Project II: Atelier Forte
People
Description
The workshop involves the creation of an installation composed of three elements: the door, the labyrinth, and Sleipnir, the iconic sculpture by Duilio Forte. Each student will design and build a door, understood as both a symbolic and architectural threshold. The collection of doors will form a labyrinth, a metaphor for the design process, leading to Sleipnir, a symbol of exploration and the human-space relationship. The installation will be constructed collectively and documented through a short film.
Objectives
The objective is to achieve both practical and conceptual training aimed at the creation of a large monumental architectural installation within the Theatre of Architecture by Mario Botta in Mendrisio.
The installation, made of wood, ranges from detailed elements to large-scale structures and is developed both individually and collectively.
Sustainable development goals
- Life on land
Teaching mode
In presence
Learning methods
The course adopts a laboratory-based method that integrates theoretical research, design, and construction.
It begins with the analysis of spatial archetypes such as the gate and the labyrinth, interpreted through history, art, theatre, and cinema, and introduced within the conceptual framework of the ArkiZoic. The personal notebook accompanies the entire process as a tool for thinking, drawing, and hands-on experimentation.
The design phase develops individual concepts on a shared foundation, alternating sketching and physical modelling, and culminating in an immersive installation.
Examination information
Individual portfolio: Documentation of the design and construction process, including evaluation of the sketchbook.
Active participation: Engagement in group work and discussions.
Quality of execution: Craftsmanship, structural stability, and conceptual coherence of the artifact.
Bibliography
- Le Corbusier, .. Vers une architecture. Paris: G. Crès, 1923.
- Ong, Walter J.. Oralità e scrittura. Le tecnologie della parola. Il Mulino, 2014.
- Zevi, Bruno. Paesaggistica e grado zero della scrittura architettonica. Acquario Romano, 2025.
- Borges, Jorge Luis. Il giardino dei sentieri che si biforcano. Adelphi, 1941.
- Borges, Jorge Luis. L’Aleph. Adelphi, 1949.
- Eco, Umberto. Il nome della rosa Umberto Eco. Milano: Bompiani, 1980.
- Eliade, Mircea. Il sacro e il profano. Bollati Boringhieri, 1977.
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
- Tuscia viterbese (date da confermare - dates to be confirmed), 06.05.26 - 10.05.26 (Compulsory)
