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In linea con i nuovi orientamenti della formazione, il testo si caratterizza per il percorso fortemente incentrato sullo sviluppo delle competenze linguistiche e professionali. • Ambiente e territorio • Tecniche e materiali da costruzione • Progettazione edilizia • Lessico specialistico • Preparazione alle prove INVALSI • Compiti autentici di realtà • Percorsi per le Competenze Trasversali e l’Orientamento • Mappe concettuali riepilogative • Storia dell’architettura con video • CLIL: letteratura inglese e anglo-americana • Video tutorials di grammatica • Tavole di lessico illustrato • FLIP BOOK con libro liquido

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ON SITE è il nuovo corso di inglese rivolto agli studenti degli Istituti Tecnici, settore Tecnologico, indirizzo “Costruzioni,

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CONTENTS MODULES

1 2 3

BUILDING in THEORY

The Natural Environment p. 9

Bio-architecture p. 29

Building Materials p. 49

4

Surveying and Design

5

Building and Safety

6 7 8

p. 69

p. 91

Building Installations p. 123

Urbanisation p. 149

Public Works p. 175

Ecology • Ecological science • Habitat • Ecosystems

Eco-building • Bio-architecture: general definitions • Eco-materials

Natural materials • Stone • Timber • Fabric • Thatch • Mud and clay

The environment and pollution • The human impact • Forms of pollution

• Innovative design • Green building

Man-made materials • Bricks and concrete blocks • Cement • Metals: steel and aluminium • Glass • Plastics • Nanomaterials • Smart construction materials

• The importance of biodiversity • Pollution: environmental policies

Eco-living • Alternative energy sources • Alternative sources in residential construction • Cohousing Eco-friendly materials • Sustainable materials

Measuring and design instruments • Mapping • CAD • Surveying • Rendering • New surveying instruments • BIM • Sketch stage and working drawings

Planning and reporting • Architectural brief • Architectural drawing • Architectural report • Building report

Types of houses • British houses • American houses • Italian houses

Building elements • Foundations • Walls • Floors • Stairs • Roofs • Windows • Doors

On the building site • Modern methods of construction • Construction machinery • Restoration • Building renovation • Health and safety • What to wear on the building site

House systems • Plumbing systems • Waste disposal systems • Electrical systems • Heating systems

• Solar heating • Ventilation • Energy conservation

Home automation • Domotics: intelligent technology • Smart applications • Smart systems

Urban growth • An overview • The evolution of urban systems • Urban land-use patterns • Consequences of urban growth

Urban planning • Greek and Roman towns • Italian medieval towns • Italian Renaissance and the Baroque • Contemporary urban planning • Master Plan

Engineering • Civil engineering • Earthquake engineering • Anti-seismic technology • Hydrogeological instability

Building public works • Roads • Bridges • Tunnels • Dams • Schools

The value of buildings • The economic life of a building

• Hospitals • Railway stations • Airports • Gardens and parks • Opera houses

BUILDING VOCABULARY

FOCUS on INVALSI

REVISION

• The natural environment

• Greta Thunberg – A Schoolgirl's Fight Against Climate Change • Eco-building in the UK

• The environment and pollution

• Bio-architecture

• Building materials

• Surveying and design

• Building and safety

• Building installations

• Urbanisation

• Public works

• The Clichy-Batignolles development • BedZED

• Building a better future with ecobricks • An ecobrick project in South Africa

• Ordnance Survey maps • Quantum sensing

• 3D-Printed Dream Home • Unfolding houses

• Sensational renewable energy innovations • The future of smart homes

• Smart Paris • Redeveloping Milan

• Potters Fields Park • Fluctuart, Paris

ON-SITE VIDEOS Before the Flood

AUTHENTIC TASK Our 'green' blog

• Bio-architecture

Alternative energy sources

AUTHENTIC TASK Our 'green' school

• Building materials

Green building materials

AUTHENTIC TASK A building material form

• Surveying and design instruments

BIM

AUTHENTIC TASK Preparing a brief

• Building and safety

The Notebook

AUTHENTIC TASK Social advertising on safety

• Building installations

Domotics and smart systems

AUTHENTIC TASK Promoting a smart app

• Urbanisation

The Urban Green

AUTHENTIC TASK A house sale ad

• Public works AUTHENTIC TASK An earthquake-proof project

Contemporary museums

CONTENTS A SHORT HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE DOSSIER

1 2 3

MILESTONES in ARCHITECTURE

Prehistory and Ancient History p. 199

The Middle Ages p. 217

From Paleo-christian to Norman architecture • Paleo-Christian architecture • English Gothic cathedrals: London’s Westminster Abbey • Romanesque architecture • Gothic architecture • Norman architecture in England

From Renaissance to Neoclassicism

From Renaissance to Neoclassicism • Renaissance and Classicism • The Taj Mahal • Baroque • Georgian architecture • Gothic, Renaissance and • Gothic revival and Neoclassicism Baroque styles: a confrontation

p. 235

4 5

From prehistoric to Roman architecture • Prehistoric architecture • Roman architecture • Egyptian pyramids • Roman heritage in Britain • Greek architecture

Modern Architecture p. 253

Contemporary Trends p. 273

From Modernism to Postmodernism • The Modern Movement • Le Corbusier (1887-1965) • The Empire State Building • Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) • The Golden Gate Bridge • The Postmodern Movement

Contemporary masters • Richard Meier • Richard Rogers • Norman Foster • Frank Gehry

CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS

• Renzo Piano • Herzog & de Meuron • Daniel Libeskind • Stefano Boeri's Vertical Forest

p. 293

Professionals • Types of professional figures • Operatives • Surveyors • Structural and civil engineers • Architects • Domestic energy assessors • Coordinators for safety and health matters

CLIL LITERATURE

p. 308

BUILDING GRAMMAR

p. 318

GLOSSARIO TEMATICO E ILLUSTRATO

p. 326

TAVOLA CONVERSIONE MISURE

p. 335

Exam practice – PCTO • Percorsi per le competenze trasversali e per l'orientamento (PCTO) • Exam practice – PCTO report • How to write a covering letter • How to write a CV

• Half-timbered houses in the UK • Half-timbered houses in the USA

BUILDING VOCABULARY

FOCUS on INVALSI

REVISION

• Prehistory and ancient hisotry

• The Colosseum • Paestum

• Prehistory and ancient history

• The Middle Ages

• From Renaissance to Neoclassicism

• The Basilica di San Nicola • Santa Maria de Léon

• Villa La Rotonda • The British Museum, London

ON-SITE VIDEOS Greek and Roman architecture

AUTHENTIC TASK A 'Roman' tour in your town

• Architecture in the Middle Ages

The Tower of London

AUTHENTIC TASK A poster of your town

• From Renaissance to Neoclassicism

Tower Bridge

AUTHENTIC TASK How to promote tourism

• Modern architecture

• Contemporary architecture

• Gaudí's masterpieces • Casa Batiló

• Zaha Hadid • The BMW Plant

• Modern architecture

The Sydney Opera House

AUTHENTIC TASK A photographic exhibition

• Contemporary architecture

The Getty Museum

AUTHENTIC TASK How to organise an event

ON-SITE VIDEO Construction professionals

Welcome to ON SITE ON SITE è il nuovo corso di inglese tecnico settoriale rivolto agli Istituti Tecnici Tecnologici, indirizzo “Costruzioni, Ambiente e Territorio”. In queste pagine troverai alcune informazioni per imparare a usare il tuo libro di testo. Il volume si articola in 8 moduli dal contenuto tecnico e settoriale e 5 dossier di architettura, organizzati in questo modo:

BUILDING in THEORY • Ogni modulo si suddivide in capitoli in cui vengono presentati testi teorici che affrontano i temi tecnici e settoriali e articoli autentici di approfondimento. Per ognuno dei testi sono previste attività basate sulle abilità linguistiche. • Un’apposita icona segnala inoltre le attività di preparazione alle certificazioni Cambridge (Preliminary e First) con un approccio graduale. • A conclusione di ogni percorso tematico è prevista un’attività di Exam practice, che prepara gli studenti all’Esame di Stato.

A SHORT HISTORY of ARCHITECTURE Cinque dossier incentrati sulla storia e sui capolavori dell’architettura mondiale.

La sezione BUILDING VOCABULARY ti porta a sviluppare e consolidare il lessico specifico e tecnico già incontrato all’interno del modulo o del dossier, così da ampliare gradualmente la quantità di termini pertinenti alla microlingua settoriale e rafforzare la capacità di usarli attivamente nel contesto adeguato. La sezione si chiude sempre con un esercizio di ‘Active glossary’.

indica le attività utili per la preparazione alla certificazione Cambridge Preliminary. FIRST indica le attività utili per la preparazione alla certificazione Cambridge First. ES indica le attività di preparazione all’Esame di Stato orale. MEDIATING TEXTS indica le attività di mediazione, in linea con i nuovi descrittori del QCER. INVALSI indica le attività di preparazione alle Prove Nazionali INVALSI di inglese. PRELIMINARY

6

Puoi scaricare gratuitamente dal sito www.elilaspigaedizioni.it i seguenti materiali: materiale didattico supplementare | tutti gli audio in formato MP3 | FLIP BOOK

La sezione FOCUS on INVALSI , presente alla fine di ogni module, ti guida allo sviluppo delle abilità linguistiche necessarie ad affrontare le Prove INVALSI di livello B1 e B2.

REVISION In queste pagine troverai alcune semplici mappe concettuali con cui ripassare e memorizzare i concetti e le parole chiave degli argomenti studiati nel modulo/ dossier. A seguire, ulteriori esercizi di revisione incentrati sulle conoscenze teoriche e sul lessico acquisiti. La sezione si chiude con una preparazione al colloquio orale dell'Esame di Stato e con progetti per realizzare dei compiti autentici di realtà.

Box

Sono presenti due diverse tipologie di box: • il box asterisco (*) che rimanda a un termine oppure a un’espressione nel testo e può spiegarne il significato, le peculiarità linguistiche, l’etimologia, ecc.; • il box More about… con brevi approfondimenti o curiosità su uno dei temi presentati nel testo principale. La sezione CLIL LITERATURE è dedicata all’analisi di brani letterari a partire da uno dei temi trattati nel testo.

Alla fine di On Site troverai un Word Bank con tutti i termini specifici suddivisi per ordine alfabetico. Il glossario è completato da tavole illustrate e una Conversion Chart.

Nella sezione BUILDING GRAMMAR vengono brevemente presentate ed esercitate diverse strutture grammaticali in contesto con un approccio graduale. Troverai esempi che riprendono il lessico e le strutture incontrati nei moduli e nei dossier. Video tutorial 1 Troverai tutti i video tutorials con la spiegazione di alcune delle regole grammaticali della sezione BUILDING GRAMMAR all’interno del FLIP BOOK.

7

Il FLIP BOOK è la versione digitale interattiva del libro di testo, da utilizzare in classe oppure a casa per studiare e ripassare in modo autonomo.

Il FLIP BOOK contiene l’intero volume in formato multimediale e sfogliabile e raccoglie tutte le risorse del corso in un unico ambiente: esercizi interattivi e auto-correttivi, audio e video.

Dalla barra degli strumenti potrai inserire all’interno del tuo libro digitale appunti, documenti, immagini, link e note vocali per esercitare la tua pronuncia. Sarà inoltre possibile costruire delle mappe mentali per la memorizzazione e il ripasso dei concetti chiave.

Tutti i video sono dotati di sottotitoli.

Accedendo al LIBRO LIQUIDO, potrai scegliere lo sfondo e il carattere del tuo libro digitale, e ascoltare la lettura dell’intero volume.

In più, il FLIP BOOK ti offre delle risorse extra: • accesso diretto al sito dedicato online dove troverai schede di approfondimento attinenti ad argomenti del corso; • accesso diretto alla piattaforma di esercitazione grammaticale con verifiche; • video tutorials di grammatica e tutti i video del corso; • una tavola interattiva con audio dei simboli fonetici della lingua inglese; • mappe di grammatica.

8

Module

1

THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

OBJECTIVES BUILDING in THEORY

ON-SITE VIDEO ∞ Before the Flood

∞ Ecology ∞

The environment and pollution

BUILDING VOCABULARY ∞

The natural environment

FOCUS on INVALSI ∞

Greta Thunberg ∞ Eco-building in the UK

REVISION ∞

The environment and pollution AUTHENTIC TASK: Our ‘green’ blog

Watch this extract from the 2016 documentary Before the Flood. What do you think this module is about? Why is Leonardo DiCaprio so worried about our planet? Do you agree with his message?

9

Module

1

ECOLOGY

Warm up

1 Look at the

picture and try to predict what you will read in the text.

Ecological science Ecology is the science that studies how different organisms live together and how they interact with their physical environment. The term ‘environment’ refers to the climate and geology of the place where the organism lives as well as the other organisms that share this habitat. Ecology also studies how many living organisms there are on Earth and how they are distributed. It also considers non-living physical factors of the environment, for example the presence of water, as these can influence where organisms decide to live. It is also important to know which organisms share the same environment, as they may need each other to survive. This kind of information helps ecologists to conserve our natural world, for example protecting the habitat of animals that are in danger of becoming extinct, or trying to reduce pollution and global warming. This information is obtained by studying different subjects together such as biology, geology, geography, meteorology, chemistry and physics.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and choose the correct option (A, B or C). 1 Ecology studies... A how organisms interact with each other and their environment. B the number of living organisms in the world and where they are. C both A and B. 2 The term ‘environment’ refers to ... of a habitat. A the climate B the geology C both the climate and geology

3 Ecology... A only studies living organisms. B studies living organisms and non-living physical factors. C only studies non-living physical factors. 4 Ecologists... A are only interested in the survival of animals. B want to conserve all aspects of our natural world. C only use the science of biology for their studies.

vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Match the words (1-10) to their definitions (a-j).

1 organism 2 interact 3 environment 4 share 5 survive 6 conserve 7 extinct 8 pollution 9 global warming 10 geology

10

a b c d e f g h i j

the living or non-living things around us   continue to live even in a difficult situation   a living thing made up of one or more cells   keep safe   come together and have an effect on each other   to use/have something at the same time as someone else   when air, water or land are contaminated by chemicals or other dangerous substances   a type of animal or plant that no longer exists in the world   the study of the Earth, its materials, characteristics and structures   a long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s climate system

building in theory  /  The Natural Environment

Habitat A habitat is the natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organism. When an animal chooses its habitat, this environment gives it the possibility to find food and also a partner so that its species can continue to reproduce. Instead, the natural habitat of a plant must have the right balance of light, air, water and soil so that the plant can grow healthily. Different plants need different habitats. Some cactus plants, for example, grow well in desert areas where they need a dry climate, lots of sunshine and sandy soil, while others grow better in cooler areas, with less sunlight and lots of rain. Therefore, the ideal habitat for an animal or plant must satisfy four important aspects: shelter, water, food and space. When speaking of shelter, we refer to what an animal uses to protect itself against predators and the weather. Therefore, a tree, for example, can be a suitable shelter for many animals, while others choose caves or underground tunnels. Another crucial component to any habitat is water. The amount of water required depends on the type of organism, plant or animal. Dromedary camels, for example, can walk for long distances without needing a drink. Food is another essential aspect of a suitable habitat and this component may be altered due to extreme weather conditions. If for example there is a drought, plants will die and the animals that live off these plants will face a food shortage, so their habitat will no longer be suitable even if other components like space and shelter have not changed. Obviously, the amount of space an organism needs to grow and increase depends on the type of species. An ant for instance, needs a much smaller space to survive and develop compared to a puma that needs a lot of land to be able to hunt and find a partner. Plants need the right amount of space too. A tall tree, for example, would never grow well in a small garden with a limited amount of space. On the other hand, it grows strong in a large forest where it has a suitable amount of space. However, sometimes the natural habitat chosen by an animal can be disturbed if the balance of these four components is altered. This can happen, for example, when humans start to build houses and factories, which reduce the space an animal needs to survive.

reading comprehension

1

shelter riparo drought siccità

Source: www.nationalgeographic.org

PRELIMINARY   Read the texts on pages 10 and 11 again and answer the questions in pairs.

1 What is the writer trying to do in the text? A Explain how to grow cactus plants. B Describe what different animals eat. C Explain what components make up a habitat. D Describe the best weather conditions for plants.

3 The ideal habitat of an animal... A is made up of four components. B does not take into account the presence of water. C refers only to the amount of space it needs. D gives more importance to shelter and food.

2 What does the reader learn about the habitat of plants? A Soil and water are the most important components. B Every plant needs a lot of sunlight. C No plants can survive in arid areas. D Different plants grow well in different temperatures.

4 Which of these sentences best describes the article? A The different places where animals live. B How plants survive in different environments. C How plants grow. D Animals and plants choose their habit according to their needs.

2 Read the texts again and answer the following questions in pairs. 1 2 3 4

What does the science of ecology study? Why does ecology also study non-living physical factors? How do ecologists help to conserve our natural world? What do we mean by ‘habitat’?

5 What are the most important aspects to be considered when choosing a habitat? 6 Why do animals need shelter?

11

Module

1

building in theory

Ecosystems Our planet Earth has four main spheres that change constantly: the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the geosphere and the biosphere. The atmosphere gives us the gases (nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide) necessary for all living things. The hydrosphere provides moisture or water, for example in the form of rainwater, but it also refers to water present under the Earth’s surface. The geosphere is any solid surface where plants and animals can grow, like rocks or mountains and it also includes heat under the surface of the Earth. survival sopravvivenza The biosphere refers to all life forms like humans, animals, plants, bacteria rise innalzamento and other microscopic organisms present on land, in the air and in water. It also includes any organic matter that has not decomposed yet and it depends greatly on the other three spheres. Therefore, the biosphere is More about a global ecosystem – containing many different kinds of ecosystems – An aquatic ecosystem is found in a body composed of living organisms and non-living factors from which they derive of water. The two main types of aquatic energy and nutrients. ecosystems are marine ecosystems and Ecosystems are biological communities of all living things like plants, freshwater ecosystems. animals and organisms in a specific area that interact with each other A terrestrial ecosystem is found only and with the non-living forms present in their environment. They are the on landforms. Some of the main primary foundations of the biosphere and determine the health of all of our planet’s terrestrial ecosystems are tundras, tropical system. In an ecosystem, each organism has its own important role to play rainforests, grasslands and deserts. that influences the survival of other organisms. This perfectly balanced Autumn in the tundra, interaction between different organisms and their environment is very Kola peninsula, Russia complex and represents the foundations of energy flow and the recycling of carbon and nitrogen. When something changes in the environment, like a rise in temperature or the introduction of a new organism, it can be disastrous for the ecosystem, as it upsets the natural balance of interaction and can lead to the destruction of the ecosystem. Ecosystems can be all different sizes. We can even say that our planet Earth is one huge ecosystem. Ecosystems are usually divided into three main categories: micro, referring to small ecosystems like ponds, messo, referring to medium-sized ecosystems like a large lake, and biome, referring to a very Ecosystems in the UK large ecosystem or group of ecosystems with similar characteristics like an entire rain forest. Ecosystems are also divided into two main groups: aquatic ecosystems that depend on water and terrestrial ecosystems that exist on land.

reading comprehension

1 Read the text and complete the sentences with the words from the box. role  − land − water − gases − changes − surface − rocks − balance − ecosystems − sizes

1 All living things need ___________________ that come from the atmosphere. 2 Water can be found under the Earth’s ___________________. 3 ___________________ or mountains are part of the geosphere. 4 The biosphere includes all life forms in the air, water and on ___________________. 5 The interaction of living things with each other and their environment is the definition of ___________________. 6 The ___________________ of each organism in an ecosystem can affect how other organisms survive. 7 There is a very complex ___________________ between the interaction of organisms and their environment. 8 An ecosystem can be destroyed by ___________________ in its environment. 9 Micro, messo and biome refer to the ___________________ of ecosystems. 10 ___________________ is an essential element of aquatic ecosystems.

12

building in theory  /  The Natural Environment vocabulary

2 Match the words from the box to the correct sphere. nitrogen  − moisture − mountains − bacteria −  carbon dioxide  − humans −  under-surface heat  − rainwater

atmosphere

hydrosphere

geosphere

biosphere

listening

3

1.01   Listen to an interview with an ecologist and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F).

1 A puddle is too small to be considered an ecosystem. 2 Aquatic ecosystems have different characteristics according to their position. 3 Stillwater ecosystems have more oxygen than flowing freshwater ones. 4 A lagoon will have less biodiversity than a river with flowing water. 5 Species like seaweed and crabs prefer shallow water to deep water. 6 Species that can be found in coral reefs use it only to find food.

T F

speaking

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text and look at the picture. Use your own words to explain the process.

In this ecosystem there is interaction between...

More about A food chain shows how energy is transferred from one living organism to another, via food. The 'protagonists' in the food chain are primary producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers and decomposers. At the basic level there are plants (producers) that produce energy: photosynthesis, in fact, is the beginning of the food chain. Then we find higher-level organisms: herbivores (primary consumers) that eat the products of the photosynthesis process. These animals are in turn eaten by carnivores (secondary consumers), thus transferring energy and organic compounds from one animal to another. The final step is carried out by decomposers (microscopic bacteria) that return those elements (such as carbon and nitrogen) initially taken by plants, to the soil in their inorganic state, so that they are recycled through the ecosystem.

exam practice – speaking

5

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   What have you learnt about ecology? Prepare a short oral presentation (3-5 minutes) following these guidelines. • What is ecology and what does it study? • What is a habitat? • What are ecosystems and how many types of ecosystems do you know?

13

Module

1

THE ENVIRONMENT AND POLLUTION

Warm up

1 Work in pairs.

What changes have occurred to the environment during the history of mankind?

triggered scatenati, causati

*

A hazard map or seismic expectancy map is made for planning purposes. It is based on the size and frequency of earthquakes, using historical seismicity as a database.

The human impact Humans are part of the ecosystem and since their appearance on Earth, they have always influenced the environment and caused changes to it. Whenever humans settled in a country, they transformed the landscape, for example, by starting an economy based on agriculture. However, only in recent history, especially after the Industrial Revolution, have these changes had such an effect on our environment that we speak of human impact as a problem for the future of our planet and we are only now beginning to realise how important the quality of water and land is for our existence. Water is the first vital element: humans, plants or animals cannot live without water. It represents the largest part of the globe, where it is present as oceans, lakes, rivers, glaciers, but also in the form of vapour and gases. A large part of the water we use is groundwater, which is water situated under the surface. The quantity and distribution of groundwater varies, depending on the quantity and frequency of rainfall. It is also present in each living being. We depend on water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, to produce power, for agriculture and other economic activities. Construction has a big influence on the quality of water, as water is used every day in houses and public places. Land is also another vital element for our existence. Indeed, we need land to create energy, to grow fruit and vegetables and to bury waste. We also need it for mineral resources, for building houses, factories, schools and hospitals, for transportation, for free-time activities and much more. Land is also a vital habitat for plants and animals. However, many human activities, such as industry, agriculture, transportation and construction cause pollution that harms the quality of land and water. Contaminated soil also affects the quality of groundwater and can even damage air quality. All these factors have drastic effects on the health of people, plants and animals, as well as altering our ecosystems and consequently increasing global warming. During the last three centuries, crucial changes have occurred in our lives: industrialisation and consequent urbanisation have caused the birth of large cities; more recently, even smaller urban areas are experiencing intense growth due to the spread of industries. Architecture can solve these problems creating environmentally-friendly buildings but it is essential to consider that some areas are more at risk of disasters such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions or landslides. In many cases, these are natural unpredictable phenomena, but sometimes they are triggered or amplified by the increase of buildings, which modify the aspect of the territory. In order to prevent disasters, hazard maps* are constantly updated, and restrictive building regulations are adopted for construction or reconstruction in seismic or other vulnerable areas; in case of severe risk, laws may forbid any type of construction. Urban growth, p. 150

14

Human ecology and the ecosystem

building in theory  /  The Natural Environment reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 2 3 4 5 6

Why are people more worried about human impact on the environment nowadays? Why is water such an important element for humans? How can land become contaminated? How has the location of industries changed over time? What do architects have to consider when creating eco-buildings? What is done to minimise the effect of natural disasters?

3 Read the text again and complete the sentences with the words from the box. contaminated  – disasters – transformed – resources – element – growth

1 2 3 4 5 6

Throughout history, humans have always ______________ the environment to suit their needs. Water is a vital ______________ for every form of life, from humans to animals and plants. We need land for mineral ______________. If soil is ______________, it can also affect the quality of the air we breathe. Industries have resulted in the ______________ of smaller urban areas. Earthquakes and landslides are examples of natural ______________.

vocabulary

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Match these words from the text to their definitions.

1 2 3 4 5 6

landscape groundwater waste urbanisation floods landslide

a b c d e f

material that is no longer wanted because its valuable part has already been used   an area of land as you see it including natural elements and those created by humans   when water covers land that is usually dry   the movement of earth or rock down a slope   when a place becomes more like a city   water found under the Earth’s surface

listening

5

1.02   INVALSI   Listen to a reporter talking about the documentary ‘Anthropocene: The Human Epoch’ and

match the beginnings of the sentences (1-5) with the sentence endings (a-g). There are two sentence endings that you should not use. 1 ‘Anthropocene’ is about the effects that human impact has had 2 The ‘Antropocene era’ means that this effect has been caused by man 3 This documentary took 4 Filming took place 5 The documentary does not just have shocking images, but

a b c d e f g

three years to make. since 1945. also alarming statistics. and not nature. people travelling. on our planet. all over the world.

exam practice – speaking

6

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a short oral presentation

The city of Perth, Australia

(3-5 minutes) to explain the impact of humans on the environment and what can be done to minimise this damage. Follow these guidelines: • explain the importance of land and water for all life forms including

humans; • describe some consequences of human impact on the environment; • describe how architecture and building regulations can help the situation.

15

Module

1

building in theory Warm up

1 Do you know

what the main types of pollution are? Match these words with the pictures A-G. 1

water pollution

2

visual pollution

3   radioactive contamination 4 5

noise pollution   air pollution

6

light pollution

7

soil contamination

particulates particolati dust polvere drainage drenaggio sewage scolo, scarico, fognatura trespass sconfinamento, violazione overhead aeree billboards tabelloni pubblicitari junk cianfrusaglia whereas mentre (avversativo) coal-fired a carbone heavy industry industria pesante

Forms of pollution The release of chemical, biological, physical or radioactive substances into the environment is called pollution. Some of the main kinds of pollution are: Soil contamination (also known as land pollution): mainly due to human activities •  that cause an imbalance in the natural soil environment. The dumping of industrial waste, landfills and the use of harmful chemicals can all lead to soil pollution. Air pollution: due to the release of chemicals and particulates (solid particles forming •  dust) such as nitrogen oxides that create smog and hydrocarbons. Industry and motor vehicles are responsible for the production of nitrogen oxides. Other examples of air pollution are carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide. Water pollution: caused by industrial waste, agricultural drainage and sewage. •  Radioactive contamination: caused by accidents happening in nuclear power stations •  and by the production and use of nuclear weapons. Noise pollution: including roadway, aircraft and industrial noise and high-intensity •  sonars. Light pollution: including light trespass and over-illumination. •  •  Visual pollution: referring to the presence of overhead power lines, motorway billboards or open storage of junk and municipal solid waste. Motor vehicle emissions are the main source of air pollution all over the world. In the USA there are very severe controls on emissions whereas in the countries of the European Community the guidelines for this problem are not as strict. However, due to the very high number of cars and vehicles, the USA is still the main contributor to mobile source air emissions in the world. There are many other sources that contribute to making this problem even worse: chemical plants, coal-fired power stations, oil refineries, incinerators, metal production factories, plastics factories and other forms of heavy industry. These are called stationary pollution sources. B

A

D

E

C

F

16

G

building in theory  /  The Natural Environment reading comprehension

2 Read the text and write examples for each type of pollution. Type of pollution

Examples

soil contamination

dumping of industrial waste, ...

3 Read the text again and answer the following questions. 1 What is the main source of air pollution in the world? 2 Are there any emission controls in the world?

3 What are other sources of pollution? 4 What are they called?

listening

4

1.03   PRELIMINARY   Listen to an expert talking about air pollution worldwide and complete the sentences.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Every year seven ______________ die due to high levels of pollutants in the air. Stoves and fuels produce deadly ______________ that causes indoor air pollution. Over 108 countries now send information to a ______________ regarding air quality. The most dangerous pollutants for our health are sulfate, nitrates and ______________ carbon. The air pollution levels in many big cities are ______________ times higher than recommended levels. The problem of air pollution can be decreased by choosing sustainable transport, the production of ______________ energy and better waste management.

exam practice – speaking

5

ES MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Referring to the listening text and the information displayed on the world map,

discuss the following questions about air pollution with a partner.

• What are the unhealthiest places to live and what could be the causes of such high levels of pollution? • What is the air quality like in Mexico City and what is being done to improve it? • What areas in the world have the best air quality and how do you think this has been achieved?

Air pollution across the world in 2018 A report carried out in 2018, which measured the amount of air pollution in 3,000 cities around the world, concluded that although South Asian countries and China were the worst affected, air pollution was a global issue. High levels of air pollution cause millions of premature deaths around the world every year and also have a negative impact on the economy. The ten countries with the highest level of air pollution were all Asian and Middle Eastern countries and every city in the Middle East that was taken into consideration for the report, had levels of air pollution that were well above the World Health Organization’s annual exposure guidelines for fine particulate matter. The map shows the level of pollution in each country according to the US Air Quality Index. particulate matter particolato Source – CNN News – © CNN 2019

Ecological crises

17

Module

1

building in theory Warm up

1 What is

biodiversity? Do you think it is important? Why? Read the text and check your answers.

loss perdita feeding nutrire livestock bestiame loans prestiti ponds stagni

18

THE IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY A report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) states that up to one million species could become extinct because of human actions and the effects will be as devastating as climate change. This crisis includes the loss of insects necessary for pollinating and the destruction of strong plants that protect us from floods. The loss of biodiversity is strongly connected to other environmental crises like human population growth, pollution or the presence of plastics in our oceans and it is equally important. Chemicals used in farming, for example, not only destroy the soil but also insects and birds, which represents a tragic loss of biodiversity. The only way to find fast solutions is to deal with these problems altogether and not separately. So how can we improve biodiversity? Well one idea is to take back land used for feeding animals, which then become meat on our plates, and help this land return to its original wild state. This will not only help biodiversity but will also reduce global warming because land that becomes wild or wet again will capture more carbon than land used for feeding animals. Nowadays, more and more of us know how farming, consumption and energy-use have a negative impact on our planet, but it is still difficult to know what we can do personally to help solve these problems. The youth climate strikes are an excellent example of how the desire for change starting from one person has grown and

spread to others, becoming stronger every day. Now the campaign is concentrated on climate, but let’s hope they will soon start campaigning about the loss of biodiversity too. Recently another non-violent protest group called Extinction Rebellion has had a positive impact on environmental debates in the House of Commons in the UK. All these peaceful efforts are essential to trigger change and make these changes happen faster. One of the biggest problems is that we as humans do not like change. Take for example livestock farmers, whose activities cause many environmental problems. Instead of diversifying their business and taking advantage of the vegan market that is growing so quickly, they fight these new social trends. Like all of us, farmers need help to change; for example, governments could offer them low-interest loans to help them diversify their business. However, not only farmers have to change, but all of us that live in suburbs and cities. We have to convince governments to make new laws immediately to improve urban biodiversity and air quality, like making it obligatory to have ponds in industrial areas and bird boxes on new housing developments. As you can see there are lots of ideas out there to solve problems both worldwide and locally, but the main problem is taking action to make these ideas work as quickly as possible. Adapted from The Guardian, Š2019

building in theory  /  The Natural Environment reading comprehension

2

INVALSI   Read the text again and choose the correct option (A, B, C or D).

1 The IPBES reports that... A more than one million species are in danger of extinction. B climate change has worse effects than the extinction of species. C this crisis includes both plants and insects. D plants do nothing to protect us from floods. 2 The loss of biodiversity... A is not connected to other environmental problems. B is not as important as other environmental problems. C is not a consequence of chemicals used in farming. D will be solved quicker if other environmental problems are considered as well. 3 Land that is returned to its natural wild state... A will increase global warming. B will absorb less carbon than fields for animals. C will help biodiversity. D will damage biodiversity even more.

listening

3

4 The youth climate strikes... A show us how one person’s wish for change can influence others. B have had a drop in supporters recently. C concentrate their campaign on biodiversity. D are organised by violent protest groups. 5 Livestock farmers... A do not damage the environment with their work. B are willing to change. C follow new social trends. D are not receiving financial help from governments to help them change. 6 The writer concludes by saying... A people living in suburbs and cities do not need to change. B governments have already passed new laws to improve biodiversity. C putting ponds in industrial areas would help increase biodiversity. D too many people have too many ideas so nothing gets solved.

1.04   INVALSI   Listen to an expert talking to The Guardian about tree planting to fight global warming. While

listening, answer the questions using a maximum of 4 words. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

What kind of scheme has the English government decided to launch? What is this scheme fighting against? How long do they hope to take to plant 130,000 trees? Who will manage the project? What do trees store? What do trees keep us in contact with? What will the grant for planting a tree be organised as? What will people be able to consult to see if they can take part in the project?

_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________

speaking

4

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Talk to a partner about ways of improving the biodiversity in your city or town and how it could be made a greener and more pleasant place to live. Talk about:

• making existing green areas more pleasant; • transforming existing concrete areas into places that will encourage biodiversity; • ... (your own idea).

CLIL – HISTORY

MEDIATING CONCEPTS

Group work. Go to www.environmentalhistory.org to find out the main stages of human impact on the environment. Each group chooses a different historical period and prepares a report including information about the most important historical events of that time, what happened from an environmental point of view, what were the causes and effects of human impact along with the environmental policies that were carried out.

19

Module

1

building in theory Warm up

1 Scan the text

on this page and match each paragraph to these headings.

A The consequences of the development of nuclear science B The causes of air pollution C Important legislation and the beginning of public awareness D The first changes in ecosystems

Pollution: environmental policies 1    Ecosystems, air and water quality were not altered to a significant degree by man until the end of the Middle Ages, when population increased and became concentrated in cities. In some places contamination, air and water pollution became evident. In particular, water pollution caused by untreated human waste became a serious problem as it often resulted in disease transmission. 2    Air pollution and more generally environmental pollution as we know it today began at the time of the Industrial Revolution because of population growth and the flourishing of basic industrial processes. The main reason why air pollution became a major problem was the creation of big factories and the use of huge quantities of fossil fuels, especially coal. Other serious problems were the increasing amount of untreated human waste and the huge quantity of industrial chemical discharges. 3    In 1881 the first two American cities in the USA to pass laws that ensured cleaner air were Chicago and Cincinnati, followed by other cities at the beginning of the twentieth century. At that time an Office of Air Pollution was created. During the late 1940s smog became a very serious problem in many other US cities, but it was not until the mid 1950s that this issue started to draw major public attention. 4    Radioactive contamination on a large scale is a consequence of the development of nuclear science. Its effects can remain lethal for hundreds of thousands of years. Although extreme caution is exercised by the nuclear power industry, international incidents such as Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011) have shown that the nuclear power industry still represents a great threat to human health and can potentially lead to disasters that can affect humanity on a very large scale.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text again and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). T F 1 Towards the start of the Middle Ages the population increased and became concentrated in cities. 2 Environmental pollution as we know it today began before the time of the Industrial Revolution. 3 Air pollution became a major problem due to the creation of large factories. 4 In 1881 the first two American cities in the USA to pass laws that promised cleaner air were New York and Cincinnati. 5 During the late 1950s smog became a very serious problem in many other US cities. 6 The effects of radioactive contamination can remain lethal for hundreds of thousands of years. 7 Little caution is exercised by the nuclear power industry.

20

building in theory  /  The Natural Environment Current commitments Scientists agree that if present trends of greenhouse gas emissions continue, the consequences of global warming will become irreversible. The issue of climate change was the concern of the climate talks of the 1990s: in 1992 (Earth Summit in Rio) governments adopted an international treaty to fight climate change but it did not establish what action to take. It was the Kyoto Protocol (1997) which required governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2012. The protocol would have been binding if the nations representing 55% of the world’s emissions had agreed, but this did not happen as the USA, the nation with the highest gas emissions, did not take part. The Kyoto Protocol did not become binding until 2004 when Russia decided to join it. But this was just a small step: the Copenhagen Conference (2009) ended up without a binding goal, and a treaty with the agreed targets was signed only the following year, in Cancun. A further step in the right direction to fight against the threat of climate change was taken at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, COP21. Here countries agreed to try and keep the rise in global temperature to well below 2 °C, and this commitment became operative in November 2016. By April 2018, 175 parties had given their formal consent to the Paris Agreement and 10 developing countries had presented renewed plans to respond to climate change. In October 2018, in Korea, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) called for widespread changes in all aspects of society to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. This was also one of the key points discussed at the Katowice Climate Change Conference COP24 held in Poland in December of that same year. At the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit in New York, the goal was to increase climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maintain the previously proposed 1.5 °C global warming limit. However, the summit was not a complete success as China did not increase its Paris agreement commitments, India did not promise to reduce its use of coal and the US did not even take part in the conference. Therefore, it was concluded that much more will need to be done to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Then in November 2019, the US President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, but many American states are fighting against this decision.

issue problema concern preoccupazione treaty accordo binding obbligatorio withdraw ritirare

reading comprehension

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text and complete the table.

Summit

Date

Location

Goals /Targets

(1) ______________________ 1992

Rio

Adopt international treaty to fight climate change

Kyoto Protocol

1997

Kyoto

(2) __________________________________________

Copenhagen Conference

(3) _______

Copenhagen

No binding goal achieved. Treaty signed in Cancun in 2010

United Nations Climate Change Conference COP21

2015

(4) ____________ Keep rise in global temperature to well below 2 °C

(5) ______________________ 2018

Korea

Aim to limit global warming to 1.5 °C

Katowice Climate Change Conference COP24

Poland

(6) __________________________________________

2018

writing – internet research

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Do some research on the Internet about the latest summits on climate change. Find out where they have been held, what goals have been reached and what targets have been set.

21

Module

1 building vocabulary 1 Match the words about HABITATS from the box to the correct pictures. desert  –  cave  –  forest

1  _______________________________

2  _______________________________

3  _______________________________

2 Match the words about ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS from the box to the correct pictures. floods  – earthquake – landslide –  volcanic eruption

1  ______________________

2  ______________________

3  ______________________

4  ______________________

3 Write the FORMS OF POLLUTION under the photos.

1  _______________________________

2  _______________________________

3  _______________________________

4  _______________________________

5  _______________________________

6  _______________________________

4 Match the words to their definitions. 1 atmosphere 2 geosphere 3 hydrosphere 4 biosphere

a b c d

22

any solid surface where plants and animals can grow, but also refers to heat under the surface of the Earth   it provides moisture or water, but also refers to water present under the Earth’s surface   all life forms like humans, animals, plants, bacteria and other microscopic organisms present on land, in the air and in water, including any organic matter that has not decomposed yet   it gives us the gases (nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide) necessary for all living things

building vocabulary  /  The Natural Environment 5 Complete the sentences with a verb from the box. produce  – reduce – interact – upset – trigger – harm – share

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Ecology studies how organisms _________________ with their physical environment. It is important to know which organisms _________________ the same environment. The introduction of a new organism to an ecosystem can _________________ its natural balance of interaction. We depend on water to _________________ power. Many human activities _________________ the quality of land and water. The increase of buildings, which modify the aspect of the territory, can _________________ disasters like floods. Returning land to its wild state will help biodiversity and _________________ global warming.

6 Underline the correct alternative. 1 Ecologists study various subjects like history / geography, biology, chemistry and physics. 2 The environment of an organism includes factors such as climate, geology and the other organisms that share its space / habitat. 3 Pollution has drastic effects on the health / safety of people, animals and plants. 4 Hazard / Restrictive maps are constantly updated to try and prevent disasters. 5 Landfills / Landscapes can lead to soil pollution. 6 Chemical plants and oil refineries are examples of dynamic / stationary pollution sources. 7 The causes / effects of radioactive contamination on a large scale can remain lethal for hundreds of thousands of years. 8 Low-interest losses / loans could encourage farmers to diversify their business.

7 Complete the table about FORMS OF POLLUTION. Then write some possible remedies you can think about. Forms of pollution

Causes

Possible remedies

air pollution _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________

chemicals, ... _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________

_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________

ACTIVE GLOSSARY 8

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write the English equivalent of the following words.

1 ambiente 2 inquinamento 3 riscaldamento globale 4 specie 5 riparo 6 siccità 7 innalzamento 8 carenza 9 acque sotterranee 10 rifiuti 11 fognatura 12 gas serra

__________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

23

Module

1 focus on invalsi Greta Thunberg – A School Girl’s Fight Against Climate Change Greta Thunberg describes herself as someone who sits quietly at the back of the class. However, on August 20, 2018, at the age of 15, all that changed. That day Greta didn’t go to school. Instead, she sat down outside the Swedish parliament building as a sign of protest against climate change. None of her classmates joined her in this school strike and her parents tried to persuade her not to do it. People passing by felt both amused and sorry for her, as she sat there all alone with a hand-painted banner made out of a piece of wood from 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Then gradually, people came along to keep her company. She kept her promise to strike every day until the Swedish national elections. Eight months later, Greta had become famous all over the world and admired for her determination, inspiration and positive action. Since then, her school strike for climate banner has been translated into many different languages and she is definitely not alone in her fight anymore. Greta has continued with her strikes almost every Friday even in rainy and snowy weather. On Friday, 15 March 2019, The People’s Climate March rally involved over 71 countries and more than 700 places. She encouraged everyone to film her and spread the message through social media while she made a speech in almost perfect English in front of thousands of people. She has certainly changed from the extremely introverted girl she once was. At that time, she thought she was too small to make a difference, but she was wrong. Greta’s mother Malena Ernman is a famous opera singer in Sweden, while her father, Svante Thunberg is an actor and author. Greta was always a bit different from other kids. She was exceptionally bright and at the age of about eleven doctors said she had Asperger’s, which Greta describes as ‘overthinking’ and says that once she gets an idea into her head, especially if it’s something that worries her, she can’t let it go until she has done something about it. When she was about eight years old, she first found out about climate change and became depressed when she saw that adults didn’t seem to be taking the problem seriously. She started talking to her parents about her fears for the future, and gradually she learned to transform her depression into a source of motivation to fight climate change.

24

Greta showed her parents documentaries and books about climate change, which convinced her parents to change their way of life to help the environment. Her father became a vegetarian and her mother stopped flying, even if this had a very negative impact on her career. Since then, Greta has changed the way many people think by making them more aware of climate change. Greta herself lives according to her values. She is vegan and only travels abroad by train. Greta has met political leaders and billionaire entrepreneurs. Each time she tells them not to be hopeful, but to panic and feel some of the fear she feels every day, then act on it. Her direct way of talking has won the admiration of many politicians, but she says that some leaders in countries like the US, UK and Australia are still either ignoring the strikes or saying they’re just an excuse not to go to school. Greta’s rising popularity coincides with growing scientific concern about climate change. Many reports warn that oceans are getting warmer and the poles are melting faster than predicted, and the only way to avoid going above 1.5 °C of global warming is to reduce emissions rapidly by 2030. To achieve this, politicians must be put under more pressure to do something effective, and Greta seems to be the best one at convincing them to get a move on. Adapted from The Guardian ©2019

banner bandiera bright sveglia, intelligente entrepreneur imprenditore

warn avvisare get a move on darsi una mossa

focus on invalsi  /  The Natural Environment reading

1

INVALSI   Read the text about Greta Thunberg, then choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for questions 1-7.

Only one answer is correct. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0 On August 20, 2018, Greta Thunberg... A went on a school trip to visit the Swedish Houses of Parliament. ✔ B started her strike to fight climate change. C went to school as usual. D sat with her classmates outside the Swedish Parliament.

4 Greta’s father... A found documentaries on climate change for Greta. B changed his eating habits. C was not convinced by his daugher’s fears for the future. D bought books on climate change for his daughter.

1

On the first day of her strike, Greta... A brought a banner with her. B occupied the Swedish Parliament Building. C went back home for lunch at midday. D was insulted by passers-by.

5

2

Nowadays... A Greta doesn’t strike in bad weather. B few people know about her. C people feel inspired by her determination. D Greta can speak many different languages.

3

As a child, Greta... A was like any other child. B had learning problems. C couldn’t speak to her parents about her fears. D became depressed when she found out about climate change.

6 When Greta meets political leaders and billionaire entrepreneurs... A she speaks to them in a very direct manner. B she has a panic attack. C she gives them hope. D she’s frightened of them. 7

Greta’s mother... A explained what climate change was to Greta. B refused to accept her daughter’s beliefs. C sacrificed her career in support of Greta’s values. D continued to fly around the world.

Scientists are worried that... A the temperature of oceans will decrease. B global warming won’t reach 1.5 °C. C Greta will become more popular than they are. D the poles are melting faster than expected.

listening

2

1.05   INVALSI   Listen to a reporter talking about eco-building in the UK. First you will have one minute

to study the task below, then you will hear the recording twice. While listening, match the beginnings of the sentences (1-5) with the sentence endings (A-H). There are two sentence endings that you should not use. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0

Most countries are going to build according to...

1

37% of UK developers are now choosing...

2

Less energy is used by adopting...

3

Bloomberg HQ uses...

4

The most innovative energy-saving feature at Bloomberg HQ are...

5

Unusable food waste at Waitrose is converted into...

A

both traditional and innovative sustainability solutions.

B

reusable energy.

C

C high environmental standards. ✔ D

the vacuum-drainage toilets.

E

green design techniques and advanced technology.

F

cold air.

G

the ceiling panels.

H

green buildings.

25

Module

1 revision map your knowledge

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about POLLUTION with the expressions from the box. noise pollution  –  radioactive contamination  –  soil contamination  –  visual pollution  –  air pollution light pollution  –  water pollution

POLLUTION FORMS OF POLLUTION

CAUSES dumping of industrial waste

1  __________________

landfills harmful chemicals release of chemicals and particulates (e.g. nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide)

2  __________________

industrial waste

3  __________________

agricultural drainage and sewage accidents in nuclear power stations

4  __________________

production and use of nuclear weapons roadway noise aircraft noise

5  __________________

industrial noise high-intensity sonars light trespass

6  __________________

over-illumination overhead power lines motorway billboards

7  __________________

2

open storage of junk and municipal solid waste

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about POLLUTION SOURCES with the expressions from the box. incinerators  –  chemical plants  –  plastics factories   –  cars and vehicles

POLLUTION SOURCES MOBILE SOURCES 1  ________________

STATIONARY SOURCES 4  ________________

2  ________________ oil refineries 3  ________________

coal-fired power stations other forms of heavy industry

metal production factories

26

revision  /  The Natural Environment revise your knowledge

3 Choose the correct option (A, B or C). 1 Ecologists... A do not study humans. B study all living organisms and their environment. C only study plants.

4 Contaminated soil can damage... A the quality of the air we breathe. B the quality of groundwater. C both A and B.

2 The ideal habitat for an animal or plant must provide... A water and food. B shelter and space. C both A and B.

5 Carbon monoxide is an example of... A soil contaminant. B air pollutant. C water pollutant.

3 Bacteria belong to the... A biosphere. B hydrosphere. C geosphere.

6 Biodiversity refers to... A the variety of plant and animal life in the world. B chemical farming methods. C human population.

revise vocabulary

4 Match the photos to the correct headings. water pollution  –  striking for change  –  global warming  – recycling

1  ______________________

2  ______________________

3  ______________________

4  ______________________

reading comprehension

5 Read the text and answer the questions.

MAB reserve Collemeluccio-Montedimezzo, Alto Molise Molise may be one of the smallest regions in Italy but it has a lot more to offer than most other regions thanks to its uncontaminated landscapes. These include environmentally-protected areas and a nature reserve that starts in the mountains and reaches right down to the sea. In 1997, the Collemeluccio-Montedimezzo reserve, located in Isernia, was the first natural area in Italy registered as a

‘Biosphere Reserve’ as part of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB). Here you can find two forests that stretch across 637 hectares in a sub-mountain area, each one with its own geomorphologic and vegetation characteristics. In 2007, a survey recorded 37 species of birds in the Montedimezzo forest and 32 species in the Collemeluccio forest.

1 What makes Molise different from other regions despite its size? 2 What recognition did the Collemeluccio-Montedimezzo reserve receive in 1997? 3 How are the two forests in this reserve different? 4 Which forest has a bigger variety of birds?

The forest is also the habitat for various particular species of vertebrates including the spectacled salamander, the Italian stream frog and the grey wolf. In 2014, UNESCO gave their approval for the reserve to be enlarged and it now includes seven towns around the site. The forest area is mainly made up of fir, oak and beech trees and there are over 350 different types of plants.

5 Name three unusual species that have made their habitat in these forests. 6 What happened as a result of UNESCO’s approval to enlarge this site? 7 What kind of trees grow in this forest area?

27

Module

1

revision writing

6 Complete the text about recycling with the words from the box. cans  – consumption – soil – resources – landfills – pollution – fossil – pollutants – rubbish – petroleum

Nowadays everyone agrees that recycling is something we should all do. It’s something that the Earth has always done. When plants or animals die, they eventually become (1) _________________ and compost that help future plants, trees and forests to grow. When we recycle, it helps reduce (2) _________________ as fewer new materials need to be manufactured so fewer (3) _________________ are released into the air by factories. Recycling also means that less rubbish ends up in (4) _________________. Government programmes include the recycling of paper, glass, plastic bottles and aluminium (5) _________________ that saves them a lot of money on transporting (6) _________________ to landfill sites. By recycling plastic goods, fewer plastic products are manufactured from (7) _________________ so this cuts costs on mining and extraction expenses as well as preserving (8) _________________ fuels and other natural (9) _________________. Recycling also reduces energy (10) _________________ as factories can save up to 60% on energy costs by recycling rather than producing new products from scratch.

7

MEDIATING TEXTS   Now write a similar text to summarise what you have learnt about pollution.

exam practice – speaking

8

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a brief oral presentation (3-5 minutes) on the main themes discussed in this module. If you wish, you can use some of the ideas in the texts in exercise 6 and 7 to help you. You should include the following points: • the importance of biodiversity;  •  the dangers of pollution;  •  strategies to reduce global warming.

AUTHENTIC TASK

MEDIATING COMMUNICATION ONLINE INTERACTION

our ‘green’ blog 1 Create a school or class blog with the help of your I.T. teacher

about your daily ‘green’ actions to promote respect for the environment and reduce the effects of human impacts on it.

2 Make note of the daily activities that you do to protect the

environment: saving water (e.g. turning the tap off while brushing your teeth), saving energy (e.g. always switching the lights off when you leave a room, switching off electrical devices and not leaving them on stand-by, closing the windows if the heating is on etc.), recycling (how much you recycle, what you recycle, recycling at home and also at school, etc.), trying to get about using public transport and so on.

3 Prepare a message to post on your blog describing your daily

actions in favour of the environment.

4 Send or show the blog message to your English teacher to

discuss any improvements to make to it.

5 Once you’ve corrected the message with the help of your

English teacher, post it on the blog you have created.

After the right initial push has been given, these good habits will spread like a positive, welcome virus!

STAY GREEN!

28

COMPETENZE CHIAVE •  competenza multilinguistica •  competenza digitale competenza personale, sociale e capacità di •  imparare a imparare •  competenza in materia di cittadinanza •  competenza imprenditoriale competenza in materia di consapevolezza ed •  espressione culturali

21ST-CENTURY LIFE SKILLS •  senso critico •  creatività

•  decision making •  comunicazione efficace

Module

2

BIO-ARCHITECTURE

Fallingwater, F. L. Wright, 1935

OBJECTIVES BUILDING in THEORY

ON-SITE VIDEO ∞ Alternative energy sources

∞ Eco-building ∞ Eco-living

BUILDING VOCABULARY ∞ Bio-architecture

FOCUS on INVALSI ∞

The Clichy-Batignolles development ∞ BedZED

REVISION ∞ Bio-architecture

AUTHENTIC TASK: Our ‘green’ school

Watch the video on alternative energy sources. What do you think this module is about? Which alternative energy sources do you already know? What are they useful for and how are they used in bio-architecture?

29

Module

2

ECO-BUILDING

Warm up

1 What is bio-

architecture? Explain it using your own words.

earthing systems sistemi di messa a terra

In an increasingly tropical climate like the one that is affecting Italy, torrential rainfall is becoming an increasingly frequent feature. Systems for protecting buildings from these weather conditions and the reuse of rainwater are two principles inherent to good architecture, even before that of bio-architecture.

Bio-architecture: general definitions The aim of architecture has always been to create ‘healthy’ buildings with hardly any ecological impact, but many materials used for construction have not followed this objective since the Industrial Revolution and consequent mass production. Energy consumption and the limited amount of non-renewable resources have recently had an impact on architecture. The aim of sustainable architecture is to create harmony between buildings and nature. This is done by taking into consideration four basic elements of nature: earth, water, fire and air. Earth: earthing, also known as grounding, deals with balancing the electrical fields around us. Nowadays there is a lot of electromagnetic pollution from electronic devices. By using grounding mats and other simple, effective technologies, these electrical imbalances can be limited. Water: bio-architecture aims to maintain the natural purity of water and its healthy properties as much as possible. Fire: this represents light. Bio-architects aim to design buildings that take advantage of natural light sources as much as possible. Air: the air in a room should be frequently renewed, therefore, bio-architecture uses passive systems of ventilation where the design of a building takes advantage of natural air flow. Consequently, here are the principles on which bio-architecture is based: •  orientation (shading, natural illumination); ventilation, cooling and dehumidification − passive ventilation systems (such as •  ventilated wooden roofs); thermal insulation; •  protection and recovery of rainwater*; •  elimination of heat loss; •  solar energy collection (for example through bioclimatic greenhouses that collect and •  spread its heat).

reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Use the information in the text to complete the sentences below.

1 Bio-architecture aims at reducing _________________ impact to a minimum. 2 Sustainable architecture creates _________________ between buildings and nature. 3 Electronic devices cause _________________ pollution. 4 Natural _________________ sources are an important feature of bio-architecture. 5 Bio-architecture takes advantage of natural air _________________ to ventilate buildings. 6 Bioclimatic _________________ are an example of solar energy collection.

30

building in theory  / Bio-architecture

Eco-materials When choosing materials to be used in bio-architecture, it is very important to consider what damage they might cause to the environment, such as the production of toxic gases or water and soil pollution. There are three groups of materials: materials used in the structure of the building (such as foundations, walls and roofs); •  materials used to increase the performance of the building (such as thermal mass*, •  insulation, protection and fixtures); materials that complete the building, which are also the ones we come into direct •  contact with in the inside of a building (such as paints, glues and flooring). Eco-materials should: be biodegradable and recyclable; not be the cause of any risks to our health; contribute to a more sustainable environmental future. Used in the right way, eco-materials: have a minimal impact on the environment; •  reduce or even eliminate the use of non-renewable energy sources; •  create better indoor air quality; •  reduce the risk of allergic reactions to substances used in traditional constructions. •  Examples of materials that can be used in bio-architecture can be divided as follows: for structures: timber, brick, stone and earth; •  for insulation: cork, jute and cellulose fibre; •  for finishes: natural waxes, natural paints and varnishes. •  Other alternative materials used in eco-building include: straw bales: used as building blocks, they are energy-efficient and provide good •  insulation; car tyres: these are used to build earthships*. The tyres are filled with earth and placed •  one on top of the other to make the external walls. These are then plastered, while internal walls are made of aluminium cans or bottles, so the whole structure is made of recycled materials. Sustainable materials, p. 60

timber legname da costruzione brick mattone cork sughero varnishes lacche Thermal mass is the capacity of a building to store heat and be unaffected by external temperature fluctuations. The thermal mass absorbs thermal energy when the surroundings are higher in temperature and gives thermal energy back when the surroundings are cooler.

An earthship is a brand of passive solar earth shelter that is made of both natural and upcycled materials such as earth-packed tires, pioneered by architect Michael Reynolds.

reading comprehension

1 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 Which features should characterise eco-materials? 2 What positive results can be achieved by the correct use of eco-materials? 3 How and why are straw bales used in bio-architecture? 4 What are car tyres used for?

listening

2

1.06   Listen to a reporter talking about a new ‘bio-village’ research complex and complete the text with the words you hear.

In the middle of London’s busy Shepherd’s Bush market, you will be surprised to find a community of startup (1) __________ projects. It is called the Open Cell ‘bio-village’ and consists of 45 shipping (2) __________ that are being converted into pop-up (3) __________ labs and workplaces. One research project here is a startup that ‘grows’ buildings out of fungi, while another company is developing a new material made from (4) __________ peelings that are sourced from the waste produced by chip companies like McCain. The researchers who work in this complex come from different (5) __________, both in biochemistry and design. Engineers, designers and (6) __________ work together in this rather unusual and low-cost setting.

31

Module

2

building in theory Warm up

1 Try to explain

what the difference is between ‘ecological’ and ‘sustainable’. Then read the texts and check your answer.

life cycle ciclo di vita dual plumbing doppio impianto idraulico flush sciacquone shower heads soffioni della doccia moisture umidità smooth lisce

Passive energy buildings are designed to minimise the use of energy exploiting the site and natural heating or cooling sources. A green roof, or living roof, is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation to absorb rainwater, provide insulation, create a habitat for wildlife and lower urban air temperatures.

32

Innovative design Due to the increase in environmental emergencies, people are becoming more aware of the need to find environmentally-friendly building solutions.

Eco-design Eco-design involves paying special attention to the environmental impact of materials and energies used during construction. In addition, special care is taken to limit waste and the amount of emissions the construction will release into the atmosphere once it is completed and fully operative. For example, choosing local materials reduces transport costs and CO2 emissions. Also recyclable and recycled materials are generally preferred as long as they do not create any further waste during their production or at the end of their lifetime. Renewable and unlimited sources of energy or passive energy* systems are always taken into consideration, such as green roofs* to insulate buildings or constructing a building in the right position so that it is heated by the rays of the sun.

Sustainable design Sustainability is a major criteria in eco-design. In fact, the environmental impact of a building does not only refer to the materials and sources used, but also to all life cycle stages of the building project. The building project can be divided as follows: prebuilding, building and post-building. During these phases, the following aspects are taken into consideration to ensure that the environmental impact of the building project is kept to a minimum: pre-building: sourcing and extraction of raw materials, their manufacture, •  transportation and distribution to the building site; building: assembly of materials to make the structure, their maintenance and repair •  and amount of construction waste produced; post-building: recycling or disposal of materials once they can no longer be used. •  The design of a building is sustainable when the goals of construction are: The reduction of energy consumption: good insulation of walls, floors and ceilings, •  as well as high-efficiency windows decrease the use of energy. Another way is to orient walls and windows so as to make the most of the use of natural light and place trees and sun shelters in effective positions to provide shade in summer. The reduction of energy costs is reached through the use of solar water heating or other ways of producing renewable energy on site. The reduction of water consumption and protection of water quality: thanks to dual •  plumbing, recycled water can be used for toilets and ultra-low-flush toilets and lowflow shower heads can be used to reduce waste water. Indoor environmental qualities: indoor air quality can be improved by choosing eco•  materials. The control of moisture accumulation, thanks to good ventilation systems, is also important. The choice of flooring is important too: wood is hypo-allergenic and, by using smooth surfaces, the creation of unhealthy particles can be avoided.

building in theory  / Bio-architecture reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the texts again and complete the sentences below.

1 2 3 4 5

Eco-design aims at keeping the environmental _______________ of materials used in construction to a minimum. On its completion, a sustainable building should have produced as little _______________ as possible. The choice of local materials reduces _______________ costs and CO2 emissions. The most popular materials used in eco-construction are _______________ and recycled. The building phase in a project not only includes the construction of the building but also its _______________ and repair. 6 The reduction of energy _______________ is one of the main goals in eco-building. 7 Good ventilation systems can control _______________ accumulation. 8 Smooth flooring surfaces stops the formation of unhealthy _______________.

vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the texts.

1 rifiuti 2 emissioni 3 isolamento 4 luce naturale

___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________

5 energia rinnovabile 6 consumo di acqua 7 sistemi di ventilazione 8 pavimentazione

___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________

listening

4

1.07

PRELIMINARY   Listen to Colin Wilkinson, an expert, talking

about nature-friendly design and choose the correct option.

1 Nowadays people... A don’t realise how much their way of life is damaging the environment. B don’t believe that anything can be done to improve the environment. C influence development and design by making specific eco-friendly requests. 2 Solar collectors... A produce hot water. B replace central heating. C replace conventional lighting systems. 3 Waste in construction can be reduced by... A producing man-made products from raw materials. B recycling raw materials. C increasing the amount of energy needed to regenerate materials. 4 Planting trees beside buildings... A makes buildings warmer. B creates problems for the people living near them. C keeps the environment cool.

exam practice – speaking

5

ES MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Prepare an oral summary (3-5 minutes) of the text following these

guidelines:

• the importance of eco-design; • how eco-design can be achieved; • construction goals for sustainable buildings.

33

Module

2

building in theory Warm up

1 According

to what you have read so far, what is a green building? What other expressions do you know which use the word ‘green’ and refer to the environment?

operate far funzionare, gestire sprawl estensione incontrollata

•  www.usgbc.org •  www.nahbgreen.org •  www.itaca.org Green building

Green building

David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, the first LEED-certified convention centre in North America, 2003

A green building ensures the healthiest possible environment while representing the least disruptive use of land, water, energy and resources. A recent survey has shown that buildings constructed according to green building standards are cheaper to operate and have excellent energy performance. But one of the first aims of green building is to reduce the environmental impact of buildings. For this reason, the first rule to follow is not to build in sprawl, as according to recent studies, existing buildings are responsible for more than 40% of the world’s total primary energy consumption and for 24% of global carbon dioxide emissions. This is why modern sustainability initiatives need to be applied both to new constructions and to existing structures. A number of ‘green building programmes’ now exist, and one of them is known as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Developed by the US Green Building Council in 1998, LEED has become an internationally recognised standard for measuring building sustainability. It is changing the way buildings are designed, constructed and used. A building with LEED certification means that the structure respects five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. In short, obtaining LEED certification demonstrates that a building is truly ‘green’. In Italy, there is a similar type of national certification called ITACA that can be used to certify buildings that are both in project phase or finished and in use. This kind of certification is especially used in the certification of houses made of wood.

More about Vallco Shopping Mall in Silicon Valley, California, is an example of a dying shopping mall in the US. Half of the shops are empty and the food hall has been abandoned too. Demolition began in October 2018. However, there are plans for redevelopment to attract young professional people to new shops and restaurants. Luckily, though, after speaking to the local community, the developers plan to create something more eco-friendly, the world’s largest green roof, which will be open for people to use as a park. In this area, where traffic is a massive problem, the sustainable design also promises to create a place where people can walk or cycle and to improve public transport. www.revitalizevallco.com

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. 1 A construction is considered ‘green’ when it is eco-friendly and doesn’t upset the existing environment. 2 It costs more to run a building constructed according to green standards. 3 If buildings are constructed far apart, energy can be saved. 4 A grey building cannot obtain LEED certification. 5 In LEED certified buildings, the inside of the building is also designed according to strict specifications. 6 ITACA certification is only awarded to buildings once they have been completed.

34

T F

building in theory  / Bio-architecture vocabulary 3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the text.

1 sondaggio 2 regola 3 consumo 4 sostenibilità

___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________

5 certificazione 6 sviluppo 7 risparmi 8 efficienza

___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________

listening

4

1.08   PRELIMINARY   You will hear an expert talking about green buildings around the world. Complete the

texts with the missing information.

