Project II: Atelier Prats
People
Description
“Caring for children was once considered to be a charitable work; society today offers the youngest generation that which the people, all at work, are unable to give their children: education, hygiene, learning.The nursery school has today risen from the status of a Depository for Children to the dignity of a Home for a Large Family. Of the home it has the qualities of playful welcoming, of scrupulous hygiene, of serene spirituality.” Fragment of a report from architect Giuseppe Terragni, Como, 7th March 1935.
The starting point of the Atelier exercise will be found in our own childhood memories related to the kindergarten where we had our first experience of the educational world and its buildings.
As a case study companion, we will visit and get familiar with the generous Asilo Nido Sant’ Elia built in Como in 1937, by Giuseppe Terragni.
The proposed new kindergarten will occupy the same site that the actual building by Terragni, so his building will be a useful model to be confronted with our own pedagogical and spatial ideas of what a kindergarten might be today.
Objectives
La proposta dell'Atelier per il prossimo semestre primaverile 2026 è quella di riflettere sulle pedagogie educative dell'infanzia e sugli edifici che le ospitano.
Sustainable development goals
- Gender equality
- Affordable and clean energy
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Climate action
- Life on land
Teaching mode
In presence
Learning methods
The Atelier requires the project to be entirely hand-drawn, not for aesthetic interest but rather valuing it as an instrument that allows for a more intuitive reflection on the design ideas, helping for deeper concentration, as well as allowing to build an atmosphere in the Atelier where work is shared and evolves open to all participants.
Examination information
La valutazione del corso avverrà in modo continuativo, prendendo in considerazione tutti i documenti sviluppati durante il semestre. A ciascuno studente sarà richiesto di presentare di settimana in settimana il materiale prodotto durante i due giorni di Atelier.
Bibliography
- Cunningham, Hugh. The invention of childhood. London: BBC Books, 1960.
- Eyck, Aldo van. The Child, the city and the Artist: An essay on architecture : the in-between realm. Amsterdam: SUN, 2008.
- Fröbel, Friedrich. The Education of Man. Verlag von Friedrich Perthes, 1826.
- Malaguzzi, Loris. Loris Malaguzzi and the Schools of Reggio Emilia. London: Routledge, 1993.
- Montessori, Maria. The Montessori method. 1. Dover Publications, 2002.
- Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. Émile, or On Education. Penguin Classics, 1762.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Design atelier, Atelier BSc3, 3rd year
- Master of Science in Architecture, Design atelier, MSc1 - Atelier, 1st year
Study trips
- Como, 26.02.26 - 27.02.26 (Compulsory)
- Ticino Valley, 27.02.26 - 27.02.26 (Compulsory)
