Design Studio 1

From the Modern Rome “palazzina” mansion flats to the Contemporary Rome “compact” housing blocks. 

Designing modern housing in the historical modern periphery of Rome

The design studio will address a design exercise moving from the study of a special kind of collective residential architectural typology called “palazzina” which was developed with particular success in Rome from the 30s-50s and which counts some very remarkable examples designed and built by very important architects. The studio will introduce urban design topics in general and comprehensive terms to let students develop a set of knowledge based on the specific urban development of the modern Rome which have had a significant impact also on the living standards of the following decades and which are still valuable examples and models to reflect on contemporary social, typological and urban transformations.

The Course will consider the fundamental literature and references on the collective residence, from the Modern Movement, to the Rome school case studies, to the latest contemporary housing projects. The studio aims to let students develop the knowledge bases for an aware design activity at urban and architectural scale, with special reference to residential design, technology and structural elements, environmental issues and real estate market trends.

The design studio will select a lot in the Quartiere Coppedè to develop a contemporary residential design project considering the importance of the historical context and the needs of contemporary life.