Learning Objectives
The school of Civil Engineering of the University of West Attica has been organizing since the academic year 2020-2021 the post-graduate program Msc in Architectural and Structural Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings and Complexes, as a continuance of the titular post-graduate program that was inaugurated in the academic year 2017-2018, located at Trikala Thessaly, where it will continue to take place.
The post-graduate program ADOAP includes post-graduate level teaching and research focusing on issues related to the restoration of historical buildings and settlements, involving not only architectural proposals but also structural restoration. Students will familiarize with good techniques and practices making the appropriate connections with the existing legal and theoretical framework. The aim of the program is to offer the opportunity for studying in depth issues relevant to restoration through the interaction of architectural and structural interventions. The program’s function is described in the law Ν4485/2017 (ΦΕΚ 114 Α’).
Study Object of the Program
The study object of the postgraduate program ADOAP is the postgraduate research and teaching regarding restoration issues of historical buildings and complexes as found in national, regional and European context, taking into account existing literature and legal framework. Students will have the opportunity to familiarize with best international practices on the field applied on different scales; from one building to building complexes and settlements. The program offers a holistic approach towards the rehabilitation of historical buildings and complexes making the appropriate connections with a matrix of interrelated factors that affect the restoration process as urban planning legislation, issues of cultural heritage and socio-economic parameters.
Aim of the postgraduate program ADOAP
The aim of the postgraduate program is to educate students on best practices and restoration techniques, covering a significant gap on existing knowledge. The program is suitable for civil engineers, architects, archaeologists and all other disciplines that may be involved in restoration projects. The knowledge gained through the Program, may facilitate the more effective implementation of restoration practices, highlighting cultural and architectural heritage issues. The well-applied practices are bound to better underscore the special identity of each project by protecting all the important architectural features.
To be more specific, the aim of the postgraduate program may be summarized as below:
- Combination of structural and architectural knowledge
- Holistic approach towards preservation of buildings/complexes/settlements
- To put in the forefront the concept of “historic building” as an important component of the contemporary cultural heritage, by learning about different types of listed monuments and their special identity. This may include vernacular settlements of the pre-industrial period, buildings of all uses of the 19th and 20th century as well as other representative categories
- To cover the high demand for specialization on the field of historical building restoration
- To support the academic opportunities in Central Greece and its neighboring Prefectures (πρωτ. 13949/2018 Mayor of Trikala Mr D. Papastergiou)
- To promote an extroverted approach of the University of West Attica and especially the School of Civil Engineers outside the boundaries of the Attica Region, spreading knowledge to the geographical space of Central Greece, promoting as well synergies with eminent scientists based in other Universities/Research Centers
- To identify key-concepts and crucial methodological factors in the field of Historical Building Restoration, working on different scales and socio-cultural contexts. The in-depth analysis of these issues is concerned high priority for the academic goals of the program
- To help students familiarize with special implementation tools, procedures, decision making strategies and pertinent legislation (national and European) in the field of Historical Building Restoration
- The ultimate purpose of the postgraduate program is to produce high specialized scientists ready to work on restoration projects, covering the high demand for scientists on the field not only in the private but also in the public sector (studies on restoration of historical buildings and complexes, studies on reinforcing cultural heritage in specific areas, certifications, architectural projects, special architectural projects etc.)
Focusing on the graduates of the School of Civil Engineers, the postgraduate program ADOAP, is designed in such a way to expand students’ undergraduate knowledge on restoration, preparing them to work in interdisciplinary environments in Greece and abroad. The program provides theoretical knowledge and practical skills so as to undertake restoration studies and relevant projects of different scales. Students will also familiarize with the philosophy of pertinent legislation and protocols that are active at national, regional/ EU and International level. As a complementary aim, the postgraduate program could be perceived as an expansion of the 5-year studies of the School of Civil Engineers being in lined with the general philosophy of the curriculum of relevant undergraduate programs. Given all this, in the first year of its establishment (academic year 2017-2018), the program enrolled 21 students, 15 of which were civil engineers.
