Discovering Heritage

Individual research on Architectural Heritage

 

“Discovering Heritage” aims at urging students to undertake individual researches on architectural heritage so to get an in-depth knowledge and understanding of what is standing behind the design of an architectural work in a specific shape and site and with respect to its original purpose and present understanding in contemporary societies.

Acquiring an in-depth knowledge meaning to discover and rediscover heritage by using different sources and investigation methods – thus, researching at the cross between the technical fields and the humanities by interdisciplinary linking the different aspects of conserving and restoring heritage buildings.
Because of this, a great deal of attention will be paid to the practical implications on architecture of the theoretical aspects of conserving and restoring buildings.
Then, the issue of a misinterpretation of historic findings with respect to the case studies chosen by students will also be illustrated by means of the case studies themselves, all the while watching at heritage as fragmented heritage in constant evolution.

Watching at heritage as a fragment of history in progress meaning to reconcile its historical recreations with new uses as well as their contemporary significance as an object of knowledge to be discovered by students and reinterpreted for assuring its survival for future while projecting heritage in the XXI century.

 

Following successful completion of this module students will be able to acquire a methodology suitable for undertaking individual researches in the conservation-restoration field.

Then,
- they will be able to analyse the historical aspects bond to the chosen case study.
- they will be able to clearly identify the connection between Architecture and the different architectural Languages and uses taking place within the space of the architectural heritage chosen, over time.
- Students will learn how to take the challenge of discovering Architectural heritage by using different sources and how to think interdisciplinary so to solve basic research questions on the individual research topic proposed.

Particularly, students will be able to:
- to recognize and clearly identify the different architectural elements and sites that are deemed to characterize their individual specific case study, along with the different functions alternating over time.

Then, students are expected to be able to remember the different design configurations and redevelopments according to Eras and with respect to preservation theories.
Especially the implications of preservation theories into the practice are expected to be fully understood – thus, identified by students with respect to works of addition and the redevelopment of existing architectural features.

This critical assessment goes with a basic understanding of the interventions needed to preserve modern and historic architectural features while envisioning choices for novel solutions based on awareness.

Finally, we expect students to be able to conceive novel solutions for the open challenge of transmitting heritage intact for future generations to be able to experience culture, all the while complying with the basic needs for use of spaces, along with their characteristic architectural features.

 

case studies
This seminar will be delivered in a dual form of education and training where theoretical principles will be taught while direct application of the teaching to case studies will be made so to train students on undertaking personal research paths.
Specific case studies of existing heritage will be provided by students. These can rang from roman architectural works to modern buildings without overlooking industrial heritage.
Classes will, firstly, concentrate on the complex connection between Architecture-Language-and-Redevelopment. Then, redevelopment strategies performed to the selection of case studies “rediscovered” by students will be presented and studied along with students.
A great deal of attention will be paid to preservation strategies implemented over the last centuries concentrating on the specific selection of case studies proposed by students.
Going case by case Exercises will be individually assigned to students so to progressively solving their research questions and finally “discovering” and disclosing secrets hidden behind heritage and their existence. This is aiming at complementing design with the crucial contribute of awareness (knowledge of the past). Exercises might include an excursion to sites.
Further, students will be asked to provide novel ideas for the conservation-restoration of the chosen case study, all the while conceiving their own language so to address preservation.

 

Conducted in Presence and online
ZOOM and at Oettingenstrasse, 15, 80538 Munich
This Seminar can be integrated by attending the Seminar Staging Heritage for Future where theoretical principles on preservation theories of the XIX and XX centuries are taught.

 

Lecturer Thomas Danzl, Roberta Fonti
Type/ Credits Exercise / 2 SWS, 6 ECTS
Semester Summer semester 2022
Language English
Dates Kick off 17.05.2022, 09:00 - 12:30
Every second Tuesday 09:00 - 12:30
Links TUMonline
moodle