Politecnico di Milano

School of Architecture Urban Planning Construction Engineering

MSC Landscape Architecture Land Landscape Heritage

Open Space
System and Parks
Design Studio
AA 2019-20
Environmental Changes
and Innovative
Design Perspectives

URBANISM AND LANDSCAPE | prof. Antonio Longo (coordinator)

AGRONOMY | prof. Gabriele Cola
LANDSCAPE DESIGN | prof. Andrea Oldani
Research and Design Field
MILANO

Chiaravalle
Abbey

Mirasole
Abbey

Viboldone
Abbey

Ca
vo
vi
i Gio

Re
de
River
. de

fos
Lambro

si
| S.S

-V
ia
ese

Em
ilia
Pav
iglio

Vettabbia
Canal
Nav

La Torre
Water Mill

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THE MAIN PROBLEMATIC QUESTION
STUDIO HOW TO STRUCTURE AND DESIGN AN ARTICULATED, INNOVATIVE,
This year program consists of a shared design experience to encourage an ambitious, crea-
tive and critical approach to tackle urgent and relevant landscape challenges. AND EXPERIMENTAL METROPOLITAN PARK IN THE PROBLEMATIC CONTEXT
The specific studio theme is the development, at different scales, of a research and design DETERMINED BY CLIMATE CHANGE AND ECO-SYSTEMIC DEGRADATION?
proposal for a system of open spaces to be interpreted as an urban and metropolitan park.
This goal implies the relection on plural territorial conditions, varied land-use forms and a
substantial instability due to climate changes.
With this aim, the studio will consider urban spaces and their transition to rural and agri-
INDISPENSABLE KEY WORDS
cultural areas, including relevant heritage components in the South sector of Milan and its
Metropolitan City.
FRAGILITY SOIL/ INFRASTRUCTURE
LANDSCAPE AS WATER/
A SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURE
RELATIONSHIPS
Today the landscape must be understood more than as a physical place or territorial or geo-
LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY/ POPULATION/
graphical area, as the expression of a way of thinking the space as a system of relationships,
representing, therefore, not only a support on which to intervene, but also a thematic horizon SUSTAINABILITY USE/
and an ideal dialogical ground for the contemporary design. This problematic background is ACCESSIBILITY
where the trans-disciplinary experience of the studio is situated.
HISTORY/ HERITAGE PARK/
SPACE, TIME, PHALIMPSEST PRACTICES/
LANDSCAPE
A fundamental aspect of the landscape is the relationship between time and space: time, BEHAVIORS
like space, is a matter of design. Each project is part of a lively and evolving context, and it
is related to the environment and its evolution; generating sometimes slight and sometimes
profound and extensive modifications.
THEMATIC TRACKS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DESIGN PROPOSAL
Every intervention, any physical modification or systemic action, is a small contribution to a
TRACK 01 | THE LINE OF THE VETTABBIA CANAL
long transformation process. This operation’s general framework is the current geological
era called “Anthropocene”, a scenario full of challenging questions. Therefore, the studio’s TRACK 02 | THE EDGES OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR FORMS/CONTRADICTIONS
projects will be based on using tools for a plural strategy, consisting of short-term and local- TRACK 03 | INFRASTRUCTURAL NETWORKS AND INFRASPACES
ized interventions, medium-term operations, long and medium-term actions and measures.
TRACK 04 | MONUMENTS, VILLAGES, FARMHOUSES
AN EXTRA TRACK 05 | THE PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURAL SOIL
UNPRECEDENTED
CONDITION TRACK 06 | THE PLOTS OF WATER
The condition in which the studio takes place is unprecedented. The spread of COVID19, the
global measures, and the Milan urban region’s incredibly complex case makes evident the
fragility of the environment and how any change and unexpected events can impact our daily INSTRUCTIONS
lives and behaviours, in unpredictable and decise ways. At the end of the first phase of the studio, each student has to select one thematic track to build the design pro-
The consequences affected our ways of theaching and learning and also the approaches to posal. This choice will be fundamental for developing the studio’s work (the option must be meditated, justified
research and landscape design. and cannot be changed). According to the selected track, the individual profiles, and the first evaluation results,
We may consider this condition a unique moment, perhaps an unexpected opportunity, to the professors will form the groups for the second phase of the project (4 students/group). Later, each group
reflect in a new way and look with fresh eyes on the meaning and the future of the landscape. will address the issues implied by the thematic track answering the main problematic question of the studio. The
This condition offers a great observatory and research field whose implications must be ex- design responses will have to reckon with the theoretical and experimental issues indicated by the keywords and
amined, taking care not to fall into easy sayings and clichés. discussed in the class.

