Abstract:

The project, focusing on learning architectural conservation, is being conducted within the framework of a project for innovation and teaching improvement (PIME/UPV 2015 -2016). It seeks to introduce an innovation in a significant part of the core course of architectural conservation (RES) taught at the School of Architecture in the Polytechnic University of Valencia, thanks to the possibility of enhancing the motivation of students.

The subject RES is taught from the course 2006‐2007 with a wide range of methods, basically counting on “principles into practice” approach.

In this context, the object of study, chosen to carry out by PIME project has been the historic fisherman’s quarter of Valencia, known as Cabañal. The existing historic urban patterns, buildings and their details have been carefully studied. Students are guided during fieldworks, search of historical documentations, surveys, analysis of materials, constructive techniques and their causes of decay. Thanks to all these contributions they have finally presented some criteria of intervention, focused on the defense of the richness of the “architectural prose” discovered in the district.

With these bases it has been finally promoted a competition of ideas, between different teams involved in the study of the district. The competition improves real professional skills, also considering that the municipality is partially involved in the study. The students have also the opportunity to interchange ideas, preparing final posters of the proposals, and exposing them in the School of Architecture.