Paestum and Milan, IT, 2023-24

teaching at Politecnico di Milano

with prof Paolo Carpi

photos by Piercarlo Quecchia

The students explored the tension between formal autonomy, the charisma of buildings, and sensitivity to context.

Life in Paestum today unfolds between the two poles of tourism and agriculture. In the design studio where we taught at Politecnico di Milano, students focused on architecture that facilitates contemporary life in Paestum. Designing temporary structures in the midst of ancient Paestum’s Greek and Roman ruins, students created a diverse range of architectures for temporary use – from bars providing respite from the summer heat among the excavations, to cheese factories nestled in the agricultural fields adjacent to the ancient city walls. Addressing the condition of global crises, these projects question the capacity of temporary installations and delves into the ways transient structures can engage and revitalize historical heritage.