Introduction Fundamentals
SEMESTER 01
Genoa
Methods&Tools Application
SEMESTER 02
Belgrade
Strategies and Tactics
SEMESTER 03
Riga
Knowledge Synthesis
SEMESTER 04
Genoa/Belgrade/Riga
1. SEMESTER - 30 ECTS
1.1 - ARCHITECTURAL STUDIO 1 - 15 ECTS
Architectural Studio 1 consists of design studio part and two theoretical parts. In this class,
students are introduced to the project and the eco friendly scope, stimulated to analyse and
reflect theoretically on the project in order to develop critical and self critical capacity and to
contribute to the student's personal development and to the general development of the
discipline and implement this analysis through drawing, understood here as useful tools to
understand the city in its historical evolution and the logic of urban phenomena.
1.2 - PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY - 4 ECTS
Principle of sustainability has a laboratory nature, in which students, divided into groups,
develop under the guidance of the lecturers a sustainable architectural project of a building
object that is chosen each year on the basis of its construction characteristics, its intended use,
and the peculiarities of the building envelope that is to be investigated in detail; the project is
the subject of activities in the first and second modules of the course.
1.3 - PRINCIPLES OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE - 4 ECTS
The course prefigures the elaboration of integrated and strategic projects starting from the
interpretation of the construction phenomena of contemporary meta urban and territorial
structures, between cycles of abandonment, reuse and transformation. The nature of these
landscapes, places of cohabitation or separation of a mix of populations and activities leads us
to question ourselves on the form and nature of the city, on the objec tives of the project,
economic realities, social phenomena, practices of use and the challenges of change. Moving
from the theoretical references of Landscape Urbanism, the course aims to gain an awareness
of the relationship between infrastructure, archit ecture and the design of urban space from a
semantic, environmental and performance perspective.
1.4 - WORKS, ARCHITECTS, PARADIGMS IN ECOFRIENDLY BUILT ENVIRONMENT- 4 ECTS
The course focuses on the European and international debate, from 1945 to the present day, with
an eye on evolution of the concept of sustainable design conducted through a selection of
particularly paradigmatic figures, works and projects. The teaching me thod consists of lectures
and students are guided in developing personal research of a theoretical and critical text.
1.5 - ELECTIVE COURSE 1 - 3 ECTS
- E1. PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
The following subjects are covered in the course: design team work management concepts; professional standards and ethics in architectural design and construction; complicated interfaces of architectural design with other design and construction related specialisations; and client collaboration.
- E2. ARCHITECTURAL MORPHOLOGY AND RESEARCH METHOD
The course covers philosophical aspects of architecture, the role of social processes and functions in the development of architectural language, an ecological and contextual approach,
regional and national identity, the synthesis of arts in architecture, methods of research work in architecture, and the structure of graphical ana lysis in design practise. - E3. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
The course goal is to establish a cognitive framework for understanding, insight, and exploring
theory and concepts of sustainability. It aims to develop an understanding of the
developmental course of the philosophical and theoretical foundation of the idea of
sustainability and sustainable development. It raises awareness and understanding of the
critical global positions of operationalizing the concept of sustainability, depending on the
social context. I t develops the ability to identify the primary theoretical discourses that form
the basis of a contemporary approach to operationalizing sustainability concepts. Ability to
understand underlying theoretical assumptions that underpin sustainability paradigm s in
present conditions. Ability to think critically and understand different theoretical approaches
to sustainability issues. Teaching includes interactive lectures, analysis of the content of documents in written
materials, critical analysis, debates, et c. - E4. THEORY OF URBAN DESIGN
The course aims to acquaint students with various theoretical concepts, topics, and dilemmas
of urban design. The emphasis is on looking at different approaches for understanding the
nature, purpose, role, and content of urban design concerning the economic, social, cultural,
and nat ural environmental conditions of urban development.
Classes are realized through interactive lectures, case studies, seminar work.