Panyaden School, Thailand •  A primary school built by Dutch architects. ‘Green’ characteristics include its (1) ____________ form, use of local materials •  and low carbon footprint. Special features include a low-hanging roof on columns of fast-growing, •  sustainable (2) ____________ and rammed earth flooring. Ospedale dell’Angelo, Italy A 40-year-long project for a general hospital completed by Italian architect •  Emilio Ambasz. ‘Green’ characteristics include a long entrance hall with a (3) ____________ •  garden that is visible from half of the patients’ rooms. Other features include lounges on every floor, containers full of plants outside •  the windows of patients’ rooms and green (4) ____________ on the laboratories, operating rooms, service facilities and car parks. Sony City, Japan Sony’s research and development department designed by architects from the •  firm Nikken Sekkei. ‘Green’ characteristics include solar panels on the part of the building facing •  south that generate heat and provide (5) ____________ as well. Other features include a cooling system made from an external layer of •  (6) ____________ tubes that fill with rainwater collected from the roof. The water cools the tubes and the air around them. Source – BBC Culture – ©BBC 2019

speaking

5

PRELIMINARY MEDIATING CONCEPTS   What are the advantages of green building? What disadvantages could

there be? Work in pairs and exchange your opinions.

exam practice – speaking

6

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a short presentation (3-5 minutes) about green building following these

guidelines. • • • • •

What is green building? What is it concerned with? Why is it different from traditional building? Do you think it could be a good solution for helping to preserve the environment? Do you know of any examples of green building in the area where you live? If you were an architect, would you choose green building? Why/Why not?

35

Module

2

ECO-LIVING

Warm up

1 Make a list of

all the different types of energy sources you encounter in your daily life. Then check if any of them involve the alternative energy source technologies described in the text.

collectors collettori blades pale core nucleo

Alternative energy sources Solar energy – Source: the sun. Technology: collectors used to capture solar energy. The most popular are plates, in which air or water are heated by sunlight and produce thermal energy. Instead, solar cells (photovoltaic cells) convert solar rays directly into electricity. Advantages: free, non-polluting and with enormous potential. Disadvantages: high installation costs and disposal problems connected to panel waste. Wind power – Source: the wind. Technology: it exploits the rotational energy of wind turbines made up of blades. Advantages: enormous potential and non-polluting. Disadvantages: planning permission can be difficult to obtain because of æsthetic concerns and land availability. Their position must not affect migrating birds and important wildlife habitats. Hydroelectric power – Source: falling or fast-flowing water. Technology: hydroelectric power stations convert falling or fast-flowing water into electricity. They can be found in rivers, waterfalls or artificial dams. Advantages: no greenhouse gas emissions; storage capacity of hydroelectric power plants makes it more economical than other renewable energy technologies. Disadvantages: environmental impact (e.g. damaged wildlife habitat, harmed water quality, obstructed fish migration). Geothermal energy – Source: internal heat from the Earth’s core. Technology: geothermal power plants pump hot water to the surface; the hot water turns into steam that makes a turbine connected to a generator spin, and produces electricity; the steam cools in a cooling tower and turns back into water, which is then pumped back into the Earth to start the process again. Advantages: environmentally friendly (geothermal plants can be partially built underground); a reliable source of energy not influenced by the weather. Disadvantages: in extreme cases, geothermal power plants can cause earthquakes; the exploration and drilling of new reservoirs is expensive.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text on pages 36-37 and answer the following questions. 1 What’s the difference between collectors and photovoltaic cells? 2 What is the main disadvantage of wind turbines? 3 Why is hydroelectric power cheaper than other renewable energy technologies?

36

4 What advantage does geothermal energy have over solar and wind energy? 5 What are the drawbacks of barrage systems and biofuels? 6 What process happens with fuel cells?

building in theory  / Bio-architecture Tidal power – Source: ocean tides. sluice gate paratoia, Technology: a tidal barrage power plant is made up of a barrage to hold back the water chiusa during high tide and a sluice gate that lets the water pass through the turbine and comply with attenersi a generator to make electrical energy. Advantages: lack of greenhouse gas emissions, efficient and 100% renewable. Barrage systems can protect coastal towns and ports from flooding. Tidal stream generators can generate power up to 20 hours a day. Disadvantages: barrage systems can disrupt ecosystems and injure marine wildlife, and they are expensive. Biofuels – Source: any fuel that is derived from biomass (plant material or animal waste such as woodchips, grass, crop residues, organic waste); there are three main types of biofuel: ethanol, biodiesel, and biojet fuel. Technology: ethanol is another word for alcohol made from fermented grains like corn, barley and wheat; biodiesel requires a chemical reaction, where fats are broken down in the presence of methanol; it can be made from soybeans, certain plants, palm, peanut and vegetable or algae oil and animal fat. Advantages: highly renewable, an efficient step in recycling, can be produced locally. Disadvantages: lower energy output than traditional fuels; exploitation of land normally used for farming. Fuel cells – Source: a fuel and an oxidant usually hydrogen and oxygen. Technology: chemical energy is converted into electrical energy. Advantages: suitable for transport and as a reliable source of on-site power for hospitals and schools; also ideal for portable devices like laptops. No air pollutants. Disadvantages: additional energy is needed to keep hydrogen at its liquid state until required; hydrogen fuel cell storage is still expensive and still not widely available.

listening

3

1.09 PRELIMINARY   Complete the text about top sustainable technologies in green construction with the missing words.

The aim of green technology in construction is to make buildings more energy-efficient and sustainable. This objective involves all aspects of the project (1) _______________ from the structure to choice of site, design, construction materials and the systems used to run and maintain the building. Here are some of the most popular sustainable technologies used in green construction nowadays. First of all, sustainable resource sourcing is fundamental. This guarantees the use of construction materials that are (2) _______________ and can be recycled, and that are obtained from sustainable sources. Rammed earth brick, for example, is an ancient building technique that has recently become popular again. Biodegradable materials are used for foundations, walls and insulation. Green construction also uses sustainable indoor environment technologies that guarantee the health and safety of the people living in the building. Sustainable construction technologies also aim to create buildings and houses with low-energy or zero-energy consumption. This starts with the choice of building materials like (3) _______________ rather than steel or concrete. It also involves the design of the building, like the positioning of windows and the building itself to maximise airflow and solar energy that provides heating and electricity. Electrochromic smart glass is another new technology that uses tiny electric signals to slightly charge the windows to change the amount of solar radiation they reflect in order to keep the building cool inside. Zero-energy construction is achieved when the building is able to generate sufficient power to support its own energy needs. In most cases, (4) ______________ power technology is used to reach this goal. Water efficiency technologies include the re-use and application of efficient water supply systems like dual (5) _______________, grey water re-use and the collection of (6) _______________.

speaking

4

PRELIMINARY MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of alternative

energy. Talk about:

• reduction of global warming; • impact on the environment (wildlife, landscape ...);

• costs of implementation and maintenance; • saving on energy costs.

37

Module

2

building in theory Warm up

1 What can you

do to cut down on gas and electricity bills in your house? Write a list.

has led to ha condotto grants sovvenzioni feasible praticabile maintenance manutenzione advantageous vantaggioso, conveniente

Alternative sources in residential construction Global interest in sustainable development has led to a wide use of renewable energy sources, which are becoming more efficient and less expensive. For these reasons, their use is encouraged by governments and incentives are given in the form of tax deductions, lower utility tariffs or grants. Many buildings use alternative sources to produce as much power as needed and sell back excess energy to the gas and electricity grid. As most renewable energy is not available 24 hours a day, if a house wants to be completely independent, batteries should be used to store energy for later use. Solar energy is the usual choice if you have a roof facing south or some land with good solar exposure for installing collectors or photovoltaic cells. Biofuels are widely used for heating, cooling or electricity. When feasible, wind turbines also perform well. Other types of renewable energy need sources which are not easy to find, or are too expensive. An important factor that should be considered is installation and maintenance costs that may be high. It is generally more advantageous to plan a house with low energy needs rather than adding a power system. Energy needs can be reduced with good building orientation and window positioning during planning as well as reducing heat loss with good insulation. A green lifestyle is fundamental: buying energy-efficient appliances and reducing energy consumption is as important as using alternative energy sources. Energy conservation, p. 134

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 2 3 4 5 6

38

Why are incentives offered by governments? What happens to the energy in excess produced by a building? When are batteries required? What types of renewable energy are generally used? What design decisions can contribute to low energy requirements? What behaviour can you adopt to reduce energy needs?

building in theory  / Bio-architecture vocabulary

3 Match these words from the text to their definitions. 1 to encourage 2 incentive 3 utility 4 grid 5 battery 6 solar exposure 7 installation 8 appliance

a b c d e f g h

a system of connected wires used to supply electrical power a device used to store energy to put something in place ready to use location with respect to sunlight a public service (water, electricity...) to promote something that motivates you to act in a particular way a device designed to perform specific tasks

listening

4

1.10

PRELIMINARY   Listen to an expert giving advice on how to save energy at home and complete the text

with the missing words.

UK families spend about £1,249 a year on heating and power, so it is important to know how you can save on gas and electricity bills. Here are a few suggestions. Save electricity by replacing old appliances with ones with a high energy-efficiency •  (1) ____________. In addition, avoid wasting power by switching unused devices off at the plug. Use plug (2) ____________ that can be turned on and off via your phone to make sure you switch unused appliances off. Reduce your gas (3) ____________ by upgrading gas appliances and installing a smart •  thermostat so you have better control over your gas-powered (4) ____________ heating, like only warming the rooms you use. Smart thermostats learn how long it takes to heat your home, so that when you come home it’s at a comfortable temperature and they can also be controlled by your (5) ____________. Avoid wasting water by washing your dishes in a (6) ____________ rather than leaving •  the tap running and try to be quicker when having a shower. Reduce your heating bills by installing double (7) ____________ that will also keep out •  noise. If you don't have double glazing, you can buy plastic lining for your windows to save energy and keep more heat in. Also make sure that no cold air from outside is getting into your house by using draught (8) ___________. Roof insulation can also stop heat escaping from your home. •

More about

Camden Passivhaus, London

The Passive House (Passivhaus) certification started in Germany, but it is quickly becoming a standard in many parts of the world. Passive House focuses on energy and ventilation in home design. The main objective of a passive house is to limit the need for energy and reduce the demand for its production. They are therefore designed with super-insulation and high performance windows. The building is airtight so ventilation is needed to keep the air fresh and healthy inside the house, and this is obtained using an energy recovery ventilation (ERV) system to exchange the interior air with fresh outside air. The Camden Passivhaus was the first certified Passivhaus in London. The prefabricated panelized system was built in Austria and installed on site in England.

CLIL – LAW

MEDIATING TEXTS

MEDIATING COMMUNICATION

Compare the differences between green policy and green laws in the UK and Italy. In particular, compare each country’s environmental laws which are applicable to construction companies. In pairs, one student examines the situation in the UK and the other student finds out about the situation in Italy. •  www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/policy-and-regulation.aspx •  www.ambientediritto.it

CLIL-LAW: Europe and the environment

39

Module

2

building in theory

Cohousing

Warm up

1 Have you ever

heard the word ‘cohousing’? What do you think it means? How would you translate it in Italian?

actual effettivo real estate immobiliare turnover ricambio retrofit riadattamento fences recinti gathering incontrarsi

Cohousing is a planned community made up of a number of families, each owning a house and having extra shared facilities in common (such as offices, recreational rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, laundry and childcare facilities). Unlike standard condominiums and master-planned subdivisions, this kind of community is designed by its own residents and common facilities are chosen according to the actual needs of those living in it, and not according to what can easily be sold by the real estate market. It is the residents who create, manage and own cohousing and their aim is to have economic, practical, social and environmental advantages. For this reason, turnover in cohousing developments is usually quite low.

More about The idea of cohousing is growing throughout Europe. Nordic countries were the first to adopt this idea, but Mediterranean countries like France, Spain and Italy have also begun to realise its advantages. Urban Village Bovisa was the first cohousing project to be built in Italy in 2010. A former factory is now home to thirty families, mostly young couples. A new cohousing project, Cohousing Chiaravalle, started in 2014 to transform a country house, just outside Milan and dating back to the 1600s, into 50 flats.

Even if there were already some examples of cohousing in New York in the 1920s, modern cohousing dates back to the 1960s. It was created by some Danish families who were not pleased with the communities they lived in and wanted a community that could meet their needs and requirements. Cohousing is different from other types of intentional communities because the people who are part of it do not have a shared economy or religion, they simply create a socially rich and interconnected community managed by a non-hierarchical structure that makes use of a consensual decision-making model.

Cohousing communities can be very different, as each is designed in its context. They can be rural, suburban or urban. They can be senior or multi-generational. They can be new-built (in some cases re-using existing structures) or ‘retrofit’ (in this case communities are built by removing fences that exist between bordering properties). Whatever the kind of cohousing community, they all share some common features. For example, shared green space can be used for different purposes (playing, gardening Urban Village Bovisa, Milan or gathering). If the cohousing community is newly planned, houses are grouped close to each other so as to leave more space for shared use. Another characteristic is that in these communities cars are usually kept as far as possible from the community, both for children’s safety when playing and to encourage interaction among neighbours. In short, cohousing is a completely new kind of philosophy that involves sharing with other people in order to save money and energy and reduce the overall impact of building on the environment. Today a great number of cohousing communities exist, especially in Northern European countries, in North America and Australia. www.coabitare.org

40

•  A cohousing project in the UK •  A cohousing project in the USA

building in theory  / Bio-architecture reading comprehension

2 Read the text and choose the correct option.

More about

1 Turnover in cohousing developments is usually quite... A common. B high. C low. 2 Cohousing is a ... community made up of a number of families. A planned B religious C financial 3 ... cohousing dates back to the 1960s. A Modern B Danish

C Model

4 It was created by some Danish ... who wanted a community to meet their needs and requirements. A families B groups C neighbours 5 Cohousing communities can be senior or multi-... A  tasking. B purpose. C generational. 6 In these communities ... are usually kept as far as possible from the community. A children B cars C  elderly people

Cohousing in England The first cohousing development, called Copper Lane, was built in London in 2014. It consists of six houses and the occupants include seven adults and six children. They bought a piece of land and hired architects and a building contractor to make their project a reality. The development has shared open spaces, a laundry and a communal room for parties, music and games that are collectively managed and maintained. The total construction cost £1.8m.

3 Now answer the following questions. 1 Can you explain what cohousing is? 2 Can you name some shared common facilities? 3 What is the main difference between cohousing and standard condominiums and master-planned subdivisions? 4 When does this type of community date back to? 5 Why is cohousing different from other types of intentional communities? 6 Why can cohousing communities be very different? 7 What can shared green spaces be used for? 8 How is cohousing a completely new kind of philosophy? 9 Where can you find cohousing communities nowadays?

listening

4

1.11

PRELIMINARY   Listen to Janice Kennedy talking about her life in a cohousing community and decide if

the statements below are true (T) or false (F).

1 She has lived at Puget Ridge since 1994. 2 Two years ago she found out she had breast cancer. 3 Her neighbours told her they would help her do the things she couldn't do because of her illness. 4 Living in a cohousing community is not very different from living in a traditional city. 5 People in cohousing communities are really pleased to help you. 6 Once every week they have community meetings. 7 The philosophy of the people who have chosen to live here is to do what is best for them.

T F

speaking

5

MEDIATING TEXTS   Would you like to join a cohousing community? Write a list of advantages and disadvantages

of cohousing from your point of view. Then present your ideas to the class.

writing – internet research

6

ONLINE INTERACTION   Connect to the Internet and go to www.cohousing.org.uk. Then write an email to an

English friend summarising the information you have found.

41

Module

2 building vocabulary 1 RENEWABLE ENERGY Write the words from the box under the photos. solar energy  −  wind power  −  hydroelectric power  −  geothermal energy  −  tidal power  − biofuels

1 ___________________________

2 ___________________________

3 ___________________________

4 ___________________________

5 ___________________________

6 ___________________________

2 ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES Match the photos to the words below. Then write the type of energy they can produce.

1 river 2 ocean 3 wind 4 crop residues

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________

5 grass 6 woodchips 7 organic waste 8 hot spring

______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________

3 Match the words to their synonyms.

42

1 aim 2 impact

3 damage 4 unhealthy

5 reduction 6 consumption

7 expertise 8 protection

a b

c d

e f

g h

harm  defence

use  harmful

skill  effect

decline  purpose

building vocabulary  / Bio-architecture 4 Complete the table below with the missing words. Noun

Verb

Noun

Verb

(1) damage

damage

(7) ____________________

protect

(2) ____________________

produce

contribution

(8) ___________________

(3) ____________________

pollute

interaction

(9) ___________________

increase

(4) ___________________

reduction

(10) ___________________

(5) ____________________

perform

creation

(11) ___________________

(6) ____________________

insulate

improvement

(12) ___________________

5 Explain in your own words the meaning of the following terms and expressions. 1 non-renewable 2 sustainable 3 thermal insulation 4 toxic 5 foundations

____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

6 insulation 7 glue 8 biodegradable 9 recyclable 10 varnish

____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

6 Match the collocations. 1 electrical   2  electronic  3  building  4  dual  5  carbon  6  wind  7  solar a

fields  b

cells  c

devices  d

footprint  e

turbines  f

plumbing  g

site

7 Read and complete the text about sustainability with the words from the box. ecosystems  − biodiversity − impact − preserving − minimise − environment −  sustainable  − sustainability − healthy

The etymology of the word ‘sustainable’ incorporates Latin words meaning to hold up from below. Most dictionaries define (1) ___________ as the ability to continue an action without the risk of failure or collapse. For example, clear cutting is not (2) ___________, because it strips an area of trees which cannot be replaced, and exposes the (3) ___________ to additional repercussions, because the ground is exposed. In environmental terms, sustainability implies that an action can be continued indefinitely with little, or manageable (4) ___________ on the environment. Sustainability aims to balance the needs of human societies with the needs of the environment, (5) ___________ it both for all creatures on Earth to make use of and enjoy. Sustainability promotes (6) ___________, the preservation of unique (7) ___________, the health of the environment, and a high quality of life. The human race needs to work together to promote sustainability and (8) ___________ its impact on the globe if it wants to continue existing. Sustainability is important from your neighbourhood to international level, and every citizen on Earth can contribute to the global effort to live more sustainable, (9) ___________ lives.

ACTIVE GLOSSARY 8

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write the English equivalent of the following words.

1 acqua piovana 2 manutenzione 3 smaltimento 4 umidità 5 messa a terra

____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

6 pavimentazione 7 ombra 8 acque grigie 9 diga 10 biomassa

____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

43

Module

2 focus on invalsi

The

Clichy-Batignolles

DEVELOPMENT

The Clichy-Batignolles eco-village is a massive redevelopment project in Paris that was started in 2002 and should be completed by 2020. This is part of a climate action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions even more than the objectives outlined by the European Union. The site surrounds the 25 acre Martin Luther King park, whose plants and trees help lower the air temperature when it is hot in summer. Clichy-Batignolles used to be a train yard. Now it is being turned into an urban park with energy-efficient constructions that will become homes for 7,500 people and will create jobs for over 12,000 people. Everything has been done to maximise building efficiency and minimise resources and it is an example that other cities will be able to follow to achieve a low-carbon future. The planning stage of the project took years and involved architects, urban design experts, government officials and environmental engineers who worked together to make Clichy-Batignolles ‘a model for sustainable urban development’ by using as many of the best contemporary green design techniques as possible in innovative ways. Its modern architecture is in sharp contrast with the historic architecture of Paris. Since one of the main goals is to keep building emissions as low as possible, while maximising the space available, the developers obtained permission to build over the normal height regulation limit in Paris of 120 feet. Indeed, on completion, 10 buildings will be 160 feet high, while the new Palace of Justice designed by architect Renzo Piano will be 520 feet high. The developers of this project must respect the extremely strict limits set by ‘Passivhaus Building Standards’ with regard to energy consumption. Therefore, all constructions make full use of insulation, have high-performance window glazing, and their positioning takes full advantage of the sun’s

44

natural heat and light. Solar panels have been installed on roofs and façades to provide electricity and the project incorporates a geothermal heating system too. Some buildings even use outgoing grey water (hot water from sinks and washing machines) to heat incoming tap water. Apart from saving energy, many of these features offer other benefits, like the green roofs that not only provide insulation but also garden space for residents and habitats for wildlife. Good air quality is maintained through the layout of the development that has limited car space to encourage people to walk or use public transport. Roadways cover only 12% of the total surface area and electric cars deliver goods that are left at a central drop-off site. Clichy-Batignolles also keeps its climate impact to a minimum with a system of pneumatic tubes under the development that collects rubbish and recyclable materials, cutting waste disposal costs by about 42%. Source: www.greenbiz.com

focus on invalsi  / Bio-architecture reading

1

INVALSI   Read the text about the Clichy-Batignolles eco-village in Paris, then answer the questions (1-9) using a

maximum of 4 words. Write your answers in the spaces provided. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0

When was the Clichy-Batignolles eco village started?

1

What does this climate action plan want to reduce?

2

6

What did this site use to be? Who worked on this project with architects, government officials and environmental engineers? How does its style contrast with the historic architecture of Paris? What have they been allowed to do as opposed to normal construction regulations for Paris? What kind of limits does ‘Passivhaus Building Standards’ impose?

7

What does the sun provide the buildings with?

8

What features provide residents with garden space?

9

What is under the development to collect rubbish and recyclable materials?

3 4 5

In 2002.

listening

2

1.12 INVALSI   Listen to an interview with an expert talking about BedZED. First you will have one minute

to study the task below, then you will hear the recording twice. While listening, choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for questions 1-7. Only one answer is correct. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0 BedZED is... A recyclable bedroom furniture. B ✔ a sustainable community. C an innovative double bed design. D the UK’s smallest community of its kind. 1 BedZED... A helps cut down on energy expenses. B is not a good place for making friends. C has seen a fall in the value of its houses. D provides limited green areas. 2 The project includes... A 2002 homes. B 100 offices. C the headquarters of the speaker’s company. D a secondary school. 3 The project... A started in 1996. B was run by Sutton Borough Council. C took place in a ‘green’ office. D involved architects and engineers. 4 BedZED... A wanted to increase water use. B needed no help with sustainability strategies. C wanted people to have a ‘greener’ lifestyle. D would not accept residents who drove cars.

5 Bioregional... A criticised the design team. B gave the design team advice. C argued with the design team. D ignored the design team’s needs. 6 Bioregional... A suggested how to reduce transport costs. B chose the construction materials themselves. C suggested where to find building materials. D advised against renewable energy solutions. 7 BedZED... A was completed in 2002. B is not very well known. C attracts visitors from the UK only. D did not achieve all that was planned.

45

Module

2 revision map your knowledge

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about SUSTAINABLE DESIGN with the expressions from the box. indoor environmental qualities  −  reduction of energy consumption  −  reduction of water consumption and protection of water quality

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN 1  ___________________ good insulation of walls, floors, ceilings high-efficiency windows

3  ___________________ control of moisture accumulation good ventilation systems

use of natural light use of renewable energy

good choice of flooring

use of eco-materials timber 2  ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________

dual plumbing

2

low-flow shower heads

brick stone cork natural paints and varnishes

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES with the expressions from the box. biofuels  −  geothermal energy  −  hydroelectric power  −  tidal power  − solar energy  −  wind power

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES 1  __________________

sun rays

2  __________________

wind

3  __________________

falling/fast-flowing water

4  __________________

heat from the Earth’s core

5  __________________

ocean tides

6  __________________

biomass

woodchips grass crop residues organic waste

46

revision  / Bio-architecture revise your knowledge

3 Choose the correct option (A, B or C). 1 Grounding deals with the balancing of... A electrical fields. B minerals in soil. C foundations. 2 To maintain air quality, bioarchitecture takes advantage of... A air-conditioning. B draughts. C natural air flow.

3 Timber is used for... A insulation. B finishes. C structures. 4 The pre-building phase of a project includes... A recycling of materials. B sourcing raw materials. C assembly of materials.

5 Solar energy... A is more expensive now than before. B has problems with storage. C produces thermal energy and electricity. 6 In cohousing, ... A families share facilities. B families share their cars. C families share a house.

revise vocabulary

4 Complete the text with the words from the box. countries  − targets − emissions − worldwide − building − climate − warming − energy

The (1) _______________ sector has a lot to blame for toxic global (2) _______________. In order to keep global (3) _______________ below 2 °C, as agreed by all (4) _______________ present at the last summit meeting on (5) _______________ change, building emissions need to be drastically reduced. The World Building Council report stated that less than one percent of all buildings (6) _______________ can be considered ‘net zero buildings’. This term refers to buildings that generate or supply the (7) _______________ they need to function. The report stated that to meet climate (8) _______________, all buildings will need to undergo changes to make them net zero carbon by 2050, and all new buildings should be working at net zero carbon by 2030.

reading comprehension

5 Read the text and answer the questions. ‘Green’ Office Buildings

Recent research has shown that people working in ‘green’ offices that have good air quality and ventilation perform better at their jobs. These findings could have a major impact on the future design of workspaces. It was found that many office workers nowadays suffer from headaches, feel mentally drained by the end of the day and arrive home exhausted. These symptoms could all be due to the carbon dioxide concentration in the room where they work. Many old office buildings in fact are characterised by poor air quality, ventilation and lighting. Therefore, ‘green’ design strategies that create a healthier indoor environment as well as being resource-efficient are considered a major step forward in solving these problems. A recent study, carried out over a six-day period, have shown that workers in a green building environment compared to those in a conventional building, performed much better in a variety of skills and tasks, including strategies to deal with problems. Another study, done over a longer period of time, showed that people working in green buildings slept better at night and had fewer problems with headaches, nausea and sore throats, therefore their general health improved. Source: www.theguardian.com

1 2 3 4 5 6

Why does a ‘green’ office help people work more efficiently? What causes people to have headaches? What kind of conditions are normally found in many old office buildings? Why is ‘green’ design considered a major step forward in solving these problems? What were the findings of the six-day study? What evidence was discovered in another study to show that people benefit health-wise from a ‘green’ working environment?

47

Module

2

revision writing

6 Complete the text about RENEWABLE ENERGY with the words from the box. plants  − thermal − renewable − storage − greenhouse − power − electricity

If the world is to completely eliminate (1)____________ gas emissions from the electricity sector, technologies including carbon capture and (2) ____________, hydrogen power and solar (3)____________ plants will compete to provide about 13,000 terawatt hours of generation by 2050, according to BNEF (Bloomberg New Energy Finance Ltd.). That’s equivalent to about half of all (4) ____________ produced today. Europe is taking the lead on the change to (5) ____________ energy sources which will supply 92% of the region’s electricity by 2050. China and India, which are still adding coal (6) ____________ to their grids, will both get almost two-thirds of their (7) ____________ from mostly solar and wind by then. Finally, the US will get just 43% of its power from renewables by 2050, according to BNEF.

7

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write a similar text about the main themes discussed in this module. Use the points below to

help you:

• sustainable architecture principles;  •  eco-materials and design;  •  alternative energy sources.

exam practice – speaking

8

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Look at the graph published by the research organisation BNEF (Bloomberg New

Energy Finance Ltd.) and discuss their findings about the transition from fossil fuels to other energy resources. Complete the sentences below to help you. 1 According to the research organisation, BNEF (Bloomberg New Energy Finance Ltd.), _______________ will come from renewable energy by 2050. 2 The move away _______________ will help to stop climate change. By 2050, _______________ will supply almost 50% of the world’s electricity. 3 Hydro, nuclear and other renewable energy resources __________________, according to BNEF. 4 It is __________________ its share of the power sector from 37% to 12% by 2050.

AUTHENTIC TASK

Power Shift

Wind, solar and other renewables will account for half of all power by 2050 Coal

Gas

Oil

Nuclear

Hydro

Renewables 100%

50%

2012

2020

2040

2050

MEDIATING CONCEPTS

our ‘green’ school 1 In small groups, revise the main concepts on page 32. 2 Gather information on your school building, with the help of your

Construction and Geo-pedology teachers.

3 Check the list of criteria in eco- and sustainable design and verify

if your school building complies with any, some or none of them.

4 Prepare a brief report, in Italian and in English, explaining which

of the above criteria have been respected, if any. Specify what needs to be done to make your school building ‘greener’ and more sustainable.

21ST-CENTURY LIFE SKILLS •  senso critico •  creatività

48

•  decision making •  comunicazione efficace

COMPETENZE CHIAVE •  competenza multilinguistica •  competenza digitale competenza personale, sociale e capacità di •  imparare a imparare

0

Module

3

BUILDING MATERIALS

OBJECTIVES BUILDING in THEORY

ON-SITE VIDEO ∞ Green building materials

∞

Natural materials ∞ Man-made materials ∞ Eco-friendly materials

BUILDING VOCABULARY ∞

Building materials

FOCUS on INVALSI ∞

Building with ecobricks ∞ An ecobrick project in South Africa

REVISION

Watch the video on green building materials. What do you think this module is about? What ‘green’ materials do you already know?

∞

Building materials AUTHENTIC TASK: A building material form 49

Module

3

NATURAL MATERIALS

Unicredit Pavilion, Piazza Gae Aulenti, Milan

Warm up

1 In pairs,

make a list of the building materials you know.

fabric tessuto mud fango clay argilla thatch paglia concrete calcestruzzo mortar malta slipformed stone tecnica della matrice a colata masonry muratura forms armature poured fatto colare rebar tondino spiralato Nanomaterials are characterised by their tiny size, measured in nanometres (1Â nanometre is a billionth of a metre). They provide the construction industry with many new solutions. Smart construction materials adapt to changes in their condition or the environment that surrounds them.

50

Building materials are normally divided into two main groups, natural materials and man-made materials. Natural materials include: fabric, mud and clay, thatch, stone/rock and wood/timber. Man-made materials include: bricks and blocks, cement and concrete, metals, glass, plastics, new nanomaterials* and smart construction materials*. Natural materials have been used since ancient times and are unprocessed or minimally processed, while man-made materials are manufactured. Let’s take a closer look at some of the natural materials used in the construction industry. Nano and smart materials, pp. 58-59

Stone The first stone walls were called dry-stone walls as the stones had nothing between them to hold them together and relied only on gravity to stay upright. In Ireland and northeastern UK countries, farmers used dry-stone walls as fences. Then mortar made of cement began to be used to hold the stones together and these are known as mortared stone walls.

Slipformed stone The most commonly used system of stone masonry is slipformed stone, in which short forms are placed on both sides of the wall and stones are placed inside them with the good faces against the form work. Then concrete is poured in behind the rocks and rebar is added to make it stronger. Slipforming combines stone masonry and concrete work to form a wall that shares the attributes of both. The walls have the beauty and strength of stone with the reinforcement of concrete and steel. The final product is long-lasting, low maintenance, and virtually weather-resistant and fireproof. Mortar and concrete, p. 55

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts on these pages and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones.

1 Mortared stone walls were built with cement to bind stones together. 2 In slipformed stone masonry, short forms are placed on both sides of the wall. 3 Stones are placed inside the forms with the good faces against the form work. 4 Concrete is poured in behind the wall. 5 The colour of granite varies according to its components. 6 Surface finishes are usually applied to granite. 7 A key characteristic of granite is holes. 8 In the Roman period, Tivoli was the main importer of travertine.

T F

building in theory  / Building Materials Granite Granite is one of the most commonly used building stones. It ranges in colour from black to greys, browns, reds, pinks and yellows, depending on its composition. For example, a brown-reddish colour is due to the presence of iron. It is very hard and heavy and is not porous. This is why it was also used for foundations but, due to its aesthetic characteristics, it is mainly used for flooring as well as internal and external wall cladding. It is usually polished, which simplifies maintenance.

Aberdeen, Scotland, also known as ‘The Granite City’

Travertine The name travertine comes from the Latin Lapis Tiburtinus, from the name Tivoli, a town not far from Rome. Although other quarries existed in Italy and Europe, the travertine from Tivoli was the most important as it provided building materials during the Roman Empire and it is considered the type locality* of travertine. Travertine has been famous and largely exported since before Roman times, used for city walls and doors, castles, churches and other works of art. During the Renaissance, artists like Bernini and Michelangelo used it for their works. It is hard even if containing many cavities left by plant fragments, which contributed to the formation of the stone and then disappeared. It is used for flooring, wall cladding, in public places and private buildings and, due to its natural appearance, it is also suitable for garden decorations. The Colosseum, Rome, the largest known building made mostly of travertine

ranges varia cladding rivestimento polished lucidato quarries cave cavities cavità

The type locality is the place where a rock best exemplifies its description; it is often the location where the rock was first found. Type localities are internationally recognised, and they are usually related to the name given to the mineral. Monzonite, for example, is a rock type which takes its name from the Monzoni Mountains, in the Dolomites, where it was first discovered. Monzoni Mountains

vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Match these words from the texts with their definitions.

1 fence 2 slipformed stone 3 masonry 4 rebar 5 cladding 6 cavities

a b c d e f

a reinforcing bar made of steel rod and ridges bricks and stones stuck together with cement the most commonly used method of stone masonry hollow spaces material used to cover and protect a surface a barrier around an area of ground

writing

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write a short summary (about 100 words) of what you know about stone following these

guidelines:

• types of stone;    •  characteristics of the various types;    •  their uses.

51

Module

3

building in theory Warm up

1 What kind of

natural building materials are there in your home? What kind of natural materials do you think are used in constructions in hot climates and cold climates?

timber frames cornici/ intelaiature di legno rot marcire ants formiche sound waves onde sonore warehouses depositi

Timber Timber is wood that has been prepared for use in building. Timber frames are often used in the construction of houses and low buildings. However, there are advantages and disadvantages to consider before choosing timber framing.

Advantages

Disadvantages

eco-friendly if wood is sourced from sustainable forests*

absorbs a lot of water → it can rot easily

simple, elegant design that is practical and adaptable

very flammable → fire hazard

versatile, can be covered with stone or brick

ants and termites can eat wood framing, thus affecting the strength of construction

energy-efficient, suitable for urban and rural areas

cutting down trees can lead to soil erosion and destruction of wildlife habitats

cheaper than other materials

excellent transmitter of sound waves → indoor or outdoor noise is easily heard

Fabric

Over 44,000 years ago, during the Ice Age, people in Siberia built simple shelters with animal skins on a frame of sticks, and these were probably the first ‘homes’ built by man. Then the first fabric structure, the black tent, used by nomads, became popular Sustainable forests all over the world in the 8th century during the Arab conquests. Examples of natural are forests that have fabrics are cotton, wool and silk. During the 19th and 20th centuries, progress in structural a continuous growth engineering opened up new opportunities for architects to use fabric in their projects, in cycle of trees. They are carefully managed so particular tensile fabric structures. These are composed of a metal framework covered that as trees are cut by a fabric membrane that is pulled tightly or ‘tensioned’ over the top of it. The fabric down, new seedlings used in these kinds of structures is usually coated and laminated with synthetic materials are planted. Sustainable to increase its strength and durability. Tensile structures can be used for many purposes forestry ensures the like sports facilities, exhibition venues, warehouses and aircraft hangars. Tensile fabric safety of wildlife and structures have many advantages over buildings made with traditional materials. Fewer preserves the natural materials are needed in tensile fabric structures that automatically saves time, energy environment. and money. In addition, fabric membrane roofs let in natural light, which saves on electricity during the day. These buildings also require low maintenance so overall they can be considered a sustainable More about choice. Today timber structures are often clad in manufactured panels, such as Structural Insulating Panels (SIPs). They are made up of two Thatch is made of different types of plant material like straw, rigid wooden-based composite water reeds or palm leaves, depending on which part of the materials with a foamed insulating world you live in. It is usually used to roof houses but in some material inside. This method is used countries near the Equator, thatch is also used for walls. Thatch because these structures are easier is also a good form of insulation. Thatched roofs used to be very to build and they provide more efficient heat insulation. However, popular in the UK as it was the only material available, but with the timber can only be seen from industrialisation and better transport facilities, new materials the inside of the building. With this soon began to replace thatch. However, in the last 30 years, method fewer bracing members, thatched roofs have become popular again in the UK as people joists and rafters are used and the are showing more interest in sustainable materials. timber frame is also stronger.

Thatch

Thatching, p. 105

52

building in theory  /  Building Materials

Mud and clay Clay has been used in construction worldwide for thousands of years. This finely-grained rock or soil material is usually baked into bricks or roof tiles. It can be considered sustainable as it can be easily extracted from the ground and processed. By adding water to clay, we obtain mud, which can then be shaped, for example, into bricks. Clay can also be made stronger by adding straw, sand or other materials. Clay provides good thermal insulation and thermal mass, is very strong and fire-resistant. It is also an important component in composite materials like rammed earth, clay mortar and ceramics. Some mud buildings can last for thousands of years, like the ones in Taos Pueblo in New Mexico, and the Djinguereber Mosque in Timbuktu situated in Mali, West Africa.

Ancient church, Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

Natural architecture

roof tiles tegole rammmed earth terra battuta

reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the texts on pages 52 and 53 and complete the sentences below.

1 Houses and ______________________ are often constructed using timber frames. 2 In order for timber to be considered eco-friendly, the wood must come from ______________________. 3 The ______________________ of a timber construction can be weakened by the presence of ants and termites. 4 The ______________________ of timber makes it both practical and suitable for many situations. 5 Noisy neighbours may be a problem because timber is an excellent transmitter of ______________________. 6 Timber isn’t as ______________________ as other materials. 7 Tensile fabric structures are made up of a metal ______________________ and a fabric ______________________. 8 Tensile fabric structures consume less ______________________ because natural light can enter through the roof. 9 ______________________ and sometimes walls are made of thatch. 10 Thatch has become more popular recently because it is a ______________________ material. 11 Mud is made up of ______________________ and ______________________. 12 Clay can be strengthened by adding ______________________, ______________________, or other materials.

vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Match the English words to the Italian translation.

1 water reed 2 roof tile 3 strength 4 straw 5 fabric 6 tightly 7 warehouse 8 noise

a b c d e f g h

forza  rumore  tessuto  strettamente   magazzino  tegola  paglia   canna d’acqua

speaking

4

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   In pairs, tick (✓) which part of a house can be built in wood. Discuss your opinions.

a b c

floors  roofs  ceilings

d e f

stairs  walls  foundations

53

Module

3

MAN-MADE MATERIALS

Warm up

Bricks and concrete blocks

The most common type of masonry is brick that is used to build many things such as walls, retaining walls and monuments. This material has been used for centuries as it has are bricks and many advantages. First, it is strong, low-cost, made of accessible raw materials, is insectconcrete blocks? proof and lasts a long time. Due to their size and shape, bricks are also easy to use and Read the text are heat resistant. In addition, bricks have a lot of thermal mass that helps them to retain to check your their heat. Like stone, bricks provide increased comfort in the heat of the summer and ideas. the cold of the winter. However, in extreme weather like frost, the surface of some kinds of bricks can be damaged. Another disadvantage of using brick is that masonry must be sealing sigillatura built on firm foundations to prevent settling and cracking and like any heavy material, spalling scheggiature increased structural requirements may be necessary especially in seismic zones. settling assestamenti Concrete blocks or Concrete Masonry Units (CMU) are also used to build walls. Like cracking cedimenti bricks, they are stacked and joined together with mortar, but they do not require the same amount of skill needed in brick masonry and they are heavier than bricks. More about The blocks are hollow inside to allow for steel bars and mortar filling, that make Masonry is the name of the technique them stronger than normal brick walls. They are usually made of a mixture of building with stones, clay, brick or of powdered Portland cement, water, sand and gravel. Unlike bricks, concrete concrete blocks. The most ancient blocks are not usually damaged by extreme weather conditions. Since they do examples of masonry are found in not look as attractive as brick, they are usually used to construct factory walls, prehistoric sites and in Egypt, where garages and industrial buildings. However recently, designers have started to this type of construction reached an appreciate the visual impact of concrete and are transforming this structural unmatched level with the Pyramids. element into an artistic feature of the building.

1 In pairs. What

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). 1 The most frequently-used type of masonry is brick. 2 Bricks and concrete blocks are very expensive. 3 Mortar is used only with brick. 4 Bricklaying requires more skill than working with concrete blocks. 5 Bricks are not as heavy as concrete blocks. 6 Bricks are more suitable for the construction of industrial buildings.

vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Match these words from the text with their definitions.

1 brick 2 raw materials 3 concrete block 4 mortar

54

a b c d

a building material made of cement, water, sand and gravel it is used to hold bricks or concrete blocks together a reddish-brown rectangular block used in construction the basic materials from which a product is made

T F

building in theory  / Building Materials

Cement Cement is a binding element, a grey powder which becomes hard after being mixed with water and allowed to dry. It can be formed using several materials: the first cements were made using burnt gypsum or lime. Ancient Romans used lime and volcanic rock (pozzolana). The most common modern cement is Portland cement (made of clinker mixed with small amounts of other materials) used for its strength and fast drying time. Cement is used to join bricks together, and to make concrete, mortar and grout.

Mortar and concrete Mortar is used to hold building materials like brick or stone together. It is made up of a thick mixture of water, sand and cement. Due to its thickness, mortar acts like a glue for sticking materials like brick together. Brick and block are both strong materials, but their strength in a wall depends on the type and quality of mortar that is used to bind them together. High-cement mortars can withstand up to 2,500 psi (pounds per square inch), while mortars with a high lime content are weaker, and may be able to withstand only about 350 psi. However, mortar must be replaced every 25-50 years, which doesn’t make it very practical for structural projects. Concrete is a building material made by mixing sand, cement and water, with the addition of small rocks or gravel that make it stronger and longer-lasting than mortar. To make it even more resistant, steel reinforced bars can be added to make reinforced concrete. Most stone walls today are made using this method because it is fast and cheap. It is also used to support structures, such as beams or other building foundations, but unlike mortar, it is not a good bonding element because the mixture is much thinner than mortar as it contains less water.

powder polvere gypsum gesso lime calce clinker residuo incombusto grout malta liquida, intonaco gravel ghiaia

The ‘Feltrinelli Foundation’ building by Herzog and de Meuron in Milan

reading comprehension

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the texts and find the following information.

1 2 3 4 5 6

the raw materials used for producing cement in history the most common type of cement and its ingredients a thick mixture of water, sand and cement two elements that determine the strength of mortar the raw materials used for making concrete the difference between concrete and reinforced concrete

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

vocabulary

2 Complete the sentences with the words from the box. cement  − gravel − clinker − powder − bricks − bars

1 Cement is a grey _______________. 2 Portland cement is made of _______________ and other materials. 3 _______________ are joined together using cement. 4 Strong mortars have more _______________ than lime. 5 Sand, _______________ and other materials are mixed with cement and water to make concrete. 6 Reinforced _______________ make concrete more resistant.

writing

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write a definition for each of the following materials. cement  −  Portland cement  − mortar − concrete −  reinforced concrete

55

Module

3

building in theory alloy lega endurance resistenza strength-to-weight ratio rapporto forzapeso span coprire (una distanza) customising realizzare su misura stainless inox entails implica

More about AESS (Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel) is steel that is left visible and becomes an architectural feature of the design of a building. For this reason, more attention and care is needed in handling AESS than normal structural steel, which makes construction costs higher. It is very popular in the design of air terminals and stations.

Metals: steel and aluminium Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon; the quantity of iron contained determines whether the alloy is hard or soft. Steel can be used both for exterior as well as internal infrastructures and its hard and resistant qualities enhance the durability, stability and safety of a building. Compared to conventional concrete buildings, steel buildings offer a longer lifetime and more endurance, so they cause less harm to the environment. Steel buildings are usually pre-fabricated or made in sections, and parts are assembled on the construction site (pre-engineered). This means that labour costs are lower, so steel buildings are cheaper than conventional ones. Lloyds of London Building Steel is a popular material in design as its flexibility means it can be made into different forms and shapes. Steel also has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of all building materials. This means it is easy and cheap to span large distances elegantly and without the need of any supports like columns. It is therefore ideal for subdividing and customising office and warehouse space. Stainless steel also offers some advantages. It has good fire resistance and does not corrode easily. It is also attractive and easy to keep clean, but it is expensive to produce, which is a major disadvantage. Aluminium is a light, highly resistant material, which makes it suitable for modern structural elements. The first important use of aluminium in the construction field was with the Empire State Building, in New York. Since then, it has been highly appreciated for its durability and versatility. It is recognised as a sustainable material, because it needs low maintenance thanks to its excellent resistance to corrosion. However, the production of aluminium entails high energy costs and its availability in most developing countries is limited. These disadvantages are partially balanced by the possibility of it being recycled and reused. The Empire State Building, p. 256

reading comprehension

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the sentences with words from the text.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Steel can be used both for the exterior and the interior ___________ of a building. Steel has a longer ___________ compared to conventional concrete buildings. In a steel building the cost of ___________ is usually lower. By eliminating ___________, it is easier to subdivide and customise office and warehouse space. A disadvantage of aluminium is its ___________ availability in developing countries. It is possible to use ___________ aluminium for new building elements.

vocabulary

2 Write the words from the box next to their definitions. corrosion  − flexibility − alloy − versatility − maintenance − customise

1 2 3 4 5 6

56

a composite metal made by mixing other metals together the work needed to keep a building in good condition when a metal becomes reddish brown because of air and water to change the appearance or characteristics of something according to someone’s taste or needs able to be used for many different purposes being bent easily without breaking

_____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________

building in theory  /  Building Materials

Glass Transparent buildings and structures are very popular in contemporary architecture. Structural glass components such as columns and beams are often required, but this material seems structurally unsafe because of its brittleness. For this reason, a new construction technique has been developed using: very long overlapping glass segments to create glass beams •  that are made by bonding the segments adhesively; a small stainless steel profile that has been added to the •  layout of the glass beam to reinforce it.

overlapping in sovrapposizione sealant sigillante unitised composti di unità singole

Curtain walls Curtain walls are special types of walls composed of a frame filled with different materials (glass, metal or stone). They do not bear the roof or floor loads, as they are attached to the structure of the building. They simply serve to protect from the weather, intrusion and to separate internal and external space. Largely used in commercial buildings, glass curtain walls are also suitable for private homes, where they are used in living areas, kitchens and, when privacy is not a problem, in bedrooms and bathrooms as well. The natural combination is with modern design as glass and metals are two elements which evoke contemporary style. One major disadvantage is that they require regular maintenance to replace protective sealant against water and wind penetration to keep out moisture and wind. Moreover, they cost more and take longer to install. Unitised curtain walls, composed of preassembled components, are preferred for bigger spaces; they reduce the cost of installation but require a large space for storage.

More about Reggio Emilia railway station Mediopadana is the new railway station for high speed trains. It is distinguished by its futuristic structure designed by Santiago Calatrava, and is made of steel, concrete and glass.

Murano, art of glass

reading comprehension

1 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 2 3 4

What are the main disadvantages of glass? What can we do to overcome these disadvantages? What are curtain walls? What is the main difference between conventional walls and curtain walls?

5 6 7 8

What type of buildings are they mainly used for? What are their disadvantages? What are unitised curtain walls composed of? In which way are they more convenient?

vocabulary

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the texts.

1 pericoloso 2 fragilità 3 intelaiatura

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________

4 carichi 5 adatti 6 preassemblato

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________

writing – internet research

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Choose a famous building built in glass and metal. Do some research on the Internet and write a paragraph (about 100 words) with the information you have found.

57

Module

3

Plastic blue covering of the Kunsthaus in Graz

building in theory Warm up

1 Make a list of

the building materials that were used to build your house. Which parts are made of plastic?

shaped modellata pipes tubi drain waste scaricare i rifiuti wiring impianto

More about •  The word ‘plastic’ comes from the Latin word plasticus and the Greek word plastikos, both meaning ‘able to be moulded or shaped’. •  A man called Alexander Parkes developed the idea of the first plastic in 1855. •  Plastic needs about 450 years just to start decomposing.

Plastics Plastic materials are very versatile and are used widely in the building industry. Depending on their properties, plastics can be divided in two groups: thermosoftening plastic – becomes soft when heated so •  it can be shaped when hot. As it cools, it gets hard again. This process of heating and cooling can be repeated for reshaping so it is easy to recycle. thermosetting plastic – can be shaped like thermosoftening plastic, but once hardened •  it cannot be reshaped, so it is a resistant material. Plastic has both advantages and disadvantages and is used for many purposes in the construction industry, as you can see in the table below.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Uses

lightweight and easy to transport

direct sunlight can weaken strength

wall covering

water resistant

not suitable for load-bearing applications

roofing insulation

durable and strong (does flammable unless treated not rot or corrode)

flooring

economical and recyclable

thermoplastics soften at moderate temperatures

windows and door frames in PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – two types available, rigid and non-rigid

versatile for different designs

not all plastics are biodegradable so can cause pollution

pipes in PVC to drain waste, for natural gas distribution, rainwater, electrical and communications wiring

plastic foams provide good insulation

flammable, releases poisonous thermal insulation, panels for gas after combustion buildings Mater-Bi™, the bioplastic revolution

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 What is the difference between thermosoftening and thermosetting plastic? 2 Why is plastic suitable for window and door frames?

3 What does PVC stand for? 4 What types of PVC are available on the market? 5 What are PVC pipes suitable for?

listening

3

1.13   Listen to a journalist interviewing Mr Luke Evans of Newlight Technology, a Californian company, which

makes plastic. Then decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F).

1 Newlight Technology has found a way to make low-cost plastic. 2 They have found a way to make plastic out of fossil fuels such as oil. 3 The company has been selling their new product for 11 years. 4 They are the first who figured out how to produce plastic from greenhouse gases. 5 The process consists of taking carbon emissions and transforming them into ‘air carbon’. 6 Their plastics are used to make chairs, cell phone cases, soap dishes and plastic bags. 7 They are optimistic about the future of their business because their products are in high demand from companies and governments all around the world.

58

T F

building in theory  /  Building Materials

Nanomaterials Nanotechnology, or ‘Nanotech’, is the study and manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. At the nanometre scale (approximately 100,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair), the chemical and physical properties of materials can be altered to produce improved traditional building materials. However, it is important to consider health and environmental issues associated with these new materials as there is the danger that mass production of nanomaterials could produce new toxins and pollutants. Here below some advantages and uses are described. Insulation: aerogel is an excellent new insulating nanomaterial full of air; heat loss can also be reduced drastically by using aerogel between windowpanes. Longer lasting concrete: carbon nanotubes can be used to fill the spaces that normally form in concrete and cause cracks. Paints: adding nanoparticles of silver to paints reduces the formation of mould and bacteria. Nanophotonic material: this cools a building by radiating heat back into space as infrared radiation.

Smart construction materials These materials have a unique active property that allows them to respond to changes in their condition or the environment that surrounds them. These changes in smart materials can occur due to alterations in mechanical strain, electrical or magnetic fields, temperature, moisture, pH and light. They can therefore be used in many effective ways in the construction industry, as described below. Smart concrete: composed of carbon fibres and concrete, it can detect minute cracks in the structure and is stronger than traditional concrete. It is also used to make roads and runways at airports. Smart buildings: smart materials are used to control vibration, to keep out noise and make the building safer and more energy efficient. Seismic zones: smart materials reduce the effects of earthquakes so they are ideal for seismic zones. Identification of problems: fiber-optic sensors monitor the condition of the structure.

windowpanes vetri mould muffa mechanical strain deformazione meccanica

More about When smart concrete is used to make roads and runways, a low voltage current is passed through it that melts ice and snow.

reading comprehension

1 Read the texts and complete the sentences below. 1 Better building materials are obtained by changing the properties of materials through ____________. 2 Wide scale manufacture of nanomaterials might result in new forms of ___________. 3 The high quantity of ____________ in aerogel makes it and excellent form of insulation. 4 The ____________ of concrete is improved with the addition of carbon nanotubes. 5 Smart materials are responsive materials that ____________ to external stimulations. 6 Buildings constructed with smart materials consume less ____________ and have a quieter internal environment.

vocabulary

2 Match the verbs that mean the same. 1 to change

2 to monitor

3 to prevent

4 to radiate

5 to occur

6 to detect

a

b

c

d

e

f

to stop

to identify

to control

to happen

to alter

to transmit

exam practice – speaking

3

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Search on the Internet for a building constructed using nanotechnology and smart

materials then prepare a short presentation (3-5 minutes) about it for your class.

59

Module

3

ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS

Penshurst Place, Kent, England

Warm up

1 Write a list of

sustainable materials you know of.

waxes cere

Sustainable materials The growth of global population and prosperity over the last few decades has resulted in a rise in different kinds of pollution that are harmful for both the environment and our health. For these reasons, eco-design aims to create buildings with locally sourced, natural, recyclable materials that have a low impact on the environment, and where people can live in a comfortable, healthy way. This can be done by using sustainable building materials such as timber from sustainable managed forests that does not cause deforestation. Other eco-friendly materials include some typical traditional materials such as brick, stone, clay and cork; non-toxic, renewable and recyclable materials (natural paints, waxes and varnishes). Waste materials can also be used as a resource for construction purposes. Other guidelines that eco-design follows include: extraction and production of building materials locally to reduce pollution caused by •  transport; the building of elements in a specialised area rather than on site to reduce waste and •  noise and create elements of a higher quality that can also be recycled more effectively; care in the use of synthetic chemicals with rigorous testing to avoid any possible •  dangers to the environment or our health.

reading comprehension

Sustainable materials in cohousing

2 Read the text and decide if the sentences below are true (T) or false (F).

1 Unlike global population, prosperity has been growing very quickly over the last few decades. 2 The aim of eco-design is to create buildings that have a low impact on the environment. 3 Some typical traditional materials such as brick, stone, clay and cork are eco-friendly. 4 Pollution can be reduced if building materials are extracted and produced locally. 5 There are no possible health or environmental dangers connected to the use of synthetic chemicals in the construction industry.

vocabulary

3 Complete the sentences with the words from the box. economic  − locally − ecological − guideline − traditional − forests

1 In buildings with a low _____________ impact, people can live in a comfortable, healthy way. 2 Waste is produced in every _____________ activity. 3 Timber from sustainable managed _____________ does not cause deforestation. 4 Cork is an example of a _____________ eco-friendly material. 5 The use of sustainable building materials is not the only _____________ that eco-design follows. 6 Building materials should be extracted and produced _____________.

60

T F

building in theory  / Building Materials Alternative materials Nowadays there is a variety of other alternative materials that can be used in sustainable building. Straw, made from the waste product of wheat, rice, rye and oats, is made into bales of straw for the construction of walls, and it is also an excellent insulator. In addition, straw bales are renewable, completely biodegradable cheap and easily available. However, there can be problems with rot due to the presence of moisture, so they are not suitable for construction in areas with extreme levels of humidity and rainfall. They are also expensive to transport and store because of their size, so they are only sustainable if sourced locally. Bamboo is light, so easy to transport, but also a very strong, fire resistant, versatile material that can be shaped into many forms and is widely used to support concrete. There are no health dangers connected to using bamboo and thanks to its elasticity, it is ideal for constructions in seismic zones.

Reclaimed building materials Over the last few years, using reclaimed building materials and elements has become a growing trend. In this process, time must be taken to access the goods, adapt them to their new function, clean and restore them. These can be divided into two main groups. Elements that can be used again: bricks, roof tiles, joists, rainwater guttering and •  drainpipes, windows, doors and floors. These can all be recycled for other purposes. Demolition waste: this can be recycled to use as fill or hardcore or for road-making. •  Reuse on site is the cheapest option as it eliminates all costs related to supply, transport, storage or disposal. Reclaimed building materials also help the environment because demolition waste is not sent to landfill sites and the exploitation of quarries is slowed down.

Bamboo restaurant, Tuaran, Malaysia straw bales balle di fieno shrinks si restringe reclaimed materials materiali di recupero joists travetti guttering grondaie fill materiali di riempimento hardcore massicciata

reading comprehension

1 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 What are the disadvantages of straw bales as a building material? 2 Why is bamboo ideal for construction in seismic zones?

3 What two main groups can reclaimed building materials be divided into? 4 Why is it cheaper to reuse demolition waste on site?

vocabulary

2 Complete the sentences with the words from the box. drainpipes  − bales − hardcore − bamboo

1 Straw ___________ are sustainable if sourced locally. 2 ___________ is used to support concrete. 3 ___________ are just one of many building materials that can be recycled for other uses in construction. 4 ___________ can be made from recycled demolition waste.

CLIL – CONSTRUCTION

MEDIATING TEXTS

MEDIATING COMMUNICATION

Connect to the Web to find examples of buildings in Italy and the UK made using the ‘earth building’ technique. Find out about the materials used and construction techniques, and provide a brief history about this type of architecture (e.g. origins and how the technique has changed over time). •  www.architetturaesostenibilita.it/terra%20cruda.htm •  www.greensite.it/ambiente/terracruda1.htm

61

Module

3 building vocabulary 1 MATERIALS  Write the words from the box under the photos. steel  − cork − timber − brick − straw − glass − plastic − cement − quarry − granite  − travertine − bamboo

1 ______________________

2 ______________________

3 ______________________

4 ______________________

5 ______________________

6 ______________________

7 ______________________

8 ______________________

9 ______________________

10 ______________________

11 ______________________

12 ______________________

2 Complete the table with the words from the box. granite  − PVC − aluminium − travertine − concrete − steel − CMU −  stainless steel

3

Stone

Metals

Plastics

Cement

________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________

________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________

________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________

________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________

MEDIATING TEXTS   Explain the meaning of the terms and expressions in the box, using your own words. curtain walls  − nanomaterials −  reclaimed materials

62

building vocabulary  /  Building Materials 4 Complete the table with the materials you have studied. Natural

Man-made

Sustainable

stone _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________

brick _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________

stone _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________

5 Write the words from the box next to the correct definitions. brick  − brittleness − concrete − straw − glass − iron −  stainless steel  − steel −  stone  − timber − transparent − wall

1 hard material you can find in the ground, often used for building 2 vertical structure in a building or a room 3 wood used for building 4 red rectangular block used for building houses 5 mixture of cement, sand, stones and water used as a building material 6 metal element found in rocks 7 strong metal made from iron and other chemical elements 8 transparent substance used for making windows 9 usually made from the waste product of wheat, rice, rye and oats 10 so clear that you can see through it 11 a metal that does not rust 12 fragility

______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________

6 Underline the correct alternative. 1 When cement appeared, the first mortared stone / brick walls were created. 2 Timber frames are suitable / not suitable for long, large rooms. 3 Tensile fabric structures require high / low maintenance. 4 CMUs are heavier / lighter than bricks. 5 Compared to conventional concrete / timber buildings, steel buildings last longer. 6 The main disadvantage of stainless iron / steel is its high cost. 7 PVC is a popular type of plastic / glass used in the construction industry. 8 Carbon / Plastic nanotubes are added to concrete to prevent the formation of cracks. 9 Bamboo shrinks more / less than other types of timber. 10 Demolition waste is not sent to landfill sites / quarries.

ACTIVE GLOSSARY 7

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write the English equivalents of the following words.

1 malta 2 muratura 3 rivestimento 4 tessuto 5 resistenza

___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________

6 travetto 7 marciume 8 tegole 9 balle di fieno 10 massicciata

___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________

63

Module

3 focus on invalsi

BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE WITH ECOBRICKS H sweet Ecobricks are plastic bottles packed tightly with (0) ___, wrappers, crisp packets and so on; in other words, the stuff you would normally throw away. When making ecobricks, it is important to make sure that you thoroughly (1) ___ and all the plastic to be used to fill them in order to avoid decay. Once the bottles are ready for use, they can be stuck together to create a reusable building block. These can be used to make modular furniture for both internal and external use, as well as buildings (2) ___. The production of ecobricks can therefore help to reduce the amount of pollution caused by plastic waste. In Britain, there are now workshops and classes incorporated into alternative technology courses to teach people more about ecobricks as a building material. Local communities and schools (3) ___ to get involved in ecobrick projects by getting them to bring their plastic and bottles to drop-off areas where these kinds of bricks are made. An eight-year-old girl from Cambridgeshire, Leah Simpson, helped make 35 ecobricks in two months by collecting rubbish on her way to school and back every day. She managed to fill 48 bags of rubbish (4) ___ she found on the ground during her 20-minute walk to school. At home, she helps her mother to sort through the rubbish and make the ecobricks. Leah’s mother then donates the ecobricks to one of the 130 drop-off points around the country. Leah has been (5) ___ her classmates who are also now learning how to make ecobricks at school. However, ecobricks are not limited to the UK. According to the Global Ecobrick Alliance, people all over the world are using ecobricks (6) ___, gardens, parks and structures. In Indonesia, the boss of an Indonesian food factory has decided to fight the war against plastic by producing ecobricks. Like many developing countries, Indonesia has to deal with the problem of huge amounts of plastic wrappers carte di caramelle bottles, bags and other plastic packaging that are (7) ___. drop-off areas aree di raccolta Encouraging people to stuff soft plastic into plastic bottles to make ecobricks, dumping scaricare, gettare rather than dumping plastic into waterways is definitely a better option for the environment. www.ecobrickexchange.org

64

focus on invalsi  /  Building Materials reading

1

INVALSI   Read the text about ecobricks. Parts of the text have been removed. Choose the correct part (A-J) for

each gap (1-7). There are two extra parts that you should not use. The first one (0) has been done for you. A

such as schools and houses

B

an inspiration for

C

wash and dry the bottles

D

are also interested

E

to build indoor furniture

F

with the soft plastic litter

G

blocking its rivers and canals

H

non-recyclable plastic bags

I

by involving everybody

J

are also being encouraged

More about

0

The Circle Hostel, Manila, is a chain of budget friendly eco-hostels in the Philippines. Their commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly development won this hostel the Coke Barkada Award in 2018 for an ‘Eco-bricks Project’ called ‘The Plastic Solution’. Young surfers of The Circle Hostel believe, in fact, that the Philippines’ annual 1.88 million tons worth of plastic waste in the oceans is reason enough to do something for the environment by promoting a zero-plastic lifestyle. ‘The Plastic Solution’ starts by teaching volunteer partners the basics of eco-bricking. The organisation has successfully constructed different low-cost builds with ecobricks, including outdoor showers, walls and perimeter fences for their hostels, and an ecobrick base used for a reforestation nursery, in partnership with the Aeta community of Yangil, Zambales.

listening

2

www.thecirclehostel.com

1.14 INVALSI   Listen to an expert talking about an ecobrick project in South Africa. First you will have one minute to study the task below, then you will hear the recording twice. While listening, match the beginnings of the sentences (1-5) with the sentence endings (A-H). There are two sentence endings that you should not use. The first one (0) has been done for you.

0

EBE aims at helping people...

1

Their project in South Africa is to...

2

Ecobricks will be used because they are...

3

The materials used to make ecobricks can be easily...

4

The ecobricks will look the same as a normal...

5

In South Africa, ecobricks have now been registered as a...

A

plastered wall.

B

collect donations.

C

✔ C in underprivileged areas. D

new building material.

E

waterproof and fireproof.

F

new building law.

G

build an ecobrick school.

H

sourced on site.

65

Module

3 revision map your knowledge

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about BUILDING MATERIALS with the expressions from the box. brick  – plastics – straw – granite – mortar – concrete – aluminium

5  ________________

BUILDING MATERIALS smart materials

NATURAL

stone

timber

6  ________________

plant materials

glass

PVC

MAN-MADE

cement

clay, mud

metals

nanomaterials

slipformed stone

2  _____________

3  ________________

steel

travertine

bamboo

Portland cement

stainless steel

1  _____________

7  _______________

4  ________________ blocks reinforced concrete

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about building materials and their ADVANTAGES with the expressions

from the box.

strength  –  low maintenance costs  –  elegance and practicality  – sustainability –  insulating properties  – flexibility

ADVANTAGES

STONE

TIMBER

BRICK

BLOCKS OF CONCRETE

METALS

PLASTICS

strength

sustainability

strength

4  _____________

resistance

6  _____________ _____________

1  _____________

versatility

sustainability

resistance

durability

beauty

cheapness

durability

durability

5  _____________

2  _____________ _____________

3  _____________ _____________ heat resistance

66

versatility

can be recycled thermal insulation and noise protection versatility

revision  /  Building Materials revise your knowledge

3 Choose the correct option (A, B or C). 1 Natural materials include... A bricks. 2 Timber is... A soundproof. 3 Tensile structures... A are suitable for sports facilities. 4 CMUs are strengthened with... A straw. 5 Stainless steel... A corrodes easily. 6 Plastics are... A lightweight. 7 Straw bales... A don’t last long.

B fabric.

C glass.

B versatile.

C fireproof.

B require high maintenance.

C consume a lot of energy.

B fabric.

C steel bars.

B is cheap to produce.

C is attractive.

B always biodegradable.

C difficult to transport.

B are cheap to store and transport.

