Brief
It is one of the oldest construction materials, absolute protagonist of well-known architectural traditions, and a technology which has proved capable of keeping a unique expressive energy over the centuries.
The first human settlements were made of wood, just as the first Greek temple, the first Chinese pagodas, and the trusses of the great gothic cathedrals. Wood is one of the protagonists of architecture and, even if recent technological progress used to prioritize other research directions, today, environmental problems put wood centre stage in the debate and attracts the attention of architects.
Wood is a renewable, natural, low carbon-footprint resource; it’s a healthy material, esthetically pleasant, capable of giving a cozy, human touch to any architecture. Today more than ever, architects need to go back to wood, to know how to use it to design and construct.
The reason why the Wood Architecture course started is precisely this: training architects who are capable of using wood to make sustainable architecture, with a great visual impact, which represent the renovated balance between human needs and nature.
Studying the wood production process, the various essences, and the characteristics of a material which is all but inert, which is in fact alive and constantly evolving, designers will learn techniques and composition of wood architecture, during a course that is made up of 80 hours of seminars, 32 hours of workshops, and many interventions of renowned professionals.
Promoter of the course: Klimahouse
Scientific curators: Alessandro Cecchini and Mauro Frate
Course info
15 In person
5 Online
Bologna
11.3.2024 - 10.5.2024
3 days/weekJune 2024 - August 2024
2,450 € + VAT
Online7,900 € + VAT *
In person3
Full coverage of the enrollment fee for the most outstanding candidatesTeaching modules & Workshops
Getting to know wood
Typologies, characteristics, and features of tree speciesWhy choose wood
Trends and evolution of contemporary architectureHistory and evolution of wood architecture
Historical analysis and case studiesWood between research and innovation
New applications and new trends for wooden architectureEngineering the wood project
From the project to the construction siteWood as a sustainable solution
Advantages and environmental impact of wooden constructionsThe forest-wood chain
From the seed to the construction siteWood and vernacular architecture
Studying tradition as the basis for innovationWood, re-use and social responsibility
Recycling wood as a business tool and as a way to compensate carbon emissionsDesigning with wood
Approach and methods of designing with woodSite Visits
Cesare Roversi Arredamenti
Naturalia Bau
Venezia
Cavalese
Special lectures and critiques
Technology as a new esthetic language: the case of the Kostner house
Scandinavian DNA: Refugium Feinvaer
Sculpting with wood: Reindeer Pavillion
Japanese imagery and esthetics: Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum
Iconic architecture and relationship with the landscape: Greenland Visitor Centre
Art, architecture, and thought: thinking with wood
City on water: timber buildings and climate change
Designing with wood on a big scale: Danish State Building Agency
Wood and hospitality: from the shell to the interior
New architectural icons in Venice
Design workshop
Lars Johan Almgren / Dorte Mandrup
The workshop will be the opportunity to test the notions learned in the other didactical modules, as students are called to give strategic solutions to a real architectural project. The workshop is organized in collaboration with Vento di Venezia, concessionary company of the Certosa island since 2002. Located a few minutes by boat from the Arsenal and from some of the most iconic landmarks of Venice, the Certosa island is a hidden gems of one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Mostly covered in forests and nature, the island - which has recently been restored - hosts the fascinating ruins of the ancient Carthusian monastery and some artifacts built by the engineer corps. With a renowned restaurant and its very own marina, the concessionary company aims at transforming the island into a high-end tourism destination, for those who want to immerse themselves in nature, in the heart of the historical marvels of Venice. In this view, designers will be asked to renovate the restaurant, develop lodge modules (on land and floating) to increase the accomodation potential of the island. Considering the maritime vocation of Venice, its construction tradition, and the strong presence of nature in the area, the Certosa island will be the perfect location for a workshop whose aim is to experiment wood design techniques, which can be consistent with the environment, the history, and the natural characteristics of the lagoon.
Construction workshop
Construction is a fundamental step in architecture. For this reason, YACademy offers its students the opportunity to participate in the process of producing their own ideas. Thus, the students will gain practical experience on construction sites and, above all, the authorship of projects built for excellent commissions, destined for a major media echo and capable of defining a turning point in their professional career.
Placement
At the end of teaching modules and workshop, YACademy’s Placement office will guarantee every student an internship or collaboration proposal in one of our partner studios.
Teachers
Admission
Requirements
Students or graduates in Architecture/Design can apply to the course. The commission, based on the assessment of the application, may admit students with different qualifications.
Registration
To apply, it is necessary to register online and submit a Curriculum Vitae, a Portfolio, and a Motivational Letter. Moreover, it is necessary to pay the administration fee (60€ + VAT). The best 20 candidates will be admitted to the course according to the rules.
The administration fee payment does not bind the student to purchase the course.
Scholarship
By applying for the course, the students automatically become eligible to obtain a scholarship: one will be granted to each of the best 3 applicants for each course, consistently with the Selection Committee's evaluation. Therefore, it is not necessary to make specific actions to apply for a scholarship. The scholarship covers the entire enrollment fee - regardless of the type of attendance chosen -, but does not cover the administration fee (73,20€) that have to be paid in order to complete the application process successfully.
Timeline
Complying with deadlines is a fundamental requirement to take part in the course. All students are encouraged to pay the utmost attention to the timeline and to complete each phase in advance.
Applications opening
Applications deadline
Pubblication of the provisional ranking
Beginning of second-round admissions
Enrollment fee payment deadline for students admitted according to the provisional ranking
Publication of the official ranking (including second-round admitted students)
Lessons start
Rules
Make sure you have downloaded the course brochure, from which you will be able to obtain any information about YACademy, as well as every single detail on how to access and enrol in the courses.
Course Brochure
English
Brochure Corso
Italiano
Partners
To each one of them, many thanks from YACademy staff and students.