Architecture and Nature. Preliminary investigations on design among geographies, spaces and materials

Claudia Angarano; Marianna Ascolese; Francesca Coppolino; Oreste Lubrano

doi:10.6093/978-88-6887-398-1

Architecture and Nature. Preliminary investigations on design among geographies, spaces and materials

Authors

Claudia Angarano

University of Naples Federico II

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8111-2896

Marianna Ascolese

University of Naples Federico II

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9082-565X

Francesca Coppolino

University of Naples Federico II

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2664-8641

Oreste Lubrano

University of Naples Federico II

https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5455-4887

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6093/978-88-6887-398-1

Keywords:

Elementary Architecture, Nature, Project, Landscape, Water

Synopsis

Publisher: FedOA - Federico II University Press

Series: TeA / Teaching Architecture

Pages: 240

Language: Italiano

Abstract: The book collects the results of the teaching experience carried out during the second semester of the 2024-25 academic year within the four Architectural and Urban Composition and Design Theory Studio of the first year of Master’s Degree in Architecture 5UE at the Department of Architecture of the University of Naples “Federico II”.

The theoretical and applied experience focused on the relationship between architecture and nature and on the design of small architectural structures located, in some cases, along the Lakes of the Campi Flegrei (Averno and Fusaro) and, in another case, near the Tago River in Lisbon. The Design Studios offered students different, comparable and complementary possibilities for constructing “elementary architectures”, both in their autonomy and in their ability to connect with each other, to define more complex systems. These architectures have focused the attention on the topics of the relationship between land and water, soil and subsoil, construction and form, facing, even if in a simplified manner, with the pre-existing features, archaeologies and geographies of these multifaceted landscapes.

The volume collects the texts of the professors involved in the teaching experience and some of the outcomes of the design experiments carried out. The final section also includes contributions from designers and scholars, both internal and external to the Department of Architecture at “Federico II”, who were invited to discuss their theoretical and methodological contributions as part of a series of seminars, organized over the course of the semester, on the relationship between architecture and nature and the design of small architectures and pavilions. The goal was to offer students a variety of readings, examples and suggestions from which to draw inspiration for their own design path, to convey, right away, the need to base the project on a conscious, broad and multiple reflection on the architecture and its meanings.

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Author Biographies

Claudia Angarano, University of Naples Federico II

Architect and PhD in Architectural and Urban Composition at the IUAV Doctoral School in Venice. She teaches and conducts research at the Politecnico di Milano and the University of Naples Federico II through competitions, workshops, seminars, conferences and publications. Her research focuses on the architecture of the city’s themes and urban project. She is part of the research group “INCLUCITY _Inclusive spaces for the intercultural city” of the DiARC department of the University of Naples Federico II and she is a tutor at the IUAV Doctoral School in the field of Architectural Composition. She is a member of the scientific committee of the series “RAUM_Research on Architecture and Urban Morphology” for CLEAN Edizioni in Naples.

Marianna Ascolese, University of Naples Federico II

Architect and PhD in Architecture, she is a Researcher (RTDA) in Architectural and Urban Composition at the Department of Architecture of the University of Naples “Federico II”. She did a research fellowship at the ARU (Architectural Research Unit), directed by Florian Beigel and Philip Christou, at London Metropolitan University. Since 2018, she has co-founded the publishing project Thymos Books and since 2021 she has been a member of the editorial staff of the journal “Stoà, Tools for Teaching Architectural Design”. She complements her intense editorial activity by contributing to national and international journals.

Francesca Coppolino, University of Naples Federico II

Architect, PhD and Researcher (RTDA) in Architectural and Urban Design at the Department of Architecture of the University of Naples “Federico II”. Her research focuses on design for cultural heritage and vulnerable historical areas. In relation to these topics, she has collaborated with national and international research groups, conducted research periods abroad (Athens, Coimbra, Barcelona, Addis Ababa), participated in conferences and workshops, and she is the author of several publications. Since 2018, she teaches at the two-year International Master’s program ALA – Architecture, Landscape, Architecture and since 2021 she teaches at DiARC. She participates in editorial initiatives, including the Advanced Design Studio series, published by FedOA, of which she coordinates the editorial board.

Oreste Lubrano, University of Naples Federico II

Architect and PhD in Architecture and Construction at Sapienza University of Rome. He graduated with honours from the University of Naples Federico II, where he is currently a subject expert in Architectural and Urban Composition and an adjunct professor. He has participated in international workshops and conferences, organised seminars and coordinated architecture exhibitions. He is the author of the following books: Ordine e misura della città greca. Synoikismós e apoikía in Atene e Priene, Libria, Melfi 2025; Le poleis greche affacciate sul Meandro. Riflessioni sui luoghi dell’antico, FedOAPress, Naples 2025; Oswald Mathias Ungers. Metrica dell’astratto, Clean, Naples 2025. His research investigates the profound connection between architecture and urban form, with particular attention to the design and interpretation of Greek-founded archaeological cities in their territorial context.