C are totally biodegradable.

revise vocabulary

4 Write the materials that can be described with the adjectives below. 1 transparent 2 flexible 3 hard 4 waterproof 5 brittle

______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________

6 lightweight 7 fast-growing 8 fire-resistant 9 elastic 10 strong

______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________

reading comprehension

5 Read the text and answer the questions. Hempcrete

When choosing building materials, it is sometimes difficult to find the right balance between robust materials with high endurance that are also ecofriendly. Concrete, for example is the third-highest producer of man-made CO2 and requires enormous amounts of fossil fuels to generate enough heat for the cement-making process. However, there are other durable cement substitutes such as hempcrete. OrtoPì, Country Hempcrete is a bio-composite material that is formed by combining hemp Canapa House, (a derivation of the cannabis sativa plant) with lime and water. Hemp can be Porto Recanati, Italy considered a super eco-friendly crop for many reasons: it can grow on land that has lost many of its fertile properties and even helps to improve the soil. In addition, it absorbs large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere while it is growing. Hempcrete also has good insulating properties so does not require polyurethane foams, and it lasts as long as concrete without any of the negative effects on the environment associated with the production of concrete. At the moment, hempcrete isn’t as widely available as concrete, but it is definitely worth considering in www.ortopi.it sustainable construction projects.

1 What dilemma can arise when choosing building materials? 2 Why is concrete not eco-friendly? 3 What does hempcrete consist of? 4 Why is hemp easy to grow and how does it help the land? 5 What main difference is there between concrete and hempcrete regarding CO2? 6 Why are polyurethane foams not needed when using hempcrete? 7 What is the only advantage concrete has over hempcrete?

67

Module

3

revision writing

6

MEDIATING TEXTS   Modern building materials are a fascinating subject. Make a list of the advantages and

disadvantages of each material. Then summarise your ideas in a short essay (about 100 words).

Steel

Glass and metals

Plastics

Advantages Disadvantages

7

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write a short essay (150-200 words) on one of the following topics. • The advantages and disadvantages of natural and man-made building materials • When timber is a good construction option • The most suitable construction materials for a contemporary design

exam practice – speaking

8

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a brief oral presentation (3-5 minutes) about what you think of modern building materials and include the following information: • the materials you would choose to construct your own house; • reasons for your choices.

AUTHENTIC TASK

MEDIATING CONCEPTS

a building material form 1 In small groups, search the Internet and choose a

nanomaterial or a smart building material.

2 Gather information and write a text describing the

material, how it can be used, its lifespan and cost. Compare it with traditional materials and explain the advantages of the material you have chosen.

3 Add drawings or photos taken from the Internet. 4 Assemble the material and prepare your form to

be shown in class.

COMPETENZE CHIAVE •  competenza multilinguistica •  competenza digitale competenza personale, sociale e capacità di imparare •  a imparare •  competenza imprenditoriale

21ST-CENTURY LIFE SKILLS •  senso critico •  creatività

68

•  decision making •  comunicazione efficace

Module

4

SURVEYING AND DESIGN

OBJECTIVES BUILDING in THEORY

ON-SITE VIDEO ∞ BIM

∞

Measuring and design instruments ∞ Planning and reporting

BUILDING VOCABULARY ∞

Surveying and design

FOCUS on INVALSI ∞

Ordnance Survey maps ∞ Quantum sensing

REVISION

What do you know about BIM? Write down your ideas, then watch the video and check.

∞

Surveying and design instruments AUTHENTIC TASK: Preparing a brief 69

Module

4

MEASURING AND DESIGN INSTRUMENTS

Warm up

1 How many

different kinds of maps do you know of? What kind of maps do you usually use and what for? Do you prefer paper maps or electronic maps?

borders confini cadastral map mappa catastale, del catasto

Hypsometric is a scientific term concerning the measurement of heights in relation to sea level.

Mapping Mapping is the job of a mapmaker or cartographer, who puts a lot of information into a format that people can understand or learn from. There are different types of maps. Physical maps show landforms, mountains, deserts and lakes. They explain differences •  in elevation through hypsometric* tints or changes in colour. Political maps offer cultural information about countries (such as their borders and •  main cities) and some physical characteristics (like oceans, rivers and lakes). Thematic maps provide information on a specific topic, like population density, the •  weather or natural resources. Cadastral maps are one of the oldest types of maps in history dating back to ancient •  Egypt. They show individual properties with details. Topographical maps show details of elevation with contour lines that help to map the •  landscape. Ordnance Survey maps are the most popular kind of topographical maps. They are very detailed with information for example about footpaths, boundaries and places of interest, so ideal if you need to plan a route or find your exact position. General reference maps include names of cities and towns, major roadways and •  natural features like lakes and rivers. Street and tourist maps are part of this group as well as the ‘You are Here’ maps you can find in most places. Navigational charts are maps for travelling by sea or air and include important •  information to avoid accidents like submerged rocks under the water. A road map is also a type of navigational map that displays roads and transport links of an area. Photogrammetry is a measurement technology that provides accurate 3D information about the location of a physical object in the environment through a series of photographic images taken from different heights. It is used in many fields such as mapping, engineering and architecture.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 What do physical maps show and explain? 2 What kind of information do political maps offer? 3 What are cadastral maps?

4 What kind of map would you use to plan a walking trip? 5 What is photogrammetry? 6 What fields is it used in?

vocabulary

3 Match the words from the text with their definitions. 1 elevation 2 contour 3 ownership 4 boundary 5 intersection

70

a b c d e

a line that indicates the limits of an area, a dividing line height above sea level where two or more points or lines meet the shape or outline of an object the act, state or right of possessing something

building in theory  /  Surveying and Design

Surveying

Warm up

Surveying is the scientific method of examining in detail a piece of land in order to gather information about its size, shape and position. Linear and angular measurements are taken and the principles of geometry and trigonometry are applied to fully understand the exact form, condition, value and boundaries of the piece of land in question. The word has its origin from late Middle English where it meant ‘to examine closely’. Surveying is therefore very important for locating property boundaries, construction layout and map-making as it reveals three important features of a piece of land by measuring distance, angles and elevation.

1 Imagine you

want to build your own house. What do you need to know about the land before starting construction?

to gather raccogliere

Equipment Special equipment is necessary to measure each of these three different aspects of the land. First of all, a surveyor’s level is able to identify points in the land which are of the same height. There are now automatic digital levels on the market that allow the surveyor to record these measurements in a quick, simple and accurate way both in the dark and during the day. For many years, surveyors used a focusing device called a theodolite to measure both vertical and horizontal angles. This device, an adjustable telescope mounted on a tripod, was particularly useful in the construction of roads and tunnels. Then in the 1970s, the original theodolite was replaced with the invention of the Total Station. This device is much more accurate than the traditional theodolite. The Total Station consists of an electronic or digital theodolite, a microprocessor and an electronic distance measuring (EDM) device, providing the surveyor with precise measurements. The data recorded by the Total Station can then easily be transferred and elaborated on a PC. There is also a Robotic Total Station version on the market that allows you to operate the device from a distance using a remote control.

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Which branches of mathematics are used in surveying? What did the word mean in Middle English? What does surveying tell us about a piece of land? What aspect of the land does a surveyor’s level identify? When can automatic digital levels be used? What is a theodolite and what does it consist of? When did surveyors stop using the traditional theodolite and what did they use instead? Why did they stop using the traditional theodolite?

vocabulary

3 Find the synonyms of these words in the texts. 1 2 3 4 5

collect form put into use outer limits plan

____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________

6 7 8 9 10

height let fixed substituted instrument

____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________

71

Module

4

building in theory Warm up

1 Do you know

what GPS means and what it is used for? Do you know other new surveying instruments? GPS unit set up in a field

3D laser scanning of a bridge

land surveying agrimensura topographic surveying rilievo topografico as-built surveying rilievo del costruito

New surveying instruments The GPS (Global Positioning System) Total Station provides information about location, elevation and time anywhere in the world, through signals received from satellites in space. Surveying instruments with GPS provide 3D data, are fast and accurate, and can function in any type of weather. However, they are more expensive than a normal Total Station and signals from the satellites can be distorted by bad reception or hitting off high buildings. The DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) is more accurate than the GPS as it •  uses a network of fixed ground-based reference stations that calculate the difference between the positions indicated by the satellites and the known fixed positions. The data obtained from a DGPS provides 3D survey results in real time and is not affected by cloud cover. RTK (Real Time Kinematics) uses two GPS receivers at the same time. This •  technology is often used in surveying because it provides high precision in controlled environments. The user has to be near a reference station, which acts as a control point. Then the signals from the satellites are corrected and transmitted to a second mobile unit for data collection. Laser scanners provide very accurate measurements in complicated environments so they are commonly used in industry. In architecture, they are useful for the interior design of buildings, as the scanners provide a 3D model of the space available in a room or building. This can then be used to create 2D architectural drawings, 3D computer models, and final survey documents. Surveying involves many activities with different aims, as described below. Land surveying establishes the boundaries of a piece of land for legal and ownership purposes. Topographic surveying uses aerial photogrammetry and/or ground surveys to create a map of the Earth’s surface that includes natural and man-made features of the site. As-built surveying documents any changes made during construction or on completion of a project that do not respect the original design made at the planning stage. This documentation, which is necessary for any type of land project from roads to buildings, is then presented to the authorities for verification.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 How does the GPS Total Station receive information? 2 Why is the DGPS more accurate than the GPS? 3 Where does the user of RTK have to be? 4 What are laser scanners used for in architecture?

5 What does a map created with the use of topographic surveying include? 6 What does the documentation produced by as-built surveying include?

exam practice – speaking

3

72

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Choose one of the surveying instruments you have read about on these pages and prepare a short presentation (3-5 minutes) to describe its advantages and disadvantages.

building in theory  /  Surveying and Design

Sketch stage and working drawings

Sketch of a residential area with lakes

There are different stages when designing a project and many documents that have to be carefully prepared. Sketch – usually drawn by hand, this first •  simple drawing of a project illustrates essential features without much detail. Design development stage – at this point •  information is gathered in order to check the materials and methods proposed for the project. Working drawing stage – the most •  demanding part, where all the architectural drawings, schedules and specifications required for building consent building consent are prepared. Precision in these drawings is essential, as they must conform to all licenzia edilizia the latest building standards in order to receive building consent from the council. consultants consulenti guesswork These can include 2D or 3D formats to illustrate the building. These working drawings supposizioni are also essential for the builders as they provide information about plans, sections, elevations, details, schedules, specifications and other consultants’ documents, thus reducing More about their guesswork. They are also sometimes Gehry’s sketches are famous because requested by builders to be able to estimate they manage to accurately communicate building costs. the architect’s original idea clearly and Architectural drawings – these are produced •  simply, showing how it will become a using the same kind of software as other consolidated design project. For Frank consultants on the project so that all the Gehry, sketching is the beginning of his information can be coordinated easily. architectural process; he works on his initial sketches with colleagues to make Engineering graphics – are how engineers •  them three-dimensional as quickly as communicate their ideas. Years ago, CAD possible. Then these models are scanned into a sophisticated computer to replaced the old T-square, and more recently, 3D parametric solid modelling software is being make them into working drawings. Here is Gehry’s sketch of the Dancing House in Prague (see page 280). used to teach graphic design.

reading comprehension

1 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. T F 1 The first stage when designing a project is sketch design. 2 The specifications necessary for obtaining building consent are drawn up during the working drawing phase. 3 Builders will never provide a price until they have the documents drawn up at the working drawing stage. 4 These documents help builders to work as accurately as possible. 5 Building consent to start construction work depends on the accuracy of these drawings. 6 CAD is the latest form of software in this field.

speaking

2

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Imagine that one of you is an architect and the other a builder. You are working on a project together. Check with each other that you have all the necessary documentation.

73

Module

4

building in theory Warm up

1 Look at the

picture. What can CAD be used for? Do you know any other applications?

draftsmen disegnatori prosthetics prostetica (branca della medicina interna)

CAD At the beginning of the 1980s, Computer-Aided Design programs drastically cut the need of draftsmen. Today, students in universities do not learn drafting techniques, they learn computer-aided design instead. But what exactly is CAD and what is it used for? CAD is software which allows the use of computer technology for the development of design and design documentation. It is used to design curves and figures in two-dimensional space, or curves, surfaces and solids in 3D objects. CAD has a great number of applications: automotive, shipbuilding and aerospace industries, industrial (in the design of tools and machinery and throughout the engineering process from conceptual design and layout of products) and architectural design (of all types of buildings), prosthetics and also computer animation for special effects in movies, advertising and technical manuals. Moreover, it is used for the creation of photo simulations often required in the preparation of Environmental Impact Reports (EIR). The objects and features created are adjustable, and modern CAD can also allow rotations in 3D so that the designed object can be viewed from any angle. Nowadays CAD systems exist for all major platforms and no special hardware is required for most CAD software (except for some systems that do graphically and computationally-intensive tasks that require a modern graphics card). The humanmachine interface is usually via a computer mouse or a pen and a digitising or graphics tablet. The advantages of CAD are lower product development costs and a much shorter design cycle. Autodesk 3Ds Max

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 When did a drastic change in design take place? 2 What was the consequence of this change? 3 What does CAD stand for? 4 What is it exactly? What is it used for?

5 6 7 8

Can you name a few CAD applications? Is there any need for special hardware if you use CAD? Can you explain what the ‘human-machine interface’ is? What are the main advantages of this design program?

listening

3

1.15   Listen to Tony Davies talking about CAD and complete the sentences.

1 2 3 4 5

CAD is the designer use of computer ___________ for the design of objects. It is generally used by product designers, engineers, architects and ___________ decorators. CAD is mainly used for the detailed engineering of physical ___________. It is also used for the whole of the engineering ___________, from theoretical design to the layout of products. CAD allows the ___________ to be viewed from any angle and it can be quite helpful as texture and colours can be easily manipulated. 6 No special hardware is required for most CAD ___________.

speaking

4

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Tell your partner what you think of CAD and of your experience using it.

writing

5

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write a short summary (about 100 words) about CAD following these guidelines: • what it is exactly and its applications; • who uses it;

74

• how it has changed the world of design; • its advantages.

Rendering Rendering means computer-generated graphics. It is an engineered program, based on disciplines connected to optics, visual perception, mathematics and software development. It is a method used by architectural illustrators to create threedimensional images or animations from a virtual model (prepared scene) thanks to computer software. These images or animations show the characteristics of a planned architectural design. Rendering software can be used to create life-like images for presentation, marketing and design analysis. It is used in architecture, video games, movie and TV visual effects, and also in real estate sales for experimenting with building design or to make decisions before a building is created. There is a wide range of different kinds of renderers. They may be integrated into modelling and animation packages, stand-alone, or be free open-source projects. In the case of 3D graphics, pre-rendering is used for creating films, whereas real-time rendering is often used in producing 3D video games.

3D rendering illustration real estate proprietà immobiliare stand-alone autonomi open-source gratuiti

BIM BIM (Building Information Modelling) is a digital 3D model-based process that provides everyone in a construction team project with the necessary information to plan, design, construct and manage buildings more efficiently. BIM is a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a building and includes information about every component that goes into a project. BIM also offers many advantages. Having just one database, means that everyone involved in the project has easy access to the information that can be constantly updated without having to duplicate data. Database storage also eliminates the need for the manual production of other design documents like schedules, coloured diagrams, drawings and 3D models. Therefore BIM is fast and accurate and saves both time and money. BIM can be used to create not only 2D drawings and 3D models but also models that include other elements such as time and cost, and information about the functionality and design of the building.

reading comprehension

1 Read the texts and complete the sentences. Rendering is (1) ____________ used by architectural illustrators. Architectural illustrators use it to create (2) ____________ or animations. Rendering software is used for (3) ____________ and design analysis. It can also be used (4) ____________ with building design. (5) ____________ is used for the production of 3D video games.

BIM stands for (6) ____________. BIM provides information necessary for the efficient design, (7) ____________ and (8) ____________ of buildings. This information is used and updated by (9) ____________ in the building project. There is no need to duplicate data or produce design documents by hand as all the information is stored in the one (10) ____________ . Apart from 2D and 3D models, BIM can also create models with information about the (11) ____________ and design of the building.

exam practice – speaking

2

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   What have you learnt about design and planning? Prepare a short presentation (3-5 minutes) following these guidelines:

• why mapping is important and what different types of maps are used; • the most important surveying instruments; • the main stages in designing a project;

• what CAD is used for; • what rendering means; • the advantages of using BIM.

75

Module

4

PLANNING AND REPORTING

Warm up

1 Write a list of

the items an ‘architectural brief’ should contain. Then read the text and check.

foreseen previsti complies with rispetta undergo essere sottoposto

Architectural brief An architectural brief is a written document (usually prepared by an architect) in which the characteristics of a project are described. Its length can vary according to the type of project. This document comprises the evaluated opportunities, the identified limits and an explanation of the points that need to be further investigated. It usually accompanies the architectural drawings and contains all the information that cannot be included in them (because the architect’s choices, theories, explanations and aspects analysed during the design process stage must also be identified), such as the location, the technical solutions used, the main characteristics of the project and the kind of works that are foreseen for it. The brief can also contain documents certifying that the building complies with some prescriptions and regulations. There are various ways of including this preliminary information in the project. These can take the form of reports, a list of specifications, tables or diagrams that describe as clearly as possible the choices made at the start. These choices can then be changed or others included at a later date. The architectural brief is meant either for the customer, for an official body in order to ask for a permit or for other professionals who will take part in the project or building process. At the beginning of the design process, this document may undergo some modifications, updating and improvement.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text again and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. 1 An architectural brief contains all the information necessary for a project which cannot be explained in drawings. 2 This document may replace technical drawings. 3 It is only used by the architect who prepared it. 4 It is always created at the beginning of the project and cannot be modified.

3

T F

MEDIATING TEXTS   Look at the example of an architectural brief on page 77 and answer the following questions.

1 What material will be used the most for flooring and why do you think the architect has chosen this option and this particular colour? 2 What effect do you think is desired in choosing mosaic with marble chips on the staircase? 3 What three rooms have been given the same ceiling specifications which differ from all the other ceilings in the house? What might be the reason for this? 4 Which rooms in the house will be tiled and which will be painted with emulsion paint? 5 What materials have been chosen for the doors? Which doors will be different from the others? Why do you think this has been suggested?

76

FLOORING & SKIRTING

Ceramic 1 choice: Marazzi Graniti, R.A.K. Roma Matt, Noveldo, Alicante or equivalent st

x

x

Ceramic 1st choice: Marazzi graniti, natural for floors and Panda for walls or R.A.K. series 400 or approved equivalent

Internal staircase (when available)

x

x

x

Local Ceramic 1st choice: Uniceramic, salt & pepper, or equivalent

x x

Mosaic with marble chips

x

Marble (cream Marphile, Botticino, or eq.)

x x

Local Ceramic 1 choice: Uniceramic or equivalent st

x Partial

Plaster + enamel paint

False ceiling gypsum board + emulsion paint

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Partial

x

Plaster + emulsion paint

x

x

x

x x

Aluminium ceiling

x

Solid oak hard wood

WOODWORK

Staircases

Lift hall

x

x

Ceramic 1st choice: Marazzi Panda or R.A.K. series 400

CEILINGS

Service area

Remaining balconies

Main balconies

Corridors

Bathrooms

x x

Marble (cream, Perlato Cicilia, or eq.) smaller

Guest toilet

x

Kitchen

x

Bedrooms & Living areas

Reception

Marble (cream, Marphile, Botticino, or eq.)

Entrance

building in theory  /  Surveying and Design

Flush wood door with oak veneer

x

x

x

x

x x

Flush wood door with enamel paint

x

Cupboards (NOT PROVIDED) Kitchen cabinets (NOT PROVIDED)

hall atrio, ingresso skirting battiscopa chips schegge

plaster intonaco enamel paint vernice a smalto gypsum board cartongesso

solid oak massello di rovere flush liscio veneer impiallacciatura

vocabulary

4 Complete the sentences with the words from the box. gypsum  − lift − enamel − plaster

1 2 3 4

Apart from the staircase, the client wanted a ____________ installed. ____________ is one of the most popular materials used for the construction of false ceilings. ____________ is used to coat walls and give them a smooth surface before being painted. ____________ paint is ideal for painting objects which will be left outdoors as it is very durable.

speaking

5

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Look at the architectural brief again and describe what aspects of the construction of the house have been included in the document, and why you think some materials have been chosen rather than others.

A I think marble has been used the most for flooring because...

B I agree/don’t agree...

77

Module

4

building in theory Warm up

1 Discuss with

a partner the reasons for doing an architectural drawing. Then read the text and check if your ideas were right.

cross referencing riferimenti incrociati

Architectural drawing Architectural drawings or working drawings are a key part of a project. They are technical drawings of a building, created by architects and used by other building professionals according to a specific set of rules which comprise particular views (floor plan, section...), sheet sizes, units of measurement and scales, annotations and cross referencing. In the past they were done manually (on paper, using ink), but today they have been replaced by CAD software in most cases. They are made for a great number of purposes, such as to turn an idea into a rational proposal, to communicate ideas and models, to persuade clients of the merits of a design, to assist a building contractor in building it, and to create documentation of an already existing building. In the UK the working drawings of a project are very important as they are the documents that make up the actual contract, along with all the relevant technical information.

More about As well as architectural drawings, architects often use an architectural model, a type of scale model which allows them to study various aspects of a design. This can provide a powerful impact for presenting a design and for sale purposes. The three-dimensional perspective allows a client to visualise how a project will appear. Although nowadays CAD software is used to generate 3D virtual modelling, models are still made from a variety of materials including cardboard, wooden blocks, polystyrene and foam.

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts on these pages and look at the floor plan on page 79, then decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F).

1 In the past architectural drawings were only done by hand. 2 Today architectural drawings done by hand are not used, as CAD and other computer programs have replaced them. 3 Architectural drawings are not used for a great number of purposes. 4 A floor plan illustrates more than one level of a building. 5 From the floor plan, we can see if the bathrooms will have a bath or shower. 6 A site plan is concerned with one or more buildings.

T F

vocabulary

3 Complete the sentences with the words from the box. openings  − purpose − construction − programs − boundaries − rules

1 2 3 4 5 6

78

Architectural drawings are an essential part of a ____________ or development project. The architect draws everything to specific scales which belong to a set of ____________ for technical drawing. In the past these technical drawings were done by hand but now computer ____________ are used. Each drawing is created for a specific ____________ depending on who needs to use it. A floor plan should not only include the rooms but also details like door ____________. Architects must also take property ____________ into consideration when drawing up a site plan.

building in theory  /  Surveying and Design A floor plan

proposal progetto

There are various kinds of architectural drawings depending on what purpose the architect has in mind. This below, for example, is a floor plan, which is a view from above, showing how the space in a building has been divided on a particular level. This plan is probably the upper part of a house, since the bedrooms in British homes are usually situated upstairs, while the living room and kitchen are downstairs. This drawing, like all floor plans, shows the walls, windows and door openings as well as the staircase and other features like the layout of the bathrooms. There are also other types of technical drawings used by architects which, unlike the one shown here, are concerned with a whole building or group of buildings. This is called a site plan and is used in the development of an urban area, where it is necessary to indicate property boundaries and access to the site, as well as the position of existing streets and buildings to demonstrate how everything will fit well together. This type of drawing will also show new buildings in the proposal, parking areas and green spaces including footpaths.

speaking

4

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Look at the architectural drawing again and describe the floor plan of your

own house to your partner. Get him/her to draw it as you speak to see if he/she has understood what you mean, then swap roles. My house is a flat, with an area of 80 m2. Top right is the master bedroom with en-suite. The total dimensions are...

79

Module

4

building in theory Warm up

1 Do you know

Architectural report

An architectural report is a document which is useful for a number of different purposes, such as the assessment of the value of a building or the understanding of the problems that will have to be faced during a remodelling process. It is made up of photographs taken during a building inspection and a number of documents that analyse the current situation of a building in order to describe its condition, its site and the regulations it is subject to. In order to carry out an architectural report, local rules concerning the area where the building is situated must be checked, to see if there are any restrictions about general land use, maximum building height, position, number of parking spaces and more. The building must also be checked, especially if the authorisation to build and the airtight ermetico construction requirements are available. Usually these concern the number, dimensions watertight a tenuta and other information about exits, corridors, stairs, light, ventilation, ceilings and d’acqua, impermeabile construction materials. If anything does not comply with the regulations, it should be premises locali listed in this document. The use of hazardous materials must also be verified, possibly by More about a specialist carrying out detailed tests to check for their presence. Next, structural damage in the foundations, basement, floors, An infrared camera can help you quickly see many ceilings and roof must be checked and photographed, as well as problems that a building may have, but which are not any problems due to the building not being air- and/or watertight. immediately apparent to the naked eye. With an infrared The premises where finishes and materials need to be repaired camera it is possible, for example, to see if the insulation of a building is missing, damaged or inadequate. This kind or replaced both inside and outside the building should also be of camera also identifies areas where hot air is dispersed listed in the architectural report. The correct working condition or where there is dampness of the electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems or structural issues. These should also be verified, as well as the real condition of appliances. inspections are all extremely Once all the information has been gathered, a document should useful to the surveyor when be written reporting the name and address of the building and preparing his report on the information for contacting the person who has written it, along condition of a property for a with a list of the problems identified and photographs illustrating prospective buyer. them. what an ‘architectural report’ is? When do you think it is compiled and what do you think it contains?

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and choose the correct option. 1 An architectural report is made up of photographs and documents that analyse... A the site of a building. B the building inspection. C the current conditions of a building. D the local rules. 2 Before writing this document, you must verify the local rules about... A whether or not the building is old. B the assessment of price. C the architectural report. D the area where the building is located. 3 Construction requirements don’t usually concern... A exits and corridors. B stairs. C costs. D costruction materials.

80

4 A specialist should also check if any ... are present. A hazardous materials B general land use specifications C minimum building height requirements D details of the building's price assessment 5 ... must be verified and photographed. A Details B Any structural damage C Construction requirements D A written report 6 Finally, ... of the electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems and the real condition of appliances should also be checked. A the premises B the identified problems C the correct working condition D the report

building in theory  /  Surveying and Design reading comprehension

3 Now answer the following questions. 1 Explain why it is important to include photographs in an architectural report. 2 How could local regulations limit a remodelling project? 3 Why is it important to check what materials were used to construct the original building? 4 What should be done with regard to electrical, heating and plumbing systems?

vocabulary

4 Match these words from the text with their definitions. 1 assessment 2 process 3 carry out 4 restriction 5 requirements 6 comply with 7 appliance

a b c d e f g

follow instructions or agreement   what is necessary   a limiting rule   piece of equipment for a specific purpose   series of actions to achieve a result   complete an activity  evaluation

5 Complete this extract from an architectural report with the words from the box. building  − price − position − working − boundaries − systems − sound − storey − wiring − district

The current asking (1) ____________ for this three- (2) ____________ property is in the region of £350,000 which is the going rate on the market, considering its excellent (3) ____________ within the city (4) ____________ but at the same time in a quiet (5) ____________ to the north of the city centre. The (6) ____________ at the moment is in need of some remodelling with regard to (7) ____________ and plumbing as these (8) ____________ are over 70 years old and no longer in good (9) ____________ order. The building itself is (10) ____________ and no structural damage was detected.

listening

6

1.16   Listen to part of an architectural report on a church in Detroit, USA, and complete the text.

One of the most dominant characteristics of this complex is its (1) ____________ which amounts to 32,000 sq. ft and includes the sanctuary, house and (2) ____________. The actual church has several attractive features such as the (3) ____________ tower, and it is located in one of the best areas of Detroit. The house attached to the church is a (4) ____________ residence, but in need of repair, while the hall used for social activities is a very (5) ____________ building. Recently outdoor (6) ____________ has been installed and a new (7) ____________ has been purchased. Due to the (8) ____________ and size of the buildings, they require continuous (9) ____________ just to remain functional, and the actual church (10) ____________ is not able to cover the cost of repairs needed especially on the house. (11) ____________ costs are also high due to the large size of the structures, and a lot of energy is wasted heating areas which are rarely used. There is also some concern regarding the (12) ____________ of the complex and its accessibility as it is built on different levels.

writing

7

MEDIATING TEXTS   What information has to be included when writing an architectural report?

Write about 10 lines.

81

Module

4

building in theory Warm up

1 Imagine you

want to buy a building. Do you know how to estimate its real value, if it is not new?

heading titolo

Building report A building report is a short document written to help potential buyers decide whether to buy a building or not. As most buyers are not very familiar with the structural problems of buildings, it is important to offer them a document which can give them some information about the real condition and quality of a building and the repair work it may need. Thanks to this careful inspection they can be informed about the potential costs of this work and, consequently, about the real value of the property they are interested in. A building report should be brief and simple to read. Therefore, it should be divided into different sections, each beginning with a heading and focusing on a different part of the building, starting from the bottom or the top of it. A building report summarises the overall condition of a building. It should avoid any technical vocabulary that could be difficult for the general public to understand. Instead familiar, everyday language should be used, which does not require any further explanation. A building report should be provided with the necessary costs of repairs, listed in appropriate sections. The condition of the building’s foundations and walls (including plumbing) should be described carefully, indicating any kind of damage and its location. As repairs to roofs are one of the most expensive repair jobs, roofs’ condition should be carefully checked, describing and locating any damage and, if the age of a roof is not available, estimating how long it should last.

reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text and tick (✓) the characteristics of a building report.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

It is a long document with a lot of complex details. After reading it, people should have a clearer idea about buying a property. It should give indications on what financing is available for first-time buyers. It should give details of any repair work which is necessary. It should consist of one paragraph and use technical vocabulary. Each section of the report should deal with a different section of the building. It should indicate the cost of any necessary repairs to be done to the building.

3 Now answer the following questions. 1 What is a building report? 2 Who is it written for and why? 3 What features should it have?

4 What kind of language should be used in it? 5 What should it describe in a detailed way? 6 The text speaks about expensive repairs. Which ones?

vocabulary

4 Match these words from the text with their antonyms. 1 short 2 familiar 3 important 4 careful 5 simple 6 overall 7 expensive

82

a b c d e f g

partial  lengthy  cheap  complicated  unscrupulous  strange  non-essential

building in theory  /  Surveying and Design vocabulary

5

MEDIATING TEXTS   Now find the English equivalents of these words in the text.

1 acquirenti ________________ 2 riparazione ________________

3 valore 4 proprietà

________________ ________________

5 danno 6 posizione

________________ ________________

reading comprehension

6

MEDIATING TEXTS   Look at this example of a building report and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Then correct the false ones.

Element

Description

Condition

Photo

Ceiling

Suspended ceiling with tiles and fluorescent light fittings.

Generally in good condition.

01

Walls

Sheet vinyl wallpaper on walls.

Generally in poor condition with full decorating required. Significant quantities of holes were noted where fixtures have been removed, which require filling before decorating.

02 & 03

Floor

Carpet laid over a solid floor.

Generally in poor condition, obviously old and stained.

04

External windows

Metal windows with opening sections. Windows are fitted with vertical blinds and mechanical extractor fans.

Generally in satisfactory condition.

05

Internal doors

Entrance door – solid door made of fire-resistant glass. Doors to services – painted solid timber.

Generally in satisfactory condition with marks requiring decorating.

03 & 06

Skirting & windowsills

Skirting boards are a combination of PVC and laminated, forming a boxing for heating pipes to the external walls. The windowsills are laminated.

Generally in satisfactory condition with some scratches.

04 & 07

Power/Data trunking

PVC trunking fitted generally at dado level.

Generally in fair condition for age.

02, 05 & 07

sheet vinyl wallpaper carta da parati con fogli vinilici fixtures impianti

stained macchiato vertical blinds tende a pannello windowsills davanzali

1 There is no lighting in the ceiling. 2 Once the walls have been painted again, they will be perfect. 3 The carpet needs to be replaced. 4 The doors are made of wood. 5 The heating pipes are hidden by the skirting. 6 The power trunking has just recently been installed.

scratches graffi trunking guide

T F

exam practice – speaking

7

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Choose one of the documents described in this module and prepare a short oral presentation (3-5 minutes) explaining who uses it, how it is written, what and who it is written for, why it is important.

83

Module

4 building vocabulary 1 SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS  Write the words from the box under the photos. GPS Total Station  −  infrared camera  −  surveyor’s level  −  laser scanner  −  theodolite  −  Total Station

1 _______________________

2 _______________________

3 _______________________

4 _______________________

5 _______________________

6 _______________________

2 Match these words to their synonyms. 1 change 2 main 3 characteristic 4 useful 5 simple 6 important 7 checked 8 recent 9 reason

a b c d e f g h i

feature  controlled  variation  easy  vital  helpful  motivation  major  up-to-date

3 Use a dictionary to find the opposite of these adjectives. 1 similar 2 specific 3 public 4 specialised 5 wide

4

_________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________

6 high 7 accurate 8 first 9 modern 10 quick

_________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________

MEDIATING TEXTS   Explain the meaning of the expressions in the box, using your own words. land surveying  −  topographic surveying  −  as-built surveying

84

building vocabulary  /  Surveying and Design 5 Complete the sentences with the words from the box. automatic digital level  −  Differential Global Positioning System  −  laser scanners  −  surveyor’s level  −  mobile unit  −  Real Time Kinematics  − theodolite −  topographic surveying  −  GPS Total Station

1 A ________________________ is used for finding points of identical elevation. 2 An ________________________ offers direct electronic reading and data storage in a quick, simple and accurate way. 3 A ________________________ can measure both horizontal and vertical angles. 4 The signals received from satellites by a ________________________ can sometimes be distorted by bad area reception. 5 The ________________________ uses a network of fixed ground-based reference stations. 6 In ______________________, the first GPS receiver corrects and transmits the satellite signals to a second ___________________ for data collection. 7 In architecture, __________________ are useful for the interior design of buildings. 8 ___________________ creates maps of the Earth’s surface that include natural and man-made features of the site.

6 Match each document to the correct description. 1 2 3 4

a b c d

building report architectural report architectural brief architectural drawing

a description of the characteristics of a project a view of the floor plan and sections with units of measurement and scales an assessment of the value and state of a building information for a potential buyer about the overall condition of a building and the cost of renovation

7 Complete these sentences from an architectural brief with the words from the box. emulsion paint  −  gypsum board  −  cream marble  −  solid oak

1 2 3 4

____________________ will be used for most of the flooring except for the bedrooms. The corridors will be plastered, then decorated with ____________________. The reception area will have a false ceiling made of ____________________. The front door will be made of ____________________ hard wood.

8 Complete these sentences from an architectural report with the words from the box. air conditioning  −  structural damage  −  hazardous materials  − watertight

1 The roof is ____________________. 2 There is no ____________________ to the foundations. 3 No ____________________ have been used in any part of the building. 4 The heating and ____________________ systems are in good working order.

ACTIVE GLOSSARY 9

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write the English equivalent of the following words.

1 confine 2 licenza edilizia 3 proprietà immobiliare 4 locali 5 pianta del piano 6 battiscopa

_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________

7 intonaco 8 impiallacciatura 9 soffitto 10 davanzale 11 piano 12 acquirente

_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________

85

Module

4 focus on invalsi

ORDNANCE SURVEY MAPS

A

nyone who likes walking or hiking in Great Britain will always have an Ordnance Survey map with them to avoid getting lost. Ordnance Survey mapping can be divided into two groups: digitised largescale maps used for professional land-use purposes, and sheet form, small-scale maps printed on waterproof paper that include road maps and are suitable for leisure activities like walking, cycling and hiking. The government-owned company known as OS is the national mapping agency for Great Britain. OS stands for Ordnance and Surveying and indicates its original military purpose, which was to produce a map of Scotland following the Jacobite rising of 1745, when the Scottish Stuarts tried to regain the British throne. This provided the English with a detailed map of the Scottish Highlands necessary to capture the Scots that had supported the Stuarts during the rebellion. OS also supplied British troops with equipment and they started making maps of the British coastline at the end of the 18th century. These maps helped place British troops in key positions to defend the country against French invasion. Then, during World War I, mapmaker teams made at least 25 million battlefield maps used by British troops. At the end of the 1940s, Ordnance mapmakers could be seen around the country with tape measures and big arrows in their first attempt at urban surveying. At that time,

they used fixed features like the corners of building as markers for their mapmaking. They referred to these markers as ‘revision points’ and took photographs to remember where these points were. Nowadays, these photographs also represent a treasure of images illustrating places, streets and everyday life at that time, and many children used to gather around the surveyors while they were busy doing their work. These images are now available online so people can see if they recognise the places in the photos or even themselves as children. Apart from paper maps used by walkers, OS now produces digital map data, online route planning and sharing services and mobile apps. They also have a range of location-based products for businesses, the government and ordinary consumers.

waterproof paper carta impermeabile rising insurrezione to gather around riunirsi attorno

86

focus on invalsi  /  Surveying and Design reading

1

INVALSI   Read the text about the history of Ordnance Survey Maps, then choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D)

for questions 1-7. Only one answer is correct. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0 Ordnance Survey mapping consists of... A three main types. B digitised, small-scale maps for land use. C large-scale waterproof maps for leisure activities. D ✔ l eisure activity maps that can be consulted in the rain. 1 Ordnance and Survey... A looks for people who get lost while out walking. B is the national mapping agency for the UK. C is a privately owned company. D is usually called OS. 2 In the beginning, Ordnance and Survey produced a map... A used by the Jacobites in 1745. B of the Scottish Highlands. C of the English coastline. D to be used for leisure purposes. 3 During the French invasion... A OS helped Britain to defend itself with its map production. B OS members became part of British troops fighting against the French. C OS supplied Britain with detailed maps of France. D OS supplied troops with detailed maps of Britain.

4 Urban surveying... A started during World War 1. B started in the late 1940s. C was carried out on the battlefield. D was carried out indoors. 5 In urban surveying, Ordnance mapmakers... A drew sketches of the landscapes they examined. B used arrows as map markers. C stood on corners to observe the land. D used tape measures. 6 The photographs taken during urban surveying... A can now be viewed online. B have all been destroyed. C are used by children. D only depict the landscape and roads. 7 Nowadays... A paper maps no longer exist. B OS only produces maps for walking holidays. C OS offers a variety of services and types of maps. D OS only provides maps for government bodies.

listening

2

1.17 INVALSI   Listen to an interview with a professor talking about quantum sensing. First you will have one

minute to study the task below, then you will hear the recording twice. While listening, match the beginnings of the sentences (1-5) with the sentence endings (A-H). There are two sentence endings that you should not use. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0

Quantum sensing could...

A

more sensitive and faster.

1

Quantum sensing can be used in...

B

detect mine shaft five metres deep or more.

2

Quantum physics studies the behaviour of...

C✔ change our world.

3

Compared to equipment available at the moment, quantum gravity sensors will...

D

waves.

E

subatomic particles.

4

Quantum sensors are more sensitive because they use...

F

rubidium atoms.

5

Mount Etna will be monitored by...

G

40 tiny gravimeters.

H

geology, construction and medicine.

C

More about Quantum physics, a branch of physics that developed from the start of the 20th century, studies the world of infinitely tiny things, which are on the level of the atom or smaller, such as electrons. It is an extremely complex theory dealt with by famous scientists like Einstein, Heisenberg and Feynman to name but a few. It is based on three main concepts: 1  Quantisation – the concept that a physical quantity, like electrical charge, can have only certain discreet values. Matter therefore is quantised because it is composed of individual particles that cannot be subdivided. You cannot for example half an electron. 2  Wave-particle duality – the concept that physical entities have a dual nature, so in some experiments they can behave like particles, while in others like waves. This is what happens for example with electrons. 3  Uncertainty principle – this states that, it is impossible to calculate a particle’s position and speed exactly at the same time. Nowadays many technological instruments, such as microprocessors for computers, are based on the principles of quantum physics.

87

Module

4 revision map your knowledge

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about SURVEYING AND DESIGN INSTRUMENTS with the expressions from

the box.

curves and figures  –  virtual model  –  database storage  – rendering – DGPS –  angles and distance  –  laser scanners

SURVEYING AND DESIGN INSTRUMENTS SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS

DESIGN INSTRUMENTS

level

2D-3D CAD

elevation automatic digital level theodolite (telescope on a tripod)

2D drawings

3D models and 5  _____________

used to design 4  _____________ in 2D spaces, or curves, surfaces and solids in 3D objects

used to create 3D images or animations from a 6  _____________ (prepared scene)

angles

Total Station (electronic/digital theodolite + microprocessor + EDM device)

1  ______________

Robotic Total Station (+ remote control) GPS Total Station (+ GPS) 2  _____________ (network of fixed groundbased reference stations)

location, elevation and time

BIM 2D drawings, 3D models, models with information on time, cost, functionality and design, 7  ____________________

RTK (two GPS receivers) 3  ____________________________

2

3D models of interior space

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about DESIGN STAGES with the expressions from the box. development  – working – graphics – sketch

DESIGN STAGES

88

1  _________________

DESIGN 2  _________________

simple drawings

gathering of information

3  _________________ DRAWINGS architectural drawings

engineering 4  ________________

revision  /  Surveying and Design revise your knowledge

3 Choose the correct option (A, B or C). 1 A road map is a type of... A thematic map. B navigational map. C topographical map. 2 The Total Station... A replaced the original theodolite. B replaced the surveyor’s level. C identifies points on land of the same height. 3 Specifications for building consent are prepared during the... A working drawing stage. B sketch stage. C design development stage.

4 CAD... A is used only in the construction industry. B increases project design costs. C has taken the place of draftsmen. 5 Information about plaster and emulsion can be found in an... A architectural brief. B architectural drawing. C architectural report. 6 A building report... A is long and detailed. B describes the repair work needed for a building. C is written to help construction workers.

revise vocabulary

4 Match the photos to the correct headings. building report  –  floor plan  –  architectural brief  –  architectural model

1 _____________________

2 _____________________

3 _____________________

4 _____________________

reading comprehension

5 Read the text and answer the questions. Gaming technology in the construction business

In construction projects using old standards and 2D paper drawings, about one third of the total budget is used to cover the cost of correcting undetected errors in the design stage. This is obviously a great waste of time and money. The answer to this problem is gaming technology. Architects and construction companies have been using computerised 3D models of their buildings for some time, but now by wearing virtual reality (VR) headsets, they can get a 360° view of the inside of the building they are designing. This life-like model information can be shared among team members of a project in different countries. All they need is a headset and changes to the design can be made in real time. This exciting world of virtual buildings means that errors like lack of lighting or support columns in awkward places can be detected and corrected before construction begins, which can save clients up to 40% on the total building costs. This demonstrates how effective the use of gaming technology is in construction as it transforms the way people co-ordinate and collaborate on a project.

1 What is used in construction projects that follow old standards? 2 How can time and money be saved in construction projects? 3 What do virtual reality headsets provide architects and construction companies with? 4 What are the advantages of this life-like model information? 5 What kind of problems can be detected by gaming technology in a construction project? 6 Apart from architects and construction workers, who else benefits from this technology?

89

Module

4

revision writing

6 Complete the text about SURVEYING TECHNOLOGY with the words from the box. positioning  – images – surveyors – video – laser – software – photogrammetry – evolution

Forty years ago, (1) ____________ were still using tape measures to measure distances on the ground. Then the arrival of electronic distancing and computers changed everything. Nowadays, surveyors use global (2) ____________ instruments and robotic equipment, which create endless opportunities for members of this profession. GPS is fast at obtaining lots of different measurements, while (3) ____________ scanning can produce as-builts and base maps. Total stations with integrated (4) __________ technology allow surveyors to see exactly what the instrument sees and this information can be used in (5)____________ and in-office surveys. Drones are also very useful for providing (6) ____________ from unique and valuable vantage points that sometimes are difficult to reach. These surveying technologies and the (7) ____________ they use are in constant (8) ____________ together with support applications like cloud-computing, online geo-database and cell phone controlled equipment.

7

MEDIATING TEXTS   Now write a similar text

summarising what you have learnt about measuring and design instruments.

PLAN Existing Conditions Modelling Cost Estimation Phase Planning Site Analysis Programming

exam practice – speaking

8

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a brief oral

presentation (3-5 minutes) on the uses and advantages of BIM. Use the information in the chart to help you.

DESIGN

Design Reviews Code Validation LEED Evaluatioin Other Eng. Analysis Mechanical Analysis Lighting Analysis Structural Analysis Energy Analysis Design Authoring 3D Coordination 3D Control Planning Digital Fabrication Construction System Design Site Utilisation Planning Record Model

Primary BIM Uses Secondary BIM Uses

AUTHENTIC TASK

CONSTRUCT

OPERATE

Disaster Planning Space Mgmt/Tracking Asset Management Building System Analysis Maintenance Scheduling

MEDIATING CONCEPTS

preparing a brief 1 In small groups, think about a house project for a client.

Brainstorm about the house. Make decisions about the materials to be used for: flooring, ceilings, walls, skirting, etc.

2 Prepare your brief, following the example on page 77.

Then write a text motivating your choices.

3 Add drawings or photos taken from the Internet. 4 Present your brief in class. Be prepared to answer your

classmates’ questions: they will pretend to be your client.

COMPETENZE CHIAVE •  competenza multilinguistica •  competenza digitale competenza personale, sociale e capacità di imparare a imparare •  •  competenza imprenditoriale

90

21ST-CENTURY LIFE SKILLS •  senso critico •  creatività

•  decision making •  comunicazione efficace

Module

5

BUILDING AND SAFETY

OBJECTIVES BUILDING in THEORY

ON-SITE VIDEO ∞ The Notebook

∞

Types of houses ∞ Building elements ∞ On the building site

BUILDING VOCABULARY ∞

Building and safety

FOCUS on INVALSI ∞

3D-Printed Dream Home ∞ Unfolding houses

REVISION ∞

Building and safety AUTHENTIC TASK: Social advertising on safety

Watch this extract from the film The Notebook. What main features of an American house can you see? Write down your ideas, considering both the building elements that are shown (doors, windows, walls, etc.) and the materials used.

91

Module

5

TYPES OF HOUSES

Warm up

1 How many kinds

of houses do you know? Read the text and check.

feature essere presenti backyard cortile rundown malmesso, fatiscente council houses case popolari girders travi

The word terraced is from the Old Provençal French word terrassa, meaning ‘pile of earth’. Tenement comes from the Latin word tenēre, meaning ‘to hold’. Detached also comes from the Old French word destachier, a combination of ‘dis’ + ‘attach’.

British houses Various types of architecture and housing can feature in city planning and in Britain there is a wide variety of houses to choose from, depending on your location and requirements. A terraced* house is part of a row of similar houses joined together by their side walls, often forming one block with no space for a garden. They were built in the nineteenth century for the working class and most of them are constructed on two floors, with two rooms downstairs, and two rooms upstairs. At that time, there was no water supply and the toilet was outside in the backyard. A tenement* is a run-down brick building divided into lowrental flats located on several floors, whose facilities and maintenance leave much to be desired. Nowadays they have almost completely been replaced by new council houses, a form of low-cost housing built by local authorities. A tower block is a very tall building of over twenty storeys, which is divided into flats and offices. Steel girders and reinforced concrete are used in their construction and they are called skyscrapers in the USA. A semi-detached house is a house joined to another house on one side only, by a shared wall. They usually have an upstairs and a downstairs and a small garden, and can be found in the suburbs. A detached* house is a house which stands alone with nothing on either side. A garden usually surrounding the whole house keeps it separate from other houses in the street. They are mainly built in the residential areas of towns or cities.

92

building in theory  /  Building and Safety A cottage* is a small house in the countryside. Traditional cottages had a thatched* roof. Nowadays many cottages have been renovated and have become very fashionable on the property market.

More about Cottages in Wales There is a long tradition of cottages in Wales, particularly in the west of the country. Many were built in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to meet housing shortages, but there was also a lack of available land, so people had to build on common land. This led to widespread building of so-called ‘one-night’ houses, taiunnos in Welsh. They had this name because the builders had to complete them overnight, signalled by smoke rising from the chimney the next morning. The builder then threw an axe from the front door of the cottage, and wherever it landed determined the boundary of the property. The person who moved into the temporary one-night cottage built of turf and thatch, then had time to build a more permanent home. As people started living on large estates in the nineteenth century, builders were employed to construct better cottages for tenant farmers to rent. They often had two floors and were more sophisticated than the previous ones, as they were built of wood, cement, slate and even brick, which could be transported on the new railways. They also had cottage gardens for families to grow vegetables to feed themselves.

Cottage is from the Anglo-Norman French word cotage and thatched comes from the Old English word theccan, meaning ‘to cover’.

common land terreno di uso pubblico turf manto erboso slate ardesia

Half-timbered houses in the UK, p. 226

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts again and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). 1 Terraced buildings were built in the second half of the twentieth century. 2 Terraced houses each had their own water supply and indoor toilet. 3 Terraced houses are built in rows. 4 A tenement was usually built with bricks and had more than two floors. 5 Tower blocks are built of steel girders and reinforced concrete. 6 Detached houses are usually surrounded by a garden. 7 Semi-detached houses have four or more storeys. 8 Semi-detached houses are usually built in the city centre. 9 Cottages are usually in the countryside. 10 A cottage usually has a tiled roof.

T F

vocabulary

3 Find the synonyms of the following words in the texts. 1 several 2 assortment 3 necessities 4 room

_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________

5 6 7 8

dilapidated in common outskirts popular

_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________

speaking

4

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Choose and describe one type of housing and have your partner guess which one. Then swap roles and try again!

93

Module

5

building in theory Warm up

1 Do you know

which American cities have the highest number of skyscrapers?

American houses A luxurious attic with exclusive services – such as a lift or roof terrace – is called a penthouse. It has a panoramic view and usually occupies the entire top floor of a building. A loft is a house created just below the roof of an office building. Originally used for storing things, it is generally of huge dimensions, without dividing walls and floor-toceiling windows. The first examples of lofts were in the 1970s, when artists chose to live in old industrial buildings in New York.

A ranch is a large farm used to raise cattle, horses or sheep. The ranch house is rectangular, on one level, and is usually open-plan with few interior walls.

A bungalow is a house all on one level, usually small and often surrounded by a verandah. Its name derives from an Indian word, which was introduced into the English language to indicate poorly-built houses. It has become popular in American towns where it usually has high ceilings, large doors and windows. It is often found in warm regions such as California.

Skyscrapers are very tall buildings fifty or more storeys high. The first skyscrapers were built at the end of the nineteenth century, for businesses, but since then, they have been used more and more for residential purposes. The design and decoration of skyscrapers has changed over the years, following different styles, but it is the use of glass curtain walls since the middle of the twentieth century that has made skyscrapers a hallmark of modern urban life in many countries. raise allevare hallmark segno caratteristico

Half-timbered houses in the USA, p. 227

reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text and complete the sentences with the missing words.

1 The difference between penthouses and lofts is that ___________ have more luxurious and exclusive services. 2 Horse, cattle or sheep raisers traditionally live on a ___________. 3 A bungalow is generally surrounded by a ___________. 4 Nowadays skyscrapers are used both for commercial and for ___________ purposes. 5 Glass ___________ walls are often used in the building of skyscrapers nowadays.

94

building in theory  /  Building and Safety A brief history of skyscrapers The term ‘skyscraper’ first appeared in the 1880s, shortly after the first tall buildings were constructed in the United States. However, the history of tall buildings dates back to the Middle Ages when there were towers made of heavy stone and thick strong walls. During the Industrial Revolution, engineers began experimenting with two new materials – iron and steel. The ten-storey Home Insurance Building in Chicago was the first tall building to be supported by steel vertical columns and horizontal beams. However, even with windows, the closely spaced columns and deep beams made rooms in the Home Insurance Building feel tight and cramped. New structural designs made skyscrapers even lighter and stiffer. As skyscrapers grew taller and taller, engineers had to face a new problem – the wind. Skyscrapers push down into the ground, but when it is windy, the columns on the windy side stretch apart, and on the other side they come closer together. Engineers solved this problem by placing steel columns and beams closely together at the core of the skyscraper, to create a structure that could resist very high wind forces. The inner core was used as a lift shaft, and the design created lots of open space on each floor. In newer skyscrapers, like the Willis Tower, commonly referred to as the Sears Tower, in Chicago, engineers moved the columns and beams from the core to the perimeter, creating a hollow, rigid tube as strong as the core design, but weighing much less. Nowadays architects in cities all over the world are using wood as the main component for tall buildings. In Vancouver, Canada, the 18-storey Brock Commons Tower is an example of what can be constructed with wood. In Japan, one of the largest businesses in the timber sector, the Sumitomo Forestry Group, and one of the most famous architectural design firms, Nikken Sekkei, are planning to build the tallest wooden building in the world – a 350 metre high skyscraper called the W350 Project. The building, estimated for completion by 2041, will be made of 90% specially processed wood and 10% steel. The construction will be built with cross-laminated timber (CLT), a material made of many sheets of wood glued and compressed together that is stronger than steel. The cost of cross-laminated timber is about the same as concrete and steel, but because it’s lighter, transport costs are lower. They will use a braced tube structure, which is basically a structural system made stronger by inserting elements into the framework to prevent damage caused by the wind or earthquakes.

The Home Insurance Building, 1885, Chicago

cramped anguste stiffer più rigidi core centro lift shaft vano dell'ascensore hollow vuoto cross-laminated timber legno lamellare a strati incrociati The Brock Commons Tower, Vancouver

reading comprehension

3 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 How long have tall buildings existed and what were the first ones made of? 2 What disadvantage was there in the design of the Home Insurance Building in Chicago? 3 Why did engineers decide to change the design of skyscrapers by placing steel columns and beams at the core of the building? 4 What was the advantage of the new technique used to design the Willis Tower in Chicago? 5 What innovative ideas are represented by the Japanese W350 Project?

writing

4

PRELIMINARY MEDIATING TEXTS   Write an article (100 words) on how tall buildings have evolved over the years and what you think the advantages of these constructions are compared to one-storey buildings.

95

Module

5

building in theory Warm up

1 Look at the

photos A-D and match them with the following words. Which of them mainly refer to urban housing? Which to rural housing? 1

2 3 4

historical home block of flats farmhouse villa

Italian houses In Italy, there have always been many settlements since ancient times. Therefore, you can find all different kinds of homes, from houses to skyscrapers. There are plenty of historical homes in towns and villages, dating back to the sixteenth century. They are generally aristocratic homes, with well-proportioned façades and interesting architectural features, indicating the status of the owners. Historical centres are also characterised by simpler dwellings, with a two-storey structure and rooms used for business on the ground floor. In the twentieth century, economic activity moved to the suburbs, in specially created areas for commercial, craft and industrial activities. Housing in these areas ranges from detached houses to multi-family or terraced houses, and blocks of flats. In the countryside, rural houses can be varied and very old. They include houses with walls in brick or earth and straw, semi-subterranean dwellings dug out of rock, brick or stone farmhouses, which can be large and multi-family and generally with outbuildings. Rural houses also include villas surrounded by Italian-style gardens and accessible via a path often bordered by a row of trees.

façades facciate dwellings abitazioni craft artigianato straw paglia dug scavate outbuildings fabbricati annessi

A

C

B

D

reading comprehension

2

INVALSI   Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Then write a justification for

each decision. Write the first four words of the sentence which supports your decision.

1 Settlements in Italy have existed for a long time. In Italy, there have 2 There are few examples of historical homes. 3 The architectural impressiveness of historical homes indicated the social position of the owner. 4 During the last century, the areas surrounding cities and towns were intended to host shopping centres, industries and other economic activities. 5 Rural houses only appeared in Italy a short time ago. 6 Farmhouses are examples of multi-family houses.

96

T F ✔

building in theory  /  Building and Safety listening

3

1.18   Listen to a man talking about the city of Matera and decide if the statements

below are true (T) or false (F).

1 Matera came first in a competition against over twenty other Italian cities. 2 Other European cities have benefited from this title in the past. 3 The title is valid for four years. 4 Matera must now plan to improve its town on a long-term basis. 5 Richard Gere saw the film King David when he was in Matera. 6 The whole town is built in the side of a gorge. 7 Other places in the Mediterranean have more cave dwellings than Matera.

T F

More about Alberobello is a small town in southern Italy. It has about 11,000 inhabitants and is famous for its unique trulli buildings. The trulli of Alberobello have been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996. Alberobello dates back to the early sixteenth century, when the first 40 families got land to farm in the area. They built the first trulli out of dry stone without using mortar, so that they did not need to pay tax on their homes, and soon the settlement grew.

writing

4

ONLINE INTERACTION   You have been asked to work on an online leaflet for a real estate agency: choose three

different types of houses and write a description of the characteristics of each building.

more knowledge building

5 Read the following text and answer the questions.

House Scaccabarozzi House Scaccabarozzi is a very particular historical building situated in the Vanchiglia area of Turin, on the corner of San Maurizio and Via Giulia di Barolo. It was designed in 1840 by Alessandro Antonelli, architect of the Mole Antonelliana, a monument in Turin. He called the building after his wife, Francesca Scaccabarozzi, a noblewoman originally from Cremona. The building has a trapezoidal shape and is often known as ‘slice of polenta’ because one side is only 54 cm thick and because most 1 2 3 4

of the building is yellow. Many people were convinced the building would fall down so Antonelli and his wife went to live in it for a few years to prove its stability. The construction, built entirely of stone and brick, has a total of nine floors of different heights, all connected by a narrow scissorshape staircase for a total height of 24 m. Seven floors are above ground level, while two are below street level. The depth of its foundations is what makes the building so stable.

Who designed House Scaccabarozzi and where does it get its name from? Why do you think people were worried about the stability of this building? Do you think ‘slice of polenta’ is an effective way of describing this building? Why/Why not? What ensures the stability of the construction?

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Module

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BUILDING ELEMENTS

Warm up

1 What do you

think the main function of foundations is in a building?

shallow superficiali embedded incassate constraints limiti pre-tensioned precompresso settlement assestamento scour erosione frost heave criosollevamento ice lenses lenti di ghiaccio swell dilatarsi shrink restringersi

Foundations All types of buildings have some building elements in common: foundations, walls, floors, stairs and a roof. Foundations are structures that transfer the weight from walls and columns to the ground. There are two types of foundations: shallow foundations and deep foundations. Shallow foundations are usually embedded a metre into the soil, whereas deep foundations are embedded more in depth. Deep foundations are recommended in the case of very large design loads, poor soil at shallow depth or site constraints, such as property lines. There are different types of deep foundations and they can be made of timber, steel and reinforced or pre-tensioned concrete. Geotechnical engineers design foundations to ensure that they have an adequate load capacity with limited settlement. Both total and differential (when one part of the foundation settles more than others) settlements must be considered. A foundation must not be loaded beyond its bearing capacity. When designing foundations, it is also important to consider scour (when flowing water removes supporting soil from around a foundation) and frost heave (when water in the ground freezes and forms ice lenses). Expansive clay can swell and shrink if soil moisture changes and these variations can cause the soil to The footing is the base of a distort, consequently cracking the structure over it. This is a structure and the first step particular problem for house footings* in semi-arid climates, in a foundation. It is a mass where wet winters are followed by hot dry summers. When of concrete supporting the structures are built in areas of permafrost, they are designed foundation of the house. in a way that tries to prevent the permafrost from melting.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 2 3 4

What are foundations? How many types of foundations are there? What are the main features of shallow foundations? What are the main features of deep foundations? What do geotechnical engineers design?

5 6 7 8

vocabulary

3 Match these words from the text to their synonyms. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

98

to embed soil load to swell to shrink to distort to melt

a b c d e f g

to bend   to become larger   to set in   to thaw   to become smaller  weight  earth

What must be considered? What are scour and heave? When can expansive clay swell and shrink? When is this a particular problem?

building in theory  /  Building and Safety

Walls Walls are usually solid structures that define and protect areas, delineate a building or a space and support the superstructures of buildings. The walls of a building support roofs and ceilings, divide internal space into rooms, and give protection against intrusion and the weather. They usually have about three separate components: structural elements, insulation and surface finishes. Walls can be load-bearing or non-load-bearing depending on whether they provide structural support to the building or not. Exterior load-bearing walls carry ceiling, roof or upper floor loads to the foundations. Some load-bearing walls are inside buildings: they support joists at mid span and transfer loads down to the foundations. Usually conventional house walls have an inner wooden framework that may support part of the house and contains electrical wiring, plumbing, insulation and other utilities. Building walls frequently become works of art, externally and internally, such as when featuring mosaic work or when murals are painted on them.

support sostengono finishes finiture load-bearing portanti joists travi portanti at mid span a metà lunghezza

reading comprehension

1 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. 1 The walls of a building support roofs and ceilings and separate the space inside. 2 Walls are made up of more than one component. 3 There are two kinds of walls. 4 Non-load-bearing walls give support to the building. 5 Load-bearing walls can only be exterior walls. 6 Conventional house walls usually contain electrical wiring or plumbing.

T F

vocabulary

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the text.

1 tetti 2 soffitti 3 portante 4 carichi

_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________

5 6 7 8

struttura impianto elettrico impianto idraulico utenze

_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________

speaking

3

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs and talk about how your house is divided inside, and what changes you

would make to it.

writing

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Do some research about your school, then write a paragraph saying what type of soil it is

built on, the type of foundations used and how it is divided inside.

99

Module

5

building in theory Warm up

1 What kind of

floors would be suitable for a rural house? What kind for an urban flat?

earthenware terracotta stoneware gres porcellanato oak quercia maple acero walnut noce birch betulla affordable abbordabile limestone pietra calcarea

Floors The floor* structure contributes to the general strength of the building system. It is made up of a steel I-beam frame with a horizontal upper surface to which a number of adjacent composite floor panels are fastened firmly. Floors consist of a subfloor for support and a floor covering used to give a good walking surface. In modern buildings the subfloor often has electrical wiring, plumbing, and may provide other services built in, like underfloor heating. There is a wide variety of floor covering materials: carpet, ceramic tiles, wood flooring, laminated wood or stone. Carpets are used mostly in cold climates, both in private houses and in offices. They are available in different fibres (wool, nylon, acrylic, and other types) and different styles and colours.

The term ‘floor’ is commonly used for the levels of a building, but the proper term is ‘storey’.

Ceramic tiles are square (or other shapes) of earthenware, stoneware or porcelain. They are commonly used in residential homes and public buildings. They are waterproof, durable and practically stain proof.

Laminate flooring is a high-tech product with the surface made to resemble a traditional wood flooring, or any other material (stone, cork, linoleum, etc.). It is one of the most popular kinds of flooring in modern houses as it is versatile, affordable and easy to install.

100

Hardwood floors are chosen for their natural beauty and durability. Hardwood is good for the environment and adds value to a home. Oak, maple, walnut, cherry, birch and pine are just a few types of hardwood which are available in a wide variety of sizes, finishes, styles and combinations.

Stone floors are long-lasting products, chosen for their natural beauty. There is a wide variety of stones; granite, limestone, marble, travertine and slate are among the most popular ones. Stones can be put together in an infinite number of ways. Mosaics – produced by fitting together small pieces of coloured stones – are examples of a very ancient and decorative technique still used today.

building in theory  /  Building and Safety reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text and complete the table with the missing information.

