Project I: Atelier Xu

Architecture, not only building.
Interventions across four ecological sea levels in the Po Delta
In a context where fresh water and saltwater continually mingle throughout the year, the Po Delta emerges as a breathtaking and ever-evolving landscape. Time, speed, corrosion, and water are elemental forces that shape this environment, working in concert to establish a delicate equilibrium conducive to diverse ecosystems. Functioning akin to a sensor, the Delta records the passage of time and fluctuations in atmospheric conditions, offering us a tangible awareness of these phenomena. Human production activities on land, such as rice-growing, lavender, and corn fields, and in water, such as the cultivation of mussels, clams, and pink oysters, thrive by taking advantage of the phenomena present in these ecosystems to monitor their continuous changes. Yet the quest for a balance between humanity and nature remains perpetually challenged by the swift currents of water and the unpredictable shifts in weather patterns. Local villages and communities coexist in symbiotic harmony with their natural surroundings, nurturing a distinct culture and way of life. To safeguard against recurrent floods, houses are often erected on stilts, while transportation predominantly relies on traditional boats navigating the waterways. The contemporary landscape of the Po Delta bears witness to the impacts of depopulation in its villages and the profound alterations brought about by climate change and globalization. As a result, the Delta finds itself in a constant state of adaptation, wherein both humanity and the natural world continually strive to adjust and endure amidst the evolving challenges posed by modernity.

The design task for this semester will involve creating a system of interventions to connect various ecosystems at four specific sites in the Delta Po, particularly close to the Sacca di Scardovari.
Collectively, these interventions will establish a new system of interventions in the Delta, across four ecological levels, serving as focal points integrated with its assets and identity, and shaped by the landscape. Each site will be explored with an intervention size ranging from 150 square meters or more. The study trip will take place in Italy, in the Veneto region of the Delta Po, from the 20th to the 22nd of September. During the first two weeks of the semester in Mendrisio, we will construct a context model and collectively study the context and economics of the Delta to propose a program for each architectural project. The mid-review is scheduled for October 24th, and the final review will be held on December 19th. The atelier project will be developed in pairs.

In presence

The semester’s project will be carried out in pairs.
Throughout the semester, we will host specialists and contributors who will delve into the atelier research alongside us.
Each project will be reviewed weekly under Prof. Xu Tiantian’s and her assistants’ guidance.

Students will be evaluated based on the final outcome and the learning process they have chosen. Projects will be evaluated, including external guests during the mid-term and final critiques.

• Delta Del Po - Italia, 20.09.24 - 22.09.24 (Compulsory)