Learning from Rome – Approaches to a Dense Neighbourhood

In the centrally located Flaminio neighbourhood, three buildings and two squares form a compact social housing ensemble. Resulting from a 1920’s Roman housing programme, the scheme shows intriguing architectural and urban qualities, where generous open spaces balance the densely built multi-dwelling buildings. The Summer School participants will first document the ensemble by means of drawings, to establish a strong base for further mapping with the support of Urban historian Harald R. Stühlinger (FHNW) and Architect Susanne Vécsey (FHNW). Simultaneously, architecture photographer Giaime Meloni will accompany them during an atmospheric and photographic interpretation of the site. Drawing on these graphic and image-based surveys, graphic designer Philomène Hoël will conceptually and technically support the participants in producing a short publication of their research. Intertwining urban design and architecture, photography as well as graphic design is the methodological approach of the Summer School, the main aim of which is to allow for new points of view of the ensemble by raising critical questions. All participants will be accommodated in the unique Villa Maraini, home of the Swiss Institute in Rome, where they will also be ableto work and set out from to encounter the Eternal City.

Course leader

Prof. Harald R. Stühlinger, Prof. Susanne Vécsey, Philomène Hoel, Giaime Meloni

Target group

Master students in architecture, urban design, photography, graphic design, visual communication

Course aim

Extend your knowledge on Rome's urbanism and urban density in general, on how to do a analysis of an existing social housing project in Rome, on how to interpret the built ensemble by drawing plans and taking photos and how to represent the results with graphic design by producing a brochure.