1. Building construction in antiquity, the medieval period, and modern times: issues of terminology (borrowings and misinterpretations).
2. Materials and construction techniques (masonry, floors, staircases, openings, seismic protection, etc.).
3. The diachronic evolution of a building (transformations, additions, and their impact on the structural behavior of the building).
4. Structural failures and mechanisms of collapse.
5. Stone, brick, timber, metal, cast, and composite constructions. Masonry, arches, vaults, domes, and shell structures.
6. Timber structural elements of historic buildings (roofs, floors, staircases, joinery).
7. Morphology and construction techniques.

Learning Outcomes

The course aims to introduce students to the fundamental knowledge of historic building construction, with emphasis on the integration of theory and practice, as well as on understanding the behavior and specific characteristics of traditional structural systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the analysis of historical building phases, the identification of alterations and damage, and the selection of appropriate restoration methods, in accordance with the principles of conservation and protection of architectural heritage.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Identify and interpret the historical phases of a building’s evolution, as well as the structural and functional transformations it has undergone over time.
• Detect alterations and damage in historic structural systems and determine their root causes, taking into account factors such as materials, aging, interventions, and environmental conditions.
• Recall and correctly use historical construction technology, building terminology, and construction techniques of different historical periods and geographical regions.
• Describe the structural and functional behavior of historic constructions and the principles governing their restoration and strengthening.
• Apply acquired knowledge accurately to issues of documentation, design, and restoration of historic buildings.
• Synthesize construction details in a well-documented manner, combining traditional know-how with modern intervention techniques and materials compatible with the historic context.
• Address, with critical thinking and scientific justification, the technical and aesthetic dilemmas that arise during the study and restoration of a historic building envelope.