Floor covering carpets

Characteristics •  suitable for cold climates

Location •  private homes •  (1) ____________

hardwood floors

•  (2) ____________ durability •  environmentally friendly •  prestigious

ceramic tiles

•  square or other shapes •  waterproof durable •  almost stain proof

stone floors

•  long-lasting •  natural beauty

/

mosaics

•  ancient technique •  (5) ____________

/

laminate flooring

•  versatile •  affordable •  easy to install

/ •  residential homes •  public buildings

•  (6) ____________

Materials different fibres such as wool, nylon, acrylic, and other types oak, maple, walnut, cherry, birch and pine (available in different sizes, finishes, styles and combinations) earthenware, stoneware, (3) ____________

granite, (4) ____________, marble, travertine, slate small pieces of coloured stone high-tech product with surface that can look like different kinds of flooring such as wood, stone, cork, linoleum, etc.

listening

3

1.19   Listen to an expert talking about carpets and complete the text.

(1) ____________ of UK homes have wall-to-wall carpeting which on average is replaced every (2) ____________ years. What most people do not realise, is that the (3) ____________ from their newly-purchased carpet is due to the (4) ____________ in the carpet, and represents just one of the health hazards lurking in Britain’s favourite flooring. Carpets suggest luxury, comfort and (5) ____________, but they retain (6) ____________ and may also contain chemical residues from their (7) ____________ or treatment, which can all cause (8) ____________. Therefore, in my opinion, the most effective solution is to replace carpets with (9) ____________ flooring or (10) ____________ which can be removed for cleaning. There are a variety of healthy alternatives such as (11) ____________, linoleum, (12) ____________ and laminate floors. You should however avoid (13) ____________ flooring, as it is a major source of (14) ____________ and sometimes persistent (15) ____________ in the environment. British homes: wall-to-wall carpeting

More about The red carpet No-one seems absolutely sure of the origin, but it has been suggested that it goes back to ancient Greece and the classical play Agamemnon. The character, Agamemnon, is welcomed home by his wife to a grand reception with a deep red and purple carpet, the colour of the gods. Agamemnon is an arrogant character and his wife wants to show this by literally having him walk over the gods. This story passed down through the centuries and today only the most important members of society walk on the ‘red carpet’. In fact, it is used by celebrities and members of the entertainment industry and by heads of state on ceremonial occasions. The red carpet provides a feeling of importance and status.

speaking

4

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   You are choosing the floors for a five-room flat. In pairs,

discuss what type of flooring is best for each room. Then report to the class giving reasons for your choices.

101

Module

5

building in theory Warm up

1 Look at the

words in bold in the text and label the pictures.

run rampa sweeping che si

estende broad ampia steep ripida landing pianerottolo risers alzate treads pedate handrails corrimani

Stairs Beyond being vertical passageways, staircases are powerful design elements and an opportunity for creative expression. They can be spiral (twisting around a centre pole with steps radiating out of it), straight (they stretch from the lower to the upper level in one straight run), circular (sweeping in a broad curve from one level to another) or they can have other shapes. They can be wide or narrow, steep or gradual, return (dividing the run, reversing direction 180 degrees at a landing) or ‘L’ stairs (making a 90 degree turn at a landing). Their design is influenced by their function and their style varies according to how their parts are built and combined. Staircases are built according to rules that are important for safety, indicating the height of risers, depth and width of treads and placement of handrails. The first measurement to take when building a staircase is the distance between the two finished floors. This determines the height of the staircase. Its riser must not exceed 22 cm in residential buildings. The average width is 80 cm and should not be less than 60 cm. Queen’s House

A  ____________________________

B  ____________________________

C  ____________________________

D  ____________________________

E  ____________________________

F  ____________________________

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 How would you define staircases? 2 What kind of staircases are there? 3 What is the difference between a spiral and a circular staircase? 4 What is the design of a staircase influenced by?

102

5 What rules must be followed when building a staircase? 6 Which measurement must be taken first? 7 What determines the height of a staircase? 8 What do you know about its width?

building in theory  /  Building and Safety listening

3

1.20 PRELIMINARY   Listen to an expert talking about staircases and complete the text with the information

you hear.

We all probably frequently use staircases and don’t even notice this miracle of architecture that has been part of our daily lives for (1) ____________. Indeed, they have existed from about 6000 BC and there are many spectacular staircases all over the world both outside and indoors. If you go to the jungle in Ecuador, you can admire the Canyon Staircase that is situated near a famous waterfall called Paílón del Diablo (in English, Devil’s Cauldron) on the Pastaza River. This staircase made of (2) ______________ on the cliff lets you get really close to the force of the water as it tumbles down the cliff into a pool below and is a great tourist attraction. Spiral staircases have been around for centuries too. They are always a special (3) ____________ of a building and are still used in modern architecture today. One example is the spiral staircase inside the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Australia. This amazing spiral staircase is the centrepiece of the building and was constructed in this way to save space. The design of this white, six-storey staircase has (4) ____________ and chrome railings that fit in perfectly with the modern décor of the building. Nowadays, architects are experimenting more and more with staircase design, taking advantage of their (5) ____________ potential as they try to fight the trend of high-speed lifts. At the 2013 London Design Festival, one of the biggest attractions was 15 interlocking staircases designed by architects De Rijke Marsh Morgan (drMM). The (6) ____________ timber structure was erected in front of the Tate Modern art gallery. Although this surreal staircase actually led nowhere, it served as an excellent The Canyon Staircase, Ecuador (7) ____________ platform overlooking the Tate Modern and the Thames. The Endless Stair, London

The spiral staircase, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Australia

speaking

4

PRELIMINARY MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Your school needs a new pavilion. Look at the pictures of staircases on page 102 and discuss which design you like best for your school and why.

writing

5

PRELIMINARY MEDIATING TEXTS   Write a short paragraph about the stairs in your home or in a building you know well. Include the following information: • type of stairs; • your opinion on the functionality and aesthetics of this solution; • any changes you would make to the design.

103

Module

5

building in theory carpenter carpentiere trusses travature, capriate battens assi nailed inchiodati ridge tiles tegole di colmo row fila guttering grondaia melting che si sta sciogliendo tar catrame shingles scandole drawback inconveniente

Urban Heat Island (UHI) is a central city area that is much warmer than the rural areas around it due to the presence of many buildings, transport and people and their activities. This has negative effects on both air and water quality.

Rooftop gardens

Roofs There are two types of structures: cut roofs (where a Rooftop in Canada carpenter measures, cuts and places every length of wood needed for the frame) and fixed roofs, made of pre-built and assembled trusses. Trusses are custom-designed by computer so as to adapt to the typical weather conditions of an area. As they generally rest only on outside walls, the walls inside the house can be positioned in any way, according to the room sizes required. When the frame of the roof is ready, a waterproof membrane is placed over it and it is held in place by battens (long pieces of wood) that are nailed into the truss and are the supporting system for the tiles. Tiles are then nailed to the wood. The top of the roof is finished off with ridge tiles that cover both sides of the top row of the roof tiles. Then, the end of the wood at the bottom of the roof is covered by a fascia. The fascia allows air to flow safely through the membrane. Guttering is attached to the fascia to drain water from the roof. Insulation is also necessary as heat can be lost through the roof. When designing the roof structure, it is important to remember that the roof load is transferred to the supporting beams, bearing walls, building foundations and ultimately the ground. In cold climates, it is important to keep the roof temperature cold to avoid ice dams created by melting snow. In hot climates, solar heated hot air must be expelled from the attic to reduce the cooling load of the building. Some of the latest architectural innovations in roof building include: Cool Roofs – designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than standard dark •  roofing materials like tar and asphalt that are normally used to cover buildings. They can be made of a highly reflective type of paint, a sheet covering or highly reflective tiles or shingles. Therefore, in hot climates, cool roofs save energy and money because less air-conditioning is required. Green Roofs – ideal for urban areas, they are flat roofs that become a garden, full of •  plants. Apart from providing rooftop space that can be enjoyed, green roofs also lower the need for heating and cooling a building. They can also reduce the urban heat island* effect as plants absorb carbon dioxide. The only drawback is that green roofs are more expensive to install than other types of roofs.

reading comprehension

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text and complete the sentences with the missing words.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Trusses are designed to adapt to the typical _______________________ of the area where the house is built. The supporting system for roof tiles is made up of ________________________ called battens. The top of the roof is finished off with _______________________. Water drains off the roof through _______________________. _______________________ form due to melting snow. _______________________ absorb more heat than cool roofing materials. Green roofs reduce the amount of energy needed to _______________________ a building.

vocabulary

2 Match the words from the text to their definitions. 1 frame 2 waterproof 3 to nail 4 tile 5 guttering 6 to expel

104

a b c d e f

a hollow wooden or metal structure normally used for windows   to force out from a container   to fix or attach using a hammer and long, small pieces of metal  impermeable   channels on the lower edge of a roof   flat kind of covering put together to cover walls or floors

building in theory  /  Building and Safety Thatching Thatching is the ancient craft of building a roof with dry vegetation such as straw or water reeds. It has been used in both tropical and temperate climates, mainly in rural areas, and was popular especially in the UK. This method of roofing is still employed by builders in developing countries, because it uses low-cost, local vegetation. By contrast, in some developed countries it is now the choice of wealthy people looking for a rustic and eco-friendly solution for their home. Some of the main advantages of this type of roof are that thatch is a natural insulator and contains air pockets which insulate a building in both hot and cold weather, so a building with a thatched roof will be cool in summer and warm in winter; it also has very good resistance to wind damage. Since thatch is a versatile material, it is very useful for covering irregular roof structures. It is ecological, given that it is made entirely from natural materials, preferably sourced locally, and of course, it is very attractive. Thatch does have some disadvantages however. Many people think that a roof made of dried plants presents a great fire risk. The result of this is that thatched houses are more expensive to insure. It is also more expensive to build because it is labour intensive. Precisely because it is made of a natural material, thatch can attract birds and other animals, which make their nests in it, and can cause damage. Thatched properties increased in the UK until the mid-1800s as agriculture expanded, but then declined at the end of the nineteenth century because of agricultural recession and rural depopulation. They have become much more popular in the UK over the past thirty years however, also because of renewed interest in preserving historic buildings and using more sustainable building materials. There are now approximately 1,000 fulltime thatchers at work in the UK and almost 100,000 thatched roofs.

water reeds canne aquatiche thatch copertura di paglia air pockets sacche d’aria sourced procurati insure assicurare nests nidi declined diminuito

More about •  Because thatch is lighter than other roofs, less timber is required in the structure that supports it. •  One of the few thatched buildings in London is the modern Globe Theatre — a reconstruction of the theatre built by William Shakespeare.

reading comprehension

1 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. 1 Thatched roofs are frequently used by poorer people in developed countries. 2 A thatched roof is good at keeping a house warm in winter and cool in summer. 3 It takes a lot of manpower to build a thatched roof, although the materials are not expensive. 4 Birds’ nests help to keep a thatched house warm. 5 This type of roof is becoming more popular in Britain today. 6 There was a decline in thatched roofs in the first half of the twentieth century.

T F

vocabulary

2 Find the words in the text for the following definitions. 1 kind to the environment 2 flexible, that can be used in many ways 3 requiring a lot of people to do a job

________________ ________________ ________________

4 when people move from the countryside to cities 5 keeping in good condition 6 environmentally-friendly and reusable

________________ ________________ ________________

speaking

3

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Discuss the following points, considering the advantages and

disadvantages of thatching.

• Do you think thatching is a roofing solution

that could be developed in Italy?

• Have you ever seen a thatched roof in Italy, or abroad? • Would you like to live in a thatched house? Why/Why not?

105

Module

5

building in theory Warm up

1 Discuss these

questions with a partner and note down any similarities or differences between your homes. • How many

windows are there in your house or flat? • Are they all the same type? Can you describe them? animal hide pelle di animale cloth stoffa clerestory lucernaio hinged sash telaio con cerniera slats lamelle lead piombo

From a historical context, clerestory refers to the upper level of a Roman basilica or the nave of a Romanesque or Gothic church, where the walls that rise above the rooflines are full of windows.

Windows The first windows date back to the 13th century BC, when they were simply an opening in the roof without glass to let light into the rooms. Then gradually these windows were covered with animal hide, cloth or wood. The Romans were the first known to use glass, even if at that time the glass was not very transparent as it was very thick. Over the years, techniques improved to produce thinner rectangular window panes. Most modern windows are made from industrial plate glass, but there are some also made with transparent plastic instead of glass. Thermal and acoustic insulation are achieved by double-glazing where the space between two panes of glass is sealed and filled with dry air or other nonreactive gas during manufacturing. Further steps in technology have led to the production of smart windows. The light transmission properties of the glass in these windows can let light in or block it. Windows in general come in different styles. Here are just some of them. Cross window: a rectangular window divided into four by a mullion (vertical support) •  and a transom (horizontal support) to form a Latin cross. Sash window: made up of two parts (sashes) that overlap slightly and slide up and •  down inside the frame. This is the traditional style of window used in the UK. Casement window: this has a hinged sash that swings in or out like a door. It is very •  common in modern buildings in the USA and Europe. Louvered window: this consists of horizontal slats of glass or acrylic that are •  positioned at an angle to let light and air into a room but at the same time protecting it from rain and direct sunshine. Clerestory window: in architecture, a clerestory* refers to a high section of wall •  that has windows to let in both light and fresh air. In modern architecture, clerestory windows refer to vertical windows situated on high walls that extend up from the roofline. These are designed to let in light and fresh air but maintain the privacy of occupants at the same time. They are becoming popular in modern housing designs. Bay window: this type of window extends outwards from the main walls of a building. •  Bay windows are popular in Britain and can be found in terraced houses, semi and detached houses and blocks of flats. They are also popular in the US, Canada and Australia and are one of the characteristics of the architectural style of San Francisco. Stained glass window: this type of window is composed of pieces of coloured glass •  that are usually separated by lead glazing bars. They are very common in churches and were also popular in Victorian houses in England.

reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text and complete the information.

Type: (1) ____________ Description: made up of two parts that slide up and down inside a frame Location: (2) ____________ Type: (3) ____________ Description: (4) ___________ Location: modern buildings in the USA and Europe

106

Type: (5) ____________ Description: vertical windows situated on high walls that extend up from the roofline Location: (6) historical ____________ Type: (7) ____________________ Description: extends outwards from the main walls of a building Location: (8) ____________________ Type: (9) ___________________ Description: pieces of coloured glass Location: (10) __________________

building in theory  /  Building and Safety

Doors Doors are often an integral part of the identity of a building, in particular external ones, and each era is characterised by specific types of doors. Here are some types. External doors: usually made of a hard, resistant, semi-permeable material like •  wood, steel or fiberglass. They allow people to enter and exit buildings. Solid wood doors: most popular standard material used for external doors. •  Different kinds of wood can be used but the most popular are oak, fir and pine. If not made properly, wood doors can warp if they get damp. Steel doors: usually chosen for security reasons but may not be any stronger than •  solid wood doors. Fiberglass doors: ideal for humid climates because they are warp resistant. •  Interior doors: made of many different materials like wood, with glass panes or •  even stainless steel. There is a wide variety to choose from, so it is easy to find a style of door that suits your living space. Interior doors also serve to control ventilation so that rooms do not lose heat in winter or freshness in summer. Here are just some external and interior doors that are available on the market. Saloon doors: the kind of swing doors you see in westerns, found in public bars and cafés. Security door: made from strong steel and used for vaults and safe rooms. Sliding glass doors: usually made of a structure with one fixed and one mobile glass panel that slides along a track, these doors open onto a garden or patio. They can be made of different materials and are commonly used for wardrobes. Revolving doors: consist of three or four doors that hang on a central shaft that rotate around a vertical axis. These are used for shops and public buildings as people can enter and exit easily at the same time. Automatic doors: open automatically when someone approaches, and close again. They are used in many constructions like hotels and airports.

fiberglass lana di vetro fir abete pine pino warp deformarsi get damp si bagnano shaft albero

More about UK and Irish Georgian front doors Georgian architecture is easily recognisable for its grandeur, neo-classical proportions and impressive details and these features are evident in the many Georgian front doors to be found in the UK and Ireland. Ireland is particulary famous for its colourful front doors on the Georgian town houses in its capital, Dublin, that have become a landmark of the city.

Complying with guidelines

reading comprehension

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text and complete the sentences with the missing information.

1 2 3 4 5 6

External solid wood doors ___________________________ due to dampness. The best material for external doors in humid climates is ___________________________. Interior doors ___________________________ inside a building. Vaults and ___________________________ have security doors made from strong steel. ___________________________ can be used both for wardrobes and to access a patio or garden. Revolving doors ___________________________ public buildings.

vocabulary

2 Find the opposite of these words in the text. 1 soft 2 wrongly

________________ ________________

3 hollow 4 dry

________________ ________________

5 heavy 6 weak

________________ ________________

speaking

3

PRELIMINARY MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Talk about the different kinds of doors in your home and

consider the following:

• similarities and differences in style and materials between your home and your partner’s; • changes you would make giving reasons for your choices.

107

Module

5

ON THE BUILDING SITE

Warm up

1 What do modern methods of construction include? What are the most commonly used materials? Read the text and check.

moulds stampi joint congiunta precast prefabbricato slabs piastre partitions pareti divisorie, tramezzi paste pasta nozzle ugello

More about Unfolding homes are buildings that can unfold and fold themselves, transforming from a box-like container into a building eight or ten times their original size. It seems something amazing but there is no technology other than hinges and making sure that something that goes up is counter balanced by something that goes down. The basic principle is therefore just intelligent design.

108

Modern methods of construction At the start of the 21st century, European governments introduced modern construction methods to cope with the shortage of houses. These methods include the manufacturing of panels and modules offsite, and innovative site-based methods, like the use of concrete moulds. With these methods, houses can be built faster so they cost less. Thin joint masonry: the depth of the mortar is very thin (3 mm or less) so productivity •  is improved because laying is faster. It can be additionally improved using large format concrete blocks. Precast flat panel system: a fast, good quality and accurate method. Floors and walls •  are created in a factory and put together on-site. Panels can include services, windows, doors and finishes. 3D volumetric construction (modular construction): the production of 3D units •  (modules) that can be brought to the site in different forms, ranging from basic structures to internal and external finishes and services ready for rapid assembly. Hybrid concrete construction (HCC): a very fast, good quality and low-cost method. It •  offers simple, buildable and competitive structures with reliable performance. Formwork is the temporary structure or mould used to retain plastic or fluid materials •  in a selected shape, until it hardens. Insulating concrete formwork systems (ICF): made of twin-walled expanded •  polystyrene panels that can be quickly assembled to create the formwork for the walls of a building which is then filled with concrete. This method offers good thermal and sound insulation and strength. Tunnel form: allows for the building of monolithic walls and slabs in one operation on •  a daily cycle. Flat slabs system: offers rapid construction because it simplifies the installation of •  services. Moreover, it places no restrictions on the positioning of horizontal partitions. Construction 3D printer: concrete or earth materials in the form of a paste are pushed •  through a nozzle, layer upon layer to print buildings in 3D. This new kind of construction technology takes less time and requires fewer materials than traditional methods, but for the moment, 3D printing can only build the frame and walls of a house.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text again and answer the following questions. 1 Can you describe thin joint masonry? 2 What are modular construction and HCC? 3 What is formwork? What is it used for? 4 How are ICF systems made?

5 What does this method offer? 6 Why does the flat slabs system offer rapid construction? 7 What advantages does construction using a 3D printer offer?

building in theory  /  Building and Safety

Construction machinery

Warm up

A tower crane is used to build tall buildings. Its short arm carries a counterweight of concrete blocks and its long arm carries lifting gear. The operator can sit in a cabin at the top of the tower just below the horizontal boom or control the crane by radio remote control from the ground. The lifting hook is controlled by a system of sheaves. Digging machines are used for digging trenches for subterranean utility lines, storm sewers, etc. They use a vehicle (such as a front loader) and digging implements (such as a bucket-style backhoe or a rotary digging one). The rotary digging instruments use a rotating structure that is rotated along an elongated path. This may cause two problems: the ground material that is pushed away usually •  A includes rocks and other solid material which can be dangerous if somebody stands in the path of it; some of the excavated ground material falls back •  to the ground and the working crew must remove it using shovels. A concrete mixer (or cement mixer) mixes cement aggregate (such as cement or gravel) and water to form concrete. There are also portable concrete mixers for smaller volume work. B

C

1 Match each kind

of machinery to the right picture. 1

2 3

digging machine   concrete mixer   tower crane

counterweight contrappeso gear ingranaggio boom braccio sheaves carrucole trenches fossi storm sewers fognature bianche front loader pala a caricamento frontale backhoe escavatore a cucchiaia rovescia shovels pale, badili gravel breccia

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 2 3 4

What is a tower crane used for? How does it work? Where can the operator sit? What are digging machines used for? What do rotary digging instruments use?

5 Why can there be some problems? Can you describe them? 6 What does a concrete mixer do? 7 What is usually used for smaller volume work?

vocabulary

3 Find the words in the text for the following definitions. 1 2 3 4

a person who is employed to operate or control a machine a system for controlling a machine or a vehicle from a distance, by radio or electronic signals likely to harm or hurt you, not safe small stones

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

writing

4

PRELIMINARY MEDIATING TEXTS   Write a short article (about 100 words) describing the methods used in modern construction that save time, energy and money.

109

Module

5

building in theory Warm up

1 Do you know

the difference between the terms ‘restoration’ and ‘renovation’?

unknowingly inconsapevolmente

Restoration Restoration is the process of bringing a building back to its original state before it was damaged by time and use. There are three types of restoration: Building cleaning is typical in cities with smoke pollution. It means cleaning the •  exterior façade of a building; Major repairs are typically necessary on stonework when the building has become •  structurally unstable due to acid rain affecting the stonework; Rebuilding concerns buildings that have been badly damaged or have parts missing. •  There are two possibilities: recreating the original building with materials and techniques similar to the original, or using more modern ones. However, not all buildings are restored to the original design. In most cases, external walls are kept and completely new buildings are built inside. In many cities, there are historical buildings that are restored and transformed into new and modern ones, keeping their original appearance and historic value. In this case the property can be listed on the National Register of historic places and receive funding or tax incentives and its value increases. When the restoration of a historical building is started, it is essential to understand that its original surfaces, both inside and out, can be easily and unknowingly damaged while doing the job.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 What is restoration? 2 How many types of restoration are there? Can you name them? 3 Why and where is building cleaning usually carried out?

4 Can you explain what rebuilding is? 5 When are major repairs typically necessary? 6 When can a property receive funding or tax incentives?

vocabulary

3 Match the words from the text with their definitions. 1 façade 2 stonework 3 techniques 4 property 5 funding 6 incentives

a b c d e f

money given to an organisation or person for a particular purpose something that encourages somebody to do something methods of doing an activity involving practical skills a piece of land and the buildings on it, owned by a person or an institution the front wall of a building or the wall that faces the street stones shaped and joined together as part of a wall or a building

listening

4

PRELIMINARY   Listen to a reporter talking about the restoration of Pavilion Le Corbusier in Zurich and complete the text with the words you hear. 1.21

The four-storey glass and (1) ____________ structure of the art museum, Pavilion Le Corbusier that was first built in 1967, reopened to the public in the spring of 2019 after being restored to its original state by architects Silvio Schmed and Arthur Rüegg. This heritage-listed building became property of the city of Zurich in 2014 and it was then that they discovered that the (2) ____________ steel structure of the building had holes in it due to (3) ____________, so it was in need of careful restoration. In addition, the seals on the glazed panels and the concrete in the basement were no longer (4) ____________ and the coating for the steel canopy no longer respected modern health and safety standards. The building also had functional problems like the (5) ____________ heating and air conditioning that no longer worked. Schmed and Rüegg carried out all the necessary restoration so that the building now respects current architectural regulation standards. They also took into consideration the interior of the building and installed copies of Le Corbusier’s original tree-trunk (6) ____________ designs and his giant light sculptures inside the museum.

110

building in theory  /  Building and Safety

Building renovation Renovating means improving an old building thanks to reparations, additions and adaptations, usually suggested by a building surveyor or an architect. Any changes will have to be carried out according to building regulations. Renovating processes generally start with these professionals examining the building, advising the best solutions to improve the quality of the edifice and suggesting how to solve its problems. This will result in increasing the value of the property. Usually a renovation project includes: Addition, remodelling or conversion of a room: this is one of the most expensive •  and complicated projects of renovation. It usually involves adding a bathroom, an office, a spare room or an extra floor to the original building, or remodelling a kitchen or bathroom, replacing its furniture, fixtures and fittings. Improving features such as flooring, replacing windowsills •  and window fixtures, repairing or replacing the roof, the chimney, the plumbing and electrical systems. Reducing energy consumption by renovating the heating, •  ventilation and air conditioning systems, insulating some parts of the building such as its walls and the attic, or installing solar and photovoltaic panels to reduce heating bills. Adding security measures such as window shutters and •  alarm systems.

spare room camera degli ospiti fittings impianti windowsills davanzali shutters imposte, persiane

More about In the restoration of historic buildings, 3D scanners provide architects with data to produce an accurate 3D model that can be easily integrated into the architectural design process. These 3D models also make it easier for the client to understand the planned design. With laser scanning, a 3D model can be produced that provides accurate information on the current state and layout of a building.

A famous renovation: Kensington Palace

reading comprehension

1 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. 1 The first thing to do at the beginning of renovation work is to have some professionals check the condition of the building. 2 After the renovation work is completed, the property will be worth less. 3 Renovation can involve adding a bathroom, an office, a spare room or an extra floor to the original building. 4 Repairing or replacing the roof, the chimney, the plumbing and electrical systems can also be part of renovation work. 5 It is not possible to reduce energy consumption by renovating the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in an old building. 6 Heating bills can be reduced by insulating the building and installing solar and photovoltaic panels.

T F

vocabulary

2 Find the synonyms of these words in the text. 1 conducted 2 rules 3 advising 4 raising

_________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________

5 building 6 includes 7 fixing 8 mounting

_________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________

speaking

3

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Talk to your partner about your school building and what improvements

could be made to make it more comfortable, safer and more eco-friendly.

111

Module

5

building in theory Warm up

1 Can you think of any safety measures or procedures?

subcontractors subappaltatori scaffolding ponteggi plumb verticale, perpendicolare bearing plates piastre di appoggio grounded messo a terra voltage tensione

Health and safety Managers, supervisors and workers should all be taught site safety procedures, such as construction and maintenance of safety facilities, installation of safety signs, testing of lifting machinery, emergency and evacuation plans. The aim of all this is to avoid accidents and ill health by eliminating potential dangers. The materials, equipment and tools on the site should also meet some safety standards. If subcontractors are used in construction projects, the contract should specify the responsibilities, duties and safety measures of the workforce (safety equipment, inspection and appropriate use of tools and methods of carrying out tasks safely). The main safety measures concern: Work platforms: every work platform must be provided with safe access and have •  enough strength to bear the load placed on it. It must also be secured to avoid separation from the supporting structure it is attached to. Scaffolding stability: scaffolding must be assembled with the vertical members •  plumb and be secured to a building if its height is over three times its minimum base dimension. Its bases must have bearing plates resting on a solid surface and strong enough to support its weight. Electrical hazards: scaffolding must be grounded if it is situated near a high voltage •  source. The improvement of safety, health and working conditions depends upon governments, employers and workers. Effective safety management has two main objectives: to make the environment safe and to make the job safe. Hazard warning and mandatory signs

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 What should managers, supervisors and workers be taught? 2 What should also meet safety standards? 3 What should the contract specify if subcontractors are used in construction projects? 4 What is the main aim of these measures?

vocabulary

5 What must every work platform be provided with? Why must it also be secured? 6 How must scaffolding be assembled? What must its bases have? 7 When must scaffolding be grounded? 8 Which are the two main objectives of effective safety management? A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

3 Match the safety signs with their explanations. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

112

danger high voltage   do not extinguish with water   harmful or irritating substances   inflammable substances   mandatory safety helmet   no smoking   not drinking water   protective footwear required   no unauthorised entry   protective gloves required   suspended loads   wear safety harness

✖

building in theory  /  Building and Safety listening

4

1.22

PRELIMINARY   Listen to a Health and Safety Executive Inspector talking about migrant construction

workers in the UK and complete the text.

Construction is one of the most (1) ________________ industries in the UK. A great number of construction workers are immigrants who are more at risk than British workers because they work on small, unsafe and (2) ________________ sites. Serious accidents frequently happen especially on smaller sites because the bosses do not care about (3) ________________ and health, all they care about is profitability. And to avoid paying national insurance for workers, they use mainly (4) ________________ immigrants, who desperately need money and can’t risk complaining and losing their jobs. Recently a campaign was started in London to (5) ________________ workers and to make them aware of their rights, in spite of them being illegal workers.

speaking

5

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Class discussion. How do you think accidents on worksites could be avoided or at least reduced? Can you think of any ways to make employers respect health and safety measures?

exam practice – speaking

6

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Give a short summary of the information contained in the diagrams below about fatal injuries to workers in the UK in 2018/19. You should include the following points: • how the number of injuries in construction

compares to other industries;

Fatal work injuries by main industry

• the age group most affected; • the main cause of fatal accidents.

Other Waste

7

Fatal work injuries by age

Admin & support services

32

10

Age not known, 3

Transport and storage

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

8

16

Aged 60 plus, 37

Wholesale, retail, motor repair; accommodation and food Aged 16-59, 107

30

18

Construction

26 Manufacturing

www.hse.gov.uk Main kinds of fatal work accidents Falls from a height

40

Struck by moving vehicle

30

Struck by moving object

16

Contact with moving machinery

14

Trapped by something collapsing / overturning

11 0

5

10

15

CLIL – CONSTRUCTION

20

25

30

35

40

MEDIATING COMMUNICATION

Compare the laws and policies regarding health and safety at work in the UK and Italy. Find out in particular about specific laws which apply to construction sites. Are there any common laws imposed by the European Union? Record your findings in a table so as to clearly highlight any differences between the two countries. www.hse.gov.uk/construction www.sicurezza-in-cantiere.it/normativa

Source: Health and Safety Executive, UK

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building in theory Warm up

1 What do

you think construction workers should wear on the building site?

overall tuta da lavoro padded imbottito steel-toe boots stivali con la punta in acciaio fit adattarsi sparks scintille debris detriti screws viti grip presa lungs polmoni earplugs tappi per le orecchie

What to wear on the building site Working on a construction site represents one of the most dangerous jobs in the building trade. It is for this reason that workers should wear the correct clothing and accessories to guarantee their own protection and safety. First, they should get a brightly coloured safety vest so that other workers will see them, especially those operating machinery on the site, like diggers. Waterproof, windproof, warm clothing is also necessary when working outside in all weathers. An overall could be used to cover personal clothing, with perhaps padded material on the knees and elbows for extra protection. Then, a pair of strong, comfortable steel-toe boots or shoes is another must, to be worn with thick comfortable socks, as these will not only help to protect their feet but will also provide warmth. However, laces should be tied neatly and tightly to avoid injury or getting caught in scaffolding or other equipment, and laces should not be worn at all if working with hazardous materials. One last consideration is that cement burns can occur when wearing safety shoes or boots, so wellingtons might give more protection and they also come with steel toes. Hard hats are usually made from a single piece of plastic and can be adjusted so that they fit well. There are various types on the market, but the important thing is that they provide good protection. On a building site, it is normal to see sparks flying, as well as other debris like screws and nails, so workers should wear safety goggles at all times, to protect their eyes. The same goes for gloves, which will provide extra grip and protect their hands from corrosive liquids. Breathing in chemical fumes and other pollutants is another hazard to be avoided by wearing facial protection like dust masks, which will stop the dust getting into their lungs. Earplugs, on the other hand, are ideal for protecting their ears from the deafening noise on most building sites. In addition, workers who are expected to lift heavy weights should wear some kind of back support when lifting or bending. This protective clothing is not just essential for working on building sites but should be worn anywhere where working conditions may be dangerous. UK and Italy legislation on safety

reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text and complete the table with the missing information.

Part of body upper body feet (3) _____________ eyes hands mouth ears (8) _____________

114

Risk hit by machinery because not easily visible heavy materials, cold, scaffolding, (2)Â _____________ falling objects, equipment flying sparks and debris (5) _____________ chemical fumes, (6) _____________ deafening noise lifting of heavy weights, bending

Protection brightly coloured (1) _____________ steel-toe boots or wellingtons and thick comfortable socks plastic hard hats, adjustable for good fit (4) _____________ gloves dust mask (7) _____________ back support

building in theory  /  Building and Safety vocabulary

3 Complete the sentences with the words from the box. warmth  − grip − clothing − nails − padding − laces

1 Protect yourself on a building site by wearing the correct ________________. 2 ________________ provides extra protection for knees and elbows. 3 Thick socks provide _______________. 4 _____________ should not be worn at all if working with dangerous materials. 5 Screws and ___________ are types of dangerous flying debris to be found on a building site. 6 Wearing gloves provides extra _____________.

4 Find the synonyms of these words or expressions in the text. 1 ensure 2 working 3 give

________________________ ________________________ ________________________

4 inhaling 5 danger 6 vital

________________________ ________________________ ________________________

listening

5

1.23   Listen to an expert talking about the dangers of working on a construction site and complete the text with the missing words.

Construction workers are well aware of the (1) ____________ that exist on their job site and anyone who has worked in this (2) ____________ for any length of time will probably know or will have heard of someone who has been (3) ____________ while working. (4) ____________ can happen due to various reasons, such as falling from roofs or (5) ____________, or being injured by onsite machinery like (6) ____________ or tractors. The list of potentially dangerous situations on site is (7) ____________, and unfortunately it will get longer unless safety practices are properly enforced. By (8) ____________, every construction worker should be (9) ____________ in the operation of machinery and in the job he or she is expected to do, and the site should be managed according to strict safety building (10) ____________.

speaking

6

PRELIMINARY MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Talk to your partner about other jobs and decide if they are

more or less dangerous than working on a building site.

More about Charles Ebbett’s iconic image Lunch Atop a Skyscraper was taken in 1932 during the construction of the GE building at New York’s Rockefeller Centre. The photo shows steel workers sitting on a girder during their lunch break, dangling hundreds of feet above New York. It highlights how construction was done with safety measures that would be considered illegal by today’s standards! In 2011, Michael Crompton recreated Ebbett’s shot. But in his photo, taken during the construction of the Heron Tower in London, the workers are wearing high-visibility jackets and safety harnesses.

115

Module

5 building vocabulary 1 BUILDING ELEMENTS  Write the words and expressions in the box under the photos. run  − landing − tiles −  waterproof membrane  −  casement window  − fascia −  revolving door  − batten − handrail − gutter

1 _________________

2 _________________

3 _________________ 4 _________________

5 _________________

6 _________________

7 _________________

8 _________________ 9 ________________

10 ________________

2 SAFETY GARMENTS  Write the words in the box under the pictures. arm and leg reflective bands  − earplugs −  elastic harness  −  flame-resistant garments/fireproof materials  − high-vis safety/reflective vest  −  protective gloves  −  safety ear muffs/ear protection  − safety goggles/eye protection  −  safety helmet/hard hat  −  dust/safety mask  −  safety suit  −  steel-toe shoes

116

1 _________________

2 _________________

3 _________________

4 _________________

5 _________________

6 _________________

7 _________________

8 _________________

9 _________________

10 ________________

11 ________________

12 ________________

building vocabulary  /  Building and Safety 3 Put the items from exercise 2 in the correct column. Body

Eyes

Ears

Feet

Hands

Head

Mouth

4 Complete the spidergrams with the words from the box. suspended  − irritating − protective − safety − extinguish − unauthorised − voltage − water − helmet

do not (1) ___________ with water

no smoking

PROHIBITION SIGNS no (2) ___________ entry

not drinking (3) ___________

danger high (4) ___________

harmful or (5) _________ substances

WARNING SIGNS inflammable substances

(6) ___________ loads

mandatory safety (7) ___________

(8) ___________ footwear required

MANDATORY SIGNS protective gloves required

wear (9) ___________ harness

ACTIVE GLOSSARY 5

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write the English equivalent of the following words.

1 case popolari 2 vano dell’ascensore 3 fabbricati annessi 4 condominio 5 cavi elettrici

___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________

6 terracotta 7 copertura di paglia 8 gru 9 ponteggi 10 detriti

___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________

117

Module

5 focus on invalsi

N

3D-Printed Dream Home

antes, in France, is the place to go if you want to visit Nordine and Nouria Ramdani, along with their three children at their 3D printed home. The family are delighted that they were chosen for this innovative project as their new four-bedroom detached house with a garden is much better than the 60s council flat they used to live in. First of all, a team of architects and scientists, headed by Benoit Furet, from the University of Nantes, designed the house in a studio. This design was then programmed into a 3D printer, and the printer was then brought to the site where the house was to be built, in this case, in a deprived area in the north of the town. The next step was the 3D printing. This was done by printing in layers from the floor upwards to form the walls. The thick, curved, durable walls consist of two layers of the insulator polyurethane, with cement in the space between them. This prototype took 54 hours to print, but the project team believes that it would take them only 33 hours to

print it again. Then it took just another four months for builders to complete the home with the roof, windows and doors. It was therefore cheaper and quicker to build than the same kind of house constructed according to traditional methods. The success of this project means that 3D printing is set to completely change the concept of housebuilding in the construction industry according to Francky Trichet, the head of technology and innovation in the local council in Nantes. He says that private companies will be obliged to adopt this new technology and that 3D printing could also be used for other constructions like sports halls. Benoit Furet is also delighted with the results of his 3D-printed house project. He believes that in five years, 3D-printed houses will cost 25% less and will continue to decrease as this technology becomes more refined and cheaper to develop. 3D printing also lets architects produce shapes that are more creative and the curve of the walls improves internal air circulation that reduces humidity and increases thermal resistance.

The first 3D-printed home in America

council flat casa popolare layers strati

118

focus on invalsi  /  Building and Safety reading

1

INVALSI   Read the BBC article about the first family in the world to live in a 3D-printed home, then answer the

questions (1-9) using a maximum of 4 words. Write your answers in the spaces provided. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0

Where does the Ramdani family live?

1

What technology was used to construct their home?

2

Where did they use to live?

3

Where did the design of the project start?

4

Where was the printing carried out?

5

What were the walls filled with?

6

8

How long did it take to complete the home after printing? In Francky Trichet’s opinion what will change in the construction industry due to 3D printing? What other kinds of constructions could be built using this new technology?

9

According to Benoit Furet, what will happen to the cost of building in this way?

7

In Nantes, France.

listening

2

1.24 INVALSI   Listen to an interview with an engineer from Ten Fold Engineering talking about unfolding

houses. First you will have one minute to study the task below, then you will hear the recording twice. While listening, choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for questions 1-7. Only one answer is correct. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0 Ten Fold Technology... A is an innovative transport system to move people from one place to another. B is an innovative technology for folding products for packaging once they have been made. ✔ C involves the use of counterbalanced lever systems. D uses standard proven techniques to fold and unfold objects. 1 This technology... A can only move light weights. B is difficult to put into practice. C uses different coloured levers. D involves a slow process. 2 The Ten Fold TF-64 Transportable Unfolding House... A has not been viewed much on the Internet. B could create new employment openings. C takes a lot of know-how to assemble. D could not be manufactured by existing factories. 3 A complete folding house... A needs a huge lorry for transportation. B does not fit on a standard lorry. C measures 23 m3 when unfolded. D measures 23 m3 when folded.

4 These unfolding houses... A can be designed to suit different areas. B use only metal in their construction. C are all the same size. D have no storage space. 5 The mechanisms used in unfolding houses... A require a lot of power. B involve hydraulics. C have a complex locking system. D do not use much power due to the counterbalancing of the elements with each other. 6 This kind of house... A is not very robust. B can be built to satisfy different building regulations in different countries. C requires insulation. D is made of materials that do not last very long. 7 Unfolding houses... A do not harm the environment. B do not meet LEED energy specifications. C are not considered by the interviewer as a good option for the future. D will have no significance for the construction industry according to the interviewer.

119

Module

5 revision map your knowledge

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about BUILDING ELEMENTS with the words from the box. carpet  − foundations − thatching − walls − staircases − doors − smart

shallow

deep

1  _______________

load-bearing

solid wood, steel, fiberglass

wood, glass panes, stainless steel

external

interior

non-load-bearing

2  _______________

3  _______________

BUILDING ELEMENTS

WINDOWS double-glazing

5  _____________ windows cross, sash, casement, louvered, clerestory, bay, stained glass

FLOORS

4  _______________

ROOFS

6  _________________

spiral/straight/ circular/other forms

cut

ceramic tiles hardwood floor laminate flooring stone floors/mosaics

120

wide/narrow steep/gradual return/‘L’ stairs

fixed cool roofs green roofs 7  ___________

revision  /  Building and Safety revise your knowledge

2 Choose the correct option (A, B or C). 1 Terraced houses... A were built in the 19th century. B are made with steel girders and reinforced concrete. C have nothing on either side of them. 2 Skyscrapers... A were first designed for residential purposes. B are often made with glass curtain walls. C do not move in the wind. 3 Rural houses in Italy include... A blocks of flats. B historical homes. C villas. 4 Foundations... A always have to be deep. B transfer the weight from walls to the ground. C are not affected by scour and frost heave. 5 One of the most popular kinds of flooring in modern houses is... A laminate flooring. B hardwood floors. C ceramic tiles.

6 In roof-making... A ridge tiles are placed around the edges of the roof. B a waterproof membrane is placed over the tiles. C a fascia covers the end of the wood at the bottom of the roof. 7 In double-glazing, the space between the panes is filled with... A foam. B dry air. C sand. 8 Louver doors... A have glass panels. B are suitable as external doors. C have wooden slats in the panel of the door. 9 The restoration of a building includes... A building cleaning. B room conversion. C remodeling. 10 Gloves worn on building sites... A provide extra grip. B protect against deafening noise. C protect against chemical fumes.

revise vocabulary

3 Write the words in the box under the photos. mural  − handrails − trusses − fiberglass −  glass panes

1 _________________

2 _________________

3 _________________

4 _________________

5 _________________

reading comprehension

4 Read the text and answer the questions. A playhouse for LEGO

In September 2017, architects from the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) saw the opening of their creation ‘LEGO house’ in Billund, Denmark, the homeland of LEGO. It took four years to construct this experience centre that offers free and open spaces to the public as well as paid attractions. The construction is made up of a stack of 21 white bricks with an enormous LEGO block called

‘keystone’ on the top and covers 12,000 square metres. Inside, there are sheltered public spaces, two exhibition areas and space for indoor activities and play areas. The play areas include 25 million LEGO bricks and are divided into four sections each with a different colour for different learning skills: red for creativity, blue for cognitive skills, green for social skills and yellow for emotional skills. Visitors will be able to eat or buy souvenirs in the three

1 Who designed ‘LEGO house’? 2 Why do you think they chose to build it in Billund? 3 Do you have to pay for everything in ‘LEGO house’?

restaurants and store situated at ground level, where there is also a public square and conference rooms. The basement is dedicated to the history of the company, while the top level houses masterpieces made from LEGO and fantastic views from the outdoor terraces. LEGO owner, Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen believes that ‘LEGO house’ offers the ultimate experience of expression and creativity through play, which has always been their philosophy.

4 Why were different colours chosen for the play areas? 5 Where can conferences be held? 6 What is the philosophy behind LEGO bricks?

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Module

5

revision writing

5 Complete the text about low cost housing with the words from the box. composite  − eco-friendly − quality − frame − windows − planning − cheap − bearing − construction − fibres

Low cost housing does not mean that (1) ____________ and safety are not kept up to standard. Construction costs can be reduced with efficient (2) ____________ and project management and the use of low cost building materials and economical (3) ____________ technologies that can include the many alternative methods now available on the market. (4) ____________ building materials are both low cost and respect sustainable design principles. Many (5) __________ building materials are generated from glass (6) ___________ and industrial waste. They are lightweight, resist corrosion and have many uses from cladding to internal furnishings. Load (7) ____________ structures are cheaper, more flexible and easier to construct than (8) ____________ structures, so they are the ideal choice for constructing normal low rise buildings. Pre-cast staircase systems are (9) ____________ and quick to construct, and the use of prefabricated elements such as walls, roofs, (10) ____________ and floors also reduce construction costs.

6

MEDIATING TEXTS   Now write a similar text summarising what you have learnt about modern construction

methods.

exam practice – speaking

7

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a brief oral presentation (3-5 minutes) on one of the main themes discussed in

this module. You can choose from:

building elements;   •  health and safety on the building site. • types of houses;    •

AUTHENTIC TASK

MEDIATING CONCEPTS

social advertising on safety 1 Work in small groups. You are going to make a Public Service

Announcement (PSA) on building site safety, in the form of a short audio or video message to be broadcast on radio or TV. It can be simple (e.g. a single actor reading a message), or more elaborate (e.g. using music, a storyline, sound and visual effects, etc.).

2 Identify your target audience (the people you want to reach:

everybody, young adults etc.) and your broadcast channel (radio or TV).

3 Search the Internet and find the most recent statistics on

construction site accidents in your area or country. Choose the main points of the message you want to convey (there should be no more than one or two vital points for you message to be effective).

4 Think about something to catch your audience’s attention

(e.g. a funny joke or gag, a catchy tune, a shocking image, etc.) with an emotional appeal.

5 Write your script according to the length of the recording

(no more than 120 seconds).

6 Perform your PSA, film it and show it in class. Then decide on

the most effective one/s.

122

S tay

safe!

COMPETENZE CHIAVE •  competenza multilinguistica •  competenza digitale competenza personale, sociale e capacità di •  imparare a imparare •  competenza in materia di cittadinanza •  competenza imprenditoriale competenza in materia di consapevolezza •  ed espressione culturali

21ST-CENTURY LIFE SKILLS •  senso critico •  creatività

•  decision making •  comunicazione efficace

Module

6

BUILDING INSTALLATIONS

OBJECTIVES BUILDING in THEORY

ON-SITE VIDEO ∞ Domotics and smart systems

∞

House systems ∞ Home automation

BUILDING VOCABULARY ∞

Building installations

FOCUS on INVALSI ∞

Sensational renewable energy innovations ∞ The future of smart homes

REVISION

Watch the video. Do you use any of these smart systems at home? Which ones? In pairs, discuss their advantages and risks.

∞

Building installations AUTHENTIC TASK: Promoting a smart app 123

Module

6

HOUSE SYSTEMS

Warm up

1 Do you know

what a plumbing system is? Can you explain its main function?

waterborne waste rifiuti trasportati via acqua fixtures impianti sewage fognatura lead piombo brass ottone cast iron ghisa wells pozzi

Plumbing systems The distribution of drinking water and the removal of waterborne waste in a building are carried out by means of a plumbing system which consists of pipes and fixtures. The main difference between a plumbing system and a water and sewage system is that the former supplies one building, whereas the latter serves a group of buildings or a city. Plumbing installations must follow some regulations to ensure safe, quality construction. Water systems of ancient times used pipes or channels made of clay, lead or stone. Today water supply systems use high pressure pumps and pipes made of non-toxic materials, such as copper, brass, steel, cast iron and plastic. The drinking water supply usually comes from a municipal water supply, water wells, streams, rivers, lakes or rainwater. It is fundamental that clean water is not contaminated by the waste water side of the processing system. The domestic hot water supply is provided by means of water heater appliances, or through district heating. Panta Rei: the philosophy of Feng Shui

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and choose the correct option. 1 A plumbing system in a building is needed for the distribution of drinking water and... A pipes and fixtures. B pressure pumps and pipes. C the removal of waterborne waste. 2 A plumbing system supplies... A a group of buildings. B one building. C a city. 3 A plumbing system consists of... A waterborne waste. B pressure pumps and pipes. C pipes and fixtures. 4 A water and sewage system supplies... A a group of buildings or a city. B one building. C a plumbing installation. 5 Today water supply systems use high pressure pumps and pipes made of... A toxic materials. B non-toxic materials. C glass. 6 ... usually comes from a municipal water supply, water wells, streams, rivers, lakes or rainwater. A Waterborne waste B Non-toxic material C The drinking water supply

3 Now answer the following questions. 1 What is carried out by means of a plumbing system? 2 What does a plumbing system consist of? 3 What is the difference between a plumbing system and a water and sewage system? 4 What must plumbing installations follow?

124

5 What materials were used in water systems in ancient times? 6 What materials are used in water systems today? 7 Where does the drinking water supply usually come from?

building in theory  / Building Installations vocabulary

4 Read the definitions and match them with the words in the box. Non-potable water  −  A health hazard  −  Potable water  − Pollution −  A water system

1 _________________: is any of the conditions and practices in the water supply system and its operation which can be harmful for the water consumer. 2 _________________: includes water treating and water-using equipment for the supply and distribution of water and waste for a town/city. 3 _________________: is the presence of dangerous substances in the water. 4 _________________: is water which is not safe for human consumption. 5 _________________: is free from impurities and dangerous substances. Its bacteriological and chemical quality complies with the requirements of the waterworks regulations of the state department of health and of the department of public works of the city.

listening

5

2.01 INVALSI   Listen to an expert talking about plumbing on the International Space Station. Match the two sentence halves. There are two extra endings that you don’t need to use.

1 The ISS is a dream come true for ecologists because 2 The plumbing system of the ISS is installed 3 During the design phase of the plumbing system 4 The good health of the crew and the station is guaranteed by 5 The Station’s water treatment plant onboard 6 The level of carbon dioxide onboard is controlled by 7 The pipes on the Station are made of 8 Pumps and fans in the system

a b c d e f g h i j

keep liquids and gases flowing through the pipes.   opening a window.   recycles the crew’s urine and returns it to the water supply.   carbon dioxide scrubbers.   between the Station’s outer skin and its inner walls.   almost everything is recycled.   titanium, stainless steel or Teflon.   the circulation of vital liquids and gases.   many unusual problems had to be taken into consideration.   pressurised oxygen and nitrogen.

More about The International Space Station (ISS) is a microgravity and space environment research laboratory, where crew members, carry out all kinds of experiments connected to different scientific subjects like biology, astronomy, physics and meteorology. The ISS programme is a joint project run by five space agencies: NASA (US), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe) and CSA (Canada). The station has been permanently occupied for the last eighteen years by different crews, and should continue operating until 2030. Up to six crew members can live and work on the ISS at a time. On 3rd October 2019, Luca Parmitano became the first Italian astronaut to command the ISS, in charge of mission Expedition 61. Each mission usually lasts about 6 months.

speaking

6

PRELIMINARY MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Talk to your partner about working as a plumber, taking into account job satisfaction, working hours and any disadvantages you can think of. You should also discuss the following points: • dealing directly with the public; • having to solve problems fast;

• working on your own; • effects on health – backache.

125

Module

6

building in theory Warm up

1 Scan the text

and label the pictures with the words in bold.

waste disposal eliminazione dei rifiuti drain scarico vents sfiatatoi sewer gases gas mefitici seals guarnizioni gutter canale di scolo downspout discendente pluviale sloping inclinato relief scarico kerb bordo fabric tessuto clogging otturare

Waste disposal systems There are two parts in the waste disposal system of a building: the drainage and the venting systems. The drainage system consists of pipes leading from plumbing fixtures to the drain and then the sewer of the building, which is then connected to the municipal sanitary sewage disposal system. The venting system consists of pipes leading from fixtures to the outdoors usually through the roof. Thanks to vents, sewer gases can be discharged, oxygen for aerobic sewage digestion can enter, and trap water seals can be maintained (they are important to stop sewer gases from entering the building). Both systems maintain neutral air pressure in the drains, so water and sewage flow down drains and through pipes thanks to gravity. Improper design and construction or unsuitable maintenance of drainage will most probably result in unhealthy conditions and deterioration of the building. This is why there are some rules to remember: make sure that all sections of the roof have a gutter and downspout; keep all ground immediately next to the building or foundations sloping away; seal all cracks and separations in concrete; provide some form of surface water relief on the high side of any building; fill holes or depressions in the ground adjacent to the building with soil; provide a soil kerb against the foundations. Modern drainage systems make use of geotextile (synthetic textile fabrics) filters to stop fine grains and soil particles from clogging the drain, while allowing water to pass through. Alternatively, prefabricated plastic drainage systems can be used. These are becoming more and more common because they are easy to use, less expensive and guarantee long-term performance.

A

B

C

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. 1 The waste disposal system of a building consists of the drainage and the venting systems. 2 The drainage system connects plumbing fixtures, the building drain, the building sewer, and the municipal sanitary sewage disposal system. 3 The venting system is connected to the municipal sanitary sewage disposal system. 4 Unlike the drainage system, the venting system keeps neutral air pressure in the drains. 5 Unhealthy conditions and building deterioration can be caused by improper design. 6 Geotextile filters are ideal for preventing fine grains and soil particles from clogging the drain. 7 Prefabricated plastic drainage systems are no longer used today. 8 Prefabricated systems are cheap, long-lasting and easy to use.

126

T F

building in theory  /  Building Installations reading comprehension

3 Now answer the following questions. 1 What are the two parts in the waste disposal system of a building? 2 What does the drainage system consist of? 3 What is the building sewer connected to? 4 What does the venting system consist of?

5 Why are vents useful? 6 Which problems can improper design and construction or unsuitable maintenance of drainage lead to? 7 What do modern drainage systems make use of? Is there any alternative to this?

vocabulary

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Look at the

picture and match the words to the Italian equivalents. 1 cleanout 2 drains 3 taps 4 gas and water lines 5 gas and water shutoff valves 6 gas meter 7 main drain 8 main soil stack 9 main vent stack a b c d e f g h i

rubinetti scarico principale reflui punto di ispezione/ manutenzione scarico principale scarichi valvole di chiusura acqua e gas ventilazione principale contatore gas linee di adduzione acqua e gas

listening

5

2.02 INVALSI   Listen to an expert explaining the concept behind Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS)

and answer the following questions using no more than four words. 1

What do SuDS contribute to?

2

Apart from concrete and asphalt, what other feature of urban areas impedes the absorption of rainwater?

3

What do SuDS use to drain water away efficiently from urban areas?

4

What do components used by SuDS try to imitate?

5

In traditional drainage systems, where is rainfall directed into?

6

What kind of natural contours do SuDS create?

7

What happens to the dirty water that is collected and stored in wetland habitats?

127

Module

6

building in theory Warm up

1 Label the

pictures with these words. 1 2

3 4 5

meter box   electric panel board   smoke alarm   plug   socket

lighting outlets punti luce hard-wired appliances apparecchi cablati amps ampere, amperaggio circuit breakers interruttori automatici ground-fault difetto di isolamento verso terra wiring systems impianti elettrici interni sockets prese di corrente pins spinotti, perni

Electrical systems An electrical system includes the electrical service, lighting outlets and hard-wired appliances. The electrical service is usually between 100 and 200 amps. (In Italy, the electrical service is referred to in volts and is usually 230 volts in a normal house.) Electrical lines run from the street to a meter box (situated outside the house), then to the electric panel board which contains the switches A to control the electricity in each room of the house. It is there that the amps are divided up across circuits to supply the different areas of the house with electricity. Electrical systems must follow a number of safety measures including circuit breakers, ground-fault circuit interrupters and smoke alarms, and their installation must be checked by an inspector when the house is finished, to make sure that it is safe. If you have specific needs, you can ask your electrician for advanced B wiring systems, which may also include modern computer lines to help you work at home. In the UK, Ireland and many former British colonies, BS 1363 plugs and sockets are the most commonly used. A BS 1363 plug has two horizontal, rectangular pins for phase and neutral, and above these pins, a larger, vertical pin for an earth connection. C

D

reading comprehension

E

Alarm systems

2 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. 1 An electrical system and an electrical service are the same thing. 2 A meter box should not be placed inside the house. 3 There is an electric panel board in each room of the house. 4 There are many circuits for supplying the different areas of the house with electricity. 5 A house inspector is responsible for checking that safety measures have been correctly installed. 6 If safety measures are not properly installed, there may be circuit breakers. 7 Modern computer lines can be installed by an electrician. 8 Plugs and sockets used in Ireland are different from those used in the UK.

T F

vocabulary

3 Match the words from the text with their definitions. 1 appliance 2 amp 3 switch 4 circuit breaker 5 smoke alarm 6 plug 7 socket

128

a b c d e f g

a device that makes a loud noise to warn of possible fire a device in a wall that you put a plug into to connect to the electricity supply the unit for measuring electric current a device that can automatically cut off the electricity supply in case of danger a type of machine for doing a specific task, such as heating a small device that you move up or down to turn electricity on and off a small plastic object with 2 or 3 metal pins that you put into the wall socket

building in theory

Heating systems Most homes have central heating that can be divided into two main types: Wet systems – the most popular form in the UK, made up of a boiler and radiators. •  The boiler burns fuel (natural gas, heating oil or biomass) to heat the water in the radiators. Pipes are also usually connected to a tank to provide hot water.   • Warm air systems – popular in the 60s and 70s in the UK, they have now almost all been replaced with wet systems that are considered more efficient and comfortable, but they are still used widely in North America. A boiler, fuelled by natural gas, heats air that is then circulated to the rooms through ducts, and floor or wall vents. These are also used as air conditioning systems. Other kinds of heating systems include the following. Geothermal power plant, Electric heat pumps: heat is removed from outdoor air, the ground, surface water or soil Iceland and is transferred from one place to another. Through thermostat controls, they can also be used as air conditioners. Radiant skirting board heaters: long, metal units containing electrical elements. They skirting board can be the only heating source in a house or as extra heating in a cooler room. battiscopa Portable space heaters: they work with electricity, gas or kerosene. hydronic a trasmissione Radiant ceiling or floor systems: installed in floors, ceilings or sometimes walls. They di calore per warm objects in much the same way as the sun does. circolazione chiusa di Hydronic heating: water is heated by a boiler, which then flows through pipes under fluido the floor or through units that are similar to skirting board heaters. They can also be driveway strade private installed in ceilings and are sometimes used under concrete in driveways to keep them di accesso clear of snow and ice. Geothermal heating: the use of geothermal energy to heat homes. The hot lava from volcanoes or the hot steam from geysers are examples of geothermal energy that is under the Earth’s surface. A geothermal heating system pumps a liquid through pipes buried deep in the ground. This liquid absorbs the heat and brings it back indoors, where a heat exchanger uses the heat in the liquid to heat the air inside a home. In summer, a geothermal system can be used to cool a house by absorbing the heat from the air inside and moving it back into the earth.

reading comprehension

1 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 Why are wet central heating systems more popular than warm air ones in the UK now? 2 Where are these systems still popular? 3 What can you find inside radiant skirting board heaters?

4 Which heating system uses the same kind of heating process as the sun? 5 How is water heated in hydronic heating systems? 6 What is the function of a heat exchanger in geothermal heating?

vocabulary

2 Read the text again and match the photos with the words from the box. boiler  −  portable space heater  − radiator − thermostat

1 _____________________ 2 _____________________ 3 _____________________ 4 _____________________

speaking

3

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in small groups and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the heating systems in your homes.

129

Module

6

building in theory Warm up

1 Can you

Solar heating

The electricity produced from the sun’s rays is called solar energy. It is captured by means of solar panels, which are becoming increasingly common nowadays. The two types of solar panel systems are solar photovoltaic systems and solar thermal systems. In solar photovoltaic systems, the solar thermal panels contain cells whose semiconductors react with sunlight. Electricity is produced when sunlight hits them. This kind of technology is still quite expensive and its tank serbatoio disadvantage nowadays is the problem of storing energy. tinted colorato In a solar thermal system, solar energy is used for heating water. The panels are positioned either on the roof or a wall facing the sun and contain flowing water. When the thermal collectors in the panels are exposed to the sun, they heat the More about water (stored in a hot water cylinder) that is either pumped or driven by natural Here are other uses of solar convection through the panels. The storage tank is mounted immediately above energy. or below the solar collectors on the roof. This system is not very expensive Solar car: this project is under and offers a number of advantages, including being renewable, creating less development, the main problem environmental pollution, reducing costs and maintenance and saving resources. being intermittent and low Hot water can be produced for most of the year. performance. A conventional boiler can be used to make the water hotter, or to provide hot Solar roads: the first solar road was opened in Idaho, US, in 2016 water when solar energy is not available. and if this technology continues Apart from solar panels, many companies are developing other products that to expand, the US could produce take advantage of the sun’s rays to produce energy. One of these is solar paint 3 times more power than it requires. that contains billions of pieces of light sensitive material to capture energy from Freshwater from seawater: the sun. It is expected to be available on the market in the next five years. Solar research is underway to use solar windows are another innovation that researchers are concentrating on and so thermal energy to create freshwater far, they have created a window whose transparent glass converts sunlight into from seawater. electricity when the glass becomes tinted. think of the advantages and disadvantages of solar heating? Read the text and check.

•  The ‘SolarChill’ Project •  Concentrated Solar Power

reading comprehension

2 Read the text again and match the two parts of the sentences. 1 Solar energy 2 Thanks to solar thermal systems and solar photovoltaic systems 3 In thermal panels, special cells 4 Solar thermal panels are usually installed 5 Water is heated by 6 The storage tank is mounted 7 Sometimes a conventional boiler is used 8 The sun’s rays are being used

a b c d e f g h

we can produce energy using solar panels.   have semiconductors that are able to react with sunlight.   for the development of other solar-powered products.   next to the solar collectors on the roof, either above or below them.   when solar energy is not available.   means producing electricity from the sun’s rays.   exposing the thermal collectors in the panels to the sun.   on house roofs.

3 Now answer the following questions. 1 How can electricity be produced using the sun’s energy? 2 What do solar thermal panels contain? 3 How is electricity created? 4 What are the two main disadvantages of this energy?

130

5 What is solar energy also used for? 6 What happens when thermal collectors are exposed to the sun? 7 Can you name some of the advantages of this system? 8 What can a conventional boiler be used for?

building in theory  /  Building Installations vocabulary

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the text.

1 semiconduttori 2 luce solare 3 immagazzinare 4 collettori termici

___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

5 rinnovabile 6 inquinamento ambientale 7 manutenzione 8 convertire

___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

more knowledge building

5

INVALSI MEDIATING TEXTS   Look at the graph and read the text about renewable energy trends in Great Britain.

Parts of the text have been removed. Choose the correct part (A-J) for each gap (1-7). There are two extra parts that you should not use.

The first five months of 2019 recorded an Clean electricity is outstripping carbon-based exceptional new trend in Great Britain. The amount of power from zero-carbon Percent of Britain's electricity generation by source sources (1) ____________________________ 100 Biomass from fossil fuels. Data from the National 5% Nuclear Renewables Grid in 2019, set clean energy at 48% Zero-carbon 75 against the 47% of energy produced 48% by (2) ____________________________. Coal Imports split The remaining 5% referred to biomass 50 between carbon burning. This data is indicative of the and zero-carbon decline in coal energy in favour of 25 Gas (3) ____________________________. Carbon From 2009 to 2019, energy generated from 47% coal slumped from 30% to 3%, while wind 0 power increased from 1% to 19%. There ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 were also moments when other records Data for 2019 is for the first five months of the year were reached. In May 2019, for example, Britain recorded two weeks when coal wasn’t used at all, and two days running (4) ____________________________ of solar power. These data confirm the electricity sector’s efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions that are causing global warming by de-carbonising the energy system. Officials of the National Grid are confident that the popularity of low-carbon sourced energy (5) ____________________________, so in the future more energy storage will be necessary to cope with the rise in wind and solar energy. Importing energy from other countries is another way of satisfying the energy demand when not enough is produced by zero carbon sources. The National Grid estimates that soon eight million homes could be supplied with energy reaching Britain (6) ____________________________ from continental Europe. In 2019, for example, 63% of imported electricity came from zero-carbon sources, especially from French nuclear. The zero-carbon share should increase to 90% by the 2030s, as Great Britain intends to import more electricity from Norway’s extensive hydropower system. Although there is now (7) ____________________________ with the technical problems involved in fighting climate change, the next step is to overcome political issues, like the loss of jobs in fossil fuel industries and the creation of new ones in low-carbon industries as Britain steadily moves towards Net Zero carbon emissions. Source: National Grid, Great Britain

A B C D E

wind and solar power will continue to grow through the intervention of the know-how to deal through giant cables

F G H I

exceeded those obtained has grown more than of record levels coal and gas

131

Module

6

building in theory moisture umidità compounds composti fan ventilatore duct condotto stale viziato

Ventilation All homes need ventilation – the exchange of indoor air with outdoor air – to reduce indoor moisture, odours, and other pollutants. Contaminants such as volatile organic compounds, and radon (that may cause health problems) can accumulate in poorly ventilated homes. Excess moisture generated within the home needs to be removed before high humidity levels lead to physical damage to the home. There are three main types of ventilation. •  Natural ventilation which is uncontrolled air movement through cracks and small holes (infiltration) and through vents such as doors and windows. The disadvantage of this is that it is uncontrollable. •  Whole-house ventilation is a system that works thanks to fan and duct systems to extract stale air and supply fresh air to the house. •  Spot ventilation which means using localised fans in the rooms where contaminant substances are generated (for example kitchen extractor fans and bathroom fans). This is an important tool to improve air quality whether natural or whole-house ventilation strategies are used.

reading comprehension

1 Read the text and match the two parts of the sentences. 1 Ventilation is important to 2 If excess moisture is not removed from the inside of your home, 3 The disadvantage of natural ventilation is 4 Natural ventilation is an uncontrolled movement of air 5 Whole-house ventilation systems supply fresh air to the house 6 Spot ventilation is important to improve air quality

a b c d e f

that it cannot be controlled.   in the rooms where contaminant substances are generated.   thanks to fan and duct systems.   humidity can cause great physical damage.   due to infiltration.   decrease indoor moisture, odours, and pollutants that can accumulate in houses.

listening

2

2.03 PRELIMINARY   Listen to this interview with Dave Young speaking about the importance of ventilation and complete the sentences.

