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Architectural Design V-IX: Riom (F. Cifuentes Utrero)
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:13:58
Abstract
Architecture is not produced in isolation. It emerges from the long-term interaction between territory, material availability, construction cultures, and socio-economic change. In alpine regions, these relationships become particularly legible: resources are limited, landscapes are fragile, and architectural decisions tend to have lasting territorial consequences..
Objective
Students will work in groups on site-specific architectural projects in Riom, developing proposals grounded in territorial conditions, available resources, and constructive logic. The studio places strong emphasis on material thinking, making, and technique, combining analytical work with hands-on experimentation and design development. Rather than treating architectural projects as isolated objects, the course frames architecture as a situated practice shaped by territorial, ecological, and economic conditions. Working with a real client and local industry partners, students will gain insight into how architectural decisions relate to value chains, labour, and regional economies, and how these conditions set real limits for design. Two field trips to different valleys in Graubünden structure the first part of the semester: the Surses valley, where Riom is located, and the Valser and Lumnezia valleys, including Vals and Vrin. These visits enable an immersive reading of distinct territorial conditions and support the production of a shared atlas. The atlas developed through territorial observation and fieldwork will inform material choices and design strategies in the subsequent phases of the course, leading to architectural proposals that are clear in construction, coherent in their relationship between material and form, and legible across territorial, spatial, and technical scales.
Content
Students will work in groups on site-specific architectural projects in Riom, developing proposals grounded in territorial conditions, available resources, and constructive logic. The studio places strong emphasis on material thinking, making, and technique, combining analytical work with hands-on experimentation and design development. Rather than treating architectural projects as isolated objects, the course frames architecture as a situated practice shaped by territorial, ecological, and economic conditions. Working with a real client and local industry partners, students will gain insight into how architectural decisions relate to value chains, labour, and regional economies, and how these conditions set real limits for design. Two field trips to different valleys in Graubünden structure the first part of the semester: the Surses valley, where Riom is located, and the Valser and Lumnezia valleys, including Vals and Vrin. These visits enable an immersive reading of distinct territorial conditions and support the production of a shared atlas. The atlas developed through territorial observation and fieldwork will inform material choices and design strategies in the subsequent phases of the course, leading to architectural proposals that are clear in construction, coherent in their relationship between material and form, and legible across territorial, spatial, and technical scales.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| exercise | Architectural Design V-IX: Riom (F. Cifuentes Utrero) |
|
16 h weekly |