Università Roma Tre

The Laboratory is composed of integrated courses of "Architectural Design" and "Structure and Architecture". Through the design of a medium-sized architectural organism, the Laboratory intends to lead the student to understand the interrelationships between city, space form, and functions, introducing an initial consideration of structural aspects.

The specific theme is the design of a building to be used as a civic neighborhood library and cultural center within a historic urban context in Rome.

The following aspects will be explored in depth:

Relationship between design and urban context, through the critical analysis of the project site and the morphological structure of the context, aimed at developing conscious and coherent intervention strategies for the place.

Role of architectural typology in defining the formal structure of the design, as a tool for mediation between history, memory, and innovations in space usage.

Integration of space, structure, and technical systems, promoting a design approach capable of composing spatial organizations, functional needs, and structural systems as a synthesis of a unitary process.

Texts, particularly manuals for library design, articles, and handouts, will be provided during the course and uploaded directly to the TEAMS platform.

Project for a small university-level study and research center in Rome - Lungotevere dei Papareschi corner of Ponte dell’Industria. The theme of the year is the design of a small university-level study and research center, a place that can host high-level training activities, doctoral schools, masters, etc. The building will have to house a library, classrooms for lessons and seminars of different sizes, a bar and support services. The intervention site is a long strip of land of variable thickness, located at the beginning of Lungotevere dei Papareschi, towards Ponte dell’Industria. The area extends for about 260 meters, between the road and the Tiber wall, from the bridge to just before the Teatro India. The long and very thin “triangle”, which ends at a very small and almost abandoned playground, has a total surface area of 7,156 m2. The design must concern the entire area, dealing with the overall arrangement of the site. The design of the complex of functions is therefore closely connected to that of the external space.

It is strongly recommended that students combine their design experience with reading architectural texts and specialist magazines (subscribing to a magazine is a way to start building your own library).
Teoria e Storia dell’architettura
De Fusco R., Storia dell’architettura contemporanea, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2000
Architettura e progetto
Quaroni L., Progettare un edificio, otto lezioni di architettura, Mazzotta, Milano 1977
Riviste consigliate
Italiane: Casabella, Domus, Area, Materia, L’Industria delle Costruzioni, Il Giornale dell’Architettura, The Plan
Straniere: Architecture d’aujourd’hui, Architectural Review, Techniques & Architecture, Detail

1) Generalized stresses acting on structures.
2) Influence of the use of different construction materials on both structural and architectural design concept.
3) Structural types: Beams and Frames.
4) Structural types: Struts, Ties, Trusses.
5) Understanding the strength hierarchy in structures.

Daniel L. Schodek, Strutture, Pàtron Editore, 2008.
Appunti forniti dal docente.

1. Introduction to Load Paths
Defining the structure as a system (reality, model, and load path).
Load-bearing hierarchy (slab–beams–frames) and coherence with architectural morphology.

2. Load Analysis and Tributary Areas
Identification of G1, G2, and Qk by occupancy; wind and snow excluded.
Determination of tributary areas and load distribution to slabs and beams.

3. Load Combinations and Safety Principles
Characteristic values, partial factors, and ψ factors.
Building ULS/SLS combinations and identifying governing cases.

4. Pre-sizing of Floor Systems
Typological choices (RC, composite steel, etc.) and quick h–span–spacing rules.
Layer build-up, self-weight, and preliminary stiffness checks.

5. Beams and Frames (Steel and RC)
Typical static schemes; estimating N, V, M (superposition, handbooks).
Selecting sections/profiles (IPE/HE; RC) and preliminary bending/shear checks.

6. Column Loads and Pre-sizing
Column tributary areas and assembly of story-wise concentrated loads.
Estimation of minimum area A_min and practical criteria for section selection.

7. Deliverables and Tools
Technical report and framing plan (1:100/1:200) documenting assumptions, calculations, and decisions.
Tools: spreadsheets, handbooks/section tables, CAD; optional software for qualitative checks.

"Why Buildings Fall Down: How Structures Fail" di Matthys Levy e Mario Salvadori.
"Why Buildings Stand Up: The Strength of Architecture" di Mario Salvadori.
Notes provided by the professor.

1) Generalized stresses acting on structures.
2) Influence of the use of different construction materials on both structural and architectural design concept.
3) Structural types: Beams and Frames.
4) Structural types: Struts, Ties, Trusses.
5) Understanding the strength hierarchy in structures.

Daniel L. Schodek, Strutture, Pàtron Editore, 2008.
Appunti forniti dal docente.

1. Introduction to Load Paths
Defining the structure as a system (reality, model, and load path).
Load-bearing hierarchy (slab–beams–frames) and coherence with architectural morphology.

2. Load Analysis and Tributary Areas
Identification of G1, G2, and Qk by occupancy; wind and snow excluded.
Determination of tributary areas and load distribution to slabs and beams.

3. Load Combinations and Safety Principles
Characteristic values, partial factors, and ψ factors.
Building ULS/SLS combinations and identifying governing cases.

4. Pre-sizing of Floor Systems
Typological choices (RC, composite steel, etc.) and quick h–span–spacing rules.
Layer build-up, self-weight, and preliminary stiffness checks.

5. Beams and Frames (Steel and RC)
Typical static schemes; estimating N, V, M (superposition, handbooks).
Selecting sections/profiles (IPE/HE; RC) and preliminary bending/shear checks.

6. Column Loads and Pre-sizing
Column tributary areas and assembly of story-wise concentrated loads.
Estimation of minimum area A_min and practical criteria for section selection.

7. Deliverables and Tools
Technical report and framing plan (1:100/1:200) documenting assumptions, calculations, and decisions.
Tools: spreadsheets, handbooks/section tables, CAD; optional software for qualitative checks.

"Why Buildings Fall Down: How Structures Fail" di Matthys Levy e Mario Salvadori.
"Why Buildings Stand Up: The Strength of Architecture" di Mario Salvadori.
Notes provided by the professor.