1 Thanks to ventilation, we can dispose of unwanted ______________, water vapour and pollution. 2 The amount of ventilation we need is determined by a number of different factors, such as the type of pollution ______________ and the number of people who are in the room. 3 Usually modern ______________ are provided with fittings which can both draw and force out air. 4 Thanks to heat ______________ warm air can be saved. 5 To attain cross ______________, you can use controllable trickle ventilators in every room. 6 Mechanical extractor fans are controlled by a ______________ control switch.

132

building in theory  /  Building Installations Air conditioning The function of an air conditioner is to lower the temperature of the air inside a building or vehicle to make the environment more comfortable for the people inside. In 1902, Willis Carrier in Buffalo, New York, invented the first modern electrical air conditioning unit. Carrier’s invention controlled not only temperature but also humidity. Carrier knew how objects were heated using steam so he reversed the process. Instead of sending air through hot coils, he sent it through cold coils, filled with cold water. The air was cooled, so the amount of moisture in the air could be controlled, which meant the level of humidity in the room could be controlled too. Air conditioning then became popular in homes and sales rose dramatically in the 1950s. Nowadays most air conditioners usually achieve cooling through a refrigeration cycle. In models with a refrigeration system, heat and moisture are extracted from the air in a room. Then, cooling and dehumidification take place and this air is then circulated back into the room again. The refrigerant is a gas which goes through the system to keep it cool; it is the means by which heat from a room is absorbed and removed, cooled and then released once more. Modern refrigerants, used both in homes and cars, have been developed to be environmentally safer than previous refrigerants used up to the 1950s.

coils bobine reeds canne

More about A form of air conditioning already existed as far back as ancient Egypt, when they used to hang wet reeds in windows. The evaporation of the water on the reeds cooled the air coming through the window. This process also made the air more humid, which was beneficial for this dry desert climate. Air conditioning: use it wisely!

reading comprehension

3 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). 1 Air conditioning will only work if you have a refrigerator in your house. 2 Carrier’s air conditioning used the exact same process to be found in steam-heating. 3 The price of air conditioners rose dramatically in the 1950s. 4 In modern refrigerated air conditioning, a gas circulates through the system. 5 Nowadays, refrigerants cause more damage to the environment than in the past.

T F

exam practice – speaking

4

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Look at the data illustrated in the graphs below about air conditioning and prepare

a short presentation. You should include as many points as possible including: • • • • •

the period in which the biggest demand for AC units is expected; why you think the demand for AC units is likely to grow; which country is most likely to increase its number of AC units, giving reasons why you think this is the case; which country has the lowest rate of predicted growth of AC units and why you think this is the case; what kind of impact you think this growth will have on the environment in the future. Growing Demand for Air Conditioning and Energy Number of AC units worldwide and corresponding energy demand Energy demand* (TWh)

1,997

2,199 3,287

4,756

Countries/regions with largest projected units growth (2016-2050)

6,205

India 5,578 Projections

2016

Middle East

1,930

2020

2030

697%

Brazil

2,994

1,622

1,845%

Mexico

4,357

Units (millions)

4,206%

Indonesia

2040

2050

503% 347%

EU

185%

China

149%

U.S.

45%

Source: IEA, International Energy Agency

133

Module

6

building in theory Warm up

1 What do you

Energy conservation

Energy conservation can be achieved in three ways: by increasing efficient energy use, by decreasing energy consumption and by reducing consumption from conventional energy sources. The purpose of this, apart from saving money, is to increase environmental quality, national and personal health and human comfort. One of the latest trends in energy conservation is passive solar building design. This means making windows, walls and floors in such a way that they are able to collect, store and distribute solar energy (heat) in winter and reject it in summer. This kind of design implies avoiding the use of mechanical and electrical devices. glazing type tipo di The best way to design a passive solar building is to pay great attention to window vetri placement, glazing type, thermal insulation, thermal mass and shading. In most cases, these design techniques are applied to The Sun Ship, a small community in new buildings, but even existing buildings can be adapted. Freiburg run entirely by solar energy If emissions decrease, this will help to reduce climate change. Energy conservation involves replacing non-renewable sources with renewable ones. In 2012, the European Union set a target for 2020 to reduce primary energy consumption by 20%. All EU member countries were asked to set their own national energy efficiency targets and to produce annual progress reports every three years. In December 2018, this Energy Efficiency Directive was revised with the addition of a new energy efficiency target for 2030 of at least 32.5%. EU member states have to illustrate how they intend to reach the 2030 targets for energy efficiency and for renewable energy in a 10-year National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) for 2021-2030. think can be done to save energy? What do you do personally?

M'illumino di meno

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. T F 1 Efficient energy use is a way to achieve energy conservation. 2 If we decrease efficient energy use, we can reduce energy consumption. 3 Decreasing energy consumption and reducing consumption from conventional energy sources are two excellent ways to achieve energy conservation. 4 Mechanical and electrical devices are used in passive solar building design. 5 These techniques can only be applied to new buildings. 6 Thanks to the decrease in emissions, climate change can be reduced. 7 In 2012, the European Union gave countries just three years to reduce primary energy consumption by 20%. 8 The new target set by the EU for 2030 is more ambitious than the previous one.

3 Now answer the following questions. 1 Energy conservation is achieved in three ways: do you think they are all equally important? How can these three objectives be reached? 2 What is the purpose of energy conservation? 3 What does passive solar design mean?

134

4 5 6 7

What does it make use of? What happens if emissions decrease? What objective did the EU set for 2020? What amendment was made to this objective in 2018?

building in theory  /  Building Installations vocabulary

4 Find the synonyms of these words in the text. 1 decreasing 2 use 3 traditional 4 aim

____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

5 tendency 6 pieces of equipment 7 facilitate 8 use

____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

listening

5

2.04 PRELIMINARY   Listen to architect Bob Wells being interviewed on the radio about the main features of a

passive house he has recently designed, and complete.

The Passive House

CELLULOSE INSULATION

Heating water with the sun The house gets the majority of its (1) _________ from a solar thermal system on the (2) ___________, while an (3) __________ water heating system supplements demand if required.

Summer sun

AIR BARRIERS

ROOF INSULATION 17 INCHES

Walls The walls of this passive house are much (5) __________ than those of traditional houses in order to achieve maximum (6) __________ and air-tightness.

Winter sun

PRIMARY AIR BARRIER SECONDARY AIR BARRIER

Managing sunlight The house needs to be shaded from the hot sun in summer, so there’s a deck on the (4) __________ floor.

GROUND LEVEL

Flooring A concrete slab has been used for the (7) __________ and it sits on a layer of (8) __________ insulation and a sheet of polystyrene.

FRESH AIR TRIPLEGLAZING, COATED GLASS

INSULATION IN FRAME

Windows The triple-glazed windows keep heat (9) ________ to a minimum and the biggest ones face (10) __________ to get as much light and warmth as possible from the sun.

EXHAUST AIR Fresh air from outside

Heat exchanger A heat exchanger continually replaces stale air in the house with (11) _________ air from outside, while still keeping the inside warm. As the stale air from the inside passes through the (12) _________, its heat is transferred to the fresh air entering from outside.

Exhaust

Fresh air into rooms Stale air from inside

HEAT EXCHANGE UNIT

exam practice – speaking

6

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a brief oral presentation (3-5 minutes) on house systems. Talk about the various

systems to be found in a traditional home and how they work, the advantages and disadvantages of eco-friendly heating systems and systems suitable for passive home design.

135

Module

6

HOME AUTOMATION

Warm up

1 What words or

expressions do you know beginning with ‘smart’? Can you explain the term ‘smart’?

vacuum cleaners aspirapolvere take over controllare

Domotics: intelligent technology Domotics (or home automation) is a new field of technology based on computer science and electronics. Its aim is to create systems able to automate many of the daily tasks we usually perform in our homes, such as regulating temperature, lighting, security systems and many other functions. Today many domestic appliances have automated systems: with programmable thermostats or automated vacuum cleaners, you can adjust the time you turn on the appliances and repeat multiple daily settings. In addition, you can connect all the appliances in every part of your home creating a sophisticated system, which allows you to manage and operate them from a single unit. This can be a computer, a tablet or a control unit specifically built by a home automation company. From your control unit, you can check and monitor what is happening in your home and modify the settings, such as time, temperature and so on. Your house will then appear ‘intelligent’, capable of ‘understanding’ your needs: once you have set the parameters (time, temperature etc.), the system will take over all the actions necessary to perform what you have requested.

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts on these pages and answer the following questions. 1 What fields is domotics involved in? 2 What is its purpose? 3 Could you explain the expression ‘repeat multiple daily settings’? 4 Could you explain the expression ‘your house will then appear intelligent’?

5 What are the main elements necessary for a home automation system? 6 How do these elements communicate? 7 Can the control unit be managed if the owner is far from home? 8 Is it easy to install a home automation system?

vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the texts.

1 sistemi di allarme 2 impostazioni 3 gestire 4 centralina

136

___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________

5 prendere il controllo di 6 impianto di riscaldamento 7 avviare 8 installare

___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________

building in theory  / Building Installations How do home automation systems work? Basically, a home automation system gathers information from a net. Therefore, it is necessary to install a network, which will include all the appliances you want to control (heating system, air conditioning, security system, etc.). Then you need sensors to detect a variety of information in the home: temperature, sound, light, heat and so on. When all the elements that need controlling are wired up, we can say that they ‘talk’ to the system: the control unit ‘reads’ the data and ‘responds’ to the information received. For example, if the sensor of a room picks up information about low temperature, the control unit can turn on the heating system without the need of human intervention. Finally, it is necessary to install a device for external communication, which will allow the owner to control the data from his/her telephone, mobile phone or via Internet. The simplest systems can be installed without specific skills, following the instructions in kits that can easily be found on the market. They are the solution if you want to integrate an existing home with an application limited to one or only a few functions. However, the design and installation of smart home systems may be very complex, but they bring real convenience and comfort to the owner when they are the result of a customised project carried out by professionals.

More about The American Association of Housebuilders first used the term ‘smart house’ in 1984. By the end of the 1990s, any system combining informatics and telematics, which made household activities easier, was called ‘domotics’. The word is a neologism formed from domus (Latin, meaning ‘house’) and informatics.

listening

4

2.05 PRELIMINARY   Listen to three businessmen talking about smart home products and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F).

T F 1 The technologies for smart houses are a real opportunity now, because many gadgets equipped with microchips are available. 2 The growth in this field will be driven by the possibility of reducing energy costs. 3 A reason to buy smart technologies is the fear of burglars. 4 Smart home technologies can result in higher insurance expenses. 5 Devices to reduce energy consumption are now available. 6 40% of UK homes have a security system. 7 Retailers and manufacturers are not convinced about selling smart technologies. 8 Smart technologies allow you to communicate with your washing machine, your fridge or your oven. 9 People do not like remote controls because they need extra time to be programmed. 10 In the future, all our appliances will be connected.

speaking

5

PRELIMINARY MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs and talk about the advantages of installing a home

automation system. Include the following points: • saving time;

• saving energy consumption;

• saving insurance costs.

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Module

6

building in theory Warm up

1 Have you got

any smart home devices in your home?

running out of finendo la scorta di limitless illimitate breakage rottura curtains tende shutters persiane blinds veneziane

Smart applications Smart home technologies are becoming more and more sophisticated: from a refrigerator which controls what you are running out of and makes up the shopping list for you, to a system to feed your cat. Many modern appliances can remember your living habits, so if you usually turn on your stereo when you get home, this can be done automatically. The possible applications of home automation systems are limitless: anything which can be controlled can be linked to a network and managed by a computer. It is therefore necessary to define the features that you consider are more important and design a system accordingly. A common smart home structure includes these functions: •  Entertainment: with a sound system, you can listen to your favourite music whenever you want, choosing from your favourite sound sources, or creating a different atmosphere by varying lighting, and sound (when relaxing, waking up, watching TV or getting ready to go out). •  Security system: movement sensors, crystal breakage sensors and security cameras can detect possible intruders and alert the homeowner or the police; a gas leak detector will stop the gas flow and alert you. Smart homes enable door locks to be monitored and managed, so that it is possible to check that the doors are all locked, receive a message when someone enters your home or open the garage door from your phone. •  Energy management: water, power and other utilities can be monitored and energy management strategies can allow you to reduce energy consumption and avoid waste. For example, solar panels can be used at their highest level of production during the day to power household appliances, or charge an electric car when it is parked in the garage. The heating or air conditioner can be optimised reducing energy consumption when you are not at home. The automation of curtains, shutters and blinds can ensure the use of natural light whenever possible. Choosing a good smart home automation system ensures a combination of comfort, safety and reduction of costs and energy bills. However, one of the most helpful aspects is the improvement in independent living, both for the elderly and disabled people. The use of voice control or motion sensors can be a solution for the physically impaired. The automatic switching off of lights, lighting paths to make it easier to get about, and regulating lighting and window coverings are just a few examples of how dependence on human assistance can be reduced and make old people’s lives more comfortable.

reading comprehension

Home robots

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 What is the trend in the latest smart home applications? 2 What home devices can be upgraded? 3 What main functions does a smart home system generally include?

138

4 Give an example for each of the functions. 5 Why are smart home systems gaining popularity among the elderly and disabled people?

building in theory  /  Building Installations vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the words in the text for the following definitions.

1 2 3 4 5 6

to give food to a person or an animal something that you do regularly where a sound comes from the character and mood of a place when something is done as well as possible old people

__________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________

More about The INTEGER Millennium House was built in 1998 as a show house to demonstrate a variety of intelligent home automation technologies. These included a building management system, capable of optimising the performance of the heating system, and an automatic garden irrigation system, which calculated how much water each plant needed according to how wet the soil was. Other features also included an intelligent security system, a lighting system with four predefined mood settings, and microchip-embedded door keys which could be programmed according to the owner’s requirements. The house also had sophisticated communication technologies like a telephone service supplied via a local building exchange, digital satellite and terrestrial television in every room, WebTV, and a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system.

listening

4

2.06 PRELIMINARY   Listen to a man talking about ‘The Internet of Things’ and decide if the statements below

are true (T) or false (F).

1 ‘The Internet of Things’ is growing in popularity because devices are cheap. 2 People use these devices mostly for keeping their house safe. 3 One new device does not let you put on your heating so you’ll save money. 4 The speaker believes that the most important aspect of this market is the design of the things. 5 A connected toothbrush can give us information every day that we would normally get once a year. 6 The majority of people are in favour of this new technology but some are worried about not having a private life anymore.

T

F

speaking

5

PRELIMINARY MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Talk about

what ‘smart technologies’ you would like to install in your home.

writing

6

PRELIMINARY   Now write an article (100 words) explaining why

these systems would be useful.

CLIL – CONSTRUCTION

MEDIATING CONCEPTS

Group work. Go to www.ces.tech and find the products presented at the latest CES. Decide which one you like best, then check with your classmates to see if you all chose the same one.

139

Module

6

building in theory Warm up

1 What do you

know about ‘smart cities’?

enables consente a means strumento

Smart systems The latest frontier in the field of smart technologies is their application to more and more complex systems, similar to that of the Internet: a superior system that includes multiple subsystems. A great advantage for a smart home is to be connected to a smart grid that delivers sustainable and convenient electricity supplies. This is an electrical grid that is integrated with a computerised network and sensors that gather and transmit data. This information makes it possible to automatically adjust electricity flows. Grid managers, who are located remotely, are informed of the situation in real time and can act immediately if there is a problem. A smart grid can permit more efficient transmission of electricity, lower operating and kilowatt costs, quicker restoration of electricity after outages and reduced energy use during peak-demand hours. Smart grids can also offer the integration of alternative energy sources reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The concept of a smart city is that of a system which enables an entire community to take advantage of a network of smart urban devices and services. The adoption of technologies is considered a means to improve the quality of life, simplifying communication and delivering innovative services. As connected devices become more and more popular, it is easy for anyone to interact with the digital space where they live, knowing how much time they have to wait for the next bus, asking for the nearest car park or communicating directly with the police station. Data is also used by local authorities to plan better services, for example real-time traffic information is studied to offer better travel services.

More about In London’s Square Mile there are over a 100 smart bins. These bins are not only for rubbish to be recycled, but also have digital screens that broadcast the latest news and live traffic information. They can also communicate directly with mobile devices through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

It is said that by 2050, 80% of the world population will live in cities. Therefore, urban farming will have to become a reality. Tall, glass skyscrapers could be perfect as greenhouses to grow tomatoes or other vegetables, while parts of surrounding gardens could be turned into orchards or vegetable plots.

Smart lampposts are the most visible aspects of a smart city. Savings on electricity have already been made with the use of LED lighting instead of traditional bulbs, but sensors that switch the lights on only if they pick up movement, could save even more energy and money. The latest lampposts are also used to monitor CO2 and noise levels in the city.

140

building in theory  /  Building Installations reading comprehension

2 Read the text and match the two parts of the sentences. 1 A smart system can be considered 2 A smart grid may be programmed to anticipate a temperature increase 3 Smart cities use new ideas 4 The data collected in a smart city can be studied by different government bodies

a b c d

that will result in increased demand for electricity.   to plan better services for everyone who lives there.   a ‘super-system’ of connected subsystems.   in order to improve the quality of city life.

3 Now answer the following questions. 1 2 3 4

What examples of complex applications of smart technologies can you find in the text? What are the advantages of smart power grids? What advantages do citizens gain from living in a smart city? How can local authorities use the data processed in smart cities?

vocabulary

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the text.

1 rete elettrica 2 forniture 3 integrazione

_______________ _______________ _______________

4 comunità 5 migliorare 6 amministrazione locale

_______________ _______________ _______________

listening

5

2.07 PRELIMINARY   You will hear a woman discussing whether smart cities are the solution to problems

caused by urban growth. Listen and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F).

T F 1 The majority of people nowadays want to escape from cities because they are unhealthy. 2 Transport, water and energy systems were originally designed for cities with fewer people. 3 It is difficult for the authorities to improve city life because people don’t want to give up their daily habits. 4 The speaker doesn’t totally agree with the private sector that believes technology in the form of smart cities will solve all urban problems. 5 The speaker believes that it becomes pointless collecting too much data if there isn’t enough time or human resources necessary to analyse all the information. 6 The speaker is totally against any kind of technological sensoring system.

speaking

6

PRELIMINARY MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Discuss with a partner what kind of sensors could improve the quality of life in the city or town you live in.

writing

7

PRELIMINARY MEDIATING TEXTS   Now write a short article (about 100 words) to present to your class.

exam practice – speaking

8

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a short presentation (3-5

minutes) about the advantages of domotics in the home, how the system works, and how this technology has been extended to create ‘smart cities’.

141

Module

6 building vocabulary 1 HOUSE SYSTEMS  Write the correct house system under the photos.

plumbing system 1 ______________________________

2 ______________________________

3 _______________________________

4 ______________________________

5 ______________________________

6 _______________________________

2 Write the words in the box under the photos. pump − pipe − socket − portable heater − solar panel − fan − plug − tap − motion sensors geotextile filters − valve − storage tank

1 ______________________

2 ______________________

3 ______________________

4 ______________________

5 ______________________

6 ___________________

7 ______________________

8 ______________________

9 ______________________

10 ___________________

11 ______________________

12 ______________________

142

building vocabulary  /  Building Installations 3 Match the words with their definitions. 1 boiler 2 convection 3 pipe 4 prefabricated 5 regulation 6 switch 7 ventilation

a b c d e f g

a long, round tube made of plastic or metal used for carrying gas or liquids a written rule made to control something built in parts that can be assembled control for an electrical device part of the central heating which burns some kind of fuel, used to provide hot water the process of heat travelling through gases or liquids the exchange of inside and outside air in a building

4 Choose the correct alternative. 1 2 3 4 5

The drainage and the venting / plumbing systems are the two parts found in a waste disposal system. Solar thermal panels contain cells whose semiconductors react with sunlight / heat. Domotics is based on computer science and electronics / engineering. Room sensors / The control unit can put on the heating system automatically. A smart home is connected to a smart grid / net.

5 Complete the table with the words from the box. boiler − circuit breaker − fan − glazing type − plug − shading − storage tank − thermostat

The electrical system

(1) ___________________________, circuit, electric panel board, ground fault circuit interrupter, meter box, (2) _______________, socket, switch

The heating system

(3) _______________, electric heating pump, floor system, hydronic heating, portable space heater, radiant skirting board heater, radiant ceiling, (4) _______________, tube

Solar heating

cell, panel, semiconductor, (5) ___________________, thermal collector, water cylinder

Ventilation and air conditioning

crack, duct, (6) _______________, hole, vent

Energy saving

(7) _____________________, passive solar building design, (8) _____________________, thermal insulation, thermal mass, window placement

ACTIVE GLOSSARY 6

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write the English equivalent of the following words.

1 fogna 2 impianti 3 canale di scolo 4 apparecchi cablati 5 impianti elettrici interni 6 vapore 7 impostazione 8 perdita 9 serratura 10 bolletta dell’energia elettrica

___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

143

Module

6 focus on invalsi SENSATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY INNOVATIONS

Nowadays, scientists are working non-stop to find a reliable source of clean energy to save our planet. Here are just some of the ideas they have come up with around the world. In Byron Bay in Australia there’s a unique train that can complete a 3 km journey in 10 minutes using only solar power, and it has a special shed where it can be charged even on cloudy days. Solar power is one of the greatest sources of renewable energy that we have, but until now, the problem of storage has been a major drawback. This could change in the future as scientists are carrying out research on a liquid that will be able to store

144

solar power for up to eighteen years. Solar power is also being studied along with 3D printing. In fact, scientists have come up with the idea of printing 3D solar energy trees. These devices for harnessing solar power consist of woodbased trunks and tiny synthetic leaves made of flexible organic solar cells, each one with its own separate power converter. Apart from solar power, if these trees are placed outdoors, they can also harvest kinetic and heat power. What’s more, they are much more attractive than solar panels. Nowadays electric cars are much more popular than before and have become big business, but

there’s still the problem of where to charge them. Well, the tyre company Goodyear has recently presented a new type of tyre that harnesses the power of the heat produced by road friction to provide electricity for this kind of car, an invention that could transform the electric car industry. Meanwhile, English and German scientists have been studying photosynthesis, because hydrogen is the byproduct of photosynthesis and hydrogen fuel has zero emissions. After many attempts, last year they found a way to reproduce this plant process. In fact, they managed to separate water molecules into their individual hydrogen and oxygen atoms. This is an awesome discovery that may help to start a new clean fuel era and stop global warming. drawback inconveniente harnessing sfruttare harvest raccogliere byproduct sottoprodotto

focus on invalsi  /  Building Installations reading

1

INVALSI   Read the text about renewable energy innovations, then choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for

questions 1-7. Only one answer is correct. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0 Nowadays, scientists... A have stopped trying to save our planet. B have no idea how to solve our environmental problems. C are using all their energy to clean up the environment. D ✔ are constantly striving to save our planet by finding a reliable source of clean energy. 1 At Byron Bay in Australia... A all the trains run on solar power. B there’s a train that takes 10 minutes to charge. C you can do a 3 km ride on a solar-powered train. D the train can only be charged on a sunny day. 2 At present, solar power... A has no disadvantages. B cannot be stored easily. C is not one of the best sources of renewable energy. D can last eighteen years. 3 Solar energy trees... A are produced by 3D printing. B provide the energy for 3D printing. C only function indoors. D capture solar power in their trunks.

4 The leaves on solar energy trees... A are made of natural fibres. B contain rigid organic solar cells. C only harvest solar power. D make the trees more pleasant to look at than solar panels. 5 Electric cars... A are not as popular as they used to be. B are not interesting for businesses. C do not need to be charged. D need a place where they can be charged. 6 The company Goodyear... A makes electric cars. B has invented a new type of tyre for electric cars. C has discovered that the tyres on electric cars overheat. D has invented a road surface that produces electricity due to friction. 7 Photosynthesis is interesting for scientists because... A it produces hydrogen. B it produces oxygen. C it is a source of water. D it has two different kinds of molecules.

listening

2

2.08 INVALSI   Listen to an expert talking about the future of smart homes. First you will have one minute

to study the task below, then you will hear the recording twice. While listening, match the beginnings of the sentences (1-5) with the sentence endings (A-H). There are two sentence endings that you should not use. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0

The complexity of a thermostat can...

1

Like mobile phones, thermostats...

2

Smart homes could see the introduction...

3

A cloud-based control...

4

The sensors will be so small...

5

Smart thermostats will not...

A

will react to information received from sensors.

B

be able to compete with the comfort offered by sensors.

✔ C

be compared to that of a mobile phone.

D

have a smart design, and many functions.

E

will be equipped with a variety of wireless and wired sensors.

F

will undergo many changes in the future.

G

that you will hardly be able to see them on the walls.

H

of a platform of sensors in place of a smart thermostat.

C

145

Module

6 revision map your knowledge

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about HOUSE SYSTEMS with the expressions from the box. waste disposal  −  cooling and dehumidification  −  fan and duct  −  water and sewage  − wet −  hard-wired appliances  − semiconductors −  electric heat pumps

HOUSE SYSTEMS

PLUMBING SYSTEMS

plumbing system

one building

1  __________ _________ system

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS

include electrical service, lighting outlets and 3  _________________

consist of solar thermal panels with thermal collectors

a group of buildings or a city

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS consist of solar thermal panels with cells containing 4  ____________

consist of pipes and fixtures

VENTILATION

whole-house ventilation

spot ventilation

7  ____________ systems extracting stale air and supplying fresh air

localised fans (e.g. kitchen extractors and bathroom fans)

air conditioning gas refrigerant, heat and moisture extraction, 8  _______________________

2  _________________ SYSTEMS

146

HEATING SYSTEMS

drainage system

venting system

5  ______________ system

warm air system

consists of pipes from plumbing fixtures to the drain and the sewer

consists of pipes from fixtures to the outdoors usually through the roof

consists of a boiler and radiators (water is heated)

consists of a boiler and ducts, floor or wall vents (air is heated) other kinds

6  ______________, radiant skirting board heaters, radiant ceiling or floor systems, hydronic heating, portable space heaters

revision  /  Building Installations revise your knowledge

2 Choose the correct option (A, B or C).

1 Modern water supply systems do not have... A lead pipes. B plastic pipes. C cast iron pipes. 2 To ensure adequate drainage... A the ground around a building should slope inwards. B surface water relief should be provided for on the low side of the building. C holes or depressions next to the building should be filled. 3 To free driveways of snow and ice, you should install... A hydronic heating. B radiant skirting board heaters. C electric heat pumps.

4 Solar photovoltaic systems... A have panels with flowing water. B produce electricity. C heat water. 5 Passive solar building design... A makes use of a wide variety of mechanical and electrical devices. B cannot be used in house renovation. C relies heavily on the correct positioning of windows, walls and floors. 6 In home automation... A sensors respond to information received from the control unit. B a network detects information like temperature, sound and light. C a customized smart home system may be complex.

revise vocabulary

3 Match the photos to the correct headings. security system  −  radiant floor system  −  spot ventilation  −  electric panel board

1 _____________________

2 _____________________

3 _____________________

4 _____________________

reading comprehension

4 Read the text and answer the questions. TORONTO – SMART CITY PROJECT It looks as if part of Toronto might become one of the smartest data-driven cities in the world. This highly technological project, which, if approved, should start in 2022, is based on the installation of a series of cameras and sensors that will make life easier for the citizens of Toronto. These sensors will help operate smart traffic lights that will be able to work out how long it takes pedestrians to cross the road as well as controlling pavements that will become wider or narrower to comfortably accommodate the flow of pedestrians.

In a bid to make air quality better, the project also includes a network of cycle lanes to encourage people to leave their cars at home and an underground delivery system that will also alleviate traffic above ground. The project has even taken into consideration the long cold Canadian winters by proposing heated pavements that will make walking outside much more pleasant. All constructions on the site, which at the moment is not densely populated, will be made of timber produced by a local company, so the building process will be both fast and sustainable and will also create job opportunities for the local people.

1 What will Toronto become if the proposed project gets the go-ahead? 2 How will this technology work in the city? 3 How will pedestrians in Toronto benefit from this project, especially in winter? 4 What do they propose to reduce traffic? 5 Do many people live in this area at the moment? 6 What construction material have they chosen for the buildings and how will this choice help the local people?

147

Module

6

revision writing

5 Complete the text about ENERGY-SAVING HOMES with the words in the box. leaks  − environment − affordable − insulation − bills − improved − emissions − combustion  − cooling − ventilation

Zero energy homes are maybe a bit more expensive to build than a traditional home, but the cost of running them is much lower, so they become an (1) ____________ housing solution even for people with a low income. First, they have zero energy (2) ____________, which is a great financial relief on the family budget. Besides saving you money, these kinds of homes have (3) ____________ air quality that reduces the risk of respiratory illnesses and allergies. This is achieved by eliminating natural gas (4) ____________ inside the house and blocking air (5) ____________ to keep out external air pollution, as well as controlled (6) ____________ that provides fresh, filtered air. Zero energy homes are completely electric and use heat pumps for both heating and (7) ____________ and for hot water too. Zero energy homes are also very quiet and comfortable thanks to energy-efficient windows and good (8) ___________ that eliminate drafts and block outside noise. They reduce greenhouse gas (9) ____________, so by choosing this kind of housing you are not only helping yourself but the (10) ____________ too.

6

MEDIATING TEXTS   Now write a similar text comparing traditional

house systems with more recent energy-saving technologies.

exam practice – speaking

7

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Use the diagram about Passive House design to prepare a brief oral presentation (3-5 minutes) on the benefits of this type of design: • to save our money; • for our health; • for the environment in general.

AUTHENTIC TASK

MEDIATING CONCEPTS

promoting a smart app

A SMART HOME WITH A TOUCH

1 Work in small groups. You are going to prepare

promotional material (ad, brochure, handout, etc.) for a new smart app for smart home systems. If customers buy your app before the end of the month, they will be granted a discount.

2 Think about a new app for a smart home system

and prepare a short and effective description.

3 Decide on the discount or special price you will

offer to customers who buy your app before the end of the month.

4 Decide what type of promotional material you

want to use (e.g. a website ad, brochure, handout, leaflet, etc.) and write the full text. Add proper drawings or photos taken from the Internet.

5 Put the material together and prepare your

promotional product.

6 Show it in class.

148

COMPETENZE CHIAVE •  competenza multilinguistica •  competenza digitale competenza personale, sociale e capacità di imparare a imparare •  •  competenza imprenditoriale

21ST-CENTURY LIFE SKILLS •  senso critico •  creatività

•  decision making •  comunicazione efficace

Module

7

URBANISATION

Bay Bridge, San Francisco

OBJECTIVES BUILDING in THEORY

ON-SITE VIDEO ∞ The Urban Green

∞

Urban growth ∞ Urban planning ∞ The value of buildings

BUILDING VOCABULARY ∞ Urbanisation

FOCUS on INVALSI ∞

Smart Paris ∞ Redeveloping Milan

REVISION

Watch this extract from the 2015 WWF documentary The Urban Green. What is urban green about? What ‘green’ solutions would you adopt for your urban area?

∞ Urbanisation

AUTHENTIC TASK: A house sale ad 149

Module

7

URBAN GROWTH

Warm up

1 Think about

the place where you live. What are the main problems connected with urban growth?

urban growth sviluppo urbano hubs centri city dwellers cittadini

An overview Urban growth has been occurring ever since the concept of cities was created and will continue to do so in the future. Therefore, it is important to gather information about urbanisation and its consequences from different sources such as building, civil and traffic engineering, urban and regional planning, local and national economies, history, demography, archaeology, law, politics and administration. Urbanisation is basically the process by which cities grow as people move from rural areas to cities and towns. Urbanisation began during the Industrial Revolution, when workers were attracted by the manufacturing hubs in cities and moved there to get jobs in factories, rather than in agriculture. As the population in cities grew, urbanisation of rural land became necessary to create housing and to develop infrastructures to support all these new city dwellers. In 1851, 50% of the population in Great Britain already lived in cities, with 2 million in London alone, making it the biggest city in the world at that time, followed by Paris in France with 1 million inhabitants. In the 20th century cities began to grow all over the world and have continued doing so up to the present date. In 2008, statistics showed that city dwellers counted for more than half of the world population. By 2045, it is estimated that 6 billion people will live in big cities, so managing urban areas is the main development challenge of the 21st century. The biggest growth of cities is expected to happen in developing countries like India, China and Nigeria. The following table shows the 20 most populated cities in the world at present.

City – Country

Population

City – Country

Population

1

Tokyo – Japan

37,730,064

11

Los Angeles – USA

18,013,728

2

Mexico City – Mexico

23,610,441

12

Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto – Japan

17,409,585

3

New York – USA

23,313,036

13

Cairo – Egypt

16,429,199

4

Seul – South Korea

22,692,652

14

Kolkata – India

15,644,040

5

Mumbai – India

21,900,967

15

Moscow – Russia

14,926,656

6

San Paolo – Brazil

20,831,058

16

Buenos Aires – Argentina

14,598,065

7

Manila – Philippines

20,654,307

17

Istanbul – Turkey

14,350,423

8

Jakarta – Indonesia

19,231,919

18

Dhaka – Bangladesh

14,327,157

9

Delhi – India

18,916,890

19

Lagos – Nigeria

13,721,625

Shangai – China

18,572,816

20

London – Great Britain

13,377,482

10

150

building in theory  / Urbanisation reading comprehension

2 Look at the table and read the text, then answer the following questions. 1 What should be taken into consideration when analysing urban growth? 2 What is meant by urbanisation? 3 What attracted people to cities during the Industrial Revolution? 4 What effect did the growth of cities have on rural areas? 5 In the 19th century, which was the biggest city in the world? 6 What information did statistics provide about cities in 2008? 7 Why is management of urban areas so important in the 21st century? 8 From the information in the table, how many European cities are included in the twenty most populated cities in the world? 9 How many African countries are included in the list? 10 Which area of the world has the highest number of cities included in this list?

listening

3

2.09 FIRST   Listen to an expert talking about what cities offer their inhabitants and complete the text with the missing information.

Famous historical buildings like the White House in Washington, often become a (1) ________________ for the city. Even if these constructions are full of beauty and art, people are more attracted by the (2) ______________ that a city has to offer. Compared to rural areas, a well-managed city offers its citizens easy access to better health and (3) ____________ services. Furthermore, there are more occasions for social contact, (4) ____________ and employment. A city differs from the countryside surrounding it due to four main (5) ____________. Suitable living and working conditions in (6) ____________ areas are a must, as is an efficient transport service. Many industries and companies have their (7) ____________ in cities where you can also find many financial institutions and even the Stock Exchange. In addition, many citizens can take advantage of the opportunities offered by tourism to make a (8) ____________. Every city has its particular (9) __________________, like Milan as a financial centre and Rome as the centre of the Italian government. However, cities sometimes have to undergo a transformation to survive due to (10) ____________, like Detroit that has changed from a predominantly industrial city to a city that offers more residential areas and shopping centres.

speaking

4

FIRST MEDIATING TEXTS   These two pictures show different places where people live. Compare them and say why you think people choose to live in these different places.

Edwardian buildings, Manchester

Rural village in Renfrewshire, Scotland

writing

5

FIRST MEDIATING TEXTS   Now write an essay (140-190 words) explaining the advantages and disadvantages of living in a big city compared to living in the countryside. You should write about: • quality of life;

• opportunities;

• ... (your own idea).

151

Kolkata, India

building in theory Warm up

1 Do you know

the difference between a conurbation, a megalopolis and a metropolis? Discuss with a partner then check the text to see if your ideas were correct.

drop calo 9 8 7 population (in billions)

Module

7

6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1950

1960

1970

total world population

The evolution of urban systems Records of the first agricultural villages date back to 10 000 BC in Asia. However, the first cities, like Babylon and Uruk, with a few thousand inhabitants didn’t appear until about 8,000 years later. Then in 1 BC, the urban process began to accelerate and Rome, the capital of the world at that time, had about 1 million citizens. Despite this, the majority of people still lived in rural areas and it wasn’t until 200 years ago that urbanisation surged, due to the Industrial Revolution that started in Great Britain in the 18th century and then spread to the rest of Europe and the US and Japan in the 19th century. By 1900, six European cities had more than a million inhabitants as well as New York, Chicago and Philadelphia in the US, which was the emerging industrial power of that time. Tokyo in Japan and Calcutta in India had also reached the one million mark. Urbanisation continued to flourish, and by 1950, there were about a hundred cities in the world with more than a million citizens. Today about 54% of the world’s population lives in urban areas and this figure should reach 66% by 2050. The table on the left shows both the constant growth of urban population worldwide, represented by the blue line, as well as the drop in rural inhabitants, represented by the red line. 1980

1990

2000

urban world population

2010

2020

2030

rural world population

reading comprehension

More about Data about urban growth from a recent United Nations report •  Almost 90% of urban growth increase will be concentrated in Asia and Africa. •  India is expected to have 404 million urban dwellers by 2050. •  At present, Tokyo-Yokohama with about 38 million people is the most densely populated city in the world. •  At present, there are 28 mega-cities (with over 10 million inhabitants) in the world. •  Small cities are on the increase as people seem to prefer to live in these ones rather than mega-cities. The global rural population is expected to decline to 3.1 billion •  people by 2050.

2 Read the texts on these pages and answer the following questions.

1 Where were the first agricultural villages formed? 2 When did urbanisation really start to take off? 3 What caused this sudden surge in growth? 4 By 1900, which country started to emerge as a leading industrial nation? 5 Which two cities outwith Europe and the US had a population of one million at that time? 6 What does a megalopolis consist of? 7 What does urban sprawl refer to? 8 What are new urban policies based on?

vocabulary

3 Find the words in the text that mean the same as the following words or expressions. 1 to have started at a certain time in the past 2 moved forward suddenly and powerfully 3 extended

152

_________________ _________________ _________________

4 becoming apparent or prominent 5 a line or symbol to indicate or record something 6 grow well

_________________ _________________ _________________

building in theory  / Urbanisation Types of settlements With the expansion of urban growth, there are many terms to describe the continuous evolution of urban settlements*, such as the following. Metropolitan area: an area consisting of a major city and its surrounding territories, such as New York metropolitan area, with New York being its major city. Conurbation: an extensive urbanised area, which may also include more than one city, with smaller towns in the area. The various towns merge with the suburbs of the central city, forming a single urban extension. The Liverpool urban area is the fifth most populous conurbation in England. Megalopolis: a very large urban complex that usually evolves due to the progressive growth of nearby cities that almost join together to make one big city without distinct boundaries, like Boston and Philadelphia in the US. Metropolis: this word from the Greek metér, ‘mother’ and pólis, ‘city’, referred in ancient Greece to the mother country city, founder of colonies. Nowadays, it refers to a very large city, with more than one million inhabitants, like Rome, Milan or London. When cities expand excessively and in an uncontrolled manner, this is referred to as urban sprawl. This phenomenon results in inefficient land use and increases the costs of providing utilities and public More about services as well as travel costs. There is also an increase in congestion, Cities in North America follow a accidents and pollution due to different urban model with respect carbon emissions. Urban experts are to older European cities. Instead of a now adopting new urban pathways historical centre, American cities have an without urban sprawl. These ‘inner city’ characterised by skyscrapers smarter urban growth policies are that house administrative and financial offices. Beyond this part, there are vast based on replacing single-family residential areas that are usually well residential areas with a mix of linked to the centre, and with lots of residential and social infrastructures green spaces. On the outskirts of these that includes homes, shops and residential areas, you can often find restaurants that are all easily the less affluent area of the city with accessible within a short distance. industrial estates and/or council housing.

sprawl espansione urban pathways percorsi urbani

A settlement is a place where people live. Settlements can be urban or rural. Urban settlements include towns, cities and megalopoli, with high population density. Rural settlements include small villages or hamlets, with low population density.

Toronto, Canada

listening

4

2.10 Listen to an urban expert talking about the metropolitan area of London and complete the text with the

missing information.

With its 8 million inhabitants, London is the city with the (1) ____________ population in Europe. Nowadays, ‘London’ refers to the area called Greater London, which includes the central (2) ___________ of the City of London and the City of Westminster and another 31 (3) ____________ boroughs that surround the industrial districts. The City of London is the (4) ____________ centre of the city and is of great strategic (5) ____________, extending over an area of just 2.6 km2. The City of Westminster is situated (6) ____________ of the City. Here you can find the main British (7) ____________ like Parliament, the Government in Downing Street and the Ministries of Whitehall, as well as the Monarchy in Buckingham Palace. The High Court of Justice is also located in the City of Westminster at the Royal Courts of Justice. When we talk instead of the London metropolitan area, we refer to an urbanised area that, in addition to Greater London, also includes an 8 kilometre wide green (8) ____________ as well as the even more external (9) __________ of the New Towns, which emerged after the second world war due to a (10) ____________ boom.

writing

5

MEDIATING TEXTS   Surf the Net for information about a metropolitan area in Italy and write a short text (140-190 words) about it, similar to the one about London above.

153

Module

7

building in theory Warm up

1 Can you guess

what the multiple nuclei theory is about from its name? Try to describe it, then read the text and check your answer.

patterns modelli outwards verso l’esterno low-income a basso reddito commuting zone zona di pendolari waterfronts rive edges margini

Urban land-use patterns There are four theories to try to explain current urban land-use patterns. They are all based on empirical observations and reflect the economic principle of specialisation as applied to urban land use, but they can also be interpreted in terms of ‘use intensity’ and ‘land value’. It is likely that most urban areas have mixed elements of each of these four theories, resulting in a unique pattern of land use. The concentric theory According to this theory, cities grow outwards from the centre in a series of rings. Empirical studies have recognised the existence of five zones of homogeneous land use in Chicago, for example: a central business district, a transition zone, a zone of low-income housing, a zone of middle-income housing and a commuting zone. The axial theory If movement is restricted to limited routes, locations that are situated at a given distance from the city centre are not always similarly accessible from the centre and the regularity of the concentric rings is disturbed. According to this theory, urban growth occurs first in close proximity to axes that are driven by transportation routes and emanate from a city’s centre.

The sector theory This theory sustains that cities grow in sectors rather than concentric zones. This happens because people choose to stay in certain areas for the location (hills, waterfronts) or because they wish to be near their relatives or people with their same cultural background. Lower-income districts are not necessarily in a separate zone, but could coexist with more fashionable, prestigious areas. However, high-income owners tend to move away from inner city areas that become overcrowded, to the outer edges of the city where it is cheaper to buy the land necessary to build a spacious villa.

154

building in theory  / Urbanisation The multiple nuclei theory According to this theory, as an urban area grows, it develops around a number of different business centres or nuclei. In some cases nuclei existed previously as secondary settlements outside the urban area and later became part of it because of its expansion. In other cases additional nuclei appear thanks to increased specialisation. Their number depends on how large the urban area is and on the quantity of dormitory settlements beside the central business districts.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text again and answer the following questions. 1 What are urban land-use patterns based on? 2 What characterises the concentric theory? 3 According to the axial theory, why does urban growth occur more rapidly in some parts than others?

4 Why do wealthier people tend to move away from city centres? 5 What is the number of nuclei in an urban area influenced by?

vocabulary

3 Match the words from the text with their definitions. 1 pattern 2 to recognise 3 homogeneous 4 district 5 income 6 dormitory settlements

a b c d e f

money received for a service done uniform an area of a town with special characteristics a particular way something is organised to identify a suburban areas housing city workers

speaking

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Look at this picture of Palmanova.

Which theory do you think it follows? Why?

listening

5

2.11   Now listen to the description of the Palmanova

urban pattern and check your answer to exercise 4.

writing

6

FIRST MEDIATING TEXTS   Write an article (140-190 words)

describing a city with the characteristics of one or more of these theories. If you prefer, you can write about one of the following cities: • Newcastle; • Paris; • Chicago; • Mumbai City.

155

Module

7

building in theory Warm up

1 Discuss with a

partner what negative effects you think are associated with uncontrolled urban growth, then read the text to see if it includes any of your ideas.

outweigh superano manufacturing produttiva retail vendita al dettaglio bond legame Delhi, India

Tokyo, Japan

Consequences of urban growth Urban areas expand constantly and the fact that big cities are the ones that grow fastest, suggests that the advantages of living in these areas outweigh the disadvantages. Governments may decide to create new cities for two reasons: to provide densely populated rural areas with more services, or to take the pressure off large problematic urban areas. However, it is better to plan only a few new urban areas, because a large number of them can limit the probability of success for all. A new or expanded urban area has a greater chance of being successful if it has a strong manufacturing base or if it offers research facilities as well as higher education institutions. In some cases a new manufacturing urban area reaches a size where retail and other service activities attract residents from nearby smaller urban areas. Adjustments to changing conditions of supply and demand are often accompanied by difficulties and serious problems. One effect of urban growth is the separation of workplace and residence, the main consequence of which is a further increase in traffic. Other inconveniences created by urban growth are, for example, environmental deterioration, increased air pollution and more road accidents. We are witnessing an exponential movement of people to urban areas, and it is estimated that most of the world population will live in cities in the near future. This will create a new bond between people and urban spaces, and cities will no longer be thought of simply as ground to be built on, but as a space to create a community.

More about Data about 10 of the most polluted cities in the world according to a recent World Health Organization report 1 Kanpur, India – high presence of chromium released into the air due to leather tanneries. 2 Faridabad, India – high smog levels that increase in winter due to cold temperatures that trap pollutants near the ground. 3 Gaya, India – presence of heavy smog in this holy city in the state of Bihar. 4 Varanasi, India – poor air quality in the city is aggravated by dust from construction. 5 Patna, India – the sunset here is not visible due to thick smog. 6 Delhi, India – the Indian capital, pollution is caused by the burning of rice paddies and waste and the emission of exhaust fumes from vehicles. 7 Lucknow, India – to reduce pollution caused by vehicle emissions, they now have a metro rail service. 8 Bamenda, Cameroon – poor air quality due to deforestation and changing weather conditions. 9 Agra, India – pollution due to the burning of old tires to extract iron. 10 Gurugram, India – a business hub but with poor air quality, with PM2.5 levels twelve times higher than recommended by the World Health Organization.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 2 3 4 5 6

156

What are the largest urban areas characterised by? What happens if metropolitan areas are too large? Why is it better to plan only a few new urban areas? When does a new or expanded urban area have a greater chance of being successful? What could happen when a new manufacturing urban area reaches a certain size? What is the main consequence of the separation of workplace and residence?

‘Green-based’ urban growth

building in theory  / Urbanisation vocabulary

3 Match the words from the text to their definitions. 1 growth 2 advantage 3 service 4 expanded 5 manufacturing 6 retail

a b c d e f

selling goods to the public in small quantities increase, expansion supply of something for public needs making goods benefit, improvement made greater in number or amount

more knowledge building

4

INVALSI   Read the text about the project ‘Green Cities for a Sustainable Europe’. Parts of the text have been removed. Choose the correct part (A-H) for each gap (1-7). There is one extra sentence that you should not use.

European green cities

N

ew problems due to urbanisation and climate change need to be addressed now if we wish to improve our quality of life or even only maintain the standard we have enjoyed until now. (1) ___. It has been proven that green spaces have a beneficial effect on biodiversity, the climate, air quality, and consequently on our health and sense of well-being. On the platform ‘Green Cities for a Sustainable Europe’ there is a host of new ideas, backed up by scientific research and technical advice from experts, on how to make public places green. The ENA (European Nurserystock Association), which has its headquarters in Belgium, proposed this project in 2017, and has managed to involve other nursery organisations in Belgium,

Bulgaria, Denmark, the UK, France, Germany and The Netherlands. (2) ___. This campaign will not only benefit those taking part but also many others who deal daily with these kinds of problems. By 2050, 70% of the world’s population will be city dwellers, and already many urban areas are experiencing the negative effects of climate change and the lack of importance given to social cohesion. By about 2050, higher temperatures will be causing excessive rainfall, which will lead to flooding in many areas, while other parts of the world will be hit by excessive drought. (3)  ___.This is why the European Nurseystock Association and its members launched their campaign. The creation of green areas within our cities such as parks with trees and ponds, and more forestland around them, will help reduce the negative consequences of climate change in urban areas. These green areas will also have positive effects on the weather,

biodiversity and our health. (4) ___. This is very important for the psychological well-being of citizens who will work together to achieve a common goal. (5)  ___. However, these authorities are still not taking these issues into consideration when making decisions about the development of new housing projects or the improvement of living conditions in older cities. (6) ___. Whatever the reason, this is where the project ‘Green cities for a sustainable Europe’ comes into action. (7) ___. Through a series of congresses, seminars, and business meetings, decision-makers and politicians will be provided with the necessary tools and technical background to convey this message of green cities for a sustainable Europe to their citizens. They will also be able to consult an extended website, take advantage of public relations activities, and participate in the competition to win the European Green Cities Award.

nursery vivaio A They will also play a positive role in social cohesion B The main goal of this 3-year project is to increase awareness of the problems caused by urbanisation C The dangers associated with climate change are well-known to national and regional governments D One solution is by increasing public green areas in our cities E This ensures that cities are becoming better places to live and work in F The project, in fact, is aimed at helping professionals that make decisions about city and landscape planning, rather than at the general public G These phenomena will all have extremely negative effects on living conditions H This may be because there is not enough accessible knowledge or scientific evidence to convince them

speaking

5

FIRST MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Discuss with a partner the advantages and disadvantages of large urban areas, taking the following factors into account, plus any others you can think of: • services;

• entertainment;

• pollution;

• employment;

• safety.

157

Module

7

URBAN PLANNING

Warm up

1 Discuss with a

partner what kind of problems have to be considered when planning a new city. Then read the first text and check to see if your ideas were right.

dwellings abitazioni modern-day di oggi paved lastricate crossed si incrociavano at right angles perpendicolarmente winding tortuose muddy infangate grid pattern reticolo

Acropolis

Planning is a balancing act between constructing modern communities and conserving our natural and built heritage to create sustainable places where people can live, work and play. It implies decisions about transport, facilities, the development of new shops, schools, dwellings, parks, etc. Some of the things that planners should include: developing and creating affordable housing; regenerating socially-deprived areas; requalifying historic buildings; creating policies for managing the traffic and improving energy efficiency; discussing with communities about how to improve their quality of life.

Greek and Roman towns The first cities were centres for commerce, politics, defence and the distribution of agricultural surplus. The earliest examples of planned cities in history were in modernday Iraq and India. In these cities, some streets were paved, and there were both commercial and residential streets. The first examples of cities in the West were in Greece and Italy. In the V century BC, the city of Athens already existed. It was not actually planned as such, but expanded from its focal point, which was the acropolis with its temple, the Parthenon. Religion was very important for the Greeks so they constructed many temples in a classical architectural style. The town also included a central market and a communal place for the citizens of Athens, the agora. Although the public buildings were splendid, the houses in Athens were modest and the streets were often unpaved. By the IV century BC however, town planning was evident in other parts of Greece where they created towns with a new set of laws to protect its inhabitants, and a series of streets that crossed at right angles. Hippodamus of Miletus, born around 480Â BC, is the Greek architect who introduced the concept of straight wide streets as opposed to the narrow winding muddy ones to be found in Athens. He also created separate areas where houses were grouped together in a harmonious way. This kind of city planning is known as the grid pattern.

More about

Ancient Agora, Athens, Greece

158

Mycenae is an ancient Greek city on mainland Greece and the original settlement dated back to the Early Bronze Age. The existing palace dates back to the 14th century and the whole area is covered with tombs in which many artistic objects have been found. At the entrance of Mycenae’s citadel, there is a Lion Gate, then a steep road that leads to a ramp on a five-terraced wall and finally to the palace which had two main blocks. These blocks were separated by two parallel corridors; one was on the top of the hill and the other was on the lower, southern terrace. On the top terrace, there was the palace shrine. There was also a magnificent 22-step staircase leading to one level, then another 17 or 18 steps that led to a small forecourt before entering the great court.

building in theory  / Urbanisation As far back as the Bronze Age, between 1400 and 800 BC, there are traces of Italian town planning in the ‘Terramare’ settlements that were situated between Piacenza and Bologna. These settlements were trapezoidal in shape, while later Italian towns were rectangular. During the Roman Empire, many towns were founded to satisfy the needs of Romans now living permanently far from Rome, and these were planned according to the grid pattern first used by Hippodamus. Roman towns were square and divided by two main streets into four parts, and these four parts were then divided by parallel streets to make blocks of houses. They also had a forum, the equivalent of the Greek agora. Many European towns are still based on this grid pattern.

Archaeological ruins of Pompeii, Italy

Greek and Roman architecture, pp. 204-207

reading comprehension

2 Read the text about Greek and Roman towns and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones.

1 The first cities were centres for commerce, politics and defence. 2 The earliest examples of planned cities in history are in the West. 3 The streets in Athens were not paved. 4 Before Hippodamus of Miletus, houses were dotted all over the town. 5 Town planning existed in Italy in the Bronze Age. 6 During the Roman Empire, a new town developed a little at a time. 7 These new towns were free from Roman regulations. 8 Many European towns date back to the time of the Roman Empire.

T F

vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the text.

1 2 3 4 5

patrimonio alloggi pavimentato perpendicolarmente dritte

______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________

6 larghe 7 tortuose 8 infangate 9 trapezoidale 10 quadrate

______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________

listening

4

2.12   Listen to a man talking about Pompeii and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F).

1 It took days before Pompeii was completely covered with ash after the volcano erupted. 2 When archaeologists finally uncovered the city, it was unrecognisable. 3 Pompeii is continuing to deteriorate due to weathering. 4 A conservation organisation is trying to make sure that people do not steal from the site. 5 This organisation also tries to find new frescoes and sculptures. 6 The aim of the equipment donated by Finmeccanica is to foresee which parts of the site are about to collapse.

T F

159

Module

7

building in theory Warm up

1 Think of a

Italian medieval towns

During the Middle Ages there was no trace of rational urban planning in Europe. Cities grew San Gimignano around a fortress or a fortified abbey. The Early Middle Ages in Italy began after the Western Roman Empire was defeated by the Barbarians. During this period, towns and bigger cities which had been inherited from the Roman Age went into decline due to a decrease in trade, as new settlers preferred to create self-sufficient towns, producing what they needed from the land round about. Therefore, there were a lot of small poor towns with a small population. In addition, lack of roads also prevented commerce. Some of these towns were situated where Roman colonies had been previously, while others grew around a castle or monastery. These towns were surrounded by a moat and defeated sconfitto stone or brick walls, which had round or square towers both for defensive and decorative inherited ereditate purposes. Visiting Italy, you can still admire many old medieval towns with their prevented impedivano defensive walls and bell towers in every part of the country. moat fossato San Gimignano, for example, is a small walled medieval hill town in north-central Italy. It is famous for its 14 surviving towers of varying heights. Its historical centre is a UNESCO world heritage More about site for its architecture. UK Medieval Towns Another famous medieval town is Marostica in In medieval times, there weren’t many towns. The few that existed northern Italy. Surrounded by the ancient walls of its had a castle, a cathedral or a marketplace at their centre, which castles, the town is best known for its square, which were the focal points of life at that time, providing jobs, security and is like a giant chess board. In fact, the town is famous social and economic possibilities. Strong walls, a moat and guarded for the biennial chess game festival during which a gates guaranteed the safety of the inhabitants. In some towns, the spectacular open-air chess game takes place where streets radiated outwards from the centre, while others had an the ‘pieces’ are human beings and horses, dressed in irregular pattern and hardly any of them were paved. medieval costumes. medieval town in or near your area. What do you think it was like to live in these towns during the Middle Ages?

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 What was the focal point of cities during the Middle Ages? 2 What were the consequences of the Barbarian invasion? 3 Why was it difficult for these new towns to trade with each other?

4 Why were walls built around these towns? 5 What is unique about San Gimignano? 6 How often does the open-air chess game take place in Marostica?

vocabulary

3 Find the words in the text for the following definitions. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

an indication of the existence or passing of something with a strong protective defense structure overcome in battle loss of strength or value able to live or function without external help absence of something needed a deep, wide trench usually filled with water

__________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

writing

4

FIRST MEDIATING TEXTS   Write an article (140-190 words) describing a medieval town in your region or one you

have visited. Say what you liked or didn’t like about it and why.

160

building in theory  / Urbanisation

Italian Renaissance and the Baroque

Warm up

1 What is your idea

of an ‘ideal city’? What would its main features be? Think of: • buildings

The Ideal City, Palazzo Ducale, Urbino

Things changed again during the Renaissance. A great number of important artists created beautiful buildings in many cities, which were designed with great thought both by architects and city planners. In Florence, for example, radial streets extended outwards from a defined centre. During the Renaissance period the nobility, in their quest to imitate the qualities of classical civilisation, tried to construct ideal cities. An ‘ideal city’ should be conceived according to the moral, rational and spiritual objectives of its inhabitants. This encompasses the choice of urban structures to be included in the plan as well as street layout. Like Roman town planning, the ground plans of ideal cities are often based on grids. The old centre of Pienza, in Tuscany, is a prime example of the concept of the ideal city, designed by one of the best Renaissance architects, Rossellino. The beauty of its architecture and how it blends so well with the surrounding landscape can still be admired today, as it has remained exactly the same since the 15th century. The Baroque period (1600-1750) saw the birth of nation-states, with the construction of many palaces commissioned by European monarchs. This elaborate, decorative style with complex shapes, which first appeared in Rome, soon spread to most of Europe. Urban designers planned large-scale buildings, wide squares, long streets and elaborate parks. Two excellent examples of the Baroque style are the city of Paris, which was recreated and modernised by Baron Haussmann in the 19th century, and the palace of Versailles. Reinassance and Classicism, p. 236

A modern ‘Ideal City’

reading comprehension

and building materials; • facilities; • leisure activities; • problems related to smog.

quest ricerca encompasses abbraccia ground plans modelli base grids reticoli spread si diffuse

More about The city of ‘Sforzinda’ is the first ideal city plan of this period, designed by Filarete, a Florentine Renaissance architect and sculptor. Although it was never actually built, its layout is famous, based on an eight-pointed star which was then inscribed within a perfect circular moat.

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 Who was involved in the creation of cities during the Renaissance period? 2 What characteristics did the nobility wish to include in their ideal cities? 3 What should be taken into consideration when deciding how to design an ‘ideal city’?

4 What do plans of ideal cities have in common with Roman town planning? 5 Who designed the historical centre of Pienza? 6 How long did the Baroque period last? 7 What features characterise the Baroque style? 8 Where are two of the best examples of the Baroque style to be found?

writing – internet research

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Surf the Net and find out how town planning changed during the Industrial Revolution. Then write a short text (about 100 words) summarising the information you have found.

161

Module

7

building in theory Warm up

1 What new trends are there in urban planning? Talk to your partner, then read the text and check your answers.

Contemporary urban planning

At the end of the nineteenth century, a new method of urban planning called The Garden City Movement arose and spread in the United Kingdom as an alternative to the overcrowded, polluted, Lectworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, England chaotic and miserable industrial cities. It was initiated in 1898 by Sir Ebenezer Howard (1850-1928), a British urban planner, and influenced urban planning throughout congestion traffico the world. Howard’s book, Garden Cities of To-morrow, proposed the idea of producing intenso independent cities (garden cities), planned in advance, with short commuting times, surrounded by a permanent area of agricultural land. He believed people should live in places that combined the best aspects of cities (e.g. opportunities and entertainment) and the countryside (e.g. fresh air and low rents). The New Town Movement was derived from the Garden City Movement and it refers to towns that were built after World War II. In 1946, in fact, the British government passed the New Towns Act. The main objective was to build new towns to replace those destroyed during the war, and to take congestion away from the London area. Each new town was originally designed to house between 20,000 and 60,000 people. This was part of the Greater London Plan of 1944 developed by Patrick Abercrombie, which combined the culture of the Garden City Movement with a new internal organisation of the city into structured nuclei. The most important aspects of the plan were: a series of rings to divide the city and the implementation of the New Towns Project to create 8 satellite towns outside London’s Green and well-connected to it. The New Towns were a huge success and their model was More about exported all over the world. It represented the birth of the so-called ‘zoning’. However, in the 1950s, the limitations In Italy, many historical centres were devastated by bombing of this model, such as lack of transport links and social during World War II. Therefore, to solve the problem of housing in a hurry, a period of great building speculation began in interaction, became apparent, and in the USA, they started the 1950s, when much was built and priority was given to talking about ‘Place Making’ and giving back identity to local inexpensive council housing. One of the most significant cultures. examples of this is Quaroni’s area in the Tiburtina district in Nowadays, the key words for urban planning are urban Rome. Rationalism can therefore be considered as the trend redevelopment and sustainability. City planners and that lasted from the 1920s until the 1960s. In the 1960s, we can architects try to redevelop cities from the ‘inside’ in the start talking about recovery that is defined in a charter of intent, sense that they take advantage of special events, like the also called the ‘Gubbio Charter’. Olympic Games or Expo, to transform a part of the city. By recuperating an already existing urban area, there is no need to find new land to build on, therefore this is known as sustainable urban development also because green areas must be included in these new projects. One such project is the High Line in New York, which turned an old abandoned elevated railway line into a green park running through the city. The project started in 1999, took fifteen years to complete and it has now become a pleasant walkway with trees, grass and plants.

162

building in theory  / Urbanisation reading comprehension

2 Read the text again and answer the following questions. 1 What innovations did the Garden City Movement promote? 2 What made the British government pass the New Towns Act? 3 What did the Greater London Plan of 1944 include?

4 What are the advantages of redeveloping a city from the ‘inside’? 5 What did the High Line in New York use to be? 6 How has this area in New York been redeveloped?

vocabulary

3 Now find the synonyms of these words. 1 occurred 2 expanded 3 overcrowding

___________________ ___________________ ___________________

4 features 5 derelict 6 path

___________________ ___________________ ___________________

More about Brasilia, created in 1956, is a prime example of twentieth-century modernist urbanism. It is in the central western part of Brazil and took four years to build. Its features incorporate new ideas of urban living with big administrative centres, public spaces and housing in six-storey blocks supported on pylons with the landscape underneath and around them. The most striking and effective aspect of its design is the way in which the thoroughfare axes intersect, emphasising its most famous landmarks, ‘The Three Powers Square’ and the ‘Esplanade of the Ministries’. This city represents the principles and ideas of the Modernist Movement through its urban and architectural planning. Even nowadays, new urban services and structures are being continually added to the city to consolidate its urban excellence.

Congress Buildings, Brasilia

listening

4

2.13   Listen to a man talking about vertical cities and decide if the statements below

are true (T) or false (F).

1 Not everybody is convinced that skyscrapers are good places to live in. 2 Skyscrapers contribute to the spreading of concrete jungles in cities nowadays. 3 People living in ultra-tall buildings have breathing problems because they are so high up. 4 Maintaining a vertical city is both less expensive and less difficult than a conventional city. 5 By constructing vertical cities, more land is available for agricultural purposes. 6 Experts from diverse fields are involved in the creation of vertical cities.

T F

speaking

5

FIRST MEDIATING TEXTS   Talk to a partner about the advantages and disadvantages of living in a high-rise flat.

exam practice – speaking

6

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a short presentation (3-5 minutes) on the characteristics of urban planning in

the various historical periods described in this module.

