| Course code | POLI9 |
| Course title | The art of urban composition |
| Institution | Politecnico di Milano |
| Course address | Politecnico di Milano, p.zza Leonardo 32 |
| City | Milano |
| Minimum year of study | 4th year |
| Minimum level of English | Fair |
| Minimum level of French | None |
| Key words | |
| Language | english |
| Professor responsible | Prof. Ernesto d’Alfonso |
| Telephone | 00390223995047, +393356248997 |
| Fax | 023314103 |
| ernidalf@libero.it | |
| Participating professors | Prof. Antonella Contin, Rossella Salerno, Prof Roger Simmonds, O, prof. Graham Schane |
| Number of places | Minimum: 6, Maximum: 20, Reserved for local students: |
| Objectives | To understand the principles behind the contemporary urban architecture in order to face the challenges of the future, with particular reference to the theoretical works of Vitruvio, Alberti, Durand, Schinkel, Semper, Boito, Le Corbusier, Eisemann. |
| Programme to be followed | 1. Discussion of the topic Perception/Imagination/Design helped by the reading of Arnheim and Rowe (in relation to the contributions of Merlau Ponti and Bachelard)2. Review of Precisations e Espace indiscible by Le Corbusier.3. Measures of times and measures of spaces. The Menhir from Bretagne (Le Corbusier) and Vitruvius' gnomone. 4. Alberti's theory of composition: drawings and “on site” works.5. Durand's theory of composition and a “Manifesto of urban design through Schinkel's projects in Berlino with reference to Semper's theory of style.6. Boito's theory of style and the image of Milan during the XX Century: Muzio, Ponti…Rossi'd theories and pictures.7. Rossi and Eisemann. The studies about Terragni and Cardboard Architecture with reference to digital design processes |
| Prerequisites | Bachelor degree |
| Course exam | Final essay about choosen readings with a brief selection of pictures of the city, contemporary architecture and art. |
The ATHENS Programme