2. SEMESTER - 30 ECTS
2.1 - ARCHITECTURAL STUDIO 02: MULTISCALE BIOPHILIC DESIGN - 15 ECTS
The main objective of this design studio is to is to empower students with design methods for
the multiscale biophilic design. The studio is focused on the programmatic articulation of
biophilic elements and principles, and their implementation into architectural and urban practice
of heritage preservation and reuse Through multi scalar and reflective critical approach,
students are expected to define regenerative and resilient architectural programs and urban
natures, and to develop design solutions that responds to uncertainty and the ever changing
relations betwe en built and natural environment.
Teaching takes place through a combination of interactive forms of teaching, case studies,
lectures, presentations, individual and group research, on site and site specific analysis
workshops, visual essays, design, etc.
The course will be assessed through group discussion and individual design assignments.
2.2 - CIRCULAR CITY: ECOLOGY AND NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS - 4 ECTS
The main goal of the course is to get acquainted with and trained for un derstanding and research of
- different concepts and principles of Nature-Based Solutions;
- resources, tools, and strategies for integrating nature-based solutions in architectural and urban design;
- concept of urban circularity.
The general goal is to understand and be able to critically review various spatial and programme
aspects, opening up a new field of research into the relationship between nature based
solutions, circularity and architectural and urban design.
Teaching is carrying out through lectures, interactive forms o f teaching, presentations, surveys,
discussions, workshops, etc.
2.3 - TECHNOLOGY AND NATURE IN SERVICE OF ARCHITECTURE: STRUCTURES AND SYSTEMS - 4 ECTS
The objective of the course is to critically review and explore the adaptability and impact of new
technologies on architectural objects based on the dynamic balance between nature and
technology. Research should find an adequate architectural model capabl e of interacting with
nature and users through self regulation of their systems and needs. Through research,
students spatially and programmatically redefine various aspects, opening up a new field of
research into the relationship between nature and archi tecture, treating that relationship as a
potential place to create and realize the architecture of the future. The impact of technology in
addressing the relationship between nature and architecture is methodologically investigated,
its assessments and con textual relationship strategies are given. This approach involves a
compromised understanding of the links between resource scarcity, energy demand, renewable
energy, new materials and technologies.
The teaching methods includes mentoring, lectures, and presentations.
2.4 - REGENERATIVE AND SALUTOGENIC DESIGN- 4 ECTS
The main goal of the course is to get acquainted with and trained for:
- concepts, principles, and methods of regenerative and salutogenic design;
- understanding and research of the reciprocal and complex environment-behavior relations;
- space from the aspect of its impact on health and overall wellbeing;
- design of regenerative and salutogenic built environments.
The general goal is to understand the role of the architectural profession in improving health
a nd wellbeing of urban environment as one of the priorities of modern society, as well as the
role of the architect in society in the preparation of projects that view space as a regenerative
place.
Teaching is carrying out through lectures, interactive for ms of teaching, presentations, surveys,
discussions, workshops, etc.
2.5 - ELECTIVE COURSE 2 - 3 ECTS
- E5. METHODS OF RENOVATION AND TRANSFORMATION OF BUILDING
The transformation of layout in existing buildings, balance of the principles of restoration and
transformation, the preservation and renovation practice of buildings and urban environment
in Europe and in the world. Project of transformation of an urban structure.
- E6. BUILDING ECONOMICS
The theoretical tools for estimating the costs and benefits of energy or structural retrofitting
interventions will be discussed with particular reference to the trend of costs and benefits
within the useful (or economic) life of the building. Than an exam ple of an economic financial
evaluation of an energy retrofitting intervention on a residential building will be developed and
the case study on which students will have to develop a similar evaluation will be presented.
The course consists of lectures on theoretical tools and classroom exercises in the form of
application exercises.
3. SEMESTER - 30 ECTS
3.1 - ARCHITECTURAL STUDIO 3 - 15 ECTS
Combination of architectural design and restoration design through an eco friendly perspective.