163

Module

7

building in theory Warm up

1 Look at this

picture of a Master Plan. What does a Master Plan usually regulate?

surveys indagini tackle affrontare zoning zonizzazione funding finanziamento

Master Plan A Master Plan is a report written by city planners and various experts after examining a piece of land, in order to describe how they think it should be organised, taking into account the existing facilities. It is a document describing current and future development proposals. It identifies the themes, aspirations and structures for an integrated approach to design through analysis and consultation. Here is an example of the aims of a Master Plan: •  to create a structure for the best quality city centre; •  to create the best possible environment for all users; •  to find key problem areas; •  to treat improvements as priorities; •  to create an attractive area for businesses; •  to develop existing resources. Modern city planning is increasingly concerned with the social and economic aspects of city living. The process of city planning is a highly complex procedure, usually involving a series of surveys and studies, development of a land-use and transportation plan, preparation of a budget, and the approval of a unified Master Plan by various agencies or legislative bodies. City planners have to tackle problems of traffic, pollution, the availability of police, fire and health services, limitations created by zoning and other regulations, and the problem of funding. In recent years, residents of many communities have demanded greater participation in the planning of their own neighbourhoods, so planners have worked closely with community groups during various stages of the planning process. The London Olympic Park

reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text and find the following information: • who writes a Master Plan; • its aims; • what it includes;

• the problems city planners have to tackle; • what modern city planning involves; • trends in recent years.

vocabulary

3 Find the synonyms of these words in the text. 1 specialists 2 inspecting 3 structured 4 suggestions

164

_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________

5 examination 6 enhancements 7 restrictions 8 involvement

_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________

building in theory  / Urbanisation listening

4

2.14 INVALSI   Listen to a reporter talking about Battersea Power Station and choose the correct answer

(A, B, C or D) for questions 1-6.

1 Battersea Power Station... A was used to produce coal. B was powered by electricity. C caught fire. D was fuelled by coal. 2 The Power Station... A was made of concrete. B was famous for its red telephone boxes. C had metal doors. D was all on the one level. 3 The construction of this development project... A has been divided up into seven phases. B is under the sole responsibility of Rafael Viñoly. C will expand over an area of 32 acres. D will cost 9 million pounds. 4 Phase 1 of the project... A was started in July, 2014. B took six years to complete. C already has people living in its area. D has no facilities yet.

5 Circus West Village... A does not attract business people. B has restaurants overlooking the river. C would like to become a place for cultural events in the future. D hasn’t attracted much interest from the public since it opened. 6 Phase 2 of the project... A has just been completed. B has kept many of the power station’s original features in the new project. C intends to only offer space in the power station to businesses. D will not be ready at the same time as phase 3A.

www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk

speaking – internet research

5

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs or small groups. Do some research on the Internet and find out about a redevelopment project in your area or in another part of Italy. Then prepare a report to present to your class. Include the following points: • goal of project; • architects involved; • start and completion times.

writing

6

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   In small groups. Summarise the main information about the Master Plan of the area where you live. Identify an area you want to upgrade and make a plan describing what you want it to become (you can use Google Earth™). Prepare a presentation on your upgrading proposal, with maps and plans.

exam practice – speaking

7

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Write a text (150-200 words) explaining why town planning is important and what effect

it can have on inhabitants. Give examples of good or bad town planning in your own area. Then prepare a brief oral presentation to express your ideas.

165

Module

7

THE VALUE OF BUILDINGS

Warm up

1 Discuss the

following questions about your town. • Where is the

oldest part and what are the houses like? • Which is the most modern part? maintenance manutenzione drop in value svalutazione demand richiesta redevelopment ricostruzione rates tassi sound solido deeds atto di proprietà

A ‘slum’ is a run-down part of a city or place to live. Slums are characterised by poverty and inferior living conditions and are usually dirty, squalid and overcrowded. The origin of the word comes from the Irish phrase slom, meaning ‘a bleak and desolate place’.

The economic life of a building The value of a building depends on many factors that include its location, age and maintenance. This constant cycle of change has an effect on the price of the property on the market. Immediately after its construction, the house value usually increases, but as time passes this value starts to decrease, until the building is eventually demolished and another one is built in its place. This drop in value and decision to demolish a building usually occur due to a change in demand related to outdated building materials and a lack of services and transport links. Neighbourhoods also change over time and rural land that was once used to build simple family houses can become too densely populated, due to the high demand for accommodation in that area. When this happens, the area may gradually become a slum*. People will then start to move away until eventually there is such a decline in population and density that the area is demolished. Redevelopment can then take place that might transform this poor area into one of the richest and smartest parts of the city, so a whole new cycle starts again.

The real estate market The real estate market is the general market where properties are bought and sold and it is an important part of the national economy of a country. It depends on the quantity of properties available for sale (or purchase) and their prices. Many factors are linked to this market such as interest rates, incomes or unemployment rates. In fact, the price of properties is sensitive to economic trends, such as recession. During periods of reduced economic activity or rising interest rates, the housing market slows down. When you decide to buy or sell a house, you can ask for help from a real estate agent. Real estate agents deal with the sale, purchase or rent of houses, flats or land cooperating with surveyors, architects and banks. They can represent the seller or the buyer acting as an intermediary to facilitate the transaction. They must have a sound knowledge of their area and its housing market so they can choose the best time and the best price for their clients. These are some of the tasks they carry out: •  getting information and finding suitable properties; •  promoting properties through advertisements, open houses and meetings with their clients; •  comparing the properties with similar recently sold properties to determine the best price; •  estimating the value of the property; •  representing sellers (or buyers) in negotiations; •  keeping up to date with trends and laws in the property market; •  helping clients with necessary paperwork (negotiations, agreements, deeds, etc.). Choosing a place of residence

166

building in theory  / Urbanisation reading comprehension

2 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 What trend does the value of a house usually follow from its construction to the moment when it is demolished? 2 Why do some areas end up becoming slums? 3 What does the real estate market deal with?

4 What factors can make the housing market slow down? 5 What skills should a real estate agent have? 6 Who do real estate agents represent in negotiations?

vocabulary

3 Read the text again and find the synonyms of these words. 1 site 2 request

____________ ____________

3 connections ____________ 4 pattern ____________

5 increasing 6 duties

____________ ____________

listening

4

2.15   Listen to an expert in economy talking about the price of houses in London and complete the text.

The prices of houses in London are (1) ___________ and this has created a situation like a bubble that is about to burst. Over the past few years, people from abroad have invested in real estate in London and many others have bought property with the idea of (2) ___________ it out to make an income. This, coupled with population growth, has led to the present situation where property prices are not in line with what local people (3) ___________. Recent reports say that, apart from

Hong Kong, London is the worst city for locals wishing to buy a house as they cannot (4) ___________ to pay the asking price on the market and this could lead to a drastic fall in prices. Therefore, those who have invested in real estate in London should not expect the value of their property to (5) ___________ over a medium- or long-term period. Prices of homes in London have increased by 40% since the beginning of 2013, making it one of the most expensive cities in the world when they are compared to people’s (6) ___________, which have not grown at the same rate.

More about The American Housing Market According to a recent survey, Newport Beach, California, is the most expensive US place to live in, with a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house costing around $2,291,764. At the other end of the scale is Cleveland, Ohio, where you can purchase a house for about $74,502, which works out at thirty times cheaper than a home in Newport Beach. The growth of the tech industry caused prices of homes to rise in many areas in California especially those situated in and around Silicon Valley. However, if you are keen on living in this place, there is still some hope: homes about a 30to 45- minute drive from these areas are much more affordable.

exam practice – speaking

5

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a short oral presentation (3-5 minutes) on the factors that:

CLIL – GEOPEDOLOGY

• determine the price of a property; • can lead to a rise value; • can lead to a drop in value.

Group Work. Make a presentation to show the steps you have to follow when selling or buying a house.

MEDIATING CONCEPTS

167

Module

7 building vocabulary 1 LAND USE  Write the words in the box under the photos. dwellings  −  commuting zone  −  manufacturing area  −  rural area  − retail −  urban area

1 _______________________________

2 _______________________________

3 _______________________________

4 _______________________________

5 _______________________________

6 _______________________________

2 TYPES OF STREETS  Write the adjectives in the box under the photos. narrow  − unpaved − winding − wide − muddy − paved −  crossed at right angles  − straight

1 ______________________

2 ______________________

3 ______________________

4 ______________________

5 ______________________

6 ______________________

7 ______________________

8 ______________________

168

building vocabulary  / Urbanisation 3 Read the text on page 150 again and find the synonyms of these words. 1 design 2 countryside 3 farming 4 employment

4

____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

5 residents 6 principal 7 take place 8 inhabited

____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

MEDIATING TEXTS   Match the words to their definitions.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

urbanisation infrastructures land-use patterns dormitory settlements heritage surplus master plan neighbourhood

a b c d e f g h

a district or community within a town or city   the historical traditions, achievements and beliefs that are part of a group or nation that are passed down through the years   a rural area that has become urbanised and houses commuters who work in the city   the fundamental facilities and systems serving a city   how the natural environment is managed and modified to meet the requirements of its inhabitants   the growth of cities due to people moving away from rural areas   an amount or quantity that is in excess of what is needed or required   a report by city planners describing development proposals for a piece of land

5 Underline the correct alternative. 1 Urban growth / Urban area has been occurring and will continue to do so in the near future. 2 The theories to explain the actual urban land-use patterns are all based on facilities / empirical observations. 3 Locations situated at a given distance from the city centre are not always accessible / available in the same way. 4 According to the ‘multiple nuclei theory’, in an urban area there may be more than one main centre / business district. 5 One effect of urban growth is the separation of workplace / land and residence. 6 Modern city planning is increasingly concerned with the social and economic / geographical aspects of city living.

6 Complete the sentences with the words and expressions from the box. concentric theory  − redevelopment − land-use − neighbourhood −  town planning  −  urban growth

1 Effective government action and the understanding of our urban way of life are necessary if we want ___________ to contribute to society’s well-being. 2 In any urban area the requirements of the economic activities and classes of residence are reflected in how ___________ develops in a logical way. 3 According to the ___________, the urban land-use pattern can be characterised by concentric specialised zones. 4 One inconvenience resulting from ___________ is environmental deterioration. 5 A _____________ can undergo a cycle of changes with the passing of time. 6 _____________ can transform a poor area into a rich one with luxury accommodation.

ACTIVE GLOSSARY 7

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write the English equivalents of the following words.

1 sviluppo urbano 2 modelli di utilizzo del suolo 3 area produttiva 4 alloggio 5 reticolo

__________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________

6 fossato 7 ingorgo 8 affrontare 9 richiesta 10 atto di proprietà

__________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________

169

Module

7 focus on invalsi

Smart

Paris

By 2050, the city of Paris could be transformed into a Smart City immersed in vegetation. This might become a reality if the project presented by Vincent Callebaut Architectures gets permission to proceed. The aim of this architectural proposal is to create a Smart City to solve the current problems of housing and density in Paris with the development of multiple high-rise buildings with positive energy output (BEPOS – Bâtiment à Énergie Positive –). This means that these buildings will produce more energy onsite from renewable sources than they consume. The project is made up of eight multi-use structures that will provide key functions for the city. They will be located in various districts with sustainability problems. Paris has a Climate Energy Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% over the next 35 years. In an attempt to reach this goal, Vincent Callebaut Architectures worked side by side with engineers at Setec Bâtiment in the design of eight prototypes for towers that could make Paris a greener city as well as providing renewable energy sources. The tower systems, whose shapes have been inspired by nature, have been designed to integrate with

the already existing environment. Sustainability is achieved, wherever possible, through passive heating and cooling, oxygenation and rainwater retention. The project also creates a healthy environment, usually associated with rural life, through the inclusion of community green areas and suspended gardens. These features will also inspire residents to follow a sustainable lifestyle. Apart from passive and natural energy-conserving strategies, innovative materials have been chosen for the construction of the towers. The exterior of the towers is composed of a material that reacts with sunlight to satisfy the building’s demand for energy. The ‘Mangrove Tower’, for example, is covered in individual cells that create a photo-sensitive electrochemical shell that uses sunlight to produce electricity for the building. The ‘Photosynthesis Tower’ instead, has an insulating bio-façade that generates its own usable biofuel. Another technology used in this project to make this Smart City selfsufficient, is the ‘phylolight’, a hybridised turbinelamp system that provides both lighting and the energy needed to produce it. All the towers have been designed to provide accommodation, offices and shops, so that residents will have everything they require at their fingertips. This will solve the problem of the heat island effect present in many urban areas, where the temperature is higher than rural areas, due to human activity. By having everything on hand, transportation should be cut to a minimum, which is a good solution to this problem. The Smart City confirms the theory that a city can grow and create a healthier green environment at the same time, without losing any of its character. www.archello.com/project/2050-paris-smartcity

170

focus on invalsi  / Urbanisation reading

1

INVALSI   Read the text about future plans for Paris. Decide whether the statements (1-6) are true (T) or false (F),

then write the first four words of the sentence which supports your decision in the space provided. The first one (0) has been done for you.

0 If Vincent Callebaut Architectures’ project is approved, Paris will become a Smart City full of plants. 1 The project does not include the construction of tall buildings. 2 The eight constructions that make up the project will all be in the same area. 3 The architecture company collaborated with engineers on this project. 4 The design of the towers is in stark contrast with the existing environments where they will be located. 5 The ‘phylolight’ also supports the Smart City’s self-sufficiency. 6 The heat island effect could be a major drawback in this project. True (T) or False (F) 0 T

First four words This might become a...

1 2 3 4 5 6

listening

2

2.16 INVALSI   Listen to a recording about plans to redevelop Milan. First you will have one minute to study the task below, then you will hear the recording twice. While listening, choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for questions 1-6. Only one answer is correct. The first one (0) has been done for you.

0 The C40 Cities Climate Leadership... A has launched a competition to reinvent Milan. B has decided to redevelop some areas of Milan. C has judged Milan as the best sustainable city in the world. ✔ has launched an initiative to redevelop the city. D 1 Milan has presented plans to... A neglect the main squares, in favour of transport. B construct a new motorway. C have a better underground system. D group residents so they can do car-sharing. 2 This new type of urban growth... A will mean that the city centre will have as many green spaces as the suburbs. B means that each neighbourhood will have its own distinct identity. C will offer a better quality of life only for citizens living in the centre. D will reduce the amount of green spaces. 3 The Milan 2030 Master Plan... A includes the creation of a park in the underground. B has a project to recuperate green space. C has a project to make the biggest park in the city at Scalo Farini. D aims to make 20 new small green areas.

4 By 2030... A there will be a rise in the number of young people leaving the city. B the number of young people living in Milan will have increased. C fifty thousand people in Milan will be unemployed. D there will only be jobs available for young people. 5 As far as employment is concerned... A six strategic locations will be chosen in the city centre to attract investors. B plans to create job opportunities in the suburbs will be axed in favour of the heart of the city. C strategic locations will be chosen outwith the city to encourage international investors. D new opportunities will arise to work abroad. 6 New areas... A will only be available for housing purposes. B will only have green-coloured roofs. C will have buildings that do not waste energy. D will have no room for new business enterprises.

171

Module

7 revision map your knowledge

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about URBAN GROWTH with the expressions from the box. business centres  − deterioration −  series of rings  − accidents −  transportation routes  − workplace − pollution

URBAN GROWTH the process by which cities grow as people move from rural areas to cities and towns

URBAN LAND-USE PATTERNS

CONSEQUENCES OF URBAN GROWTH

concentric theory

axial theory

sector theory

multiple nuclei theory

separation of 4  ____________ and residence

cities grow outwards from the centre in a 1  ____________

cities grow first in proximity to 2  ____________

cities grow in sectors rather than in concentric zones

cities grow around a number of different 3  ____________

increase in traffic, air 6  ____________ and road 7  ____________

2

environmental 5  ____________

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about URBAN PLANNING with the expressions from the box. requalifying  − proposals − policies − socially-deprived −  balancing act  − affordable − communities

URBAN PLANNING a 1  ____________ between constructing modern communities and conserving our heritage

developing/creating 2  ____________ housing

regenerating 3  ____________ areas

4  ____________ historic buildings

creating 5  ____________ for traffic and energy efficiency

writing a Master Plan a report written by city planners and various experts after examining a piece of land in order to describe its current and future development 7  ____________

172

discussing with 6  ____________

revision  / Urbanisation revise your knowledge

3 Choose the correct option (A, B or C). 1 Urbanisation... A began during the Renaissance. B describes the movement of people from cities to the countryside. C is a consequence of the Industrial Revolution. 2 New cities may be created... A to compete with existing cities. B to take the pressure off large urban areas. C to increase the population of rural areas. 3 The first examples of cities in the West were in... A Greece and Italy. B Greece and Spain. C Spain and Italy.

4 In the Early Middle Ages in Italy... A cities grew bigger as trade increased. B new settlers preferred self-sufficient towns. C small, poor towns disappeared. 5 The Garden City Movement... A started at the end of the 20th century. B was initiated by an Italian urban planner. C proposed an alternative to industrial cities. 6 A Master Plan... A is a report written by legal authorities. B is a document describing only existing facilities. C aims to create the best possible environment for all users.

revise vocabulary

4 Match the photos of urban land-use patterns to the correct headings. multiple nuclei theory  −  concentric theory  −  sector theory  −  axial theory

1 _____________________

2 _____________________

3 _____________________

4 _____________________

reading comprehension

5 Read the text and answer the questions. Frank Gehry’s dream for his Hometown River Most visitors to Los Angeles would be surprised to learn that a river runs through the city. That’s because the US Army was brought in to cover the river in concrete after a hundred people were killed in a flood in 1938. The city established the LA River Rivitalization Corporation, which became River LA in 2014. It was at this point that the River LA team asked architect Frank Gehry, whose hometown is Los Angeles, to further develop the Master Plan to redevelop this area, taking into consideration water issues, sustainability and local resilience. Together with a landscape practice

called OLIN and the engineering firm, Geosyntec, Gehry has presented initial plans and 3D models to open the riverbanks once more to the public, with the use of the existing concrete infrastructure but with a new imaginative design. This new project called Greenway 2020, envisages a continuous ‘greenway’ and bike paths running the full length of the river, which will connect different neighbourhoods to each other and to the city centre. This ambitious project still has to be approved and will need more funding in order to restore natural ecosystems to the area, but if it is successful, it will be truly amazing. www.porturbanism.com/work/los-angeles-river-greenway-2020

1 What is hard to believe about Los Angeles? 2 What happened in 1938? 3 Who did the River LA team approach in 2014?

4 What is the aim of Gehry and his team? 5 What is this new project called? 6 What will the new project consist of if approved?

173

Module

7

revision writing

6

MEDIATING TEXTS   Look at the graph below and complete the text about urban growth worldwide in 1990 and

2014 with the words from the box.

analysing  − increase − sharpest − illustrates − except − specifically − stable − growth − number − registered

The graph below (1) __________ urban population (2) __________ both globally and more (3) __________ with reference to the five continents of the world. On (4) __________ the data provided for 1990 and 2014, we can see that there was an (5) __________ in the number of people living in urban areas in all continents (6) __________ for Oceania, where the number of city dwellers remained (7) __________. Asia (8) __________ the (9) __________ rise in urban population, while in Europe the (10) __________ of people living in cities only rose by 3%.

7

MEDIATING TEXTS   Now write a similar text about urban

54% of the world’s population now lives in cities

% of the population living in urban areas 1990

75 81 87

2014

71 80 86

2050

70 73 82

71 71 74

43 54 66 32 48 64

North Latin America America

Europe

Oceania

Asia

31 40 56

Africa Worldwide Source: United Nations

growth using all the information provided in the graph.

exam practice – speaking

8 ES

MEDIATING TEXTS   Use the information in the graph about urban growth to prepare a brief oral

presentation (3-5 minutes) on the reasons for this trend around the world. You should include: • historical, economic and social aspects; • environmental deterioration; • ways in which urban areas can be made more sustainable.

AUTHENTIC TASK

MEDIATING CONCEPTS

a house sale ad 1 Work in small groups. You work for an estate agent and

you want to promote a house for sale. Make a video tour to show the prospective homebuyers the inside and outside of the house and the neighbourhood.

2 Each group chooses a house or flat to sell (for instance, the

house or flat belonging to a member of your group).

3 Make a video filming the rooms, the building elements, the

external areas of the property and the neighbourhood.

4 Write a presentation of the property. 5 Choose a speaker/speakers and a cameraman and record

your video with your mobile phone.

6 Show it in class and vote for the most effective ad.

COMPETENZE CHIAVE •  competenza multilinguistica •  competenza digitale competenza personale, sociale e capacità di imparare a imparare •  •  competenza imprenditoriale

174

21ST-CENTURY LIFE SKILLS •  senso critico •  creatività

•  decision making •  comunicazione efficace

Module

8

PUBLIC WORKS

Temple of Aesculapius, Villa Borghese, Rome

OBJECTIVES BUILDING in THEORY

ON-SITE VIDEO ∞ Contemporary museums

∞ Engineering ∞

Building public works

BUILDING VOCABULARY ∞

Public works

FOCUS on INVALSI ∞

Potters Fields Park ∞ Fluctuart, Paris

REVISION ∞

Public works AUTHENTIC TASK: An earthquake-proof project

Watch the video. Did you already know any of these museums? Which one do you prefer from an architectural point of view? Explain your choice. Why are museums public works? What building criteria should they follow?

175

Module

8

ENGINEERING

Warm up

1 What does a

civil engineer do? What type of work does the job involve? Read the text and check.

gathered si riunivano guilds corporazioni handed down tramandarono cast fondere employed utilizzarono

Civil engineering In the past, it was mainly artisans who dealt with architectural design and building. Masons and carpenters gathered in guilds, where the knowledge and ability of their professions were kept secret. They handed down their skills to their children and progress was very limited. The first engineers were the ancient Egyptians, whose workmen already used specialised tools, could cast metals and employed advanced working techniques. Important examples of a scientific approach to physical and mathematical problems were the works of Archimedes and of the Indian mathematician Brahmagupta. Today, civil engineers work both in the private (house building) and public sector (great infrastructural works). They design, build and preserve man-made projects in the environment, such as houses, buildings, roads, bridges, dams, ports, airports, tunnels and canals. The name civil engineering was used to distinguish this non-military discipline from the oldest kind of engineering, military, and from shipbuilding. As civil engineering includes a great number of specialised sub-disciplines (such as structural, environmental, surveying, construction, and materials engineering), it is strongly linked to other scientific subjects like geology, mechanics, materials science, hydrology and others. Civil engineers often cooperate with surveyors and other specialised engineers and employ the principles of different kinds of engineering in residential, commercial, industrial, and public works projects.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text again and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. 1 Civil engineers only work in the public sector. 2 The term civil engineering was used to distinguish this discipline from military engineering. 3 Civil engineering comprises a great number of sub-disciplines. 4 Civil engineering has no connections with other scientific subjects. 5 Civil engineers often work with other professionals.

T F

vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the text.

1 2 3 4

176

artigiani muratori carpentieri operai

________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________

5 6 7 8

matematico dighe meccanica geometri

________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________

building in theory  /  Public Works

Earthquake engineering

Warm up

The very high costs caused by the consequences of recent earthquakes have led to the expansion of a sub-discipline of structural engineering called earthquake engineering. Earthquake engineering deals with protecting the man-made and natural environment from the dangerous effects of earthquakes by studying the performance of buildings and geostructures subject to seismic loading. This is possible by designing, building and maintaining structures so that they are provided with special devices and comply with specific building codes. Recently, advanced systems for seismic energy dispersion have been applied to foundations and new materials (like carbon fibres) and state-of-the-art building methods (such as multi-storey houses made of prefabricated wooden panels) have been used for buildings in areas which are subject to earthquakes. Designing and creating buildings able to resist seismic effects and sustain an acceptable level of damage is not necessarily expensive, nor do these structures have to be particularly strong. The most important aims of earthquake engineering are to understand how a building reacts when the ground shakes, and to predict the consequences of earthquakes on urban areas.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 2 3 4 5 6

Why is earthquake engineering expanding? What kind of engineering is earthquake engineering? What does it deal with? How does earthquake engineering do that? Is designing and creating a building able to resist seismic effects always expensive? What are the most important aims of earthquake engineering?

1 Look at the

picture and answer these questions. • What are

earthquakes? • How do we know when an earthquake is about to happen? • What do you think earthquake engineering deals with?

comply with sono conformi a state-of-the-art all’avanguardia

vocabulary

3 Write the words in the box next to their definitions. consequence  − damage − earthquake − performance − shake − seismic

1 tremor of the ground due to the movement of the Earth’s crust _____________ 2 effect of a situation _____________ 3 how well or badly something works _____________

4 related to an earthquake 5 harm 6 vibrate

_____________ _____________ _____________

speaking

4

FIRST MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Would you like to become a civil engineer? Discuss with your partner.

writing

5

ONLINE INTERACTION   Now write an email to an English friend (about 100 words) giving reasons for your answer.

177

Module

8

building in theory Warm up

1 What can we do

Anti-seismic technology

Predicting an earthquake is almost impossible; however, much can be done to reduce the damage caused by earthquakes, and in this way disasters can be avoided and losses minimised. There are two ways of protecting cities from earthquakes: seismic hazard mapping and rules for building earthquake-resistant constructions. Seismic hazard maps define seismic zones, according to the history of the territory and bend flettersi the soil type. They indicate the degree of seismicity, i.e. the probability that a seismic brittle friabile event will occur, assuming that earthquakes hit the same area of past earthquakes. weathering agenti Seismic zones are classified according to the level of damage risk, so we can have high-, atmosferici medium- or low-risk areas. Once seismic regions have been detected, it is essential to build earthquake-proof structures following specific rules for building. These More about guidelines for building are supported by seismological th On August 24 , 2016, at 3.36, central Italy was hit by a 6.2 and engineering knowledge and establish what criteria are magnitude earthquake, which caused the death of almost 300 required for the design and the construction of buildings. people and left 400 people injured. Then on 26th August at 6.28, The goal is to ensure the protection of people, to limit there was another earthquake, this time measuring 4.8, which damage, and to guarantee the availability of structures caused further damage. Umbria, Lazio and the Marche were the important for civil protection. worst hit regions. In Amatrice, more than 50% of the buildings There are general principles aimed at avoiding or limiting were destroyed, including almost all its historical centre. Pescara structural failure: del Tronto was another town that was practically destroyed. the structure should have simple, regular and •  There were over 500 aftershocks recorded after the initial symmetrical forms, in order to have a uniform earthquake, and more than 4,000 people were left homeless. distribution of the mass of the building; Reconstruction is slow and complicated, however there are some materials allow the building to bend without •  some signs of progress. Five new schools have since been collapsing, therefore brittle materials, such as masonry built in the disaster-struck areas and other projects to create community centres are in the pipeline. or concrete blocks, should be reinforced, generally with steel or wood; building elements, such as foundations, columns, walls •  and roofs, should be linked to each other so that in case of shaking, the whole building will act as one unit, transferring forces to the connecting elements and avoiding separation; the depth of foundations should be adequate to sustain •  the building load, and natural deterioration due to weathering should also be taken into consideration; unnecessary openings in walls should be avoided, as they •  weaken the strength of the building. to reduce the effects of an earthquake?

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). 1 In most countries seismic zones are detected. 2 Adherence to building rules will prevent all damage due to earthquakes. 3 Structures should be well proportioned and regular. 4 Reinforced steel and reinforced concrete are brittle materials. 5 Structures should be joined together well so that excessive stress concentration is avoided. 6 For an earthquake-resistant building, the type of foundations is not usually a problem. 7 The number of windows is an element that should be taken into consideration.

178

T F

building in theory  /  Public Works Reconstruction and rehabilitation Post-earthquake action varies according to the type of damage caused. The biggest disaster is caused by the ground shaking, however other disasters may follow, such as ground failure, fire, or tsunamis. The type and extent of damage to a building after an earthquake can be divided into different categories. Non-structural damage – such as cracks or holes in plaster – or slight structural damage – which does not affect the loading capacity of the structure – require architectural repair. If there is moderate structural damage to the building, which reduces its bearing capacity, then it is no longer fit for use and must be restored. In the case of severe damage, additional strengthening work has to be carried out. In the event of collapse, the site has to be cleared and reconstructed. Reconstruction after major earthquakes involves many complicated aspects and may take a long time to complete. That is why it is essential to establish an authority to coordinate the action to be taken at all different levels. Critical factors are: damage assessment, rehabilitation, psychological and social consequences and reconstruction plans and policies. Recent studies have underlined the importance of the participation of citizens in the decision-making process as part of the recovery project.

L’Aquila after the terrible 2009 earthquake plaster intonaco

reading comprehension

3 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 What disasters can an earthquake provoke? 2 What kind of damage can be caused to buildings? 3 When can a building no longer be used?

4 What measures should be taken if buildings collapse? 5 When is a coordination authority essential?

vocabulary

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the texts on pages 178 and 179.

1 sismico 2 cedimento

_______________ _______________

3 risanamento _______________ 4 terreno _______________

5 di rinforzo _______________ 6 valutazione dei danni _______________

listening

5

2.17   Listen to an expert talking about earthquake-proof buildings and complete the text.

Objectives: to explore different materials, shapes and design options and understand how they (1) ____________ the durability of a building First thing to do before starting the experiments: build the tabletop earthquake (2) ____________ Variables to consider: the distribution of weight, the (3) ____________ in shape, height and foundation material Important thing to do before they start: do some (4) ____________ on earthquakes and earthquake engineering What each group will test: one of the (5) ____________ previously discussed What students are supposed to do after the completion of the experiments: (6) ____________ their results and then create their own earthquake-proof building at home considering the results of the experiments

writing – internet research

6

MEDIATING TEXTS   Surf the Net and find information about a recent earthquake. Then write a short text about the damages and the reconstruction process.

exam practice – speaking

7

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a short presentation (3-5 minutes) explaining why earthquake engineering has become increasingly important and what ways of protecting cities from earthquakes exist.

179

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building in theory Warm up

1 Can you name

places recently affected by hydrogeological disasters?

tectonic plates placche tettoniche Earth’s crust crosta terrestre droughts siccità hydrogeological instability dissesto idrogeologico disruption interruzione Recurrent flooding in the UK is another consequence of global warming, but other factors that destroy properties also include: proximity to rivers •  and coastal areas; building in high-risk •  flood areas. The consequences of flooding include: £100,000 an hour •  spent due to road disruption; loss of businesses •  – about 40% don’t reopen after a flood; negative impact on •  mental health.

Hydrogeological instability Geological hazards that include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides happen when there is movement in the tectonic plates that make up the top part of the Earth’s crust. Instead, hydrological hazards include floods, droughts and tsunamis, all events that involve water. Hydrogeology is therefore very important as it studies the distribution and movement of groundwater in the soil and rocks that form our planet. An alteration in the weight of groundwater on the Earth’s upper crust, for instance, can trigger earthquakes. Sometimes natural hazards cover more than one category. If, for example, an earthquake happens in the middle of the ocean and causes a tsunami, this is considered both as a geological and hydrological disaster. Most hydrogeological instability phenomena happen in the same place, repeatedly. Italy has high hydrogeological instability, which means that the balance between its water (rivers, lakes...) and rock (mountains, hills...) systems is precarious. In fact the Italian territory is frequently subject to earthquakes, floods, landslides and even volcanic eruptions (many of the active European volcanoes are in Italy). These dangers are increased by poor prevention, lack of environmental policies and illegal building. The UK, on the other hand, suffers a lot less from natural disasters than other countries. Nonetheless, flooding* is a recurrent problem. Widespread flooding happens at least once a year in the UK, which can cause the collapse of bridges and road networks and even loss of lives. These environmental disasters are very costly due to damage to land, loss of human lives and possessions, and the disruption of economic activities. If the intrinsic properties of a territory cannot be changed, anti-emergency measures can be taken by adopting specific building rules and regulations, such as: building with earthquake-resistant criteria in seismic areas, or banning construction in areas where water gathers quickly during prolonged rainfall, or on beaches or too near watercourses.

More about Geopedology (a term that consists of ‘geo’ for geology and ‘pedology’ for soil science) is the geomorphological study of soils. Geopedology focuses on the characteristics of soil, its formation, classification, mapping and evaluation. These are all important factors to be considered in order to ascertain if the chosen site is suitable for construction and if it is subject to hydrogeological instability.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 What do hydrogeologists study? 2 What can happen if the weight of groundwater on the Earth’s crust varies? 3 What does hydrogeological instability mean?

4 What factors cause an increase in the risk of environmental disasters? 5 How often is the UK affected by flooding? 6 What can be done to reduce the frequency and consequences of environmental disasters?

vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the text.

1 terremoti 2 frane 3 abusivismo edilizio

180

___________________ ___________________ ___________________

4 averi 5 divieto 6 pioggia

___________________ ___________________ ___________________

building in theory  /  Public Works Hydrogeology and engineering Engineering projects that deal with environmental problems like hydrogeological instabilities, due to natural phenomena, have existed for over a hundred years. Nowadays, many branches of engineering include geotechnical skills like engineering geology and geohazards, environmental geotechnics and rock and soil slope stabilisation. These all contribute to preventing or minimising the effects of hydrogeological instability. The intervention of these engineers can include: consolidation of areas affected by land or soil erosion to improve landscape safety; •  a detailed maintenance plan of engineering works (including regular checking for •  abnormal deterioration, the preparation of inspection and photographic reports and implementation of the measures to be taken); protection of roadways from falling rocks through terrain consolidation, the erection •  of protective barriers and maintenance, upgrading and fitting of road protection panels; hydrogeological land reclamation and maintenance of areas affected by •  hydrogeological instability. In their design of structural consolidation works, engineers adopt low environmental impact techniques, normally used in bioengineering. Therefore, instead of cement, natural consolidating components like plants, and wood, stones and soil recuperated from landslides are utilised often with artificial biodegradable materials*. The use of these natural materials means that the natural environment is not affected and the consolidation structures blend in with the different infrastructures already on site.

slope pendenza land reclamation bonifica bio matting stuoia bio galvanised netting reti zincate geogrids geogriglie geonets georeti geotextiles geotessili Biodegradable materials used in structural consolidation works include: bio matting, galvanised netting, geogrids, geonets and geotextiles.

reading comprehension

4 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. 1 In the past engineers did not tackle environmental problems linked to hydrogeological instabilities. 2 The skills acquired by engineers nowadays enable them to provide solutions for these problems. 3 Deterioration due to unnatural processes is detected thanks to regular controls. 4 Structural consolidation has devastating effects on the environment. 5 Cement is the most popular material used in this sector. 6 Structures used for consolidation fit in well with the local environment.

T

F

vocabulary

5 Find synonyms for these words and definitions in the texts on pages 180-181. 1 unpredictable behaviour 2 because of 3 categories 4 expertise

_________________ _________________ _________________ _________________

5 stop something from happening 6 to reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree

_________________ _________________ _________________ _________________

writing

6

FIRST MEDIATING TEXTS   Write an essay (140-190 words) expressing your opinion on the following statement:

‘Hydrogeology is one of the most interesting sectors that an engineer can work in.’ Your essay should include the following points:

the type of problems that are tackled;  •  the knowledge necessary to do this job;  •  ... (your own idea). •

speaking

7

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Talk to your partner about hydrogeological instability in your area and discuss ways of improving the situation.

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BUILDING PUBLIC WORKS

New International Airport, Beijing, China

Warm up

1 Do you know any famous Roman roads in the area where you live? Do you know how they were built?

pathways sentieri rough accidentati, irregolari logs tronchi gutters scoli tar catrame marsh palude

Roads Today roads are used both for pedestrian and vehicular traffic. According to some theories the first pathways were the trails made by animals or created by humans who followed animals. Apparently, the earliest rough pathways were used in 10000 BC. The first stone and brick-paved roads were created in the Middle East and India between 4000 and 3000 BC, and in the same period the first European roads were built in England using logs. The Ancient Romans were great road builders. Some of their roads still survive today. Their armies built a great number of paved roads in Europe and North Africa using stone and gravel and included gutters for drainage. Around the eighteenth century AD a great number of roads (paved with tar) were built in the Arab Empire, but it was not until the Industrial Revolution that modern road building started. The first stages in road building are planning, designing and approval of the project following official guidelines. After deciding where to move gas, water, sewer, electricity and phone lines and compensating and relocating landowners, construction can start by removing earth, rock and vegetation. Then the road surface is laid using a great quantity of building equipment. Modern roads are built with smooth layers of tar or asphalt, over concrete or macadam. The kind of road surface depends on its expected use and on economic factors. The streets of San Francisco: Lombard Street

More about Apparently, the oldest surviving road in the world is the Sweet Track causeway in Somerset Levels in England. Thanks to tree-ring dating, archaeologists were able to understand that it was built around 3807-3806 BC and this confirmed that it is one of the oldest engineered roads ever discovered. It was built in a marsh, along the route of a previous track and it was mainly made of planks of wood. It is believed that this road was built by Neolithic farmers who lived in the area. They were mainly shepherds and they probably used it for about ten years to travel between different settlements. It was discovered in 1970 and most of it has been left in its original site, thanks to some special conservation measures. Part of it is now at the British Museum in London.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and find where and how the first roads were built, roads built by Ancient Romans and the stages of modern road building.

vocabulary

3 Find the synonyms of these words in the texts. 1 scheduling 2 protocol 3 tools

182

______________ ______________ ______________

4 trail ______________ 5 drovers ______________ 6 encampments ______________

CLIL – TOPOGRAPHY MEDIATING CONCEPTS

Group Work. Classification of roads. Make a table showing how roads can be identified in the UK.

building in theory  /  Public Works

Bridges

Warm up

A bridge is built to allow roads, paths, railways, water, overhead power lines and gas to pass over physical obstacles such as valleys, rivers and roads. The first bridges were probably fallen tree trunks (later supported by stones or logs) and bridges made of long ropes across rivers or valleys. The first great bridge builders were the Ancient Romans (some of their bridges are still standing today). The design of a bridge depends on its purpose, the kind of ground it is built on and the material used to build it. There are six main types of bridges as described below. 1 Beam bridges are mainly made of wood or metal and their maximum span is about 76 metres. In this kind of bridge horizontal beams are supported at each end by abutments. In cantilever bridges horizontal beams are supported only at one end. They are 2 usually built with similar materials and techniques as beam bridges.

1 Do you know

what the types of bridges in the two photos are called? Read the texts and check.

ropes corde, funi abutments spalle caissons cassoni cofferdams argini di contenimento truss trave reticolare

In arch bridges there are abutments at each end. 3 4 Suspension bridges are suspended from cables hanging from towers that are attached to caissons or cofferdams (fixed deep into the bed of a lake or river). Just like suspension bridges, cable-stayed bridges are held up by cables. Compared to suspension bridges less cable is necessary though, so the towers holding the cables are shorter. A movable bridge can usually move out of the way for boats or other types of traffic 5 to pass, thanks to an electrically-powered system. In double-decker bridges there are two levels. Thanks to truss work between the 6 roadway levels, the movement of the upper level is limited, whereas the roadways are rigid.

George Washington Bridge, NYC

More about A special example of a double-decker bridge is Tower Bridge, one of the best known symbols of London. It was designed by Sir Horace Jones and completed in 1894. A mechanism contained in its two Gothic Towers allows the roadway to be raised (creating a 40-metre-high and 60-metre-wide space) when large ships need to pass under it. You can read the history of the bridge at the Tower Bridge Exhibition. Before 1976 — when the system became electrical — the lifting equipment was commanded by a steam engine.

The Golden Gate Bridge, pp. 258-259

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 What are bridges built for? 2 What were the first bridges like? 3 Who were the first great bridge builders?

4 What does the design of a bridge depend on? 5 Can you name a few types of bridges? 6 What is Tower Bridge famous for?

writing – internet research

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write a short text (about 100 words) about a bridge in your area. You can surf the Net for any

information you may need. Talk about: • what kind of bridge it is; • what it is used for;

• how old it is; • who built it.

183

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building in theory Warm up

1 Which are the

Tunnels

Tunnels are long and narrow underground passages with an opening at each end, built for pedestrian or vehicular (rail or road) traffic and for canals. Some tunnels are important for water supply or for hydroelectric stations, others are sewers or include communication or electricity cables. Before building a tunnel, it is important to examine the conditions and type of ground assessment valutazione and groundwater. Thanks to this assessment, suitable machinery and excavation trench fosso methods can be chosen, as well as appropriate support measures. dug scavato Different methods can be used to build a tunnel, depending on the type of ground. The overhead sopraelevato main techniques are cut and cover tunnels (in which a trench is dug and then covered quarry cava with an overhead support system – this technique is used for tunnels which are close to drilled trivellato the ground surface, such as road tunnels) and quarry (in which the path of the tunnel blasted out fatto is drilled horizontally – this technique is used when there is solid rock and the tunnel to esplodere dig is deep). If the rock is hard, the tunnel is blasted out with explosives, whereas if the ground is softer, tunnel shields (steel tubes the same More about size as the tunnel) are pushed into the ground to dig out the earth. The Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) opened on June 1, 2016. It runs Typical examples of tunnels are underground train lines for 57 km under the Swiss Alps, making it the world’s longest railway and road tunnels (created when there is an obstacle tunnel and the deepest traffic tunnel. It represents an enormous like a mountain). They can also be built as an alternative engineering masterpiece, took 17 years to complete and connects Switzerland and Italy in record time. The amount of rock that was to a bridge. excavated to make the tunnel, would have been enough to build five One of the most famous ones in Europe is the Channel pyramids. The project cost 11 billion euros to complete, and is part of Tunnel. The idea of building a tunnel under the English the Swiss Alptransit project to transfer freight traffic from roads to the Channel to join Continental Europe and England was railway, thus improving the environment, reducing road accidents first suggested in the time of Napoleon. However, the and making the process faster and more punctual. 50.5 km long Channel Tunnel (also called Chunnel) did not open until 1994. Today it is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. It is one of the longest tunnels in the world and the tunnel with the longest undersea portion. It is only used for trains (some of which can carry cars). Today if you travel on High Speed 1 trains (at 300 km/h), the journey between London and Paris takes only two hours and 15 minutes. longest tunnels in Italy? Which area in Italy do you think has the most tunnels? Why?

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 What and who are tunnels built for? 2 Before building a tunnel, what is it important to examine? 3 Which are the main techniques when building tunnels?

4 When was the idea to build a tunnel to join England and France first suggested? 5 When was the Chunnel opened? 6 Which records does it hold? 7 Can you travel through the Chunnel by car?

speaking

3

FIRST MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Do you think they should build a tunnel between Calabria and Sicily

like the one under the English Channel? Why/Why not?

184

building in theory  /  Public Works

Dams

Warm up

Dams are barriers, usually built across a river or a stream, to control and retain its water. In many cases a dam is built to create a reservoir, a man-made lake, used to store water to supply buildings in urban areas and to irrigate fields in the countryside. It can also be built to harness water power and create electricity by turning generators, or to prevent flooding, allow navigation or for aesthetic or recreational purposes. The best place to create a dam is at a narrow spot in a deep river valley. Before building a dam, its future environmental impact should be estimated and some fundamental concerns should be considered, such as the permeability of the soil, landslide risks and slope stability, the environmental impact on the surrounding nature and wildlife and on people living in the area. The chosen dam type depends on its structure and the material used to build it. There are timber dams (mainly used at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, they can be built quickly but have a limited lifetime and height and need constant maintenance), arch dams (which are curved so that the weight of the water pushes against the sides of the canyon and not against the wall of the dam), gravity dams (made of stone or concrete blocks and held in place by the Earth’s gravity) and embankment dams (which come in two types: earthfill dams and rockfill dams, depending on the predominant fill material used). Dams are also classified by international standards according to their size, large dams being those that are over 15 metres high and major dams those over 150 metres. Gravity dams are usually the best choice if they are situated on a suitable site, even though they are the most expensive solution.

1 Look at the

pictures and try to answer the following questions. • What is a dam? • What are the

purposes of building a dam? • Is there a dam in the area where you live?

reservoir bacino idrico harness sfruttare landslide smottamento

The Vajont Dam

More about A US national historic symbol, the Hoover Dam was built on the Colorado River on the border between Nevada and Arizona in 1936, during the Great Depression. It is 221 metres high and 200 metres thick at its base. The Hoover Dam is a wonderful example of a concrete arch-gravity dam and it is regarded as the most famous dam in the world. Today it provides electricity for three US states (Arizona, Nevada and California) and attracts a million tourists every year.

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 Where are dams usually built? 2 What are they built for? 3 What has to be estimated and considered before building a dam?

4 What does the choice of dam type depend on? 5 How are dams classified? 6 What do you know about the Hoover Dam?

writing – internet research

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Surf the Net and find some information about a famous dam and its main features. Then write a short text (about 100 words) summarising the information you have found.

185

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building in theory More about

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a research university situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It has five schools and one college, all focusing on scientific and technological education such as Engineering and Physical Sciences, and more recently also on Biology, Economics, Political Science and others. MIT was founded in 1861 and its campus opened in 1916. The campus is divided in two parts by a road: one part comprises most student dormitories and living facilities and the other comprises the academic buildings. MIT has a history of commissioning progressive buildings. Its first buildings were built of concrete, thus being the first non-industrial buildings to be created in this material in the USA. High forms of post-war modernist architecture are represented by Alvar Aalto’s Baker House, Eero Saarinen’s Chapel and Auditorium, and I.M. Pei’s Green, Dreyfus, Landau, and Wiesner buildings. Other more modern buildings, such as Frank Gehry’s Stata Center, illustrate contemporary architecture on the campus. Many buildings are linked both above ground and by underground tunnels. Recently, most buildings have been renovated to increase their energy efficiency and decisions have been made to reduce their environmental impact. banked disposte

Schools Educational buildings are very important in our lives. We progress from childhood to adulthood MIT and we learn the basic rules of our development in these buildings. They are the places where some of the key moments of our lives and some of our most critical changes take place (most importantly the transition from our private home to the public world of society). For these reasons, these buildings have a very special importance in everyone’s lives and consequently architects should think carefully and sensitively when designing them. During the nineteenth century, the first to understand the economic importance of universal education were the British and the Prussians, whose schools were disciplinarian places that could be built quite cheaply. In Great Britain, as well as in France and Germany, we can still see examples of these great, late nineteenth-century, four-storey schools with their classrooms double banked along central corridors. School building gradually changed after World Wars I and II. A great number of new schools were built and educational theories and practices shifted from strong discipline to encouragement in learning and liberal egalitarian programmes. Consequently, school design changed too. New schools are places full of light, with multivalent spaces. More recently, schools have become buildings where the environment is more and more stimulating and where solutions are found to meet practical demands, such as health, safety and financial concerns. In the future, architects will have to consider a series of important aspects, such as creating increasingly friendly, comfortable, stimulating buildings, with spaces such as gyms, laboratories, libraries and green areas.

reading comprehension

•  College Campus •  Museums and libraries

1 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 Why are educational buildings important in our lives? 2 Who were the first to understand the economic importance of universal education? When did that happen? What were their schools like?

3 How did school buildings change after World Wars I and II? 4 How are schools built today? How will they change in the future? 5 What are the main features of MIT?

listening

2

2.18   Listen to Paul Andrews talking about Westfield Student Village and complete the sentences.

1 In the past, there was little architectural interest in building university _____________ because this type of building has always had low budgets and this usually meant low-quality architecture. 2 The project was not easy for a number of reasons, the most important of which is that the building is located in a _____________ area in London’s East End near the railway and a canal.

186

3 The requirements were to create comfort for the students and offer the possibility to use the residences as _____________ during the holidays. 4 Two linear buildings were _____________ which created the boundaries of the university campus. 5 On the outside of the buildings copper was used, which not only is a _____________ material, but also provides durability and _____________ limited maintenance.

building in theory  /  Public Works

Hospitals The design of modern hospital buildings nowadays creates a better working environment for medical staff and keeps contamination to a minimum, while making sure that the whole system works efficiently. Transporting patients between units is made easier and faster and new hospitals are also built to accommodate heavy departments such as radiology and operating rooms. However, even hospitals that are considered ‘modern’ are the result of continual and often badly managed growth over decades or even longer, with new sections added according to requirements and available funds. As a result, many hospitals often do not function well and, instead of making patients feel at home, they produce stress and anxiety. Some newer hospitals are now trying to re-establish design that considers the patient’s psychological needs, such as providing more fresh air, better views and more pleasant colour schemes. Research carried out by the British Medical Association is showing that good hospital design can reduce a patient’s recovery time. Exposure to daylight, for instance, is effective in reducing depression. Hospital gardens mean that patients are in contact with nature, which is also important, as even just looking out of the window at the greenery can improve their mood and reduce stress levels. Creating separate male and female wards ensures that patients are treated in privacy and with dignity. New hospital design also prefers to accommodate patients in individual rooms rather than big wards to give them more privacy. However, providing patients with their own rooms is very costly, so hospitals end up charging patients for private rooms.

Warm up

1 Have you ever

been in hospital or visited someone in hospital? How did you feel in this environment?

accommodate ospitare wards reparti, corsie charging far pagare

More about A new generation of medical facilities is changing the face of hospitals. These places take a more holistic approach to healthcare — one that takes the healing environment into consideration. The Akershus University Hospital in Norway, for example, has a friendly, welcoming environment for patients and their families. Each section has been given its own unique treatment, differentiating it from the others and providing varied visual stimulation. The hospital utilises geothermal heating for most of its warming requirements. Sustainability was also a factor in the facility’s construction, and materials were locally sourced. The new hospital opened in 2008, and in 2009 it won the award for Best International Design in the Building Better Healthcare Awards.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 2 3 4

What are the main objectives of modern architectural hospital design? Why do some so-called ‘modern’ hospitals not provide a satisfactory environment? According to the British Medical Association, what steps can be taken to reduce patients’ stress levels? What are the advantages and disadvantages of offering single rooms to patients rather than big wards?

writing

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Think of a hospital in your area. Describe what it is like at the moment, and what

improvements you would recommend to make it a more friendly environment for patients and staff. Write about 100 words.

187

Module

8

building in theory Warm up

1 Think of a

railway station in or near your town and make a list of what you can find in it.

platforms banchine staggered sfalsate iron ore minerali in ferro bays aree di sosta councourse atrio pedestrian thoroughfare via pedonale funnel imbuto In the United Kingdom a listed building is one that has been placed on the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Railway stations Railway stations have one or more platforms constructed alongside the railway line and a station building with a ticket office and waiting room. Railway stations and their platforms come in many different configurations according to the geographical nature of the site, or the need to serve more than one route. Examples include stations in tunnels, stations with platforms on more than one level, and stations with other unusual layouts like staggered, non-parallel or curved platforms. The world’s first railway station was The Mount in Swansea, Wales, that began passenger service in 1807. The railway line ran between Swansea and Oystermouth and since at the beginning of the nineteenth century there was no road link between these two towns, it was originally created to transport goods like coal, iron ore and limestone. This station had no buildings and no amenities for passengers. The first stations in the modern sense of the word were on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway and opened in 1830. Manchester’s Liverpool Road Station is one of the oldest terminal stations in the world and its building looks like a row of Georgian houses. This station was the Manchester terminus of the world’s first inter-city passenger railway in which all services were hauled by timetabled steam locomotives. The station is now a Grade 1 listed building* and is part of the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. Many stations date from the nineteenth century and were magnificent Baroque or Gothic style buildings, which became a focal point for cities. Many European countries copied the architectural design of British stations during this period. Nowadays, large, modern stations not only have ticket offices but also automated ticket machines. There are also many retail facilities including fast-food outlets, coffee shops and even a supermarket and other services like left-luggage office, lost and found luggage office, departure and arrival boards, taxi ranks, bus bays and car parks.

More about London’s Kings Cross Station is a railway and underground station in the borough of Camden and near the new British Library. The historic section of King’s Cross was completed in 1852. The roofs of the two train sheds were made of glass and laminated timber beams and were considered innovative for that time. Later, these beams were replaced with steel girders. The station started with two platforms and four tracks, but soon these were not enough to cope with all the people who wanted to use this service. A massive renovation, which took fifteen years to complete, has once more made King’s Cross one of the most innovative stations in the UK for its design. Its main feature is the new concourse that covers the ticket hall and pedestrian thoroughfare. It is an enormous single-span steel grid structure that looks a bit like a bisected funnel and was opened in time for the 2012 Olympic Games.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 2 3 4

What determines the way railway stations and their platforms are designed? What reason made The Mount Railway station in Swansea a necessity? What distinguished Liverpool Road Station from other stations at that time? What amenities do modern stations offer their passengers?

speaking

3

FIRST MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Tell your partner about a railway station you particularly like. What are its main features? When was it built? Has it recently been renovated?

188

building in theory  /  Public Works

Airports An airport is a place where aircraft take off and land. It is made up of a runway and some buildings. In smaller airports there is usually a single runway, shorter than 1,000 London Gatwick airport metres and made of gravel, grass or dirt, whereas larger airports usually have paved (asphalt or concrete) runways of about 2 km or even longer. Other buildings include control towers (if the air traffic is high, air traffic is controlled by radio from there), hangars (where aircraft are stored and maintained), aprons (parking areas away from terminals) and air terminals (departure and arrival buildings for passengers). In terminals, passengers can get flight information, buy tickets, clear security control, claim their luggage and board aircraft through waiting areas, boarding gates and ramps (where aircraft park next to a terminal to board passengers). Terminals are part of the so-called landside areas, which also consist of access roads, parking lots, tank farms and public transportation train stations. A highly controlled area joins these to airside areas, which include runways, ramps, and taxiways. Large airports usually have fixed base operator services, and passenger facilities such as shops, restaurants, emergency services, rental car counters and customs and immigration facilities.

runway pista aprons aree di stazionamento tank farms serbatoi di stoccaggio counters sportelli

More about Stansted Airport is one of London’s six international airports. This passenger airport (the core of the most important European low-cost airlines) lies in Essex, about 48 km north-east of London. It is the third busiest airport in the UK and the third largest airport in the London area. It has become a model for airport planners and designers all over the world thanks to a number of technologically advanced innovations and its energy and environmentally careful approach. Its ‘stylized swan in flight’ shape was designed by Foster Associates and structural engineer Peter Rice. After the competition for the construction of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport was won by Richard Rogers Partnership in 1989, the requirements for this project kept changing for some years because of variations in security needs and in the size of the site area. Finally the new control tower became operational in 2007 and the terminal was opened in 2008. Its internal space recalls the Pompidou Centre for its flexibility. Most of the terminal facilities are enclosed in free-standing, steel-framed structures inside the building, which, thanks to this peculiarity, can be easily disassembled and rearranged in the future to meet changing requirements. Thanks to its special design and curved roof, the building looks very spacious and provides great views across the airport.

reading comprehension

1 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 What is the main difference between a small and a large airport? 2 What kind of buildings is an airport made up of? 3 What do large airports usually have? 4 How important is Stansted Airport?

5 6 7 8

Who designed it? Why has it become a model for airport designers? Who designed Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport? What are its peculiarities?

writing

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write a short paragraph (about 100 words) explaining if you prefer to travel by train or plane

and what the advantages and disadvantages are of these two means of transport.

189

Module

8

building in theory More about

Central Park lies in Manhattan, New York. It was opened in 1857 since an area to escape from the chaotic life of the city was needed because of the increasing number of citizens. In 1858, a competition took place to improve and expand the area and work finished in 1873. About 1,500 species of trees, shrubs and plants were planted in the park and today a great number of animals live there. Although it has a very natural appearance, the park is completely landscaped: there are artificial lakes and ponds, lawns and grassy areas, playgrounds, walking tracks, ice-skating rinks, a zoo, a conservatory garden, an area of natural woods, a running track, an outdoor amphitheatre and many other indoor structures. It is the regular venue for festivals, concerts and other kinds of performances. Central Park is the most popular urban park in the USA (about 35 million visitors every year).

Gardens and parks The world’s first parks date back to the sixteenth century and during the seventeenth century, many European monarchs had formal gardens built. Parks are open spaces, usually large and protected areas, in cities and towns. They may be in a natural (wilderness parks) or semi-natural state (in this case they are planned spaces) and they are created for human benefit (leisure, relaxation, entertainment and recreation) or to protect animals (some of which are threatened species) or the environment. Usually you can find both natural and man-made materials in parks: trees (chosen either for their beauty or for their shade), grass, flowers and landscape features such as fountains, benches, picnic areas, statues, pathways, and ponds. There are active and passive recreation parks, but they all represent a place where people who live in urban areas can find peace and quiet. Active recreation parks have a high level of development and include playgrounds, ball fields and skateparks, whereas passive recreation parks focus on open-space and offer trails and picnic areas. The most important thing to consider in any garden design is what the garden will be used for, followed closely ponds stagni by the desired stylistic genre and the way the shrubs arbusti garden space will connect the other structures landscaped progettato in the surrounding areas. lawns prati Sculpture gardens

reading comprehension

1 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 What can you usually find in parks? 2 Can you explain the difference between active and passive recreation parks? 3 What has to be considered before designing and creating a garden?

4 Why was Central Park opened? 5 Can you remember any important dates in its history? 6 The text says that Central Park is completely landscaped. Can you explain how?

listening

2

2.19   Listen to an expert talking about Davies Alpine House and complete the sentences.

1 Davies Alpine House is situated in the Royal Botanic _____________ at Kew in London. 2 It was _____________ to house a collection of mountain vegetation. 3 As climatic conditions were not ideal in the previous location, mountain vegetation did not have a suitable _____________ until Davies Alpine House was built. 4 Davies Alpine House is a glasshouse that follows some _____________ of ecocompatibility.

190

5 One of the strategies used to achieve the requirements was to create summer shading thanks to a couple of _____________ blinds. 6 Natural _____________ has been achieved thanks to the shape of the glasshouse. 7 Hot air is released through vents and cool air is drawn from an underground _____________ called a labyrinth. 8 The labyrinth works by cooling air during the night and thus _____________ fresh air during the day.

building in theory  /  Public Works

Opera houses Opera houses are theatre buildings designed for opera performances. Some are specially built for this purpose, others are part of a performing arts centre. An opera house is made up of different parts: a stage, an orchestra pit, audience seating and backstage facilities for set building and costumes. As operas are largescale productions (and a large audience is needed to cover the expenses), major traditional opera houses usually offer 1,500-3,000 seats, but modern opera houses can have even more than 3,000. Smaller productions can be performed in theatres with about 1,000 seats. A traditional auditorium has a U shape and the audience capacity depends on the length of its sides. Balconies are located around the auditorium and boxes are situated nearer the stage. The orchestra pit has been a typical opera house feature since the end of the nineteenth century. The orchestra players are seated below the audience to avoid too much interference with the singing voices. In some cases, the orchestra is made up of more than a hundred musicians. In a major opera house, the dressing room facilities must be big enough to accommodate all the musicians, actors, choir members and dancers involved in the performance. Extra space is also needed for costume storage, make up, masks, stage props and rehearsals. A major opera house must also be equipped with mechanised stages, stage machinery, modern lighting and acoustic enhancement. In recent buildings, if the opera is presented in a different language from the mother tongue of the audience, translated subtitles are projected over or near the stage. To prevent interference with the performance, some opera houses have electronic librettos showing the words on individual screens attached to the back of the seats.

The Sidney Opera House, p. 271

orchestra pit buca dell’orchestra boxes palchi stage props oggetti di scena rehearsals prove

More about The original London Royal Opera House was situated in Covent Garden. It was completed in 1732 and it was used both for concerts and for staged plays. The old building was destroyed by fire twice, in 1808 and 1856, and the new Opera House was designed in 1858. It can seat 2,268 people. The Royal Opera House was closed for two years for renovation at the end of the 1990s. The original 1858 auditorium at its core was maintained and a completely new backstage and wing spaces were added, as well as additional performance space and public areas.

reading comprehension

1 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 How many seats do major traditional opera houses usually offer? 2 When did the orchestra pit become a typical opera house feature? 3 Where are the orchestra players seated? Why?

4 What device is available in some opera houses if the opera is presented in a different language from that of the audience? 5 When was the original London Royal Opera House destroyed by fire?

speaking

2

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Class discussion. Are there any famous opera houses in your country? Can you name a few? Do you think there are more opera houses or small theatres in Italy?

exam practice – speaking

3

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Choose one of the main topics in this module (bridges, roads, dams...). Prepare a short presentation (3-5 minutes) following these guidelines. • When were the first examples built? By whom? • What features must it have?

• Is there an example you know that you particularly

like? Why?

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Module

8 building vocabulary 1 TYPES OF BRIDGES  Match the photos with the types of bridges in the box. double-decker bridge  −  movable bridge  −  suspension bridge  −  beam bridge  cantilever bridge  −  arch bridge

1 _________________________________

2 _________________________________

3 _________________________________

4 _________________________________

5 _________________________________

6 _________________________________

2 AT THE AIRPORT  Match the photos with the words in the box. tank farm  − runway −  waiting area  − hangar − apron −  boarding gates  −  air terminal  −  boarding ramps  −  control tower

1 _________________________________

2 _________________________________

3 _________________________________

4 _________________________________

5 _________________________________

6 _________________________________

7 _________________________________

8 _________________________________

9 _________________________________

192

building vocabulary  /  Public Works 3 Match the words with their definitions. 1 bridge 2 carpenter 3 dam 4 guild 5 landslide 6 balance 7 flooding 8 path 9 freight 10 runway

a b c d e f g h i j

where aircraft take off and land   the covering or submerging of normally dry land with a large amount of water   when earth or rock collapses from a mountain or cliff   a situation in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions   a wall built across a river to stop the flow of the water   large quantities of goods transported by road, rail, sea or air   a craftsman who makes and repairs wooden things   a narrow road for people to walk or cycle on   a structure built across a river, road or railway to let people and vehicles cross   an association of people who do the same job

4 Complete the sentences with the words from the box. earthquake  − machines − anxiety − equipment − guidelines − aircraft − tunnel − surveyors  − power − laboratories

1 Civil engineers often cooperate with ___________ in residential, commercial and public works projects. 2 The most important aims of ___________ engineers are to understand how a building will react when the ground shakes, and to predict the consequences of this type of natural disaster on urban areas. 3 The first stages in road building are planning, designing and approval of the project, following official ___________. 4 Before the system became electric, the lifting ___________ of Tower Bridge was commanded by a steam engine. 5 Different methods can be used to build a ___________ depending on the type of ground. 6 Dams can be built to harness water ___________ and create electricity. 7 Modern school design includes spaces for gyms, ___________, libraries and green areas. 8 If a hospital is not designed well it creates an environment that causes stress and ___________. 9 Many modern railway stations have automated ticket ___________. 10 At airports, passengers board ___________ through boarding gates and ramps.

5 Look at the table with six types of public works. For each one, add the names of the different types of structures that you know, then add their main elements.

PUBLIC WORKS

TYPE OF STRUCTURE

MAIN ELEMENTS

Bridges Tunnels Dams Railway stations Airports Opera houses

ACTIVE GLOSSARY 6

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write the English equivalents of the following words.

1 all’avanguardia 2 flettersi 3 dissesto idrogeologico 4 bonifica 5 pendenza 6 manto stradale 7 corde, funi

_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________

8 valutazione 9 bacino idrico 10 reparti, corsie 11 banchina 12 aree di sosta 13 prato 14 prove

_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________

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Module

8 focus on invalsi

POTTERS FIELDS Potters Fields Park is in the heart of London on the south side of the River Thames. Its unique location provides breathtaking views of the river and the city, E like Tower Bridge, the Tower of London ____ (0) and the glass dome of City Hall. Wandering around ____ with its spacious the park, you are struck (1) lawns and planted areas. Thanks to the intervention of landscape architects Gross Max, the whole park was extensively landscaped in 2007 and was transformed into this beautiful facility ____ through every day to go to work – a perfect (2) way to start the day. This architectural firm succeeded in maintaining the park’s distinctive local history and ____ created a safe, clean and peaceful space (3) in the middle of the bustle of the city. There is room for public events and quieter corners where you can simply sit back and admire all the spectacular ____. One of these is the colourful beauties that (4) herbaceous garden by world famous plantsman Piet Oudolf, which is situated at the back of the park. You can also enjoy a relaxing stroll along one of the quiet walkways surrounded by trees (5) ____. If you are feeling a bit lazy (6) ____, then you can simply lie on one of the many sweeping expanses of grass and lose yourself in a good book. Families can enjoy the picnic areas, or if you prefer, there is also a café where you can stop off for a drink and a quick snack.