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STUDIO STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
The studio is based on three phases, deliveries and evaluations. Considering the student’s number and the un-
certain didactic conditions related to the Covid-19 emergency, we ask for a little flexibility. For this reason, each
phase could be partially modified and reorganized (so be always updated to the latest information). All the activ-
ities and deliveries are compulsory. It is expected the full and active attendance of the studio.
I PHASE | BASIC KNOWLEDGE TRAINING + THEMATIC ORIENTATION + EX TEMPORE
This phase consists of developing a theoretical framework to support the studio experience. The activity consists
of lectures, reading assignments, tests, seminars, debates. During the first phase, the case study area will be
introduced and the thematic tracks for the development of the design proposal will be explained. At the end of
this preparatory period, each student has to choose and declare one of the six tracks to develop in the strate-
gic design proposal. All the activities will be subject to evaluation (also concerning the active and constructive
participation in classroom/online group activities). In particular, there will be an individual ex tempore research/
design experience and a final, personal test based on lectures, readings and debates contents. The evaluation of
this first part of the studio is individual, and it corresponds to 1/3 of the final mark.
II PHASE | LANDSCAPE STRATEGIC VISION AND DESIGN CONCEPT
The concept forecasts a future landscape scenario strictly based on the thematic track choose at the end of the
studio’s first phase. The aim is to define a design vision or a design concept based on a systemic interpretation,
offering a reasoned future pre-vision of the climate change age landscape. The group evaluation of this second
part corresponds to 1/3 of the final mark.
The delivery will consist of
A 4 pages A3 (landscape) portfolio containing:
- design manifesto consisting of a text of 200 words |
- map of the selected research transect/field summarizing the existing condition
- strategical map of the selected research transect/field summarizing the design concept
- some oriented maps/sections/axonometric/diagrams - data, information
- picture of conceptual models, perspectives views, other optional materials
- 1 to 3 case study (referential projects – project, authors, year, opt. image)
- theorethical references
- indications of detailed project development intentions
III PHASE | IN-DEPTH DESIGN PHASE
The final design proposal describes one or more potential transformations of open spaces system, from the
broad-scale to possible details, starting from the second phase outcomes. The project may concern, for example,
a widespread transformation, or a design proposal focused on linear structures or experimental interventions,
located at significant nodal points. There is no predefined project site, except for the relation with the selected
thematic track. Students will decide which parts can be modified concerning the goals defined in the studio’s
second phase. The group evaluation corresponds to 1/3 of the final mark.
The delivery will consist of a final A3 (landscape) portfolio including but not limited to: general concept and di-
agrams of the systemic idea; hypothesis on the development and transformation of the project over time; ag-
ronomic and management methods that allow its development and possible adaptation; design focuses at the
appropriate scales and details of the construction elements. Any further indication will be provided later.
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SOME STUDIO RULES
For evident reasons, in blended teaching the Studio will be managed through the official app and devices provided
by the Politecnico di Milano. Cisco Webex (or Microsoft Teams) for didactic operation and lesson; Beep for basic
materials, references. Emails for communications. Internet-based computer file transfer services for deliveries.
Fell free to contact the helpdesk services (NOT the professors) if you have problems with Polimi platforms.
In the studio, lessons and teaching activities are arranged and scheduled according to a calendar that you are
invited to follow. Attendance to lessons, debates, tests, seminars and deliveries is compulsory.
All the phases are evaluated and the results considered for the attribution of the final mark.
Each request of delivery will be followed by a precise, compulsory deadline. Some deliveries must be done in
advance compared to the classes to allow professors to prepare for debates and evaluations.
The deadlines cannot be negotiate in any way (especially with late emails to the professors).
Please be always careful in following all the instructions provided (quantity, sizes, recommendations, delivery
method).
EVALUATION AND EXAM CRITERIA
The evaluation/exam will only occur if the required materials have been delivered in a complete form and ac-
cording to the deadlines.
Students will be evaluated according to the following criteria that also consider the particular condition of re-
duced interaction:
- Ability to respond (through research and design proposal) to the studio’s general topics and intentions
(as stressed during lessons, debates and revisions).
- Ability to discover new points of view and re-find landscapes full of unexpected meanings.
- Capacity to discuss design objectives and choices and critically address issues, concerning theories, references
and the site’s resources.
- Ability to communicate work contents clearly and appropriately. Professors will especially evaluate drawing and
linguistic accuracy in all design process.
- Engagement in the studio activities including lectures, seminars and group discussions.
- Learning skills in terms of autonomy and self-organization ability.
- Appropriate knowledge of the assigned bibliography and individual ability of critical elaboration.
- Grade of autonomy compared to the obtained design results.
- Attention to follow professor’s and tutor’s recommendations.
A positive result will be graded from 18 to 30/30 (L) - To receive a positive grade (≥18/30) implies that the work is
complete and submitted on time.
Debates, reviews, exams and any phase of the studio will be public.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REQUESTS
Professors are available for clarification requests related to the lessons, case studies and to provide bibliogra-
phies and supplementary references.
All other types of requests, unless expressly indicated, must be addressed to the responsible and coordinator of
the studio Prof. Antonio Longo.
Studio Agenda Thursday Feb. 25th online
Studio Presentation - Syllabus Introduction -
Research and design field presentation.
Friday Feb. 26th in presence EX TEMPORE EXERCISE

