Abstract:

Since the academic year 2006-2007, the subject “Architectural Conservation” belongs to the compulsory students’ curriculum of the School of Architecture at the Universitat Politècnica of Valencia, within the study plan to become an architect. Since the academic year 2013-2014, this subject is being taught in a brand new study plan adapted to Bologna process. Furthermore, since the academic year 2006-2007, the same School of Architecture offers postgraduate specialization in the field through the Master of Architectural Conservation. The first two authors of this paper, professors of these subjects both in the graduate and postgraduate studies, have been invited during the academic year 2012-13 to give lectures in the Historic Preservation Program of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The experience of lecturing in these two places have allowed us to compare both systems: previous knowledge required to the students, capacities and abilities that the students have to achieve while attending the subject (both graduate and postgraduate), teaching and learning methodology (learning by doing, case studies learning, collaborative learning, etc.), the role of the professor and the students (stimulation, initiative, motivation, etc.), values while learning (multidisciplinariety, mutual respect, multiculturality, etc.), the evaluation system (continuous evaluation, public presentation of the practical works, etc.). This comparation has allowed to analyse and evaluate the subjects taught at the Universitat Politecnica of Valencia and to implement some ideas to improve o reinforce the teaching. Besides, there come out some reflections for the innovation of the education of architectural conservation and the teaching of traditional techniques that are going to be implemented in an experimental subject within the graduate studies that is called “Restoration of non monumental architecture”

Keywords:

Architectural preservation, learning innovation, University of Pennsylvania, Universitat Politècnica of Valencia.