PARK Despite being in an intensely urban area, Potters Field Park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife ____ that that have found their ideal habitat (7) includes herbaceous perennial beds. Bee hives, bird & bat boxes, bluebell meadows and insect hotels ____ to encourage the are also other features (8) proliferation of wildlife. The park also boasts fifty species of plants from countries all over the world like Japan, Greece, India and Turkey, to name but a few. ____ The planting scheme is managed under (9) and is considered an excellent local resource for the proliferation of insects. Serving the community is one of the main goals of Potters Fields Park and the local children can attend ____ to teach many educational initiatives (10) them about plants and wildlife. The space in the park is there for everyone to use, from free fitness classes to the annual Big Picnic Festival, with the main objective being that everybody has fun and can relax in this green oasis surrounded by the chaotic frenzy of urban life. www.pottersfields.co.uk

sweeping expanses vaste distese bluebell meadows prati di campanule

194

focus on invalsi  /  Public Works reading

1

INVALSI   Read the text about Potters Field Park in London. Parts of the text have been removed. Choose the

correct part (A-M) for each gap (1-10). There are two extra parts that you should not use. The first one (0) has been done for you. A

that seem to whisper in the wind

B

at the same time

C

in the naturalistic garden design

D

regarding a group of volunteers

E

including some if its most famous landmarks

F

a sustainable regime

G

by the peacefulness it evokes

H

to be found in the park

I

that hundreds of people stroll

J

run by the park

K

that is used

L

this park has to offer

M

and want to spoil yourself

0

listening

2

2.20 INVALSI   Listen to a recording about Fluctuart, a museum in Paris. First you will have one minute to

study the task below, then you will hear the recording twice. While listening, choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for questions 1-6. Only one answer is correct. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0 Fluctuart... A ✔ exhibits contemporary works of art. B is the second museum of its kind in Paris. C can be reached by boat. D reflects the traditional design of museums in Paris. 1 The Fluctuart project... A was presented by Paris officials. B came first in a competition. C won’t be completed for another two years. D was designed by a group of French engineers. 2 This urban art centre... A has two floors. B is made in the shape of a boat. C stands on the same street as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. D is on the Seine river. 3 The building... A has thirty transparent walls. B has interior spaces designed by world-famous artists. C has space where artists can actually create their works of art. D is free to enter only on special days of the year.

4 The unique design of Fluctuart includes... A fixed partitioned spaces. B space to listen to pop music. C a coffee bar that transforms into a cocktail bar in the evening. D special panels for roller-blading. 5 The bar and restaurant... A are situated on the roof of the building. B offer clients the chance to skateboard. C offer clients the chance to try spray painting. D serve food on traditional hand-painted plates. 6 The museum... A doesn’t have enough space for a bookshop. B has a unique position compared to other museums in Paris. C holds events four times a year. D provides local shops with work.

195

Module

8 revision map your knowledge

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about PUBLIC WORKS with the expressions from the box. trench  − timber − arch − wilderness − concrete − canyon − quarry − planned − cables − cantilever

PUBLIC WORKS

ROADS

SCHOOLS

HOSPITALS

AIRPORTS

RAILWAY STATIONS

BRIDGES

beam bridge

horizontal beams supported at each end

1  __________ bridge

horizontal beams supported at only one end

2  __________ bridge

abutments at each end

suspension bridge

suspended from 3  ____________ from towers

movable bridge

electricallypowered system to move out of the way

doubledecker bridge

two levels

196

OPERA HOUSES

DAMS

6  ________ dam

arch dam

gravity dam

embankment dam

built quickly but limited lifetime

water pushes against the 7  ________

held in place by gravity

outside layer made of 8  _______

TUNNELS

cut and cover

5  _______

a 4  _______ is dug and then covered

the path is drilled horizontally

GARDENS

9  ___________ parks

natural

seminatural 10  ___________ spaces

revision  /  Public Works revise your knowledge

2 Choose the correct option (A, B or C). 1 Civil engineering... A deals only with the design stage of a project. B includes structural, environmental surveying. C is a military discipline. 2 Earthquake-proof structures... A should have a lot of openings in the walls. B should have complicated, irregular forms. C should be made of materials that allow the building to bend. 3 Geological hazards include... A landslides. B  floods. C  tsunamis. 4 In cantilever bridges... A there are abutments at each end. B horizontal beams are supported only at one end. C there are two levels.

5 The most expensive dams to build are... A arch dams. B embankment dams. C gravity dams. 6 Good hospital design includes... A gardens. B mixed male and female wards. C as little exposure to daylight as possible. 7 In the 19th century, many European countries copied the architectural design of... A British stations. B American stations. C Japanese stations. 8 Parking areas for aircraft are called... A hangers. B  aprons. C  runways. 9 In passive recreation parks, you can find... A skateparks. B  trails. C  ball fields.

revise vocabulary

3 Match the photos to the correct headings. embankment dam  −  timber dam  −  arch dam  −  gravity dam

1 _____________________

2 _____________________

3 _____________________

4 _____________________

reading comprehension

4 Read the text and answer the questions. Hibiya Park, Tokyo Tokyo is home to some stunning parks, among which Hibiya Park is the most beautiful. Here you can find everything from flowerbeds and cherry blossoms to live music and theatre. Hibiya extends over an area of 40 acres. In the past, it was a military parade ground and didn’t become a public park until 1903. The Hibiya riots took place here in 1905, when 30,000 people protested against the terms of the Portsmouth Treaty, the peace treaty negotiated in the US that marked the end of the 1904-05 Russo-Japanese war. Then, during World War II, almost all the trees in the park were cut down for timber and all metal parts like the fences were melted down for steel. Restoration work on the park was started after the war and was finally completed

in 1961, the star attraction being the big 30 m diameter fountain. The park now has two large western-style flower gardens, several restaurants and a few shops selling refreshments. There are also two outdoor music domes for concerts and festivals that are usually held at weekends, a small museum, a library, a tennis court and an underground car park. Around Hibiya Park you can also see mementos from around the world: a piece of stone money from Yap Island, a block of gneiss rock from Antarctica, a Viking stone epitaph, a statue of Remus and Romulus donated by Italy in the 1930s, and a Liberty Bell donated by the US in 1952.

1 How much land does the Hibiya Park in Tokyo occupy? 2 In what way was the park devastated during World War II? 3 Which features in the park reflect western style?

4 What kind of entertainment does Hibiya Park usually host? 5 In what way has Italy contributed to the features in the park?

197

Module

8

revision writing

5

MEDIATING TEXTS   Look at the graph below and complete the text about the amount of money spent on public

works in San Francisco between 2009 and 2010 with the words or expressions from the box.

over  −  the least  −  compared to  − information − instead −  by far  − seven − assume − from − indeed

The graph below gives (1) ____________ about how much Budget Comparison of San Francisco’s Department of Public Works money was spent on (2) ____________ sectors of public works in San Francisco in the period (3) ____________ 2009 to 2010. The maximum amount of money available is set at 45,000 USD. Street Environmental Services and Street Cleaning and Graffiti are (4) ____________ the areas in which most money was invested with an expenditure of (5) ____________ 35,000 USD in both sectors. (6) ____________, not even half of the same amount was spent on Street Use and Mapping. (7) ____________, this sector was the one that received (8) ____________ financial support, amounting to only about 14,000 dollars. From the data we can also (9) ____________ that more importance was given to engineering that received funding amounting to almost 30,000 USD (10) ____________ the remaining three sectors that did not reach the 20,000 USD mark. $45,000,000

2008-2009

2009-2010 (proposed)

$40,000,000

Budget in USD

$35,000,000 $30,000,000 $25,000,000 $20,000,000 $15,000,000 $10,000,000 $5,000,000

$0

Building Repair

6

Street Enviromental Services

Street and Sewer repair

Street Use and Mapping

Street Cleaning and Graffiti

Urban Forestry

MEDIATING TEXTS   Now use the data in the graph to write a similar text on how the budget was divided over the

various sectors in the period 2008-2009 compared to 2009-2010.

speaking

7

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Look at the photo of this famous bridge in Italy and

prepare a short presentation including the following information: • • • • •

the name of the bridge, where it is located and the name of the river it spans; the historical period it belongs to, the type of bridge it is and what it is made of; the kind of shops to be found on the bridge; what you can see if you look up while crossing the bridge; a famous Italian writer who refers to this bridge and the name of his work.

AUTHENTIC TASK

MEDIATING CONCEPTS

an earthquake-proof project 1 Work in small groups. You are going to design

an earthquake-proof project for a new school or stipulate anti-seismic criteria to be adopted in your current school building.

2 Check your school building plan. / Write the

plan for a new school building.

3 Verify whether the required anti-seismic criteria

have been fulfilled or not. / Make a list of the required anti-seismic criteria for a new school building.

4 Write your project and prepare an oral

presentation for your class.

5 Vote for the most effective project.

198

Engineering

COMPETENZE CHIAVE •  competenza multilinguistica •  competenza digitale competenza personale, •  sociale e capacità di imparare a imparare competenza in materia •  di cittadinanza •  competenza imprenditoriale

21ST-CENTURY LIFE SKILLS •  senso critico •  creatività

•  decision making •  comunicazione efficace

Dossier

1

PREHISTORY AND ANCIENT HISTORY

Skara Brae, Neolithic Orkney, Scotland

OBJECTIVES MILESTONES in ARCHITECTURE ∞

ON-SITE VIDEO ∞ Greek and Roman architecture

From prehistoric to Roman architecture

BUILDING VOCABULARY ∞

Prehistory and ancient history

FOCUS on INVALSI ∞

The Colosseum ∞ Pæstum

REVISION

Watch the video. What do you think this dossier is about? What are the common features and main differences between Greek and Roman architecture?

∞

Prehistory and ancient history AUTHENTIC TASK: A ‘Roman’ tour in your town 199

Dossier

1

FROM PREHISTORIC TO ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

Stonehenge

Warm up

1 Discuss the

following questions with a partner. Then read the text to see if your ideas were correct. • What do you

think houses were like thousands of years ago? • What kind of building materials do you think they used? • Do you think they had any monuments? Why/Why not?

dates back risale mound tumulo chieftains capi tribù upright verticali

A megalith is a large stone used to build a structure or monument. The word comes from the Ancient Greek language, with megas meaning ‘great’ and lithos meaning ‘stone’.

200

Prehistoric architecture The prehistoric era dates back tens of thousands of years, at a time when nothing was recorded in writing. Therefore, it is difficult to know much about the architecture of that time, but there are a few key forms and concepts related to this period. Paleolithic era: from this period, also known as the Stone Age, a village was excavated in the Ukraine dating back to about 15000 BC. It consisted of a group of huts made of animal bones and probably had space for a fire inside. Mesolithic and Neolithic eras: also known as the Middle and New Stone Ages. About 4000 BC, they began to build structures out of large pieces of stone called megaliths* that are put together without using mortar. A dolmen was a megalithic tomb that had a large horizontal megalith supported by two or more vertical ones, almost like a massive table. This was then usually covered with earth and smaller stones to make a mound. You can still see lots of dolmens in Ireland and the most famous is Poulnabrone dolmen in County Clare, that dates back approximately to between 4000 and 3000 BC, but only its stone structure has survived over the centuries. Many other structures were still made with stone like the Neolithic village in Skara Brae in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. The houses of Skara Brae were made of layers of flat stones, stacked together without mortar. Stone was also used inside these houses for seats and beds. It is believed that this group of eight houses was inhabited from 3180 BC to 2500 BC. During this period, the design of structures and monuments followed simple geometric forms, like circles, maybe inspired by the shape of the sun or the moon. This can be seen in the shape of large stone megalithic structures like Stonehenge in England that dates back to about 2500 BC. Most archaeologists believe that Stonehenge was a ceremonial place, maybe an astronomical observatory to calculate lunar and solar eclipses and to study the sky, the stars, the moon and the seasons. Others are convinced that it was a meeting place for tribal chieftains or central to the religious beliefs of Neolithic people. The Bronze Age: from about 2000 to 500 BC. In the middle of this period, they erected large man-made upright stones called menhirs. They come in different sizes, are usually square shaped and are often narrower at the top. They can be found in Africa and Asia but are most common in Britain and France. When these standing stones are found in groups in a circle, they are sometimes referred to as megalithic monuments.

More about There are three types of megaliths: the menhir is the simplest megalithic structure. It was an upright slab of stone, used as a grave marker; the dolmen was a burial site which consisted of ‘posts’ (upright standing stones) that supported a horizontal stone called a ‘lintel’; a cromlech is the structure used for the setting of religious rites. Stonehenge is the most famous example of a cromlech.

milestones in architecture  /  Prehistory and Ancient History reading comprehension

2 Read the text again and complete the sentences with the missing information.

Skara Brae, Scotland

1 The prehistoric era dates back tens of ____________ of years. 2 The Ukrainian ____________ dates back to about 15000 BC. 3 A dolmen was a megalithic ____________. 4 Skara Brae consisted of ____________ houses. 5 Some people believe that Stonehenge was a ____________ place for tribal chieftains. 6 A group of menhirs standing in a circle is also called a ____________ monument.

3 Now answer the following questions. 1 Why isn’t there much information about prehistoric architecture? 2 What was the Paleolithic Ukrainian village like? 3 What are megaliths? 4 What were dolmens covered with? 5 What were the houses like in Skara Brae? 6 What kind of shapes did they use for structures in the Neolithic era? 7 What do most experts think Stonehenge was built for? 8 What are menhirs?

vocabulary

4 Find the synonyms of the words or expressions below in the text. 1 written version 2 abstract idea 3 dug out

____________ ____________ ____________

____________ 4 indoors 5 sustained ____________ 6 placed on top of each other ____________

speaking

5

MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a brief summary of the

text you have just read. You should include the following points:

Avebury Stone Circle

• the main architectural features related to each era; • their characteristics; • their function.

writing – internet research

6

MEDIATING TEXTS   Look at the pictures of some other interesting prehistoric sites in Britain. Choose one and do some research on the Internet. Then write a short paragraph (about 100 words) summarising the information you have found. West Kennet Long Barrow, the biggest chambered tomb in England

Silbury Hill, Europe’s largest prehistoric earthwork

201

Dossier

1

milestones in architecture Warm up

1 What do you

know about the pyramids? When were they built? What materials were used to build them? Read the text and check your answers.

burial places luoghi di sepoltura afterlife vita dell’aldilà quarries cave dragged trascinati floated fatti galleggiare limestone pietra calcarea casing involucro esterno wear usura allegiance fedeltà polished lucidato utmost estrema ropes corde, funi smoothly liscio

Great Pyramid of Giza

Egyptian pyramids The ancient Egyptian pyramids are some of the most impressive structures ever built by humans in ancient times and many of them are still standing today for us to see and explore. The pyramids were built as burial places and monuments to the Pharaohs. The Egyptians Great Sphinx of Giza buried their pharaohs deep inside the pyramids along with all sorts of items and treasures they felt their monarchs would need in the afterlife. How the Egyptians constructed their pyramids is still a mystery. Most experts now believe that huge blocks of stone were extracted from quarries and then dragged to the site, or floated along the River Nile to the base of the pyramids. Many of the pyramids were built with a number of different stone materials. Most of the material used was rough limestone used to build the pyramid core, while fine white limestone was often employed for the outer casing as well as to cover interior walls. Pink granite was also often used on inner walls. Basalt or alabaster was not uncommon for floors, particularly in the mortuary temples. Finally mudbricks were used to build walls within the temples. Pyramid builders were Egyptians who lived in villages run by the pharaoh’s supervisors. These villages were well-organised with all the usual facilities we find in a modern village today, such as bakers, butchers, pubs, houses, cemeteries and even some kind of hospital care, proven by the fact that labourers injured in building accidents managed to survive after having crushed limbs operated on. The shops did good business providing food for the massive workforce needed to construct the pyramids. Although there are no depictions of women labourers, some female skeletons which have been found show signs of wear due to working with heavy stone over a long period of time. Some of the builders were permanently employed by the pharaoh while others were taken on just for a limited period of time and came from nearby villages. They worked in teams and showed allegiance to their pharaoh by calling their team after him. It is likely that it took between 20,000 and 30,000 workers and 80 years to complete the pyramids at Giza. Each limestone block weighed between 5 and 10 tons; it was probably polished by hand and pushed up ramps into position. The correct positioning of each block was of utmost importance and architects used ropes which ran from the external corners up to the planned top of the pyramid to make sure everything went smoothly. The Egyptians were also superstitious and consulted priests who were experts on astronomy to choose the right spot for the pyramid so that they would enjoy the favour of sacred constellations. •  Masterpieces of nature •  Ice masterpieces

More about Did you know that...? •  there are still over 5,000 pyramids in the world. •  workers who died were buried in tombs in the dry sand with jars of beer and bread for the afterlife. •  the temperature inside the pyramids is always 20 °C, no matter what the external temperature is. the Great Pyramid of Giza (also called the Pyramid of Khufu) was the tallest man-made building until the 19th century; it is located at the exact •  point where the longest line of longitude and the longest line of latitude intersect; is also a sundial and at noon, during spring, it casts no shadow.

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milestones in architecture  /  Prehistory and Ancient History reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text again and complete the table.

Purpose of construction

(1) ________________________________________________________________

Transportation methods of stone blocks from quarry to site

(2) ________________________________________________________________

Facilities available in villages for workers

(3) ________________________________________________________________

Number of workers

(4) ________________________________________________________________

Completion time

(5) ________________________________________________________________

vocabulary

3 Complete the following text about the Egyptian pyramids with the words from the box. tombs  − includes − masonry − exists − largest − estimates − outskirts

These ancient pyramid-shaped (1) ____________ structures were built by the Egyptians during the Old and Middle Kingdom as (2) ____________ for their Pharaohs and their wives. Nobody really knows how many workers were required to build the pyramids but (3) ____________ range from a few thousand up to 100,000. The most famous and the (4) ____________ of these structures can be found at Giza on the (5) ____________ of Cairo and (6) ____________ the Pyramid of Khufu, which not only is the largest Egyptian pyramid of all, but is also the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World which still (7) ____________ today.

listening

4

3.01   Listen to a tourist guide at Giza talking to a group of students and complete the text with the missing

words.

Khufu, second ruler of the (1) ____________ dynasty, moved the (2) ____________ here to Giza and as we can see, his builders constructed the largest pyramid ever built, oriented almost perfectly (3) ____________. It has three (4) ____________. The first is underground and (5) ____________ into bedrock, while the second chamber is situated (6) ____________. Finally the third chamber, (7) ____________, is located almost exactly (8) ____________ of the pyramid which can be accessed via the Grand Gallery which even had (9) ____________ blocking systems to catch thieves. This Great Pyramid was the centre piece of an elaborate complex of pyramids, (10) ____________, and tombs for officials and some members of the Royal Family.

writing

5

PRELIMINARY

ONLINE INTERACTION   This is part of an email you receive from an English friend.

We’ve been studying some interesting stuff about ancient architecture at school recently and now our teacher has asked us to do a project on the pyramids. Help! Can you give me any ideas? Have you already done this in class? How many hours of history do you have a week? I like the subject but it’s not my favourite — I prefer biology. What about you?

Now write an email, answering your friend’s questions. Write about 100 words.

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milestones in architecture

Greek architecture

Warm up

1 Can you name

any Greek temples? Do you know any examples of Greek temples in Italy?

golden ratio regola aurea shaft fusto capital capitello slender slanciato scroll-like a volute sloping spiovente

The Ancient Greeks established the basis of Western culture and their influence is evident in all art forms. Their idea of beauty corresponded to the idea of ‘good’, so a perfect body was the same as a perfect mind. One of the best representations of their concept of harmony is the golden ratio, a proportion which Greeks found appealing. It appears commonly in nature, in the relationship between two parts and a whole. The Ancient Greeks applied the golden ratio to architecture and many works of art. Greek architecture is strictly linked to the idea of polis – or city-state – a town, usually walled, which contained a central area at its highest point (acropolis) and a marketplace (agora), with temples dedicated to the gods. The buildings were originally in wood, then in stone or marble, with columns as their basic element. Columns are composed of three main parts: the base (the platform at the bottom), upon which there is a shaft (the vertical cylinder) and a capital on the top. Columns of Greek architecture come in three types, each representing a style (or order) as described below.

Doric order: is the simplest style, with a flat, simple capital and a shaft with no base.

cella

colonnade

Ionic order: the shaft is more slender, the capital is scroll-like.

Corinthian order: the shaft is more slender, it has the most decorated capital, with acanthus leaves.

Of all the buildings, the temples were the most imposing and magnificent, each one representing the house of the god to whom it was dedicated. The structure is regular: a basement, upon which stands a rectangular room, the cella, •  containing the statue of the god; a colonnade, which surrounds the cella, supporting an architrave •  (band of stone); a sloping roof. •  Word bank, p. 331

reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text and complete the sentences with the missing information.

1 The influence of the Ancient Greeks can be seen in all ____________ art forms. 2 They believed that ____________ and good went hand in hand. 3 The golden ratio was used by the Greeks in ____________ and many works of art. 4 The ____________ point of a Greek city was called the acropolis. 5 They built ____________ in honour of their gods. 6 The ____________ style of column is known as the Doric order. 7 Columns belonging to the Corinthian order have the most ____________ capital.

vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the words in the text for the following definitions.

1 a complex built on a high hill ___________ 2 the Greek open-air marketplace ___________ 3 the main part of a column, between the base and the capital ___________

204

4 the lowermost part of a building 5 the inner room of a temple 6 a row of columns

___________ ___________ ___________

milestones in architecture  /  Prehistory and Ancient History The Parthenon Located on the acropolis of Athens, the Parthenon is the highest architectural achievement reached by the Ancient Greeks. It was built by the architects Iktinos and Kallikrates under the direction of the sculptor Phidias in the mid-fifth century BC.

1 ___________________________ The three-stepped base supports a colonnade in Doric style upon which rests the roof structure, consisting of a plain architrave and a frieze, decorated with relief sculptures. The pediments (the triangular shapes between the architrave and the roof) were also decorated. The colonnade enclosed the walled room of the cella, containing the great gold and ivory statue of the goddess Athena, patron deity of Athens. The temple had sculptured metopes all the way round the building and many figures decorating the pediments.

2 ___________________________ Although the Parthenon does not represent an engineering achievement, it has become the paradigm of Classical architecture, as it is an excellent example of the mathematical idea of harmony. The perfect proportions of the building are the result of architectural refinements, which are clearly expressed: the straight lines of the structure are actually slightly curved, which was done on purpose so that they can be perceived as being perfectly linear. This visual illusion, and other architectural refinements, make the Parthenon an impressively organic structure more like a sculpture than a building.

frieze fregio relief rilievo pediments frontoni ivory avorio refinements raffinatezze outstanding eccezionali

3 ___________________________ Completely built in marble, from a cave not far from the city, it has been severely damaged over the centuries. Most of the reliefs have been removed or are lost. The temple was converted into a Christian church, then later into a mosque. It was almost destroyed by the Venetians fighting against the Turks in the seventeenth century.

4 ___________________________ The harmony expressed by the building is also apparent in its decorations, which are outstanding for quantity and quality. The fighting scenes on the four sides of the building, with their extraordinary attention to detail in the reliefs, are one of the best examples of Greek sculpture. In the eighteenth century, a British nobleman, Thomas Elgin, removed the remaining decorations with the permission of the Turkish authorities, and sold them to the British Museum in London, where they can still be seen today. Other smaller collections are on show in Paris, Copenhagen and in Athens.

reading comprehension

4 Read the text and match each paragraph with the headings from the box. Lord Elgin and the marbles of the Parthenon  −  The structure of the Parthenon  − Conversions and destruction  −  The magic of the Parthenon

writing – internet research

5

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find out about other architectural features which were used in the Parthenon to compensate for the distortion of visual illusion. Then write a short report (about 100 words).

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 Discuss the

following questions with a partner. • What examples

of Roman architecture are there in your town or one near you? • What cities have you visited where Roman architecture is a major feature of its historical centre? dome volta, cupola scattered disseminati aisles navate laterali

Pont du Gard, Southern France

Roman architecture Roman architecture was inspired by the Etruscans, a powerful kingdom in Tuscany, and by the ancient Greeks. Romans adopted their style of temples, houses, theatres and created new types of buildings like basilicas, amphitheatres, triumph arches and villas. Building materials were mainly volcanic rocks, marble and travertine. The extensive use of cement, concrete and mortar allowed the Romans to hold bricks together rather than depending upon the gravity of large stones, like the Greeks and other previous cultures did. The versatility of cement encouraged them to create new shapes, as did another great innovation: the architectural use of arches. The distribution of load over a large area was applied to build aesthetically pleasing massive structures. Arches were widely used for bridges, aqueducts or as decorative elements, the best example of this being in the Colosseum. The technological improvements in the construction of arches led to another architectural feature of Roman times: the dome, which is a structure generated from the rotation of an arch. Dome roofs, like the Dome of the Pantheon, covered wide areas and offered more stability than flat roofs.

Types of buildings Roman temples were very similar to Greek temples: they were usually rectangular, but there are also circular temples, such as the so-called Temple of Vesta (Temple of Hercules Victor), or polygonal examples.

Temple of Vesta, Rome

Marcellus Theatre, Rome

Theatres were also inspired by the Greeks. They were built in a half circle shape, with a stage, an orchestra and a cavea, the seating area for the audience. Few theatres have survived, one of the best preserved is the Marcellus Theatre in Rome. Amphitheatres were circular or oval arenas surrounded by seats and enclosed by walls. They were decorated with rows of arches and were the place for gladiator fights and beast contests. The largest amphitheatre, the Colosseum, hosted 50,000 people. Other examples are in Verona or scattered throughout the ex provinces of the Roman Empire. Basilica of Maxentius, Rome

Verona Arena

Basilicas were public buildings used for judicial purposes. There was a basilica for each town. They had a regular layout: rectangular shape, a roof, an open hall divided by two colonnades, a central part and two side aisles. At the end of the central hall, a raised platform was used to accommodate the magistrate. The form of the secular basilica was then adopted for the early Christian churches.

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milestones in architecture  /  Prehistory and Ancient History Domestic architecture Residential buildings in Roman towns were of two main types, according to the social status of the dwellers. The insula was a building where most urban citizens lived. It was a block of flats with shops, tabernae or businesses on the ground floor, and flats on the upper floors, sometimes with balconies. They were built in concrete, brick or wood, and they had running water and sanitation. Casa della fontana piccola, Pompeii Wealthier people lived in a domus, a single-family house, while the richest Romans owned a villa, a country house generally lavish with elegant decorations. dwellers abitanti A villa included a portion of land, with typical buildings such as baths, sculpture gardens, sanitation servizi theatres and pavilions. igienici lavish sfarzosa reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the texts and complete the table.

Inspiration

(1) ________________________________________________________________

New Roman creations

(2) ________________________________________________________________

Materials used

(3) ________________________________________________________________

Use of arches

(4) ________________________________________________________________

Advantage of domes

(5) ________________________________________________________________

Types of residential buildings and occupants

(6) _ _______________________________________________________________

vocabulary

3 Find the words in the texts for the following definitions. 1 2 3 4 5

armed men who fought against each other for public entertainment public shows that featured animal hunts and killings an official who acted as a judge the system for taking dirty water and other waste products away from buildings an ornamental structure, used as a shelter in parks

___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________

listening

4

3.02 PRELIMINARY   Listen to a historian talking about the Domus Aurea and decide if the statements below

are true (T) or false (F).

1 The Great Fire of 64 AD did not cause an excessive amount of damage to Rome. 2 Nero’s statue was so big that it could be seen from anywhere in Rome. 3 People were sad when the emperor Nero died, as he had been much loved. 4 The Colosseum was built where the lake used to be. 5 Beautiful frescoes and stuccoes were discovered on the site before the Renaissance. 6 The wall paintings were called ‘grotesque’ because nobody liked them.

T F

speaking

5

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Find out how to book a guided tour at the Domus Aurea in Rome. In pairs, make a

telephone conversation following these roles:

• Student A: you are a tourist who wants to book the visit; • Student B: give the information student A requires.

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Dossier

1

milestones in architecture Warm up

1 Scan the texts

and match the places with the information below. 1 Bath 2 Hadrian’s Wall 3 London

a b c

new road system   famous for its hot springs   defence system

Roman heritage in Britain London The origin of London dates back to Roman times. The first bridge on the River Thames was probably built by the Romans between 55 BC (during Julius Caesar’s expeditions) and 43 AD (during Emperor Claudius’ invasion of Britain). For the first time, the river was used for commercial springs sorgenti trade with the continent. As a consequence, London became border frontiera, richer and larger and walls were built around it to provide confine protection. The Romans remained in Britain for almost 400 years. They left behind a very changed nation to the one they had invaded. They introduced a road system and established new towns that often had a rectangular space in the centre called the ‘forum’.

Bath In 43 AD the Romans called this city Aquae Sulis meaning ‘the waters of Sulis’ (a deity). Bath was the centre of fashion, luxury and leisure of Roman society in Britain. Today, Bath is famous for its healthy mineral water, hot springs, Roman baths (which are still open to the public) and Georgian buildings. It became a World Heritage Site in 1987 and today it is a major centre for tourism. Every year in May and June, there is an important festival of classical music. Bath is rich in history and it is surrounded by fascinating countryside.

Hadrian’s Wall Roman Emperor Hadrian built this famous wall in northern England between 122 and 127 AD. He decided that the Empire needed securing. The wall served as a defence across the northern border to keep out people from northern Scotland. It was 120 km long and up to five metres high. Along the wall, the Romans built a series of small forts called ‘milecastles’. Chester’s Roman fort is one of the best conserved. Today, long sections of the wall can still be seen and it remains a popular attraction with many visitors every year.

More about When the Romans founded London, they called it Londinium. At first only a small fortified settlement, it was destroyed by native tribes in 60 AD, and was subsequently rebuilt by the Romans according to Roman town planning. It expanded so quickly that, after just 50 years, it had 60,000 inhabitants. Although life for most citizens was hard, they could at least enjoy some free-time activities imported by the Romans such as bath houses, taverns and amphitheatres, as well as taking part in many of the Roman festivals that were celebrated in the city. Nowadays, you can still see sections of the Roman Wall at Tower Hill, the Barbican Estate and on the grounds of the Museum of London. A Roman ship was found in the Thames in 1963, while excavations in 2013 brought to light entire Roman streets and many well-preserved artefacts at the building site of Bloomberg Palace in London’s financial district.

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milestones in architecture  /  Prehistory and Ancient History reading comprehension

2 Read the texts and match the questions to the answers. 1 2 3 4 5

When was the first bridge built in London? What is Bath famous for? What happened in 1987? What takes place in Bath during May and June? Who decided to build a wall across the northern border? 6 What did the Romans build along the wall?

3

a b c d e f

A series of forts.   Bath became a World Heritage Site.   It was built between 55 BC and 43 AD.   Its healthy mineral water, hot springs, Roman baths and Georgian buildings.   The Roman Emperor Hadrian.   An important festival of classical music.

PRELIMINARY   Now read the texts again and choose the correct option.

1 The first bridge on the River Thames was probably built... A before 55 BC. B after 43 AD. C when Emperor Claudius invaded Britain. D from 55 BC to 43 AD. 2 London expanded because... A goods were transported up and down the River Thames all over Britain. B there were more Romans living there. C the Romans built a big forum in the middle of the city. D the river enabled them to buy and sell goods abroad.

3 In Roman times... A Bath was an industrial town. B Bath was a fashionable town. C only poor people lived in Bath. D there were no free-time activities in Bath. 4 Hadrian’s Wall... A is near London. B is in the north of Scotland. C surrounds a castle. D stretches across a border. 5 Nowadays... A there is nothing left of Hadrian’s Wall. B Hadrian’s Wall is a popular tourist attraction. C Chester’s Roman Fort is a complete ruin. D there is a castle at every mile along the wall.

listening

4

3.03   Listen to this historian talking about the forts along Hadrian’s Wall and complete the text with the

missing words.

Emperor Hadrian built a series of forts along the famous Hadrian’s Wall. There were over (1) _____________ ‘milecastles’ and 17 larger forts. These forts could house 800 soldiers and consisted of houses, a (2) _____________, stables and barracks. They had large gates which faced (3) _____________. In between the forts there were also observation (4) _____________ where the soldiers could keep watch over the countryside. Chester’s Fort is the best preserved Roman fort in Britain. It was built almost (5) _____________ years ago to house a Roman army which guarded a bridge across the River Tyne. Today, it is a very popular tourist attraction where you can see the (6) _____________ and steam room. There is also a museum with a collection of Roman items found during the excavation of the wall.

writing

5

PRELIMINARY

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the texts again in this dossier, then write an article (about 100 words) on

the main features that characterised the style of Prehistoric, Egyptian, Greek and Roman architecture. You should include the following points in your article: •  types of buildings and their use;     •  materials used;   •  building methods.

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Dossier

1 building vocabulary 1 CONSTRUCTIONS IN PREHISTORY AND ANCIENT HISOTRY Write the words or expressions from the box under the photos.

arches  −  ionic order column  − dolmen − dome − menhir −  doric order column

1 _________________________________

2 _________________________________

3 _________________________________

4 _________________________________

5 _________________________________

6 _________________________________

2 HISTORICAL CONTEXT Write the words from the box under the photos. You can use the words more than once. Egyptian architecture  −  Roman architecture  −  Prehistoric architecture  −  Greek architecture

1 _________________________________

2 _________________________________

3 _________________________________

4 _________________________________

5 _________________________________

6 _________________________________

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building vocabulary  /  Prehistory and Ancient History 3 Look at the picture and label it with the words from the box. sloping roof  − capital − shaft − cella − colonnade − architrave

3 _________________

4 _________________

2 _________________ 5 _________________ 1 _________________

6 _________________

4 Match the words to their definitions. 1 megalith 2 dolmen 3 mound 4 menhir 5 casing 6 labourer 7 limestone 8 allegiance 9 capital 10 architrave 11 dome 12 basilica

a b c d e f g h i j k l

a large man-made upright stone   a sedimentary rock   a public building used for judicial purposes   the top of a column   a structure generated from the rotation of an arch   a person who does manual work   a band of stone   a cover that protects something   a rounded mass of earth and stones over a grave   a large piece of stone   a megalithic tomb   loyalty to a superior or cause

5 Complete the sentences with the words from the box. polished  − spot − wear − ropes − taken − ramps

1 Some workers involved in the construction of the pyramids were only ____________ on for a limited period. 2 Some female skeletons found near the pyramids show signs of ___________ due to working with heavy stone. 3 Each block of stone was ____________ by hand before being positioned on the pyramid. 4 They pushed the blocks of stones up ____________ to put them in position. 5 Architects used ____________ to make sure that the construction of the pyramid went smoothly. 6 Since the Egyptians were superstitious, they consulted priests who were expert in astronomy to choose the right ____________ for the pyramid.

ACTIVE GLOSSARY 6

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write the English equivalent of the following words.

1 verticale 2 cave 3 regola aurea 4 fusto

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

5 spiovente 6 navate laterali 7 forma 8 servizi igienici

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

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Dossier

1 focus on invalsi

Colosseum The

The Colosseum was constructed between 72 AD and 80 AD in the E under the rule of Emperor (0) ___ Vespasian. At first, it was known as the Flavian Amphitheatre and the name Colosseum wasn’t adopted until the Middle Ages. It is believed that its present name (1) ___ that once was next to the amphitheatre. Tens of thousands of slaves built this amphitheatre that is made from stone and concrete and is the biggest in the world. Indeed, it stands higher than a 12 storey building and could contain (2) ___. The building had eighty entrances and could seat about 50,000 spectators, (3) ___ events and games that were held there, including gladiatorial combats. The public could watch many major events free, as (4) ___, since they were often organised and paid for by the emperor himself. The emperor used this tactic to gain the favour of the public and increase his popularity. The spectators could watch the

events comfortably even on the hottest day, as there was an awning called a ‘velarium’ that could be pulled over the top of the seating area (5) ___ the scorching sun. Many of the games were absolutely brutal (6) ___ as many as 10,000 animals in a single day. The animals and gladiators were kept in a number of rooms and underground passages below the Colosseum, (7) ___ where they would most probably meet their death. These games were regularly held in the Colosseum for centuries, from 80 AD until the 6th century. Then, (8) ___ of Rome’s social life for over five centuries began to decline in

the 7th century AD, when many of its massive stones were displaced to build new palaces in Rome. Its marble was also used in the creation (9) ___ St. Peter’s Basilica and Palazzo Barberini. The Colosseum was also severely damaged in a series of earthquakes, and rather than conserving the rubble for the building’s reconstruction, (10) ___ to construct palaces, churches, hospitals and other buildings in other parts of Rome. Therefore, what we can still see today is about a third of its original dimensions but on visiting the Colosseum, you can still feel the weight of history of this giant of the past.

slaves schiavi awning tenda da sole scorching cocente displaced spostate rubble macerie

212

focus on invalsi  /  Prehistory and Ancient History reading

1

INVALSI   Read the text about the Colosseum. Parts of the text have been removed. Choose the correct part (A-M)

for each gap (1-10). There are two extra parts that you should not use. The first one (0) has been done for you. A

causing the death of

B

who watched the sporting

C

of many historical buildings like

D

refers to the colossal statue of Emperor Nero

E

centre of ancient Rome

F

much of the stone was reused

G

a modern day football pitch

H

derives from an area

I

there was no entry fee

J

what had been the core

K

who were used to

L

to shade them from

M

before entering the arena above

0

listening

2

3.04   Listen to a recording about Pæstum, a spectacular Greek ruin in Italy. First you will have one minute to

study the task below, then you will hear the recording twice. While listening, choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for questions 1-6. Only one answer is correct. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0 The three temples at Pæstum... A are an example of Etruscan architecture. B are an example of Roman architecture. C have been made into a museum. D ✔ are well-preserved. 1 Pæstum... A was founded by the Romans in 600 BC. B was conquered by the Greeks in 273 BC. C has archaeological evidence of the conquest in 273 BC. D has no evidence of Greek civilisation. 2 The Doric Temple of Hera I... A was constructed around 515 BC. B was turned into a basilica. C is the most recent temple on the site. D was built using local materials. 3 The Temple of Hera I... A is the biggest temple on the site. B was built in honour of the goddess of women and marriage. C is very small. D has nine columns along its long sides.

4 The Temple of Hera II... A is also called the Temple of Neptune. B was constructed around 470 BC. C is the most damaged temple of the three. D is not constructed with the same material as Hera I. 5 The Temple of Hera II... A has six facades. B is divided by slim columns in the inside. C still has all its inner walls and its roof. D was where worshippers were buried. 6 The Temple of Athena... A isn’t as big as the other two temples. B was built in honour of Ceres. C only has columns of the Doric order. D is now a Christian church.

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Dossier

1 revision map your knowledge

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about PREHISTORY AND ANCIENT HISTORY with the words from the box. temples  − Etruscans − huts − domestic − cement − tomb − arches − amphitheatres − limestone − man-made

HISTORICAL PERIODS PALEOLITHIC ERA (Stone Age)

MESOLITHIC AND NEOLITHIC ERAS (Middle and New Stone Age)

THE BRONZE AGE

about 15000 BC

from about 4000 to 2500 BC

from about 2000 to 500 BC

1  ______________ made of animal bones

•  megalith (large piece of stone) •  dolmen (megalithic 2  _____________ ) •  large stone megalithic structure (Stonehenge)

menhir (3  __________ upright stone)

TYPES OF ARCHITECTURE

EGYPTIAN

GREEK

ROMAN

pyramid (burial place for Pharaohs)

golden ratio applied to architecture

the Great Pyramid of Giza (2560 BC) – huge blocks of 4  _____________, granite, basalt or alabaster and mud bricks

polis – walled town

inspired by Greeks and 6  _____________: temples, houses, theatres

acropolis – highest point of town agora – market 5  _____________ dedicated to gods buildings in wood, stone and marble Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns the Parthenon (about 431 BC) – temple dedicated to Athena

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new Roman creations: basilicas, 7  _____________ domes, arches building materials: volcanic rocks, marble, travertine, 8  _____________, concrete mortar constructions with 9  _____________: bridges, aqueducts, decorative elements the Colosseum (about 70 AD) – an amphitheatre 10  _____________ architecture: •  insula (urban citizens) •  domus (single-family house) •  villa (country house with land)

revision  /  Prehistory and Ancient History revise your knowledge

2 Choose the correct option (A, B or C). 1 Megaliths belong to... A Prehistoric architecture. B Egyptian architecture. C Greek architecture. 2 Dolmens... A were large upright man-made stones. B were tombs. C were made of flat stones stacked together. 3 The Great Pyramid of Giza... A was dedicated to the gods. B was built by the local people. C took about 100 years to complete. 4 The basic elements of Greek buildings were... A arches.  B domes.   C columns.

5 Roman architecture... A was inspired by the Egyptians. B used mortar to hold bricks together. C did not use cement. 6 Roman amphitheatres... A were always circular. B had no seats. C were decorated with arches. 7 Hadrian’s Wall... A was built in southern England. B had a series of small forts. C took ten years to build.

revise vocabulary

3 Complete the descriptions of each type of Greek column with the words from the box. capital  − slender − flat − decorated − base

Doric order: (1) ___________ simple capital, shaft, (2) no ___________ capital

Ionic order: (3) ___________ shaft, scroll-like (4) ___________

Corinthian order: slender shaft, (5) ___________ capital

reading comprehension

4 Read the text and answer the questions. Pyramid of Cestius – Rome The Pyramid of Cestius is one the best-preserved ancient buildings in Rome. It was built as a tomb for Gaius Cestius, who was a magistrate and a member of the Epulones religious corporation, one of the four great religious corporations in Rome at that time. The construction, dating from around 18-12 BC, is made of brick-faced concrete covered with slabs of white marble that stands on a travertine foundation. Its base measures 29.6 metres and it is 37 metres high. The burial chamber inside the pyramid is a simple barrel-vaulted rectangular cavity. When it was opened for the first time in 1660, they discovered that the chamber was decorated with frescoes, however nowadays there isn’t much left of these frescoes, although you

1 What purpose was the Pyramid of Cestius built for? 2 Which materials were used in its construction? 3 What shape is the burial chamber? 4 What still remains of the frescoes?

can still see the pagan predecessor to angels and some other decorations on the interior walls. In addition, due to plundering that probably happened during antiquity, no other treasures were found in the chamber. It is still a mystery as to how the thieves who plundered the chamber managed to enter, when we consider that the pyramid was built with no exterior entrance. There are some inscriptions on the external walls of the pyramid; one, written in Latin says it was restored in 1663. More recently another restoration, completed in 2015 and funded by Japanese fashion tycoon, Yuzo Yagi (OBE), has brought this pyramid back to its former glory.

5 Why is it difficult to understand how thieves managed to get into the chamber and steal its treasure? 6 Who paid for the latest restoration of the pyramid?

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revision writing

5 Complete the text about the Temple of Artemis on the Greek island of Corfu with the words from the box. Look for a photo of the temple on the Internet to help you.

architrave  − stone − carvings − design − situated − fragments − authenticity − pediments − ruins −  figures

The Temple of Artemis is (1) ____________ in the ancient city of Korkyra on the island of Corfu, and it is an outstanding example of the magnificence and (2) ____________ of ancient Greek architecture. It was built in 580 BC from (3) ____________ in the Doric style and was the biggest temple of its time. From its (4) __________, archaeologists have ascertained that there were decorative (5) ____________ of Achilles and Memnon above the (6) ____________. The front and back of the temple had two (7) ____________, but only the one facing west is still in good condition, while the eastern triangular-shaped gable is in (8) ____________. Initially the two pediments were identical and decorated with mythical (9) ___________ and sculpted in high relief. It is said that the (10) ____________ of an old church in Rome called St. Omobono was inspired by the Temple of Artemis.

6

ONLINE INTERACTION   Use the information below to write a similar text about the Temple of Olympian Zeus for

an architectural blog.

Location: Athens, Greece   God: Zeus   Type of structure: biggest ever ancient Doric temple Period of Construction: built over several centuries, start 174 BC – pause in work – final completion by Roman emperor Hadrian in 131 AD Features: unusually tall Corinthian columns, 17.25 m with 20 flutes – long sides 20 columns, short sides 8 – double row of columns on long sides and triple rows on short sides – original total 104 columns Column capital: highly decorative; material: marble Inside cella: gold and ivory ancient Greek sculptures, statues of Zeus and Hadrian

exam practice – speaking

7

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Look at the picture. What does it represent? Prepare a

short oral presentation including a description and explanation of what these ruins are, their location, how they were built, when, some information about the Roman Empire and the emperor Hadrian (you could include a brief report on the novel Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar).

AUTHENTIC TASK

MEDIATING CONCEPTS

a ‘roman’ tour in your town 1 Work in small groups. You are going to prepare promotional

material for a ‘Roman’ tour in your town/area.

2 With the help of your history teacher, search for information

about Roman heritage in your town/area. Find documents and maps at the cadastre, online, at the tourist office, etc.

3 Design or print a map of your town/area and mark out a tour,

linking the main Roman landmarks to visit.

4 Decide what kind of promotional product to make with the

material you have gathered (tourist brochure, tourist map, website, video, etc.). Add photos and brief descriptions of the places to visit.

5 Prepare a presentation of your tour for your classmates. Discover where you come from, to know where you want to go!

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COMPETENZE CHIAVE competenza multilinguistica •  •  competenza digitale competenza personale, •  sociale e capacità di imparare a imparare competenza in materia •  di cittadinanza competenza •  imprenditoriale

21ST-CENTURY LIFE SKILLS •  senso critico •  creatività

•  decision making •  comunicazione efficace

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THE MIDDLE AGES

Mausoleum of Santa Costanza, Rome

OBJECTIVES MILESTONES in ARCHITECTURE ∞

ON-SITE VIDEO ∞ The Tower of London

From Paleo-Christian to Norman architecture

BUILDING VOCABULARY ∞

The Middle Ages

FOCUS on INVALSI ∞ The Basilica di San Nicola ∞

Santa Maria de Léon

REVISION

Watch the video. What are the main features of Norman architecture? Write down your ideas, then read the texts on pages 224-225 and check.

∞

Architecture in The Middle Ages AUTHENTIC TASK: A poster of your town 217

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FROM PALEO-CHRISTIAN TO NORMAN ARCHITECTURE

Bamburgh Castle, England

Warm up

1 Which period in

history covers the Middle Ages? What was important about this period?

worship culto apse abside nave navata centrale baptisteries battisteri transept transetto

Paleo-Christian architecture Paleo-Christian art, also called Early Christian art, is the name given to architecture, paintings and sculpture from the early Christian years to the sixth century. The first examples of wall and ceiling paintings were found in catacombs, underground chambers where Christians used to bury their deceased. After the Edict of Constantine in 313, which established the freedom of worship and official tolerance of Christianity, the first religious buildings appeared, to give dignity and social importance to church members. Many churches were built by Constantine himself: this was the birth of the Paleo-Christian style. The architecture was closely linked to the Roman style; the shape of the secular basilica was adopted, maybe because its large hall was similar to the halls of the private houses where Christians used to pray before obtaining their right to gather. The Christian basilicas were usually five-aisled and had one apse at only one end and not two, as in the secular examples, because the entrance of the church was on the shorter side, instead of on the longer side – like in the secular basilica – so that the churchgoers could walk eastward, towards the rising sun. The apse opened from the nave through a great arch called the triumphal arch. Sometimes a transept crossed the principal axe of the church to give the plan a symbolic cruciform aspect; in this case, another triumphal arch separated it from the nave. The basilica plan was preserved as a basis of Christian churches in the entire Western world. Other churches, such as the Mausoleum of Santa Costanza, were inspired by the roundplanned temples or other buildings with a round shape. The round plan typology was mainly used for baptisteries, buildings with a central font, used to perform baptisms. Usually octagonal in plan, to symbolise the beginning of the new Christian life, baptisteries were generally roofed with a dome. Also mausoleums, religious buildings containing one or more graves, were built in this round shape.

reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text and complete the sentences with the missing information.

1 Another name for Paleo-Christian art is _______________. 2 Christians used to bury their dead in _______________. 3 The Paleo-Christian style was inspired by the _______________. 4 There were usually five _______________ in the Christian basilicas. 5 There was only one _______________ because the church entrance was on the shorter side. 6 A symbolic cruciform aspect was obtained by a _______________ that crossed the principal axe of the church.

vocabulary

3 Find the English equivalents of these words in the text. 1 sotterraneo _______________ 2 salone _______________

218

3 abside _______________ 4 sole nascente _______________

5 navata 6 tombe

_______________ _______________

milestones in architecture  /  The Middle Ages

Romanesque architecture From 1000 to about 1150, Romanesque architecture appeared all over Europe, encouraged by great social and economic changes, which led to an era of political stability, an increase of trade and larger populations. The name Romanesque refers to the Roman style, whose techniques were adopted and evolved, fused with other independent traditions. The massive movement of people, who travelled for religious purposes, such as pilgrimages and crusades, but also for trade, contributed to the creation of this art. Romanesque architecture is strictly connected with the birth of monasticism and of monastic orders, which quickly expanded in this period and established their churches. The basic design of the typical Romanesque church was the same as the Roman basilicas, with a central nave, side aisles and an apse. However, Romanesque churches were bigger, to accommodate a larger number of pilgrims, and new stability techniques were improved to handle massive burdens. Stone vaults replaced timber roofs, which could easily catch fire. These structural elements, originating from the Roman arch, became a feature of Romanesque style and was developed to produce different kinds of vaults: barrel vaults (they are the simplest, consisting of an arch stretched along its axes) and groin vaults (made from the junction of two barrel vaults). Vaulting needed more support, so thicker walls with few openings were built, and the use of columns was alternated with piers. This made the interior space dark and the height of the buildings quite low. The exteriors were richly decorated with sculptures and towers, especially at the entrance.

Modena Cathedral handle gestire burdens carichi barrel vault volta a botte groin vault volta a crociera piers pilastri

reading comprehension

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text and complete the table below about Romanesque architecture.

period

1000-1150 period of political (1) _____________

style

evolution of Roman style fused with other independent traditions

reasons for new style

increase in travelling for (2) ____________ purposes, increase in trade, birth of (3) _____________

buildings and features

churches and cathedrals – new improved stability techniques, stone (4) _____________ (barrel, groin), thick walls with few (5) _____________, columns alternated with piers

interior

dark

height

quite (6) ____________

exterior

richly decorated – (7) ____________ and towers

listening

2

3.05 PRELIMINARY   Listen to a description of the architecture of Durham Cathedral,

in England, and complete the sentences with the missing words.

1 It took about _________________ years to complete Durham Cathedral. 2 The _________________ contains what is thought to be the first structural pointed arch. 3 The Galilee Chapel and the in the _________________ and in the _________________ end. 4 Some work of the Cloister was added _________________ the construction of the Cathedral. 5 The Medieval Undercroft has got a _________________ ceiling. 6 The roof of the Monk’s Dormitory is in _________________.

exam practice – speaking

3

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a short oral presentation about Paleo-Christian and Romanesque architecture.

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 What do you

think the characteristics of the Gothic style are, and what kind of buildings do you think were constructed using this method?

pointed arch arco a sesto acuto ribbed vault volta a vela flying buttress arco rampante cruciform plan pianta a croce guildhall s sale degli stemmi clerestory cleristorio (livello più alto della navata)

Word bank, p. 331

Gothic architecture Gothic architecture is an architectural style that was very popular during the high and late medieval period. It originated in twelfth-century France and was a natural evolution of Romanesque architecture. Features of the gothic style include the pointed arch, the ribbed vault and the flying buttress. Most people associate gothic architecture with many great cathedrals, abbeys and churches in Europe which have a particularly powerful atmosphere due to the characteristics of this design. However, this style was also used in the construction of castles, palaces, town halls, guildhalls, universities and to a lesser extent, in private dwellings, such as dorms and rooms.

Gothic churches Most Gothic churches have a cruciform plan. The nave is the main body of the church and it is longer than the other three arms of the cruciform plan. Across the main body of the church is the transept. The aisles are on both sides of the nave, which is higher and wider. The nave receives direct lighting from a clerestory – the windowed area above the aisles. A middle storey between the clerestory and the arcades divides the nave from the aisles. Another feature is the tower. There is at least one tower incorporated into the main body of the church. Masonry vaulting over the aisles and nave is another typical characteristic.

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts and complete the sentences with the words from the box. middle  − impressed − longer − popularity − nave − tower

1 2 3 4 5 6

Gothic architecture reached its height of _______________ in the second half of the medieval period. People are usually _______________ by the powerful atmosphere that the gothic style creates. In a Gothic church the nave is _______________ than the other three arms. There is a _______________ storey between the clerestory and the arcades. At least one _______________ is incorporated into the main body of the church. There is masonry vaulting over the aisles and the _______________.

vocabulary

3 Match the words from the texts to their definitions. 1 2 3 4 5 6

220

vault cruciform arm nave clerestory storey

a b c d e f

one level of a building the main body of a church or a cathedral arched ceiling shaped like a cross long part that sticks out from the main part upper storey of a church, above the aisle roof

milestones in architecture  /  The Middle Ages English Gothic architecture

Salisbury Cathedral The Cistercians were a monastic order who played an important role in the introduction of the Gothic style in Medieval Britain. They brought a simplified version of Gothic architecture from their homeland in Burgundy, France. This style was indicative of the Cistercians’ desire to show their ideas of spiritual elevation in all expressions of monastic life, including architecture. Many of the finest and largest works of English architecture, particularly the medieval cathedrals of England, were built in this Gothic style, which flourished during the Middle Ages. There are three main periods in Gothic architecture: The Early English style dates back to the thirteenth century and its •  main features are tall, narrow, pointed windows with no decorative stonework. The Decorated style was typical of the first half of the fourteenth •  century and introduced more decorative patterns of ornamental stone carving around windows and doors. The simple geometric shapes of the Early English period gave way to the use of more complex curves. fan vaulting volte a The Perpendicular style is the third phase of Gothic architecture in England. •  ventaglio It features large windows, vertical lines and fan vaulting (ceiling patterns in stone). This style characterised the second half of the fourteenth and fifteenth century. Other Gothic masterpieces

reading comprehension

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text and complete the sentences with the missing words.

1 2 3 4 5 6

The Cistercians came from _______________________. They wanted to express their ideas of _______________________ in architecture. Gothic architecture can be divided into _______________________ periods. Early English style is characterised by _______________________. The Decorated style is typical of the _______________________ century. The main features of the Perpendicular style are _______________________.

vocabulary

5

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the text.

1 risale 2 strette

___________ ___________

3 appuntite 4 lavoro in pietra

___________ ___________

5 motivi ___________ 6 sculture in pietra ___________

writing

6

MEDIATING TEXTS

Look at these pictures of an example of Burgundian Gothic architecture. Write a few sentences comparing it to the Gothic style in England. Try to compare the following points: • • • •

height; length; external appearance/style; decorative elements.

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 What is the

difference between a church and a cathedral? Look up these two words in a dictionary and find out.

pageant panoramica shrine reliquiario chapel cappella stained glass vetrata Lady Chapel and Poets’ Corner

English Gothic cathedrals: London’s Westminster Abbey London’s Westminster Abbey is a masterpiece of architecture and presents a unique pageant of British history. Today the Abbey remains a place of worship and of celebration of great events in the life of the nation. It contains the shrine of Edward the Confessor, tombs of kings and queens and has been the setting for every coronation since 1066, as well as numerous other royal occasions. The Abbey was built between the thirteenth and the sixteenth centuries. King Edward the Confessor decided to establish his royal palace near the River Thames in the 1040s. Therefore, he enlarged a nearby monastery and built a large stone church in honour of St Peter. The church was called the ‘west minster’ to differentiate it from the ‘east minster’ (St Paul’s Cathedral). The first coronation that took place in the Abbey was that of William the Conqueror in 1066. During the thirteenth century, the church was rebuilt in the new Gothic style by King Henry III and from that moment it also became an official place for coronations, weddings and burials of monarchs. More than 3,000 people, some of Great Britain’s greatest public figures, are buried here. The architect was greatly influenced by the French cathedrals of that time. The Gothic style can be seen in the pointed arches, ribbed vaulting and rose windows. The Abbey also has the highest Gothic vault in England. King Henry VII added the beautiful Lady Chapel at the beginning of the sixteenth century which contains a delicately carved fan vaulted roof with hanging pendants. In 1745 the last phase of building was completed with the construction of the West Tower. Today you can see about 600 monuments and memorials in the abbey. In the past, one of the greatest glories of the church was the original medieval stained glass, but little of that is left today.

More about Edward the Confessor was one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England and ruled from 1042 to 1066 after a period of Danish rule in England. In the 1050s, Edward successfully invaded Scotland in 1054, defeating Macbeth and his men who had seized the Scottish throne. He was known as the ‘Confessor’ for the traditional image of him as pious. William the Conqueror was the first Norman King of England and ruled from 1066 until his death in 1087. After becoming Duke of Normandy in 1035, he secured his position in Normandy, in north-west France, before starting the Norman conquest of England six years later. Henry III was King of England from 1216 until his death in 1272. He became king when he was only nine years old during the First Baron’s War, when some wealthy landowners rebelled against King John, Henry’s father. With the help of the church, the barons were defeated in 1217 and Henry promised to rule according to the Great Charter of 1225, which limited royal power and protected the rights of the most important barons. Henry VII was the King of England and Lord of Ireland from 1485 to his death in 1509. He was the first king of the House of Tudor, an English royal house of Welsh origin. Henry became king at the end of the civil war between the Houses of York and Lancaster called the ‘Wars of the Roses’.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and underline the correct alternative. 1 King Henry / Edward the Confessor decided to have his royal palace opposite / near the River Thames. 2 Edward the Confessor decided to build a stone / wooden church. 3 The first coronation that took place in the abbey was in 1066 / 1606. 4 During the thirteenth century the church was rebuilt in the new Gothic / Renaissance style by King Henry III. 5 The architect was greatly influenced by the French / Italian cathedrals of that time. 6 King Henry VII added the beautiful Lady Chapel at the end / beginning of the sixteenth century. 7 One of the greatest glories of the church was the medieval stained glass / West Tower.

222

milestones in architecture  /  The Middle Ages reading comprehension

3 Now answer the following questions. 1 2 3 4 5 6

When was Westminster Abbey built? What was the church called? What is the name of the cathedral known as ‘east minster’? Who was the first English monarch to be crowned at the Abbey? How many people are buried in the Abbey? How many monuments are there in Westminster Abbey?

vocabulary

4 Write the words in the box next to their opposites. low − far − private − east − tiny − ugly − last − old

1 great 2 west 3 first 4 near

_____________ _____________ _____________ _____________

5 6 7 8

new public high beautiful

_____________ _____________ _____________ _____________

writing – internet research

5

MEDIATING TEXTS   Work in small groups. Imagine you work at a travel agent’s and you have received an email from a travel agency abroad, enquiring about Gothic churches in Great Britain. Research and write a short presentation (about 100 words) for each of the following cathedrals. Then read them to the class.

York Minster

Canterbury Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral

speaking

6

MEDIATING TEXTS   Choose one

of the British Gothic churches in exercise 5 and compare it with the Duomo in Milan, in the nearby picture. Comparing York Minster to the Duomo, I can notice that...

223

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 Have you ever

visited a castle? What was its function?

thick spessi motte monticello rialzato di terra bailey cortile chiuso stables scuderie barracks caserme manor halls case padronali turrets torrette battlements bastioni

Tower of London

Norman architecture in England

Warwick Castle

Norman architecture is the style developed by the Normans in the eleventh and twelfth centuries which became widespread in Europe, particularly in England. The Normans introduced large numbers of castles and fortifications – they were a sign of their power. Norman architecture in England had a defensive purpose. They built strong castles made of stone and wood, following a variation of the Romanesque style that was quite common in Europe during the Middle Ages. They chose strategic positions for their castles, so that they could defend themselves from the attacks of the natives (the Saxons). Castles were usually surrounded by thick walls. The strongest part of the building was the inner tower, which was the last defensive point. The earlier castles were known as Motte-and-bailey castles. Made with earth and wood, the castle was built on a motte (a man-made hill) and below this was the bailey (an enclosure) with stables, kitchens and barracks for soldiers. The bailey was surrounded by a ditch called a ‘fosse’. Soon after, the Normans began to build Stone-Keep castles. These were made from stone and were much stronger. Later, these castles developed into manor halls and their defensive aim was gradually transformed into residential and entertainment functions. The most famous examples of this kind of architecture in England are the White Tower of London, Dover Castle, Windsor Castle and Warwick Castle.

The White Tower This is the name of the central tower in the Tower of London. It is 90 feet high and its walls are 11 to 15 feet thick. William the Conqueror began work on the tower, but it was not until 1087 that his sons and successors managed to complete it. Three of its turrets situated above the battlements are square, the fourth is circular and was used to contain the first royal observatory. It is an important building in British history because the medieval kings, their families and court lived here in the top storey, whereas the seat of the government was on the floor below.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text about Norman architecture in England and answer the following questions. 1 What purpose did Norman architecture have in England? 2 What materials did the Normans use to build their castles? 3 Where did they build their castles? Why?

4 Name two types of Norman castles. 5 What happened to one of them later? 6 What are the names of some famous examples of this kind of architecture?

writing – internet research

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text about The White Tower. Then do some further research on the Internet. Write

an advertising leaflet with the information you find (about 100 words) and what you know from the text.

224

milestones in architecture  /  The Middle Ages Dover Castle The site where Dover Castle is situated was already strategic during the Iron Age, but the Anglo-Saxons probably built a fortress here when William the Conqueror arrived in 1066. The fortifications were developed and became what is called Castle Hill today. At the end of the twelfth century, the Great Tower was built. It is the largest in Great Britain, being four storeys high, all connected by staircases. Work was completed around the middle of the thirteenth century. During the reign of Henry III, the gatehouse and the eastern wall were repaired and the external curtain wall with twenty towers was finished. At that time, the entrance was replaced by the new Constable’s Gate. During the Civil War (1642-1651), Dover Castle was attacked but it was neither despoiled nor destroyed. Under the castle there is a network of underground tunnels built during the Middle Ages that were improved during the Napoleon Wars in the eighteenth century to create barracks for the soldiers.

Iron Age età del ferro gatehouse casa del custode despoiled saccheggiato

Windsor Castle Windsor Castle is a medieval castle situated in Windsor, a town to the west of London. It is one of the official residences of the British monarch and the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. The original castle, a wooden ‘motte and bailey’ castle, was built by William the Conqueror. It was a military base, being part of a ring of defensive castles around London. Its design was changed and evolved over the centuries, but the position of its main features has not changed. The oldest surviving parts of the castle date back to the time of Henry II, around the middle of the twelfth century. The Round Tower divides the castle in two sections, the lower of which is occupied by St George’s Chapel. In the upper part are the private Royal Apartments and the state room including the famous St George’s Hall with its decorated ceiling. A short history of Windsor Castle

reading comprehension

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the texts and complete the following sentences.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

5

During the Iron Age, the site where Dover Castle is located was already of great strategic ______________. Stairs connect the four ______________ in the Great Tower. During the reign of Henry III, they made ______________ to the gatehouse and the wall facing east. Napoleon turned the underground tunnels into ______________ for his soldiers. Windsor is a town ______________ of London. Windsor Castle is one of the official residences of the British ______________. The original castle was made of ______________. The castle is divided into two sections by ______________.

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the texts.

1 2 3 4

sito fortezza fortificazioni torre

_________________ _________________ _________________ _________________

5 scalinate 6 regno 7 entrata 8 caserme

_________________ _________________ _________________ _________________

exam practice – speaking

6

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a short oral presentation (3-5 minutes) about British castles.

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 Do you know

what a halftimbered house is? If you don’t, try to guess by looking at the pictures.

oak quercia logs tronchi clay argilla projecting out sporgenti charcoal carbone di legna merchant fleet flotta mercantile

More about In many towns in the UK you can still see today excellent examples of half-timbered buildings. Chester is full of medieval architecture; its most famous street is known as ‘The Rows’, a series of half-timbered buildings joined with long galleries. The Shambles in York is one of Europe’s oldest streets and one of the roads in England with the greatest number of half-timbered houses; the roofs of the buildings on this narrow street almost touch in the middle!

