Grand Tourists | Ten architects who build, teach and travel

Abstract

Almost three years after the beginning of the UpGranT project, the "Workbook of Affinities" synthesises the results of the consortium's architectural exercises in conceiving an in situ pedagogical model, or, in other words, a learning by travelling methodology hinged on the (re)interpretation of real buildings, re‑empowering the Grand Tour's long‑standing practice. To establish a common ground, highlighting affinities and differences, the "Workbook of Affinities" is organised into seven sections: one for each partner institution, portraying cultural identity, and a common section in which the entire consortium participates. The common section - Section 1 - includes not only an overview of the project's objectives, goals, and dynamics, along with the main shared events and productions toward an UpGranT method, but also a set of essays that present each partner's final perspective or last contribution to the project theme. The individual sections - Sections 2 to 7 -, although dedicated to the work of each partner institution - Politecnico di Milano, Faculty of Architecture - University of Porto, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Art Academy of Latvia, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Estonian Art Academy -, share a common structure, enabling comparative readings. These sections feature a precise selection of the fundamental, representative exercises developed by each team - Grand Tourists, Grand Tour, Souvenirs on Exemplary Buildings, Learning by travel with... -, in a layout that values interpretative essays through the concept of drawing with text and writing with drawing, presented in the form of original short texts and visual essays (Wall Atlas) that pair images from the authors with archival documentation, along with an interview with a living architect in practice.