The exercise will be explained at the beginning

of the day. The work will start in the
classroom/online and must be completed during
the week. The delivery is scheduled for the 3rd
of March at 13.00.

delivery of the ex tempore exercise before 13.00

Mar. 3rd DEADLINE
pm
EVALUATION SEMINAR - presentation of ex- INDIVIDUAL
Thursday Mar. 4th online
tempore results and debate EVALUATION
Lectures by prof. A.Oldani and prof. G.Cola +
Friday Mar. 5th in presence
reading assignments
Lectures by prof. A.Longo and prof. A.Oldani +
Thursday Mar. 11th online
reading assignments
Test on lectures + readings and collective
Friday Mar. 12th in presence
debate
Lectures by arch. C. Ferrer and prof. G.Cola +
Thursday Mar. 18th online
reading assignments
Test on lectures + readings and collective
Friday Mar. 19th in presence
debate
Explanation of the six thematic tracks for the
Thursday Mar. 25th online development of the design proposal (prof. Longo
/ prof. Cola / prof. Oldani)

EVALUATION TEST ON LECTURES AND

INDIVIDUAL
Friday Mar 26th in presence READINGS Choice
EVALUATION
of the thematic track - groups formation
Introduction of the second phase - Landscape
Thursday Apr. 1st online
strategic vision and design concept
Thursday Apr. 8th online
Friday Apr. 9th in presence
lectures/case study presentations
Thursday Apr. 15th online
extra-disciplinary contributions
Friday Apr. 16th in presence groups revisions
Thursday Apr. 22nd online
Friday Apr. 23rd in presence
delivery of the II phase A3 (landscape) portfolio
Apr. 28th DEADLINE
before 13.00 pm
Thursday Apr. 29th online EVALUATION SEMINAR on Landscape GROUP
Friday Apr. 30rd in presence strategic vision and design concept EVALUATION
Thursday May 6th online
Friday May 7th in presence
Thursday May 13th online
lectures/case study presentations
Friday May 14th in presence
extra-disciplinary contributions
Thursday May 20th online groups revisions
Friday May 21st in presence
Thursday May 27th online
Friday May 28th in presence
delivery of the III phase A3 (landscape) portfolio
Jun. 2nd DEADLINE
before 13.00 pm
Thursday Jun. 3rd online GROUP
FINAL SEMINAR
Friday Jun. 4th in presence EVALUATION