The aim of the study course is to acquaint students with the identification of physical wear and
tear and moral aging of buildings and to develop the ability to evaluate their possible
consequences. The tasks of the study course are to provide knowledge ab out the basic
principles of building reconstruction and restoration, to prepare students for team work, to
promote the independent adoption of various solutions within the study work. The study course
includes a wide range of knowledge, providing an insigh t into the most typical problems of
existing buildings and their possible solutions. The first part of the study course deals with the
review of the theoretical basis, application of construction standards for reconstruction and
student work in groups, dev eloping and defending the seminar topics previously assigned to the
audience. The second stage is practical work with the development of a study paper and the
final examination of students in the form of an exam. In the study process, as far as possible,
i ndustry professionals are involved, who provide a broader insight into the course of the
reconstruction and restoration process and the problems they have encountered in real objects.
During the study process, students are shown visual information material s, such as process
schedules, pictures from the reconstruction process, details of developed reconstruction
projects.
3.2 - INTEGRATED URBAN DESIGN - 4 ECTS
The study course's goal is to comprehend urban development processes and to examine the
spatial condition from the standpoint of sustainability. Understanding the logic of urban growth
in relation to the legal framework and planning policies applicable to the region. To assess the
urban environment's living quality. To provide thoughts and solutions for integrated urban
design.
The course teaches understanding of sustainable urban design ideas and planning tools, as well
as skills for creating an integrat ed and sustainable urban design solution.
3.3 - MATERIAL SCIENCE IN ECOFRIENDLY BUILT ENVIRONMENT - 4 ECTS
Introductory concepts, movable and immovable cultural property. Causes of materials decay
and damages, agents of deterioration and losses. The principles of conservation/restoration,
conservation methodology, treatment. Investigation of objects, photo fixation, description.
Conservation and/or restoration of wood, paper, textile s, leather and metal artefacts attributed
to material groups for basic and adjacent specialization directions. Investigation of materials
and items, drawing up of conservation and/or restoration programme. Recommendations for
further artefacts storage. Fi lling of restoration passport.
3.4 - BUILDING CLIMATE SYSTEM IN ARCHITECTURE - 4 ECTS
The course's major goal is to supply students with knowledge and understanding of current
building climatic control systems and architectural influences on them from the perspective of
capacity calculation, visual aspects, and prospective passive interior temperature control
solutions. Students should be able to evaluate the relationship between architectural design and
internal climate control mechanisms after finishing the study course and conceptually estimate
the prospective climate control solutions fo r specific example buildings.
During the course, students will learn how to make broad selections and calculations for
constructing climate systems, which will be based on both practical examples and general
norms and standards. The course will begin wi th a comprehensive overview of temperature
control systems and their integration with modern architecture. It will then include thorough
information on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system options for modern buildings,
with a focus on the infl uence of building architecture on passive microclimate control. At the
end of the course, emphasis will be given to how modern architecture might lessen the
requirement for active climate systems.
3.5 - ELECTIVE COURSE 3 - 3 ECTS
- E7. RESILIENCE OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Theoretical course contents are methodological and applicative and converge in the practice
of architectural design. The lectures will be accompanied by the production of a series of
individual research papers on the specifics of the elements, with attention to their graphic
restitution, according to the indications provided by the course. The research papers will be
discussed periodically and collectively during the lectures. Organised into final presentations,
the papers will be discussed during the examination.
- E8. BUILDING PHYSICS
Introduction to the characteristic problems in the domain of building physics that treat the issue
of energy in buildings in different ways and are directly related to the aspects of a pleasurable
experience, i.e., thermal and air comfort. Mastering the ba sic elements and principles of
calculating the energy performance of buildings. Upon course completion, the student should
have a better understanding of the importance of an adequate ( attitude toward the issue
of energy in buildings for its overal l behavior, as well as the basic knowledge necessary to
calculate and verify the relevant characteristics of the building, i.e., its envelope, as initial
elements in the process of calculating the total energy performance of buildings.
Teaching is conducte d through lectures, presentation and analysis of examples with discussion
and active participation of students, interactive work, consultations.
4. SEMESTER - 30 ECTS
4.1 - MASTER DEGREE THESIS - 30 ECTS
The Master Thesis with Integrated Diploma Project is a graduation project that includes an
overall synthesis of knowledge and abilities in research, planning, design, and graphical design
at various scales of built up environment, as well as rel ated economic, social, and other
concerns.