The course covers a wide range of essential topics designed to enhance students' abilities in reading, comprehending, and generating design drawings. It emphasizes the importance of drawing from observations and conducting subject analysis, enabling students to discern the significance of specific drawings and structure their information effectively. Through a combination of analog and digital media, students develop their skills in creating sketches, diagrams, drawings, and models.

The curriculum introduces students to fundamental forms of representation and layout techniques, equipping them with the tools to visually communicate their ideas and convincingly articulate their design solutions. To further enhance their proficiency, students acquire hands-on experience with software applications such as AutoCAD, Revit, Sketchup, and Lumion.

This comprehensive course spans across the third and fourth semesters of the program, taking place during the second year. It aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge and practical skills to excel in the field of architectural design.

The course is divided into two main units, corresponding to the first and second semesters of the academic year. Each unit encompasses a combination of fieldwork and desktop work sessions. The first unit focuses on historic buildings, while the second unit delves into the scale of urban areas.

The objective of the first unit is to develop students' proficiency in creating 2D and 3D scaled graphics of historic buildings and their components. Students are trained in a comprehensive set of skills, including: i) Gathering data of the building through traditional techniques, digital photography, and examination of historical archives. ii) Processing data using professional software. iii) Creating 2D and 3D drawings, such as site plans, floor plans, roof/ceiling plans, elevations, cross-sections, and detailed component illustrations. iv) Analyzing, interpreting, and understanding the data in relation to the building's history, spatial configuration, materials, and construction techniques. This knowledge aids in preserving the heritage values during the decision-making process.

The second unit revolves around historic urban areas, encompassing both buildings and the urban layout. The objective is to generate 2D and 3D graphics that facilitate an understanding of the character-defining elements of these areas. In this unit, students acquire a new set of skills, which include: i) Collecting data on the historic urban area and buildings through the examination of historical archives, maps, satellite imagery, and on-site surveys using forms and photographs. ii) Processing data using specialized software, particularly GIS (Geographic Information System). iii) Creating maps that combine photographs with 2D and 3D graphics to depict the data effectively. iv) Understanding the evolution of the urban area and its character-defining elements, considering the surrounding context, urban patterns, green and open spaces, buildings and their unique features, and the various activities that have unfolded in the urban area over time.

This course spans the fifth and sixth semesters of the program, corresponding to the fourth and fifth years of study, providing students with ample time to delve into these topics and develop their expertise in the field of conservation and cultural heritage.

Learning outcomes:

• Recognize and effectively integrate the complexities of key aspects and issues surrounding conservation philosophy and practice, specifically concerning cultural heritage, within a global context. This includes the ability to strategize and plan conservation approaches.

• Develop the critical ability to evaluate current practices and research-driven advancements pertaining to interventions in heritage assets across diverse situations. Presenting findings at a professional standard is also emphasized.

• Cultivate a comprehensive understanding and critical awareness of legislative and policy frameworks, international charters, and standards that govern historic buildings and cultural heritage on both national and international levels.

Throughout the course, students will gain a holistic understanding of topics relevant to the historic environment. These include exploring the concept of significance, delving into the development and application of conservation philosophy, understanding creative and adaptive re-use practices, and comprehending cultural heritage within a global context. Students will also examine the evolution of international standards and charters and engage with the principles, laws, and policies that govern listed buildings and conservation areas.

In their final year, students are introduced to foundational topics in academic research, which are crucial for their bachelor thesis dissertation. These topics encompass various aspects, including thesis structure and organization, conducting a comprehensive literature review, and utilizing reference management software to efficiently collect, organize, cite, and share research sources. Moreover, students acquire essential skills in delivering a persuasive dissertation speech, accompanied by well-designed slides that effectively integrate textual content and multimedia elements to support their final presentation. This comprehensive preparation equips students with the necessary tools and competencies to excel in their research and effectively communicate their findings during their bachelor thesis defense.