Arquitectura escolar OPEN-AIR - Estudo crítico a partir do Asilo Sant'Elia, de Giuseppe Terragni

Abstract

Tis dissertation addresses one of the most fascinating subjects of Modern Architecture - the school architecture. Te frst ideas and refections related to childhood back to the century XVIII, but it was the turn of the century XIX to the century XX that revealed a paradigm shif in the way we think about children. However, the truly revolutionary period was the end of World War I which highlighted the importance of the public education. Te subject childhood became one of the biggest concerns of the Modern Movement rasing awareness in relation to the children's needs based on the new developments in child psychology and new teaching methods. In order to improve the quality of life and health of the child population, it became therefore essential a careful education and a healthy environment to combat the unstable climate of the post-war. In this context it arrised the concept of open-air school architecture, with teaching and spatial innovations, namely through the construction of buildings with hygienists and naturalistic concerns, characterized by an open spatiality and maximum sun exposure to minimize the risks associated with the outbreak of diseases derived from the war. One of the most notable examples of open-air school building, which will be the object of study of this thesis is the Asilo Sant'Elia, designed by architect Giuseppe Terragni, during the years 1932 and 1936 in the city of Como, Italy. Tis thesis proposes an analysis, refection and interpretation of the chosen case study, within its historical and social context, taking in consideration the life and work of the architect and the relevance and infuence of key subjects such as childhood and school architecture.