Ciao everyone!
So this week, I have realized that studying at BCIT and studying in a University on the other side of the world have many different (and many of the same) things to offer! There are so many small differences that at first you don’t notice, then all the sudden you realize it is nothing the same! It can be overwhelming, but it can also be an amazing educational experience.
Studying in Italy is unique because of the history, studying in Germany would be a completely different story, as would studying in China or Australia. Architecture is a lucky topic to be studying while on an international exchange because it is such an internationally recognized field that deals with the human experience, which is something every university can relate to, yet it is also something in which every university will have a different perspective.
One of my classes is called the “Urban Planning Laboratory”, which teaches the principles behind recreating and transforming existing regions in cities and also how to expand a city while still having a strong connection between the old and the new. This is particularly interesting to learn overseas as North America is young and our cities were designed by planners who came in with organized plans and cities were built according to.
Cities in Europe developed over hundreds or thousands of years, slowly being added on to in all directions, leaving winding streets and open squares and hidden plazas. Urban planning here is a very different story.
The zone for which we are designing a transformation is a combination of historical fortress walls, heritage buildings, the central train station, modern skyscrapers, mid-century residential complexes and empty lots with lots of opportunity. It is such an interesting combination, and extremely overwhelming. I am lucky to have class and group mates who are so willing to help me understand the history of the city and exactly why some things work in Italy, and why other things don’t.
Here is a little collage of some of the documents we have to try to understand. Zoning analysis, historical images, transportation routes, etc…
The greatest thing about studying architecture overseas truly is the international perspective. My group mates are two girls from Italy and one from Romania. It is so interesting to see all of the different ideas brought to the table and hear the opinions on why or why not it would work.
I am learning so much about the city I am living in, the Italian lifestyle, the historical development of architecture and city infrastructure, all of which can be brought back with me to Canada and to BCIT.
If you have any questions about doing an international exchange, studying abroad, learning languages or anything at all, let me know! I would love to help.
Until next time, ciao!