Disegno: Encounters in Public Space (Florence)

6 units

One of the origins of the term design is the Italian word disegno, which delineates drawing both as a mark-making process and as a form of critical inquiry. Building upon this dual trajectory, this architectural design studio focuses on a series of site-specific projects that explore public space as a visual and conceptual phenomenon - a space of social encounter that is drawn, re-drawn, and ultimately (re)designed through a series of drawing strategies, including freehand drawing, drafting and making. The projects engage architecture, culture and identity using modern metropolitan Florence as a laboratory for visual experimentation. By embracing the complexities of contemporary Italian society - including its evolving ethnic, cultural and social dynamic - the projects explore the critical dichotomies of past-present and global-local. This course is a dynamic learning environment that encourages students to develop a unique way of working by building upon their intellectual curiosity and diverse educational backgrounds. Course requirements include studio work, discussions, and field trips.