Cursos / 1º Ciclo / Faculty of Architecture and Arts :: Architecture ( Integrated Master)

ARQUITECTURA I - 2025/2026

1º curricular year
Semestralidade: annual
ECTS: 30

Teachers

Leading Teacher: Prof. Doutora Maria Tavares
Assistant Professor: Arqtº João Paulo Rapagão

Class type and School hours

Teórica : 2 Horas
Teórico-prática : 10 Horas

Teaching Language

Portuguese

Main Aims/Objectives

The generic informative and formative identity of the first year promotes the introduction, explanation, and understanding of concepts and fundamental values related to space organisation, structure, and hierarchy. Referring to the practical application of the knowledge contained in the various themes, it aims to provide simultaneously the privileged means of space observation, design, and representation. Finally, it endorses the initiation of the research and experiment in architecture.

Specific Aims/Objectives

Based on the general objectives set, the curricular unit´s programme deepens the understanding and acquisition of the phenomena of formation and materialisation of the rules of composition and regulation of space in architecture. It also seeks to assess and address existing difficulties resulting from previous training in order to prepare and balance the participation of all students in the academic and scientific journey. Finally, it seeks to develop the ability to analyse and synthesise.

Skills to be acquired

The program proposes, academically and pedagogically, the acquisition and definition of the fundamental and structural concepts necessary to architectural practice. Following this, it proposes the comprehension and manipulation of the cultural, mental, and manual production mechanisms of space qualification, including its conception and construction, representation, and materialisation, namely through space models and their critical observation.

Teaching Procedures

The method prioritises development time and individual instrumentation as a means to discover the capabilities and challenges in space idealisation and materialisation, through experimentation and research, referring to realisation. The proposed methodology facilitates the development of theoretical and practical work, promoting a habit of permanent research and experimentation applicable to the student´s future individual course.

Programme

From the development and fulfillment of the objectives contained in the proposed exercises, it is possible to apprehend architecture, namely its diverse notions and composition, articulation, structure, hierarchy and general space organization basic conditions, like memory and history, the place, time, symbolism, unity and diversity, full and void, exterior space and interior space, technique and aesthetics, the use and the form, public space and private space, materiality and spatiality. The course program is directed by the development and achievement of both general and specific objectives, which consist of four exercises—the first two exercises are completed during the first semester, and the last two exercises are completed during the second semester. The first exercise aims to develop knowledge of architectural analysis through graphic, photographic, and iconographic records, as well as personal observations and evaluations. The second exercise seeks to comprehend the phenomena of space apprehension and general space formation through diverse space structure and substructure manipulation, as well as the understanding of space and general definition phenomena, such as its element structure, articulation, and hierarchy. The third exercise focuses on the study of the use in architecture and refers to the collective equipment theme. The fourth and final exercise focuses on the analysis of form in architecture and revisits the theme of housing. Several exercises utilise real places, introducing complexities and challenges that are useful for interpreting and transforming these places in architecture. The architecture concepts listed and associated with the exercises, as well as the real selected and manipulated matrix, introduce conditions that promote and develop the mental and manual skills essential to an individual´s personal development, particularly in the themes of collective equipment and housing. The course program promotes the emergence and development of a personalised and sustained architecture culture, capable of creating and stimulating the appearance of autonomous and individual competences.

Evaluation Type

The evaluation is continuous and takes as its reference the theoretical and practical exercises specific to the course, namely the production during the academic time dedicated to Arquitectura I, specifically during the attendance and development of the exercises that form part of its program. The defined general evaluation parameters are the accuracy of the program completion, attendance, collective participation and the precision of the chosen communication means.

Teaching Resources

Execution of the studies and projects, informed and tested with tridimensional representation models and reality approach, reflection and exposition, analysis and synthesis. Implementation of open classes, of exchange of different experiences and competences. Recalling audiovisual means of illustration and apprehension of cultural values, relevant to architecture. Field trips are designed to facilitate observation and understanding of examples related to the themes.

Sustainability Objectives

The programme focuses on active and critical learning, developing technical, creative, and reflective skills. The realisation of exercises based on real contexts promotes education with meaning and social impact, as it encourages an understanding of architecture as an integral part of sustainability, history, and culture, promoting ethical responsibility from an early age.
By addressing materiality, use, place and transformation, the programme encourages an awareness of the impact of constructi

Keywords

Architecture, Inform, Experiment, Organise, Represent.

Main Bibliography

Complementary Bibliography