Teaching Geometry and Surfaces Evaluation Through Graphic Representation and Dynamic Paper Models

To make the geometrical cognitive process more interactive, we produced teaching aids (tangible models, graphic tablets) that help students in visualiz-ing their geometrical-analytical investigations of the architectural artifacts and enhance their spatial prefiguration and critical form-reading skills, three-dimensional thinking and geometrical reading of shapes. Then, we looked for a medium suitable to create simple three-dimensional models, not only observable, like virtual models, not only tangible, like physical models pro-posed in the design studios, but also dynamic, using multiple media and lan-guages in the same training message. As an example, we present here an interdisciplinary lesson between Cal-culus and Architectural Drawing and Survey Laboratory about developable surfaces, experimented on first year students of the bachelor program in Ar-chitecture. The lesson is based on the use of a graphic tablet and some ori-gami inspired models: it summarizes the geometric description of a pyramid and a cloister vault of equal height and equal orthographic projection on the horizontal plane. We saw that tackling the same topic in both teaching contexts is not a use-less overlap, but a stimulus to compare different languages and methods. 2D and 3D paper models of artifacts – and of projective reduction from 3D to the plane – aid spatial intuition and the subtle exercise of controlling mental images which replace artifacts, turning 3D configurations into signifying im-ages. Moreover, this experience stimulates reading and evaluation of the drawn geometry (ruled surfaces, projections, developments), increasing criti-cal sense in reading the built environmen

FROM DATA TO TANGIBLE MODELS: CASE STUDY OF A VAULT IN THE ROYAL RESIDENCE OF VENARIA REALE

Framed on a wider research project that investigates Geometry as a cultural substrate and shared language for the comprehension of Architecture and its shapes, the presented research focuses on the geometric analysis and dissemination actions of a vault of the Royal Residence of Venaria Reale, designed by Benedetto Alfieri in the XVIII century. The vault is the only one offering to visitors’ sight both its intrados and extrados surfaces. We propose an interdisciplinary approach that uses Geometry both as qualifying intangible heritage of the built shapes and as a language transversal to observation and survey, return of data and their interpretation from a dissemination point of view. To achieve this, we propose an innovative use of physical models, both in their meaning of object to be explored and in that of their design, between prototyping and seriality. Interaction between public and physical models becomes a way to promote critical shape-reading activities and to enhance spatial visualization abilities by their haptic/visual exploration, to recognize 3D built geometry and to explore architecture from different a point of view, getting closer to its shapes

Exotic fish in exotic plantations: a multi-scale approach to understand amphibian occurrence in the mediterranean region

Globally, amphibian populations are threatened by a diverse range of factors including habitat destruction and alteration. Forestry practices have been linked with low diversity and abundance of amphibians. The effect of exotic Eucalyptus spp. plantations on amphibian communities has been studied in a number of biodiversity hotspots, but little is known of its impact in the Mediterranean region. Here, we identify the environmental factors influencing the presence of six species of amphibians (the Caudata Pleurodeles waltl, Salamandra salamandra, Lissotriton boscai, Triturus marmoratus and the anurans Pelobates cultripes and Hyla arborea/meridionalis) occupying 88 ponds. The study was conducted in a Mediterranean landscape dominated by eucalypt plantations alternated with traditional use (agricultural, montados and native forest) at three different scales: local (pond), intermediate (400 metres radius buffer) and broad (1000 metres radius buffer). Using the Akaike Information Criterion for small samples (AICc), we selected the top-ranked models for estimating the probability of occurrence of each species at each spatial scale separately and across all three spatial scales, using a combination of covariates from the different magnitudes. Models with a combination of covariates at the different spatial scales had a stronger support than those at individual scales. The presence of predatory fish in a pond had a strong effect on Caudata presence. Permanent ponds were selected by Hyla arborea/meridionalis over temporary ponds. Species occurrence was not increased by a higher density of streams, but the density of ponds impacted negatively on Lissotriton boscai. The proximity of ponds occupied by their conspecifics had a positive effect on the occurrence of Lissotriton boscai and Pleurodeles waltl. Eucalypt plantations had a negative effect on the occurrence of the newt Lissotriton boscai and anurans Hyla arborea/meridionalis, but had a positive effect on the presence of Salamandra salamandra, while no effect on any of the other species was detected. In conclusion, eucalypts had limited effects on the amphibian community at the intermediate and broad scales, but predatory fish had a major impact when considering all the scales combined. The over-riding importance of introduced fish as a negative impact suggests that forest managers should prevent new fish introductions and eradicate fish from already-occupied ponds whenever possible

Nel frattempo da un'altra parte. Francesco Pavignano

Presentazione delle opere di Francesco Pavignano in mostra nell'ambito dell'edizione 2019 della rassegna "Viaggio. Orizzonti, Frontiere, Generazioni", Biella, Masserano, Pettinengo 19 ottobre 2019 - 12 gennaio 2020

Il pensiero visivo e l’architettura: una possibile sperimentazione

Nell’ambito della Percezione del mondo che ci circonda, il concetto di Pensiero Visivo si origina dal contrasto tra due termini relativi: la cognizione mentale e la percezione visiva. Possiamo considerare questa tipologia di Pensiero allo stesso tempo come generatore ed esito di quei modelli mentali che, anche grazie alle loro funzioni, possono essere capaci di «restituire l’architettura al suo compito millenario: l’elaborazione materiale e simbolica dello spazio vitale dell’uomo». È possibile trovare molteplici e differenti definizioni del Pensiero Visivo: storiche, clinico-scientifiche e neuro-scientifiche, antropologiche, fenomenologiche e anche metaforiche. In questa direzione, Rudolf Arnheim (1904-2007) contribuì con i propri studi e con le sue idee originali. Egli diede seguito a numerosi e affascinanti studi su: Pensiero Visuale, Psicologia dell’Arte, Dinamica della Forma Architettonica e Potere del Centro. Lo studio dei suoi contributi permette di far emergere il ruolo della Visione come parametro del progetto architettonico e artistico. Nel sostenere che «chi poco vede niente pensa», l’architetto Filippo Juvarra intendeva sottolineare come l’uomo non potesse intrattenere relazioni interattive, conscie e costruttive con il mondo intorno a senza lasciarsi guidare in primo luogo dalla propria Visione. Il contributo si propone di applicare alcune delle teorie di Arnheim sulla Visione, come elaborate in particolare ne il Potere del Centro e ne La Dinamica della Forma Architettonica, attraverso una rivisitazione critica di alcuni disegni di Filippo Juvarra (senza dimenticare che l’architetto è tuttora ampiamente conosciuto per il suo particolare approccio tra il valore di indicazione progettuale e la funzione concettuale dei suoi schizzi e disegni)

The Mole Antonelliana between real shape and folding design

We investigate how to obtain, from a singular sheet of paper, models of a discrete rotationally symmetric geometric shape with a marked pointed appendage. As a case study, we deal with a particular Italian building with a spire, the Mole Antonelliana, evolving from simple, stylized forms to more detailed representations

The Origami model as geometrical extension of Visual Thinking

Our research aims to contextualize, analyze and validate the use of origami models as a synthetic expression of the Geometric Structure of the plastic and iconic representation forms in Architecture, with an interdisciplinary perspective, in the context of the Visual Thinking and of the Culture of Vision. Designing and using origami means realizing the set of folds necessary to obtain the desired geometric model, that is translating a theoretical thought into lines and geometrically visualizing it