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INTERDICIPLINARY STUDIO COURSE CONTENT AND STRUCTURE

The studio course includes lectures-presentations and a restoration design project. The lectures reflect the stages of project development. Lectures are held every week, last approximately 2 hours and are presented by the faculty instructors and invited professors or specialized experts. Mostly, they are studies and implemented examples of restoration and reuse of buildings and historical ensembles of different historical periods and structural systems. These examples address theoretical, technical and environmental issues. The design work includes the restoration and reuse of a historic building or complex. The historic buildings and ensembles that are proposed are usually from different eras and it is feasible to visit and study them. They have undergone various operations and show damage and alterations that need conservation and restoration as well as the placement in them of a new use that will be viable in the modern condition, without altering their historical physiognomy.

THE COURSE PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

1. The interdisciplinary cooperation of postgraduate students.

2. The exemplary treatment of a restoration and reuse design study.

3. To carry out all stages of a restoration and reuse design study.

4. The pursuit of postgraduate students on a real issue, which concerns local communities.

5. The practical application of theoretical principles and knowledge.

INTERMEDIATE AND FINAL PRESENTATIONS

The work includes three stages. Upon completion of each stage, each interdisciplinary group of students presents the results of the research-study to all postgraduate students and faculty who supervise the respective groups. For each interdisciplinary group of postgraduate students, an interdisciplinary group of teachers is provided, which monitors the development of research-study at all stages of elaboration. The intermediate presentations as well as the final one are evaluated by all the supervising teachers and these evaluations in combination with the delivery of the final issue of each student’s group are taken into account in the final evaluation of the group as a whole and by specialty.

The presentations of the three stages of the research-studies are planned as follows:

The first presentation takes place in late December or early January, when the field and archive research has been completed and the results have been recorded in drawings and texts, the first presentation is scheduled for mid-January) .

The second presentation takes place around the middle to the end of April, when the data processing stage has been completed and the required interventions have been clarified.

The third and final presentation takes place around mid-July, with the simultaneous delivery of the research-study issue.

The exact dates of the three presentations are announced at the beginning of the academic year and are considered non-revocable.

THE LEARNING OUTCOMES (SKILLS, ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE)

• Acquisition of knowledge and development of critical thinking on theories of conservation (throughout time) and on contemporary trends that have been recently formed.

• Training in both theory and practice on subjects of conservation and reuse of historic buildings and complexes as well as buildings of the modern movement heritage.

• Understanding of the principles of the holistic protection of historic buildings and complexes.

• Understanding the important role that the conservation of existing buildings plays towards a more sustainable attitude for the built environment.

• Acquisition of knowledge to recognize the passive environmental strategies incorporated in the design of historic and vernacular structures in order to conserve and reinforce them during the conservation process.

• Acquisition of knowledge about the materials and construction techniques of historic buildings that incorporate environmental values.

• Acquisition of knowledge of historic buildings materials and techniques that embody environmental values.

THE EDUCATIONAL /TEACHING METHODOLOGY (GENERAL PRINCIPLES, PEDAGOGY AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES)

Face to face, via interdisciplinary teams. The work includes three stages. The first stage is the analysis and documentation of the historic buildings, carried out in the field and the procession of research results afterwards. The second stage covers the first approach of the restoration and reuse scenarios. Finally, the third stage includes the overall final design study of the restoration and reuse project. Upon completion of each stage, each interdisciplinary team presents the results of the work to all postgraduate students and teachers. For each interdisciplinary group of postgraduate students, an interdisciplinary group of teachers is provided, who monitor the evolution of the practical work at all stages of elaboration.

EXTERNAL PARTICIPANTS, VISITORS GUEST LECTURERS, ETC, INVOLVED IN THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS

Experts provide lectures, guide on the site of restored buildings and sites and actively participate on the practical work, upon invitation. Among the experts there will be professionals with recognized work, representatives of organizations such as the Ministry of Culture, etc. The framework that supports the employment of teaching staff – lecturers - on a contractual framework allows for experts (PhDs, Post-doc researchers and Adjunct faculties of the University) to contribute to the studio courses. There exists a strong presense of Emeritus professors who contribute weekly to the studio.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STUDIO COURSE AND THE CURRENT LOCAL NEEDS OF THE SOCIETY

In order to fully simulate professional practice, the course established collaborations with Municipalities, which allow access to historical buildings or sites. Upon completion of the practical work, the presentations organized inform the municipal authorities and the residents. Graduate students come in direct contact with the real problems of the local communities and are informed about the real problems of conservation, restoration and reuse of architectural heritage. In some cases, local authorities decide to implement the outcome of the practical work that has been carried out. In that case, some of our graduates have the opportunity to see their academic work realised. Thus, their postgraduate education meets the reality and needs of local communities.

TEACHING/LEARNING MATERIALS (DIDACTIC MATERIALS, RESOURCES, SOFTWARE, ETC.).

In each academic period, students have at their disposal: Books and articles found in the postgraduate library or collected for the needs of the studio course. Master's theses and papers from previous years, completed within the master's program or in other corresponding master's programs. Books, presentation files, digital files, notes, etc. distributed by the faculty instructors or the invited professors. Students are also provided with all relevant software and all the necessary equipment to help them complete their work.