementary", "separated" and even "contradictory" status, as opposed to a homogeneous and uniform one
Urban analysis techniques and role of morphology in post crisis urban design
Urban spaces and towns are facing different and contradictory dynamics, between “endless” expansion and “shrinking” trends. Post financial crisis urban renovation also deals with different practices, between real estate development and temporary use entailing reappropriation of urban areas. It is nowadays almost impossible, at least in Europe, to realize major town plans similar to those carried out in the past decades, but new forms of urban renovation, much more complex and fragmented, or temporary and low cost, are now spreading. They allow the participation of different actors (public / private partnerships), flexible timing and spatial organization, with the not secondary goal of reusing urban territories and buildings.
The aim of renovation projects is more and more focused on social issues and challenges, for example in terms of quality of life and health, also by means of innovative housing programs, and sustainable layouts over the years: which will be the effects of this “programmatic” architecture on urban morphology?
The completion of elaborate programmes requires deep and integrated urban analysis, based on a “reading of the town” through multiple and complementary methodologies (i.e. considering the town as combination of layers, the town seen as an archipelago or a “town within the town”). Urban morphology plays an important role in defining urban strategies, especially within fragmented or superimposed layouts.
Rubattino and Ortica districts in Milan represent a meaningful case study for research and design: it could be described as a multi-layered and multi-composed scenario, considering its various parts and their “complementary”, “separated” and even “contradictory” status, as opposed to a homogeneous and uniform one
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