ENGR 430 – Contemporary Structures in Historic Buildings
Discipline(s): Engineering
Credits: 3
Instructor: Carlo Achilli, M.Arch., Licensed Architect
N.B. This course is exclusive to the Summer Engineering Program
Description
Conservation of the historic built environment is a growth area in the economy. This is due to a combination of increasing interest in historic buildings as expressions of cultural heritage and government policies that encourage rehabilitation rather than demolition. The course is designed as a pre-professional experience. For this reason, the study of structural rehabilitation techniques and materials is a significant part of the program. Likewise, site visits to building material companies are crucial. Readings and analyses will provide the background knowledge needed to explore different case studies of successfully completed preservation projects. Selected readings, class discussion, site visits and guest lectures will form the body of the course work. Paper topics may be chosen according to the specific interests of the individual students.
This course will be beneficial to students of engineering, architecture, and construction entrepreneurs.
Objectives
The aim of the course is to help students understand past and future approaches to building conservation, as well as the technology and the design involved in the practice of historical preservation and rehabilitation. At the end of the course, students will be able to determine the historical value of buildings based on the theory and practice of historic preservation. Students will acquire the analytical tools necessary to distinguish the different phases of historical buildings from their transformation into what we are examining today. In the process, students will acquire familiarity with contemporary techniques of building rehabilitation.
The course combines PPT lectures with numerous visits to historical buildings and construction sites. Students must complete one term paper. The participation grade also reflects in-class discussion, which is based on reading assignments.
Textbooks
During orientation at the Institute, students will receive a list of textbooks and/or course readers they are required to purchase. Students should not purchase any texts before orientation.
Course descriptions may be subject to occasional minor modifications at the discretion of the instructor.