Half-timbered houses in the UK Half-timbered houses are typical of the fifteenth and sixteenth century during Medieval and Tudor England, although this technique had been used for centuries before then. Up to the seventeenth century, England had an abundant supply of wood, so it was frequently used for building. These medieval buildings have survived because oak is a very hard and durable material. Sometimes the half-timbering technique was used, cutting the logs in two parts or cutting them down to a square inner section and then filling the walls in between the structural timbers with small sticks and wet clay, thus completing the skeletal framing of the building. Timber framed houses were built like big boxes, with the upper floor on top of the lower one and often projecting out over it. From the fifteenth to the sixteenth century, timber framing began being used for its ornamental effect. Timbers which had limited structural importance were added to the frame to enhance the decorative effect. This trend reached its peak during the Jacobean period with the distinctive ‘black and white’ halftimbered houses. However, by this time wood was not as easily available as before, partly because it had been used for building, heating and making charcoal, and partly because of the expansion of the British merchant fleet. After the Tudor period, bricks became easily available and started providing a cheap alternative to wood as a building material. •  Stratford-upon-Avon •  Shakespeare and the Globe Theatre

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. 1 The half-timbering technique started being used during the Middle Ages. 2 Before the seventeenth century wood was easily available in England. 3 Oak, which is a long lasting material, is usually used for this technique. 4 In the half-timbering technique logs are cut in two parts or they are cut down to a square inner section. 5 Timber framed houses usually have only one floor. 6 From the fifteenth century this technique started being used only for its structural importance. 7 The ornamental effect had a great importance during the Jacobean period. 8 During the Jacobean period, wood was not as easily available in England as before.

226

T F

milestones in architecture  /  The Middle Ages

Half-timbered houses in the USA

Warm up

Starting from the beginning of the seventeenth century, half-timbered construction extended to North America with the British colonists. However, it was soon replaced by clapboard facings, a tradition typical of East Anglia in England. Clapboard facing is a method of protecting the exterior of a house using overlapping wood planks on the sides of the structure. This style proved more convenient to build and adapted to the country. Its style was simple and functional. Since the 1970s, the art of timber-frame construction has been revived in both the USA and Canada. Today, timber-framed construction has been modernised. The structures are surrounded by manufactured panels. With this method, timber can be seen only from inside the building. This provides a number of advantages: building is easier and heat insulation more efficient. An example of manufactured panels are SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) which are a sandwich construction made up of two rigid composite panels with a foamed insulating material in between them. The techniques used in timber-framing date back to Neolithic times and have been used in many parts of the world. Today, it still exists as a building technique, thus proving its enduring popularity.

1 What do you

think the main differences are between halftimbered houses in the UK and in the USA? Look at the pictures and try and guess.

clapboard asse per rivestimento facings rivestimenti overlapping sovrapposte planks assi, tavole proved si dimostrò revived riportato in auge foamed spumoso

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 When was half-timbered construction first exported to North America? 2 What replaced it? 3 What has happened in the USA and Canada since the 1970s?

4 Which technique has been recently used? 5 What are the advantages of this technique? 6 What are SIPs?

exam practice – speaking

3

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a short oral presentation (3-5 minutes) about modern-day timber-framed houses. Do you like them? Give reasons and consider the following points: • energy-efficient/eco-friendly; • building time; • sustainable forests.

227

Dossier

2 building vocabulary 1 CONSTRUCTIONS IN THE MIDDLE AGES Write the expressions from the box under the photos. baptistery  −  half-timbered British house  −  Norman castle  −  Romanesque cathedral  −  Paleo-Christian basilica  −  English Gothic church

1 _________________________________

2 _________________________________

3 _________________________________

4 _________________________________

5 _________________________________

6 _________________________________

2 ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES Write the words or expressions from the box under the photos. triumphal arch  −  barrel vault  −  pointed arch  −  ribbed vault  − apse −  flying buttress

1 _________________________________

2 _________________________________

3 _________________________________

4 _________________________________

5 _________________________________

6 _________________________________

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building vocabulary  /  The Middle Ages 3 Match the words to their definitions. 1 catacomb 2 mausoleum 3 clerestory 4 fan vaulting 5 motte 6 bailey 7 clapboard facing

a b c d e f g

ceiling patterns in stone overlapping wood planks to protect the exterior of a house a religious building containing one or more graves the windowed area above the aisles in Gothic churches an enclosure with stables, kitchens and barracks for soldiers underground chamber used for Christian burials a man-made hill

4 Match each building to the correct description. 1 Christian basilica 2 Baptistery 3 Romanesque church 4 Gothic cathedral 5 Early English medieval cathedral 6 Norman castle 7 English half-timbered house

a b c d e f g

cruciform plan, pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttress   large hall with five aisles, entrance on shorter side of building   round shape with a central font, roofed with a dome   made of stone or wood, strongest part – inner tower   made with logs and wooden walls filled with small sticks and wet clay   tall, narrow pointed windows, no decorative stonework   new stability techniques, stone vaults, barrel vaults

5 Complete the information about HALF-TIMBERED HOUSES with the words from the box. clapboard  − floors − Tudor − oak − box

The UK Medieval and (1) ___________ England strong, durable (2) ___________ structure (3) ___________, shape, two (4) ____________

The USA start of 17th century, (5) ___________ facings

ACTIVE GLOSSARY 6 MEDIATING TEXTS   Write the English equivalent of the following words. 1 abside 2 navata centrale 3 transetto 4 volta a crociera 5 pilastri 6 torrette 7 bastioni

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

8 caserme 9 case padronali 10 casa del custode 11 saccheggiato 12 carbone di legna 13 sporgente

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

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The Basilica di San Nicola D in the south of The Basilica di San Nicola, (0) ___, Italy, is considered a prototype of Puglia’s Romanesque architecture. Indeed, numerous other constructions in the region were subsequently inspired by its design. The basilica was completed in the 12th century and was originally constructed to house the relics of St Nicholas (usually known as Father Christmas) (1) ___. These relics were brought to Bari from the saint’s original shrine in Myra, (2) ___, in 1087. The construction of the basilica took place between 1087 and 1197 during the Italo-Norman domination of Apulia, whose main centre was Bari. Since then, (3) ___, but it still retains its simple, rather squareshaped exterior. Indeed, (4) ___, also due to the two towers that frame its façade. In the past, it was in fact, used as a castle several times. The basilica is built of limestone, (5) ___ are called the Catapan Tower on the right, and the Militia Tower on the left. The second tower is lower and it is evident that different craftsmanship was used for the construction of each tower. On the outer façade, you can see projecting pilasters and three access portals. (6) ___ and is richly carved with strong symbolic elements.

The enormous interior of the basilica is simple, with a nave and two aisles divided by granite columns and pilasters. Three arches, supported by columns in the Byzantine style, separate the space around the altar from the rest of the building. Above the aisles, (7) ___. This used to be the only part of the basilica reserved for women. The stunning ciborium, the canopy over the altar supported by columns, dates back to the 13th century and is the oldest one in Puglia. The ceiling, instead, is made of gilded wood and frames the 17th century paintings of the artist Carlo De Rosa. Nowadays, this basilica is an important pilgrimage for both Catholics and Orthodox Christians from Eastern Europe, so it is considered a symbol of the union between East and West.

relics reliquie shrine santuario frame incorniciano canopy baldacchino gilded wood legno dorato

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focus on invalsi  /  The Middle Ages reading

1

2

INVALSI   Read the text about the Basilica di San Nicola. Parts of the text have been removed. Choose the correct

part (A-J) for each gap (1-7). There are two extra parts that you should not use. The first one (0) has been done for you. A

from the outside it looks almost like a castle

B

which is now part of Turkey

C

The central portal is the largest of the three

D

located in Bari

E

and other materials

F

there is a gallery opening into the nave

G

in a shrine in the basilica’s beautiful vaulted crypt

H

it has become unrecognisable

I

it has been remodeled several times

J

and the two low massive towers that frame the main façade

0

INVALSI   Read the text about the Basilica di San Nicola again, then answer questions (1-9) using a maximum of four words. Write your answers in the spaces provided. The first one (0) has been done for you.

0

Which city is the Basilica di San Nicola in?

1

What is it considered a prototype of?

2

When was the basilica completed?

3

Whose relics are kept in this basilica?

4

How long did it take to build the basilica?

5

What shape is the outside of the basilica?

6

What was it used as in the past?

7

When does the ciborium date back to?

8

What is the ceiling made of?

9

Where do the Orthodox Christian pilgrims come from?

Bari

listening

3

3.06 INVALSI   Listen to a reporter talking about the Santa Maria de León Cathedral in Spain. First you will

have one minute to study the task below, then you will hear the recording twice. While listening, match the beginnings of the sentences (1-5) to the sentence endings (A-H). There are two sentence endings that you should not use. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0

Another name for the Santa Maria de León Cathedral is

1

Most if it was constructed from

2

Its layout is based on

3

The French style of architecture is evident in

4

The south tower was completed

5

The foundations of the cathedral

C

A

the elevations and decorations in the cathedral

B ✔ C

were built on Roman ruins.

D

the stained glass windows.

E

1205 to 1301.

F

after the north tower.

G

the shape of a triangle.

H

In the fourteenth century.

the House of Light.

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1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about ARCHITECTURE IN THE MIDDLE AGES with the words from the box. aisles  − openings − baptisteries − masonry − dome − castles − tower − earth − pointed − stability

•  large hall with five

1  ________________ •  one apse opening from nave through a triumphal arch

octagonal with 2  ______________ roof round shape

CHRISTIAN BASILICAS

MAUSOLEUMS

3  _____________

•  Roman style adopted and evolved •  design similar to Roman basilicas but bigger

and with new 4  ____________ techniques •  central nave, side aisles and an apse •  stone vault roofing – barrel vaults, groin vaults •  thicker walls with few 5  ____________ •  columns and piers •  richly decorated exterior with sculptures and towers MONASTERIES

CHURCHES

PALEO-CHRISTIAN ART

ROMANESQUE

ARCHITECTURAL STYLES

GOTHIC

NORMAN (ENGLAND) ABBEYS

CATHEDRALS •  6  ____________ arches, ribbed

vaults, flying buttresses •  cruciform plan – high wide nave with aisles on either side and crossed by a transept •  light from clerestory •  towers and 7  ____________ vaulting

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UNIVERSITIES TOWN HALLS

MOTTE–AND–BAILEY STONE-KEEP CASTLES

8  _____________ •  variation of Romanesque style •  strong structures made of stone

or 9  __________________ and wood, surrounded by thick walls: •  inner 10  ___________________

FORTIFICATIONS

revision  /  The Middle Ages revise your knowledge

2 Choose the correct option (A, B or C). 1 Christian basilicas... A had four aisles.   B  had two apses. C had their entrance on the shorter side. 2 Romanesque architecture... A appeared all over Europe between 1000 and 1150. B took place during an era of political instability. C has nothing in common with the Roman style. 3 Gothic architectural features include... A domes.  B  ribbed vaults.   C piers. 4 English Gothic architecture... A was a more complicated style than French Gothic architecture. B flourished during the Middle Ages. C has four main styles.

5 Norman architecture... A led to the construction of many churches. B originated in England. C used stone and wood as building materials. 6 Half-timbered houses in the UK... A belong to the period of Medieval and Tudor England. B have not survived over time. C used a building technique that had never been tried before. 7 Half-timbered houses in the USA... A were first built by French colonists. B made use of clapboard facing. C haven’t been built since the 1970s.

revise vocabulary

3 Complete the descriptions of each style of English Gothic architecture with the words from the box. large  − carving − fan − tall − stonework − doors

Early English style (1) ____________, narrow pointed windows, no decorative (2) ____________

Decorated style ornamental stone (3) ____________ around windows and (4) ____________

Perpendicular style (5) ____________ windows, vertical lines (6) ____________ vaulting

reading comprehension

4 Read the text and answer the questions. Cathedral of Monreale

The Cathedral of Monreale is a church situated in Palermo on the island of Sicily. It is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture still existing today and since 2015, it has been part of the UNESCO Heritage site, which comprises a series of nine religious and civic structures situated on the northern coast of Sicily all dating from the era of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily. These structures were built by the new Norman rulers according to the Arab-Norman style that incorporated the best features of Arab and Byzantine architecture into the

1 Where is the Cathedral of Monreale located? 2 Which architectural style does it belong to? 3 Which features are part of the Arab-Norman style?

Norman style. Therefore, the Cathedral of Monreale combines Norman, Byzantine, Italian and Saracen styles, making it one of the richest and most beautiful churches in Italy. Construction of the Cathedral of Monreale was started in 1174, commissioned by William II of Sicily, and was completed in 1189. One of the most spectacular features of this cathedral is the interior mosaic decoration, which was created in less than ten years by a group of local and Venetians craftsmen who were specialised in Byzantium art.

4 When did they start to build the Cathedral? 5 Who commissioned its construction? 6 What is special about this cathedral?

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revision writing

5 Look at the picture and complete the text about the Tower of Pisa with the words from the box. steps  − marble − shells − located − storeys − circular − medieval − vertical

Tower of Pisa

The Tower of Pisa, most commonly called the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is (1) ____________ next to the Cathedral of Pisa, in Piazza dei Miracoli. Construction of the (2) ____________ Bell Tower, made of white (3) ____________, was started in 1173 but it was not completed until 1399. The Tower of Pisa is an example of (4) ____________ architecture in Romanesque style. Although it was designed to be perfectly (5) ____________, it started to lean during construction. The lean, first noticed after three of the tower’s eight (6) ____________

6

had been built, was due to the fact that the foundation stones were laid on soft ground consisting of clay, fine sand and (7) ____________. The bottom storey consists of fifteen marble arches. Each of the next six storeys contains thirty arches that surround the tower. The final storey is the bell chamber that has sixteen arches. There are about 286 (8) ____________ inside the tower leading to the top, where you can get a magnificent view of the Piazza dei Miracoli and much more.

MEDIATING TEXTS   Look for a photo on the Internet and use the information below to write a similar text about

the Two Towers of Bologna.

Location: a t intersection of roads that lead to the five gates of the old ring wall Names: taller tower, Asinelli – smaller one, Garisenda

Unusual feature: they both lean, the smaller one more than the bigger one Date of construction: between 1109 and 1119

Type of structure: medieval

Characteristics Tower of Asinelli: 97.20 m high, overhang 2.23 m, internal staircase of 498 steps

Building materials: masonry

Characteristics Tower of Garisenda: 47 m high, steep overhang 3.22 m

exam practice – speaking

7

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Look for a photo of the Palace of the Normans on the Internet and prepare a brief oral

discussion. The following questions might help you organise your oral exam task. • • • •

Which architectural period does it belong to? What are the characteristics of this architectural period? What cities are these constructions located in? What other architectural masterpieces do you know in this city? What characterises this historical period? Which literary authors have you studied during this period?

AUTHENTIC TASK

MEDIATING CONCEPTS

a poster of your town 1 Work in small groups. You are going to prepare a

poster to show your town’s medieval origins/heritage.

2 With the help of your teachers, search for information

about the medieval heritage in your town/area. Find documents and maps at the cadastre, online, at the tourist office, etc. Research to discover where and when the town began.

21ST-CENTURY LIFE SKILLS •  senso critico •  creatività

234

•  decision making •  comunicazione efficace

3 Collect documents and photos through the Internet

or walk/cycle around and take your own unique pics! Write some descriptions of the main landmarks and buildings of architectural interest.

4 Prepare your poster and show it to the class.

COMPETENZE CHIAVE •  competenza multilinguistica •  competenza digitale competenza personale, sociale e capacità di imparare a imparare •  •  competenza in materia di cittadinanza •  competenza imprenditoriale

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FROM RENAISSANCE TO NEOCLASSICISM

Saint Mary of the Flower, Florence

OBJECTIVES MILESTONES in ARCHITECTURE ∞

ON-SITE VIDEO ∞ Tower Bridge

From Renaissance to Neoclassicism

BUILDING VOCABULARY ∞

From Renaissance to Neoclassicism

FOCUS on INVALSI ∞ Villa La Rotonda ∞

The British Museum, London

REVISION ∞

From Renaissance to Neoclassicism AUTHENTIC TASK: How to promote tourism

Watch the video. What style/s can you recognise in the structure and design of Tower Bridge? What historical period does it belong to? What materials were used for its construction? Now read the texts on page 245 and check your answers.

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FROM RENAISSANCE TO NEOCLASSICISM

Tower Bridge, London

Warm up

1 Do you know the

‘Palladian style’?

treatise trattato perspective prospettiva

Florence Cathedral

Renaissance and Classicism The term Renaissance refers to a new interest in Europe in Classical studies. It covers a period between the fourteenth and the seventeenth centuries and sees its centre in Italy, where the ruins of Rome were the source of inspiration for artists and writers. The discovery of the writings of Vitruvius, Roman architect, engineer and author of the treatise De Architectura, greatly influenced architects. During the Renaissance, the idea of beauty was centred around the concept of harmony and mathematical proportion, expressed through a clear distribution of masses, in opposition to the complex forms of the Gothic style. Filippo Brunelleschi is considered the first exponent of Renaissance architecture, both for his engineering of the dome of the Cathedral of Florence, and because he was the first to use the laws of perspective, producing drawings of impressive realism which considered the importance of proportion in architectural spaces. From Florence, Renaissance architecture spread through Italy, with many architects publishing their studies. Della Pittura by Leon Battista Alberti is just one example. Late Renaissance saw one of its best expressions in the works of Andrea Palladio, architect of the Venetian Republic, author of influential treatises and beautiful architectural creations. A large part of his work was dedicated to domestic architecture. His villas, recalling the ancient Roman villas built away from the city and surrounded by a natural setting, with entrances similar to classical temples, are among the best examples of Renaissance architecture, so particular that the expression ‘Palladian style’ was named after him. Symmetry, the clear distribution of rectangular shapes and square block forms, and the predominance of linearity and rational proportion distinguish the architecture of Palladian villas, which combine the classical ideal of beauty with the humanistic idea of otium.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and decide if the statements are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. 1 Renaissance architects based their theories and practices on Classical Roman examples. 2 The Renaissance was a period beginning in the fourteenth century. 3 It began in ancient Rome. 4 Proportion was a crucial factor of beauty for the Renaissance style. 5 One of the greatest Renaissance architects and engineers was Vitruvius. 6 The dome of the Cathedral of Florence is a masterpiece of Brunelleschi’s architecture. 7 Della Pittura is one of the writings Leon Battista Alberti rediscovered and studied. 8 Villas played an important role in the works of Andrea Palladio.

236

T F

milestones in architecture  /  From Renaissance to Neoclassicism Renaissance architecture in England The Renaissance style started in England in the middle of the sixteenth century. It was an original combination of Tudor-Gothic and classical styles. During the seventeenth century, the designers of buildings were mainly non-professional masons or carpenters who had trained in the theory of design and building. The move towards a classical style in England was largely the work of an English architect called Inigo Jones. Early Renaissance style in England was used in the design of Hampton Court Palace. This royal palace is situated 24 km west of London, beside the River Thames, but it is no longer used by the Royal Family. The Palace was begun by Cardinal Wolsey in 1515 and was then continued by King Henry VIII until 1540. The original style was Tudor, but after King William III’s project to enlarge the palace, completed in 1694, there were two distinct styles, Tudor and Baroque. Today, visitors can see its fine buildings, gardens and maze, and it is one of only two surviving palaces once owned by Henry VIII.

Hampton Court Palace

masons muratori move il dirigersi maze labirinto

vocabulary

3 Find the synonyms of these words in the text on page 236. 1 books 2 remains 3 essay

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________

4 cupola 5 printing 6 environment

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________

reading comprehension

4 Read the text on this page and answer the following questions. 1 When did the Renaissance style start in England? 2 What did this style consist of? 3 Where is Hampton Court situated?

4 How did the style of Hampton Court change over the years? 5 What is it famous for? 6 Why is it of such historical importance?

listening

5

3.07 PRELIMINARY   Listen to this extract about Inigo Jones, the first prominent English architect, responsible

for introducing the classical architecture of Rome and the Italian Renaissance to Britain. Then complete the text with the missing words. Inigo Jones was born in (1) _______________, in London. His work was strongly (2) _______________ by the Italian architect Palladio. He was employed by Queen Anne, (3) ________________’s wife, and later by the Prince of Wales, until (4) ________________. Then, after a visit to (5) ________________ he was appointed (6) ________________ to the king. His most famous works are the (7) ________________ (1617-1635), the Banqueting (8) ________________ (1622) and London's first (9) ________________ at Covent Garden. He died in (10) ________________.

exam practice – speaking

6

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a short oral presentation (3-5 minutes) about Renaissance architecture. You should include the following points: • period and place of origin;     •  idea of beauty;    • Renaissance architecture in Italy and in UK.

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 Skim the text

and match each paragraph with the headings below. • Artists • Baroque

theatricality

• Richness and

dynamism • The Baroque style hierarchy gerarchia faithful fedele astonished meravigliato

Baroque 1 ____________________________ The Baroque style dates from the end of the sixteenth to the eighteenth century. It was a period marked by deep change in how different parts of buildings related to each other, a process which resulted in the creation of Sant’Agnese in Agone, Piazza Navona, Rome complex shapes. The discovery of new materials for decorations, the wide use of perspective, and a new interest in the expressiveness of ornament, led to the full definition of this style. 2 ____________________________ In contrast with Renaissance architecture, centred around the concept of harmony as expression of the human and rational dimension of that culture, Baroque develops its interest in movement and dynamism. These key concepts are communicated through the same laws of proportion as the Renaissance style, but the introduction of decorations and additions vary how the different parts relate to each other, creating a kind of hierarchy, which transforms a building into a theatrical set. Therefore, churches become places where the faithful is astonished by richness and magnificence, while palaces show the prominence of power evoked by the main building to the surrounding gardens, where fountains of spectacular design highlight the privileged social position of the owner. An important role in defining the style was played by the Counter-Reformation, when the Catholic Church paid great attention to how religious buildings were constructed and launched a great campaign for churches and their furnishings and decorations. 3 ____________________________ Complex plan shapes, predilection for curved lines, round or oval shapes are the main characteristics communicating dynamism. Other standards were contrast in colours, rich surface treatments, illusory and vividly painted ceilings.

Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza, Borromini’s Dome, Rome

4 ____________________________ Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Francesco Borromini and Guarino Guarini were influential Baroque artists in Italy. In England, the Baroque style was well interpreted in the works of Christopher Wren.

reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Now read the text and complete the sentences with the missing information.

1 The Baroque style resulted in the creation of ____________ ____________. 2 This style also made use of ____________ ____________ for decorations. 3 The Baroque style is centred around ____________ and ____________. 4 Spectacular garden fountains indicated the privileged ____________ ____________ held by the owner. 5 The __________-__________ played an important role in defining the Baroque style. 6 Dynamism is conveyed through the use of ____________ ____________ and round or oval shapes.

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milestones in architecture  /  From Renaissance to Neoclassicism vocabulary

3 Match these words from the text to their definitions. 1 2 3 4 5

ornament additions hierarchy palace furnishings

a b c d e

things that have been added to something else furniture and other decorative accessories, such as carpets and curtains, in a room a system in which things are arranged according to their importance something that is beautiful rather than useful a large house where people of very high rank live

listening

4

3.08   Read the text about St Paul’s Cathedral and underline the correct alternative, then listen and check.

Saint Paul's Cathedral Saint Paul’s Cathedral is located in London. The old Cathedral, also dedicated (1) for / to St Paul, was severely damaged by Cromwellian* cavalry troops who used it as (2) a battlefield / barracks. In the 1660s Christopher Wren was enlisted to repair the cathedral, but it was (3) attacked / destroyed in the Great Fire of London (1666) before work could begin. Wren subsequently designed and oversaw the construction of the present cathedral, which was (4) built / planned mainly of Portland stone. Wren’s design combined Neoclassical, Gothic, and Baroque elements. St Paul’s famous dome, which has long dominated the London (5) skyline / sky, is composed of three shells: an outer dome, a concealed brick cone for structural support, and (6) an inner / a middle dome. At the base of the lantern (the (7) base / apex of the outer dome) is the famous Golden Gallery, which offers panoramas of London. Farther down, at a point just (8) below / above the brick cone, is the Stone Gallery, another popular viewing spot. The frescoes and grisaille of the inner dome are best admired from the Whispering Gallery (so called because a whisper from one side of the gallery can be (9) heard / listened from the other side). To the north and south of the dome section are wide transepts, each with semicircular (10) columns / porticoes. The western façade is framed by twin bell towers. The south-west tower is famous for its Geometrical Staircase, which leads to the cathedral library and archives. There are some 300 monuments within the cathedral. In the apse to the east of the chancel is the American Memorial Chapel, which was (11) dedicated / consigned in 1958 to US soldiers killed in World War II. Many notable soldiers, artists, and intellectuals have been buried in the crypt, including Lord Nelson, the duke of Wellington, and Wren himself, who was one of the first to be entombed there. Above his resting place is the (12) dedication / epitaph composed by his son, which may be translated ‘Reader, if you seek a monument, look about you’.

writing

5

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write a leaflet for a group of students who have planned to visit

cavalry cavalleria enlisted ingaggiato shells involucri grisaille grisaglia (pittura monocroma basata su vari toni di grigio) chancel presbiterio

Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) was an English soldier and politician who led the New Model Army against the Royalist forces, defeating them in the English Civil Wars. He subsequently became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1653 to 1658.

St Paul’s Cathedral. Include information about location, history, style and what is worthy of attention.

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 In pairs, discuss

what you remember about these three architectural styles. Can you think of any characteristics that distinguish one from the other? Read the text and check your answers.

lintels architravi friezes fregi

Putto is a figure in a work of art depicted as a plump little boy usually naked and sometimes with wings.

Santa Maria della Pace, Rome Salzburg Cathedral

240

Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles: a confrontation The Gothic style was predominant during Queen Anne’s House, Greenwich the mid to late Middle Ages in Europe and evolved from Romanesque architecture. It originated in 12th century France and was used predominately for the construction of cathedrals and churches. Its main features include rib vaults and flying buttresses used to make these stone buildings higher and stronger and to give more space for windows, especially stained glass and the rose window. One of the first most significant examples of this style is the Basilica of Saint-Denis near Paris whose choir was rebuilt with Gothic rib vaults and large stained-glass windows between 1140 and 1144. The height of these buildings represents the wish and attempt to be closer to Heaven and God. The Renaissance style represents European architecture from between the early 14th and 16th centuries, where ancient Greek and Roman elements were revived and developed. This style was started in Florence by Filippo Brunelleschi and spread to other Italian cities and countries in Europe like France, Germany, England and Russia. This architectural style was based on emphasising the symmetry and proportion of a construction, where space was used differently from the way it was in Gothic architecture, which followed intuition rather than geometry. Therefore, columns, pilasters and lintels were arranged in an orderly fashion and semicircular arches and domes replaced the vertical lines and complex ribbed vaulting characteristic of Gothic architecture. One of the greatest examples of Italian Renaissance architecture is the Basilica di San Lorenzo in Florence by Brunelleschi (1377-1446). Instead, one of the few outstanding buildings in the Renaissance style in England is Queen Anne's House, in Greenwich, near London. It was designed by Inigo Jones in 1616, after travelling around Italy. The Baroque style (from around 1600 to the middle of the 18th century) celebrates the revival and wealth of the Catholic Church in response to the Protestant Reformation. It is characterised by an innovative use of form, light and shadow. Oval shapes and circles dominate this style, where everything is excessive, showy, and full of details and friezes, to arouse wonder and give a sense of theatricality. Therefore, architects of this period indulged in decorative exuberance, combining paintings, sculptures and stuccos in their building designs. These qualities can be seen in Pietro da Corona’s work on the Santa Maria della Pace church in Rome, (1656-1658). In the south of Italy and in particular, in Lecce in Apulia, architects designed magnificent Baroque buildings like Lecce’s Cathedral. The island of Sicily is another area of Italy where the Baroque style flourished. Sicilian Baroque evolved on the island in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is characterised not only by the typical curves and flourishes of this style, but also by its grinning masks and putti*. However, the Baroque style was not only popular in Italy. Salzburg in Austria is often called the ‘City of Baroque’ since many of its buildings, squares and gardens reflect this style. One of the most impressive is the Baroque Salzburg Cathedral that was constructed between 1614 and 1628. Instead, the architect Sir Christopher Wren was responsible for the birth of the English Baroque style after the Great Fire of London in 1666, when many of the city’s churches were rebuilt including St Paul’s Cathedral. The English Baroque style has heavy structures with elaborate decorations but not to the same extent as the Baroque architecture found in the rest of Europe.

milestones in architecture  /  From Renaissance to Neoclassicism reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text again and complete the table below.

Style

Period

Main features

Examples

Gothic

Mid-late Middle Ages (1) rib vaults, flying buttresses, _______________

(2) _______________

Renaissance

(3) _______________

(4) revival of ancient Greek and Roman elements, _______________

(5) Basilica di San Lorenzo, _______________

Baroque

From about 1600 to mid-18th century

(6) innovative use of form and light, _______________ Baroque in Apulia: (7) _______________ (8) _______________: grinning masks, putti English Baroque: (9) elaborate decorations, _____________

(10) Salzburg Cathedral _______________

vocabulary

3 Look at the three photos and write which architectural style these buildings belong to. Cologne Cathedral

Basilica della Collegiata, Catania

1 _________________________________

Ducal Palace, Urbino

2 _________________________________

3 _________________________________

listening

4

3.09 INVALSI   Listen to an expert talking about Renaissance architecture in England and choose the correct

option (A, B, C or D).

1 English Renaissance architecture... A was inspired solely by European architecture. B made use of a wide range of styles. C did not appreciate Palladio’s aesthetic values. D was far from the principles of beauty adopted during the Jacobean era. 2 In Westminster Abbey, you can see... A a combination of three architectural styles. B a combination of Renaissance and Baroque. C a combination of Gothic and Renaissance. D a combination of Gothic and Baroque. 3 At Caius College, Cambridge... A the two styles used clash with each other. B the entrance gate is in the Gothic style. C the courtyard is in the Renaissance style. D the two styles used go well together.

4 16th-century English builders... A had problems blending the different styles used in architecture at that time. B had no knowledge of European building techniques. C created a blended style referred to as Tudor. D went to Europe to master their building skills. 5 Renaissance architecture... A was incorporated into both private and public buildings that already existed. B was considered to have excessive decorations. C was only used by architects of that time. D totally transformed the utility of existing buildings. 6 Inigo Jones... A built a mansion for Elizabeth I. B gave English architecture harmony and symmetry. C designed a garden for James I. D designed a private house for the king’s wife in Denmark.

exam practice – speaking

5

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Look at the photos on these pages and prepare a brief comparison of two of them. In your discussion you should name the buildings and say which period and architectural style they belong to, describe their characteristics and say which one/s you prefer and why.

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milestones in architecture childbirth parto outstanding notevole plinth base flank fiancheggiano

Mughal architecture is the style that developed in India under the Mughal dynasty in the 16th and 17th centuries. The characteristic features of this style include symmetry and balance between the parts of a building as well as beautiful decorative details with floral and geometric designs.

More about The Taj Mahal was constructed using materials from all over India and Asia. Over 1,000 elephants were used to transport the building materials.

The Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal is one of the most well known buildings in the world. This beautiful marble structure located in Agra, India, is a mausoleum. It is said that Shah Jahan, emperor of the Mughal Empire, had the tomb built as a monument in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. Shah Jahan spent the last days of his life as a prisoner in the Agra Fort, across the River Jamuna. From The master here, he could only look at the splendid Many architects and designers were involved in the tomb he had created in memory of his project but Ustad Ahmed Lahouri is considered the beloved wife. chief architect. He was not only a renowned architect The Taj Mahal is an outstanding example but also a great mathematician and astronomer. His of Mughal architecture*, a style that other works include the Red Fort in Delhi. Shah Jahan combines elements from Persian, Asian himself also played a very active role in the project and and Islamic architecture. Thousands of held daily meetings with his designers. stone carvers, masons and artists began work on the banks of Agra’s Jamuna River in 1631 and the monument was completed in 1648. Ustad Ahmed Lahouri is considered the chief architect of the project. Among the international staff, there was also an Italian lapidary, Geromimo Veroneo, and many people see an influence of European Baroque style on this masterpiece. The Taj Mahal is a complex of structures, with the white domed mausoleum being its most significant component. It stands on a square plinth and consists of a symmetrical building with an arch-shaped doorway topped by a large dome, a spectacular feature which is decorated with a lotus design. The tomb is surrounded by four minarets which highlight Shah Jahan’s obsession for symmetry, plus two red sandstone buildings which flank the main mausoleum on either side.

reading comprehension

1

INVALSI   Read the texts on these pages and choose the correct option (A, B, C or D).

0 Mughai architecture is a style that mixes features of Persian, Islamic and... A ✔ Asian elements. B European elements. C Greek elements. D Roman elements. 1 The Taj Mahal was built in the... A 14th century. C 17th century. th B 16 century. D 12th century. 2 The most famous and central part of the Taj Mahal is its... A minarets. C garden. B mausoleum D sandstone buildings. 3 Mughai architecture often features... A asymmetrical forms. C radial forms. B symmetrical forms. D pointed forms.

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4 On the exterior, we can see elements of calligraphy, vegetative patterns and... A human forms. C animal forms. B abstract forms. D astronomical forms. 5 During the British Empire, to make them similar to the lawns of London, the British remodelled... A the gardens. C the minarets. B the sandstone buildings. D the tombs. 6 The Taj Mahal has been an UNESCO World Heritage Site since... A 1963. C 1983. B 1973. D 1993. 7 This marvelous monument has been put at risk by many... A accidents. C threats. B earthquakes. D storms.

milestones in architecture  /  From Renaissance to Neoclassicism The exterior decorative elements of the Taj Mahal include detailed calligraphy, vegetative patterns and abstract forms, sometimes inlaid with semi-precious stones. The interior, containing the main chamber with the false tombs of Mumtaz and Jahan are exquisitely inlaid and decorated with precious stones. Their real graves are found at a lower level and are quite plain, as according to Muslim tradition it was forbidden to decorate graves in a sophisticated manner. All of these buildings are set within lush ornamental gardens which are again laid out in perfect symmetry. At the centre of the garden is a pool which reflects the image of the mausoleum. The original gardens contained flowers and fruit trees, but during the time of the British Empire, the British changed the gardens to reflect the lawns of London. This famous monument is visited by millions of visitors every year. In 1983 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and was described as ‘the jewel of Muslim art in India’.

inlaid incastonati lush rigogliosi lawns prati

More about Many serious threats have put this monument at risk, including wars, environmental pollution and the decreasing water level of the nearby Yamuna River.

vocabulary

2 Find the synonyms of these words in the texts. 1 situated _____________ 2 grave _____________

_____________ 3 vault 4 adorned _____________

5 valuable _____________ 6 simple _____________

video comprehension

3 Watch the video about the Taj Mahal and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). 1 Mumtaz Mahal died on June 17th 1671. 2 Symmetry and simplicity are key features of its design. 3 Elaborate ornamentation was used to decorate the palace. 4 20,000 people worked on the building. 5 It took two years to complete the Taj Mahal. 6 Shah Jahan would have built himself a black mausoleum.

T

F

speaking

4

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   In pairs, discuss what features of Mughai architecture and the Taj Mahal are similar to

the Baroque style. You should consider the following points: • type of structure; • decorations and details;

• domes; • shapes and forms.

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 Which feature

do you think is typical of the Georgian style? a

b c

black and white façades   tall windows   thatched roofs

pack mettere vicine, stipare cellar cantina craftsmen artigiani sash windows finestre a ghigliottina (scorrevoli) laid out disposte

Georgian architecture The name Georgian comes from the three Georges who ruled Britain between 1714 and 1820. Georgian architecture was influenced by the classical style. The type of building which most characterises the Georgian period is the ‘Townhouse’. In many British towns there are some simple but elegant Georgian townhouses. These tall, narrow buildings were built during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and they were often built in rows called ‘terraces’. During the eighteenth century the population of urban areas increased considerably. Therefore, there was a need to pack a lot of houses into a small space and the ‘terraces’ provided a good solution. These houses usually had four or five floors, one front and one back room and a staircase to each floor. In the basement there was a kitchen and a cellar where wood and coal were stored. The most important part of the house was the first floor (where the main rooms were situated). The top floor was often used as the children’s bedrooms and playrooms. Townhouses were usually inhabited by craftsmen and artists or by people who stayed in a city only for a short period of time. Georgian houses featured a square, symmetrical shape, pillars, sash windows (windows which slide up and down) and often had two chimneys. Terraces were often laid out in straight lines, but one of the main features of Georgian town planning was the creation of ‘garden squares’. These were terraces located around garden areas which became a space used by residents for social purposes.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T), false (F) or if the text does not give you that information (DS).

1 Georgian townhouses are usually simple and elegant. 2 Townhouses are very wide. 3 During the eighteenth century the population of rural areas increased. 4 Georgian townhouses were built during the eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries. 5 All terraced houses in Europe have the same shape. 6 A feature of Georgian town planning was the creation of ‘garden circles’. 7 Townhouses usually had four or five floors. 8 Children usually spent most of the time in the garden.

T F DS

vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the text.

1 file 2 piani 3 stanza sul retro 4 scala

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_____________ _____________ _____________ _____________

5 6 7 8

seminterrato carbone ultimo piano camini

_____________ _____________ _____________ _____________

milestones in architecture  /  From Renaissance to Neoclassicism

Gothic revival and Neoclassicism

The Houses of Parliament

The Gothic revival Between the middle of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the Gothic style returned to British architecture. Often the churches and manor houses designed according to the new Gothic style were much more decorated than the older originals. Many buildings like railway stations, hotels and government buildings (such as the Houses of Parliament, the Law Courts and Tower Bridge) were designed according to this style. The most important architect and designer during this period was Augustus Pugin, who designed the Houses of Parliament. This group of buildings is also known as the Palace of Westminster and it is situated in the centre of London beside the River Thames. Tower Bridge, with its neo-Gothic style towers, is another famous building in London. It was built at the end of the nineteenth century near London Bridge and the Tower of London.

Neoclassicism This style was influenced by ancient Greek and Roman architecture. Its main characteristics are geometrical forms, straight lines and Greek columns. The use of antique forms in a new context was the main feature of neoclassical architecture. Neoclassicism became popular both in North America and Europe in the second half of the eighteenth century and remained the main trend in Europe until the end of the nineteenth century. The Scottish architect who started this style in British buildings was Robert Adam. After spending some time in Italy admiring Roman ruins and Renaissance buildings, he created a new mixture of styles based on different geometric patterns. Among the most famous neoclassical buildings in London are the British Museum, Mansion House (the official home of the Lord Mayor of London) and Covent The British Museum Garden Theatre (the Royal Opera House).

Lord Mayor sindaco

More about Horace Jones and John Wolfe Barry were the architects who created the chosen design for Tower Bridge over the River Thames. Over 400 workers spent eight years building the bridge which was completed in 1894. When it was built it was the largest and most sophisticated ‘bascule and suspension’ bridge ever completed. The word ‘bascule’ comes from the French language and means ‘see-saw’.

reading comprehension

1 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 When did the Gothic style reappear in British architecture? 2 What were the new buildings like, compared to the original ones? 3 What kind of buildings were designed according to this style?

4 Who was the most important designer during this period? 5 What was the Neoclassical style influenced by? 6 What are the main features of Neoclassicism? 7 Where and when did this style become popular? 8 Who was Robert Adam?

exam practice – speaking

2

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Choose a period among those you have studied so far and prepare a short oral presentation (3-5 minutes) describing its typical architectural features and its most symbolic buildings.

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3 building vocabulary 1 CONSTRUCTIONS FROM RENAISSANCE TO NEOCLASSICISM Write the expressions from the box under the photos. Renaissance cathedral  −  Palladian villa  −  English Tudor-Gothic palace  −  English Neoclassical building  −  Italian Baroque church  −  English Georgian townhouses

1 _________________________________

2 _________________________________

3 _________________________________

4 _________________________________

5 _________________________________

6 _________________________________

2 ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES Write the words or expressions from the box under the photos. Renaissance dome  −  Palladian portico  −  Tudor arch  −  Baroque ceiling  −  Georgian sash windows  −  Neoclassical columns

1 _________________________________

2 _________________________________

3 _________________________________

4 _________________________________

5 _________________________________

6 _________________________________

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building vocabulary  /  From Renaissance to Neoclassicism 3 Match each architectural style to the correct period. 1 Renaissance 2 English Renaissance 3 Baroque 4 Georgian 5 Gothic revival 6 Neoclassicism

4

a b c d e f

from 1714 to 1820 between the middle of the 18th and 19th centuries second half of the 18th century between the 14th and 17th centuries end of 16th century to 18th century start mid-16th century

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the table below with the missing information.

Architect

Architectural style

Famous for...

Filippo Brunelleschi

(1) ___________________________

Dome of Florence Cathedral

(2) ___________________________

Late Renaissance

Palladian villas

Inigo Jones

(3) ___________________________

The Queen’s House in Greenwich

Francesco Borromini

(4) ___________________________

San Carlino church

Augustus Pugin

Gothic revival

(5) ________________________________________

Robert Adam

(6) ___________________________

Culzean Castle

5 Complete the description of each architectural style with the words from the box. dynamism  − masks − geometrical − classical − kings − harmony − decorated − Tudor-Gothic

Renaissance: inspired by (1) ____________ studies. Beauty is represented by (2) _____________ and mathematical proportion.

Sicilian Baroque: form of Baroque made distinctive by grinning (5) ____________ and putti.

English Renaissance: original combination of (3) ____________ and classical styles.

Georgian: named after British (6) ____________, influenced by classical style – simple but elegant.

Baroque: complex shapes, richly decorated, interest in movement and (4) ____________.

Gothic revival: more (7) ____________ than original Gothic style but maintains traditional features like towers.

Neoclassicism: inspired by ancient Greek and Roman architecture, (8) ____________ forms, straight lines and Greek columns. Use of antique forms in a new context.

ACTIVE GLOSSARY 6

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write the English equivalent of the following words.

1 prospettiva 2 gerarchia 3 architrave 4 ombra 5 base

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

6 notevole 7 fiancheggiare 8 incastonato 9 stipare 10 finestra scorrevole

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

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Villa La Rotonda The full name of this splendid villa by Andrea Palladio is Villa Almerico Capra. In 1994, it became part of the G and is one of UNESCO World Heritage site, (0) ____ Palladio’s most famous buildings. The bishop Paolo Almerico, (1) ____, commissioned Andrea Palladio to build this villa on the outskirts of Vicenza as a place he could go to when he retired from his work in the Papal Court in Rome. La Rotonda is presented to the reader in Andrea Palladio’s second book of I Quattro Libri dell’Architettura, where he describes its excellent location on a small hill, (2) ____. From this description, he conveys to the reader all the beauty and light of this project, which is the result of Palladio’s vast experience. Construction of the villa began in 1567 and was completed by 1571. After Almerico’s death in 1589, (3) ____ who then sold it to Odorico and Mario Capra in 1591. Since 1911, La Rotonda has belonged to the Valmarana family of Venice, who opened it to the public in 1986. The villa has a very particular layout that distinguishes it from other villas designed by Palladio. The central hall was built following a symmetrical square plan (4) ____, probably making La Rotonda one of the earliest examples of a dome being used in Western residential architecture. Each of the four facades has a projecting portico with steps and six ionic columns and each portico is the same size. These all represent

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outskirts sobborghi retired fosse andato in pensione conveys trasmette blends si fonde cowl cappuccio grit graniglia

Palladio’s desire to incorporate features normally found in religious architecture into civil architecture, probably inspired by his archaeological studies of Roman temples. The villa is proportionally perfect and blends perfectly with the rural environment around it. As expressed as a fundamental concept in his four books about architecture, Palladio designed La Rotonda so that every room in the building was positioned to receive sunlight and views of the surrounding landscape. In addition, each room was designed to be easily accessible, with large, harmonious spaces, (5) ____. Decoration of La Rotonda began at the end of the 16th century (6) ____. There are statues on the stairs, porticos and roof, while the interior of the dome is decorated with frescos and stuccoes. Each main room has a richly decorated marble fireplace with a beautiful stucco decorated cowl. The floors in these rooms are covered in a special stucco (7) ____, while other rooms have hexagonal tiled flooring. At the start of the 18th century, frescos were painted in the hall and corridors, while between 1725 and 1740 the third floor was divided. Finally, the attic area was made habitable in 1750. No further transformations have been made to the villa since 1976, but the Valmarana family do their utmost to maintain, restore and preserve this magnificent building.

focus on invalsi  /  From Renaissance to Neoclassicism reading

1

INVALSI   Read the text about Villa La Rotonda, Vicenza. Parts of the text have been removed. Choose the correct

part (A-J) for each gap (1-7). There are two extra parts that you should not use. The first one (0) has been done for you. A

the villa was inherited by Almerico’s son

B

with the collaboration of many painters and sculptors

C

an intellectual and a member of a refined cultural circle of that time

D

it was completely transformed

E

and is covered by a dome

F

made from a mix of lime and coloured marble grit

G ✔

under the heading of the ‘City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto’

H

where the owners and their guests could enjoy the luxury of the environment in complete privacy

I

surrounded by many columns

J

overlooking a river on one side and hills on the other

listening

2

3.10 INVALSI   Listen to a reporter talking to an expert about The British Museum in London. First you will have one minute to study the task below, then you will hear the recording twice. While listening, match the questions (A-I) with the answers (1-7). There is one extra question that you do not need to use. The first one (0) has been done for you.

Questions A

How many people visit the museum every year?

B

Who did the first museum collections belong to?

C

Which architectural style inspired the construction of the core of the building?

D

Which order do the columns belong to?

E

Which materials were used for the frame of the building?

F

What architectural feature is present in the Reading Room?

G

How long were the bookcases in the Reading Room?

H

When did the Great Court designed by Foster open?

I

What is particular about the Great Court designed by Foster?

0

Answers ✔ 0

Over five million.

1

The Ionic order.

2

Cast iron and brick.

3

Its steel and glass roof.

4

Sir Hans Sloane.

5

A dome inspired by the Pantheon.

6

The Greek Revival Style.

7

Three miles.

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3 revision map your knowledge

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about ARCHITECTURE FROM RENAISSANCE TO NEOCLASSICISM with the

words from the box.

dynamism  − harmony − geometrical −  sash   − domestic − columns − richly −  government  − curved − narrow

RENAISSANCE AND CLASSICISM

Italy 14th-17th centuries Beauty = 1  ____________ and mathematical proportion England start mid 16th century Tudor-Gothic + classical styles

Andrea Palladio – Venetian Republic LATE RENAISSANCE

•  2  _____________ architecture •  symmetry, linearity, rational proportion

BAROQUE

end 16th-18th centuries •  wide use of proportion, 3  ____________ lines, movement and 4  ____________, complex shapes •  churches – 5  ____________ decorated using new materials

GEORGIAN

1714-1820 Britain •  influenced by classical style •  Townhouses in terraces – simple, elegant, tall, 6  ____________ •  square symmetrical shape, pillars, 7  ____________ windows, garden squares

GOTHIC REVIVAL

mid 18th-19th centuries •  more decorated than original Gothic •  8  ____________ buildings, railway stations, hotels

NEOCLASSICISM

2nd half 18th century – Europe, North America •  influence by ancient Greek and Roman architecture •  use of antique forms in new context •  9  ____________ forms, straight lines, Greek 10  ____________

ARCHITECTURAL STYLES

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revision  /  From Renaissance to Neoclassicism revise your knowledge

2 Choose the correct option (A, B or C). 1 The term Renaissance... A refers to a new interest in Europe in Classical studies. B covers a period between the thirteenth and the sixteenth centuries. C refers to a style that started in Paris, France. 2 Andrea Palladio... A belongs to the Early Renaissance. B was both an architect and a writer. C dedicated all his works to public buildings. 3 The Renaissance style in England... A started in the middle of the sixteenth century. B was an original combination of Tudor and Baroque styles. C was not influenced by classical styles.

4 The Baroque style... A dates from the end of the seventeenth to the nineteenth century. B showed no interest for new materials and decorations. C resulted in the creation of complex shapes. 5 One of the main characteristics of Baroque architecture is... A its concept of harmony. B its interest in movement and dynamism. C the simplicity of its decorations. 6 Georgian architecture... A was influenced by the classical style. B is characterised by cathedrals. C spans the period between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. 7 The Gothic Revival... A refers to the period when the Gothic style returned to French architecture. B made use of more decorations that the original Gothic style. C was influenced by ancient Greek and Roman architecture.

revise vocabulary

3 Complete the sentences about MUGHAI ARCHITECTURE with the words from the box. floral  − marble − developed − elements − balance −  mausoleum

1 Mughai architecture ____________ in India in the 16th and 17th centuries. 2 Symmetry and ____________ between the parts of a building are the main features of Mughai architecture. 3 Beautiful decorative details with ____________ and geometric designs are also characteristics of this style. 4 This style combines ____________ from Persian, Asian and Islamic architecture. 5 One of the best examples of this architectural style is the Taj Mahal, a ____________ in Agra, India. 6 The Taj Mahal is a complex of structures made of ____________ and its main feature is its white dome.

reading comprehension

4 Read the text and answer the questions. Cronkhill Shropshire This villa was designed by John Nash (1752-1835), one of the most successful British architects of the Georgian era, who designed many important areas of London in the first part of the 19th century. Cronkhill is a very early example of an asymmetrical Italianate villa, a picturesque style that influenced the design of many buildings in England in this period. The main part of the house is a rectangular-shaped two-storey block. On the north side, there is circular three-storey tower,

1 What is John Nash famous for? 2 What is Cronkhill an example of? 3 What shape is the main part of the house?

while on the west side there is a square three-storey tower, which is connected to the other one by a loggia. The interior of the building is simply decorated. A sitting room is situated in the round tower, while the square one houses a library and the dining room is in the body of the house. Since 2016, the National Trust has been coordinating a major restoration of this Grade 1 listed building to bring it back to the former glory of Nash’s original design.

4 How do the two towers differ? 5 What is the inside of the house like? 6 Where is the library situated?

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revision writing

5 Complete the text about the Theatre Royal Haymarket, England. neoclassical  − oldest − current − neighbourhood − gallery − original − columns − redesigned

The Theatre Royal Haymarket is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster, an inner borough of London. It dates back to 1720, which means it’s the third (1) ____________ playhouse in London still in use. The (2) ___________ building was just a bit farther north in the same street where the (3) ___________ building has been since 1821 after it was (4) ____________ by John Nash following (5) _____________ and picturesque styles. Around 1820, Nash had a project to rebuild all the buildings on the east of the Haymarket, which included the Theatre Royal, to improve the (6) ____________. The principal characteristic of the new theatre is its front with a pedimented portico of six Corinthian (7) ____________ that extends right out to the edge of the pavement. Apart from building the portico, some say that during reconstruction Nash incorporated a house into the theatre. He also got rid of two shops, made more avenues and added a second (8) ___________ inside.

6

MEDIATING TEXTS   Look for a photo and information about the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London on the

Internet, then write a text about it similar to the one in exercise 5.

exam practice – speaking

7

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Look at the photo and search on the

Internet for information about this building, then answer the following questions. • Do you recognise the building in the photo? • Where is this building and who lives in it? • Which architectural period does it belong to?

What are the characteristics of this architectural period?

• What characterises this historical period? • Which famous literary authors belonging to this period have

you studied / do you know?

AUTHENTIC TASK

MEDIATING CONCEPTS

how to promote tourism 1 Work in small groups. You are going to prepare a tourist

brochure to attract visitors to your town/area.

2 Choose a building or a site in your town/area that has

some architectonic relevance or historical importance.

3 Collect information about it and take pictures of the place.

Visit the local tourist office to get further information and have a look at their tourist brochures for help.

4 With the help of your I.T. teacher, prepare the brochure

with texts and photos and add opening hours and prices.

5 Show it in class.

21ST-CENTURY LIFE SKILLS •  senso critico •  creatività

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•  decision making •  comunicazione efficace

COMPETENZE CHIAVE •  competenza multilinguistica •  competenza digitale competenza personale, sociale e capacità di imparare a •  imparare •  competenza in materia di cittadinanza •  competenza imprenditoriale

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4

MODERN ARCHITECTURE

Rookery Building, Chicago

OBJECTIVES MILESTONES in ARCHITECTURE ∞

ON-SITE VIDEO ∞ Sydney Opera House

From Modernism to Postmodernism

BUILDING VOCABULARY ∞

Modern architecture

FOCUS on INVALSI ∞

Gaudí’s masterpieces ∞ Casa Batiló

REVISION

Watch the video. When was the Sydney Opera House built? Which architect designed it? What natural elements did he take inspiration from?

∞

Modern architecture AUTHENTIC TASK: A photographic exhibition 253

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FROM MODERNISM TO POSTMODERNISM

Warm up

1 Do you know

anything about the Modern Movement? What do you think its main features are?

woodwork lavorazione del legno trademark elemento caratteristico

Einstein Tower, Germany

The Modern Movement Functionalism

The Tower of Helsinki Olympic Stadium

Functionalism was the first architectural movement in the twentieth century. It was based on the idea that the most important feature in the design of a building should be how it was to be used – its ‘usefulness’ and practicality. For this purpose architects started using a number of modern materials together such as steel, plastic and glass to create a new sense of space. Decorative elements became less important, whereas functionality became essential.

Expressionist style

Between 1910 and 1925, the Expressionist style boomed in Germany, with monumental buildings and the use of symbolism and exaggeration in order to represent emotions. In the same period, Constructivism and Neoplasticism developed in France. Both of these movements were connected to the new vision of space of Cubism, whose perception of reality was multiple and sequential. In reaction to this chronological perception of reality, Neoplasticism supported the use of precise lines, accurate shapes and the economy of forms. All these styles were part of the Modern Movement. They expanded throughout Europe after the 1925 Paris Exposition, and in the USA at the beginning of the 1930s. The Bauhaus school was founded by Walter Gropius, a German architect widely regarded as one of the masters of modern architecture and design for his belief in linking architecture to technology and industry. The Bauhaus school of arts and crafts was famous for combining the teaching of arts, architecture, woodwork, painting and decorating. The Bauhaus style became one of the most influential currents in Modernist architecture.

More about The Bauhaus building is one of the most famous in modern architecture, with an innovative design created by borrowing materials and methods of construction from modern technology. The building has no central viewpoint: it is composed of three main wings connected by bridges and arranged asymmetrically. Each part has a different function (administration, school and housing) and a different design. Many of the features of the Bauhaus – such as the external contrast of the light-coloured paint with the dark window frames, which were made of steel – have become the trademark of modern architecture.

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milestones in architecture  /  Modern Architecture reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the texts and complete the sentences with the missing words.

1 The first movement of architecture in the twentieth century was _______________________. 2 Architects began to use modern materials to create a new sense of _______________________. 3 _______________________ became the most important aspect. 4 The Expressionist style was popular in _______________________ between 1910 and 1925. 5 Constructivism and Neoplasticism developed in _______________________. 6 Constructivism and Neoplasticism were linked to the concept of _______________________. 7 The Paris Exposition took place in _______________________. 8 Walter Gropius was considered by many as one of the _______________________ of modern architecture. 9 Gropius was the first to connect architecture to technology and _______________________. 10 The Bauhaus is divided into three main _______________________ connected by bridges.

more knowledge building

3

FIRST   Read the text and choose from the sentences A-G for each gap (1-6). There is one extra sentence you

don’t have to use.

Walter Gropius (1883-1969) Walter Gropius was born in Berlin, Germany. Between 1903 and 1907, he studied architecture in Munich and Berlin. After working with the German architect, Adolph Meyer, (1) ____, he met some radical artists in Berlin in 1918, and later he became Director of the Bauhaus. (2) ____, he moved back to Berlin. Eventually, Gropius was obliged to leave Germany for the USA, (3) ____. He also founded a design team there called ‘The Architects’ Collaborative’, (4) ____. He developed a new and original design, (5) ____, thus turning building into a science of precise mathematical calculations. He also introduced a new system to support floors by means of a structural steel frame, (6) ____. Gropius died in Massachusetts, USA in 1969. Today, his family home is open to the public and you can take a guided tour to understand his minimalist* and functional philosophy of architecture. The Gropius family home, Massachusetts, USA

outbreak scoppio embodied incarnava borrowing prendendo in prestito Minimalist architecture is often described by the motto ‘less is more’. This style, which dates back to the mid- to late 1950s, uses basic shapes and straight, clean lines to avoid excessive or extravagant designs. The term is also used to describe various forms of visual arts, music, film and literature.

A where he became a professor at Harvard University B borrowing construction materials from modern technology C He taught his ideas on architecture D which embodied his belief in the value of teamwork. E on the ideas of Industrial Classicism F which led to the possibility of having external glass walls with no interruptions G Just before the outbreak of World War II

writing – internet research

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Do some research on the Internet and find out some more information about ‘The Architects’

Collaborative’. Then write a short paragraph (about 100 words) summarising the information you have found.

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 What do you

already know about the Empire State Building? Discuss these questions with a partner then read the text to see if your ideas were right. • Where is it? • What kind of

building is it? • When was it built? • What style is the building? pinnacle pinnacolo lightning rod parafulmine capped sormontata Art Deco is a decorative design style that started in Paris in the 1920s and became internationally popular during the 1930s. One of its typical characteristics is its linear symmetry, representing elegance, functionality and modernity and contrasting with the asymmetrical curves of the previous fashionable style of art nouveau. Apart from the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center are the most famous examples of this style in New York. www.esbnyc.com

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The Empire State Building The Empire State Building is probably one of the best known symbols of New York City. With its antenna spire included, it stands 443.2 metres high. It offers breathtaking views of New York from its 86th and 102nd floor observatories. Designed by William F. Lamb from the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, the Empire State Building has been named by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The ESB has an Art Deco* design and features many modernistic materials including stainless steel, glass and aluminium. This style was typical of pre-World War II architecture in New York. The ESB has a long list of records. The entire design was completed in just two weeks and construction took one year and •  45 days (between 1930 and 1931). The construction was part of a competition in New York for the title of ‘the world’s tallest building’. The other two projects competing for the title were the Chrysler Building and 40 Wall Street; the ESB was the winner. It was the tallest building in the world for 40 years. Following the destruction of the •  World Trade Center in 2001, it once again became the tallest skyscraper in New York until One World Trade Center reached a greater height in April 2012. Standing 443.2 metres high (including the pinnacle which was added in 1952), it is •  currently the fifth tallest skyscraper in the United States (after the One World Trade Center and the 432 Park Avenue, both in New York; the Willis Tower and Trump International Hotel and Tower, both in Chicago). The pinnacle is covered by broadcast antennas, with a lightning rod at the very top. The ESB has 85 storeys of commercial and office space, an observation deck on the 86th •  floor and 16 more storeys which represent the Art Deco tower which is capped by a 102nd floor observatory. It was the first building to have more than 100 floors and the total cost of the building •  was over $40,000,000 (the equivalent of about $500,000,000 in 2010). A team of environmentalists, energy consultants and construction experts are •  retrofitting the ESB to make it both environmentally and economically sustainable. A series of initiatives will reduce the building’s energy consumption by nearly 40%. It will serve as a model for similar projects. The building was opened in 1931 during the Great Depression in the USA and it was very difficult to rent the offices at first, so at that time it was renamed ‘The Empty State Building’. Today it is the second-largest single office complex in America, after the Pentagon. Since 1964 the Empire State Building has been illuminated in colours according to important events (for example, Christmas, Independence Day, St Patrick’s Day). The ESB has become a symbol of twentieth century man’s attempt to achieve the impossible and reflects the history and architecture of New York City. In October 2019, the Empire State Building opened its newly-renovated 102nd floor Observatory to the public. This new observatory experience has 24 floor-to-ceiling glass windows giving visitors 360° views of the city and the chance to step right to the edge of this world-famous building. Until now, the best views were from the observation deck on the 86th floor. To get to the new observatory, you take an all-glass lift on the 86th floor that takes you up 16 storeys through a newly-renovated glass shaft. As you go up this shaft, you can also see the tower’s mast and its famous tower lights.

milestones in architecture  /  Modern Architecture The master William F. Lamb (1883-1952) studied at Columbia University’s School of Architecture and also in Paris. He started working for the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon in 1911. The firm also designed the Forbes Magazine Building, the Standard Oil Building and the Bankers Trust Building in New York. Lamb was awarded the Architectural League’s Medal of Honour for his ‘masterful treatment of an office building’.

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts on these pages and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Then correct the false ones.

1 The Empire State Building is one of the best known symbols of New York City. 2 It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. 3 Art Deco uses traditional materials. 4 Art Deco is typical of post-World War II architecture. 5 It was designed in only two months in order to compete in a competition. 6 It is the tallest skyscraper in the United States. 7 At the time when it was built, it was renamed ‘The Empty State Building’. 8 Art Deco started in Paris in the 1930s. 9 The ESB, the Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center are the most famous examples of Art Deco in NY. 10 William F. Lamb studied both in the USA and in France.

T F

vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Match these words from the text to their definitions.

1 symbol 2 wonder 3 style 4 records 5 competition 6 pinnacle 7 depression

a b c d e f g

something that represents a place because it is very typical of it something that provokes admiration the facts about past achievements an activity in which groups try to obtain a prize that only one can have the pointed piece of metal on top of a building a time of poverty caused by the decline in activity of the economy the typical features of a particular period in architecture, painting, music and art

listening

4

3.11   Listen to a description of the Empire State Building and answer the following questions.

1 When were the World Trade Center Towers built? 2 What must you be prepared for when visiting the ESB? 3 What park can you see from the observation deck?

4 What event happens in February? 5 How many steps are there in the ESB up to the 86th floor?

speaking

5

FIRST MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Compare these two photographs of New York and say what you think people enjoy about visiting them. Talk for about one minute. Then decide which one you prefer giving reasons for your choice.

Empire State Building

Central Park

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 Discuss the

following questions in pairs. • What do you

know about San Francisco? • What kind of bridge is the Golden Gate Bridge? • What other famous bridges do you know? span ampiezza sketches schizzi cables cavi anchorages ancoraggi ropes corde

The Golden Gate Bridge The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is one of the world’s most beautiful bridges. It is a suspension bridge that links San Francisco to Marin County. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers it is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Before it was built, the only way to cross San Francisco Bay was by boat or ferry, so many wanted to build a bridge. However, some experts did not believe it was technically possible due to the strong winds in the bay, the fog and the span of the bridge that was considered too long. Despite these doubts, Joseph Strauss gained support and became the chief engineer in charge of general design and construction of the project. Strauss’s initial sketches were for a cantilever suspension bridge, but the final suspension design was created by Leon Moisseiff. The architect Irving Morrow designed the shape of the bridge towers, the lighting system and its Art Deco elements. Charles Ellis, a mathematician and expert in structural design, gave the project technical and theoretical precision. Construction began in 1933 and the Bridge was completed in 1937. At the time when the Golden Gate Bridge was built, it was the suspension bridge with the longest main span in the world (surpassed by eight other bridges since 1964). The Bridge is suspended on two towers that support the two main cables. The cables are secured at either end in giant anchorages and there are 250 pairs of vertical suspender ropes across both sides of the Bridge. Its colour, called ‘international orange’, was chosen to blend well with the natural setting and enhance its visibility. Anti-corrosive paints are used today to protect the Bridge from the high salt content in the air which rusts and corrodes the steel components. Today, traffic flows on six lanes and there are also walkways for pedestrians and bikers. Since its construction, it has been closed just three times because of bad weather conditions and once on its 50th birthday. It is a structure which has become worldrenowned, earning the reputation as the world’s most spectacular bridge.

More about Strauss insisted on the use of rigorous safety precautions during construction. A safety net was suspended under the floor of the Bridge from end to end, thus saving the lives of many steelworkers.

The masters Joseph Strauss (1870-1938) was a German-American engineer and designer. His fascination for bridges came from a hospital stay where his room overlooked a suspension bridge. Irving F. Morrow (1884-1952) was an American architect. He studied in California and Paris. He designed mainly residential and small commercial buildings. His most famous contribution to the Golden Gate Bridge was its distinctive ‘international orange’ colour. Charles Ellis (1876-1949) studied mathematics as well as engineering and was a professor at different universities. While working on the Golden Gate Bridge project, Strauss accused him of wasting time and money and fired him. Although Ellis completed many of the engineering drawings for the Golden Gate Bridge, he did not receive any credit until 2007, when the Golden Gate Bridge District officially recognised his part in the design.

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More about The lighting system The lighting of the Bridge is distinctive both for its size and attention to detail. Morrow carefully designed the lighting system so that the intensity of light was not the same on all parts of the Bridge. The towers were to have less light at the top so that they would seem to soar beyond the range of illumination.

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 What was the only way to cross the San Francisco Bay before the Bridge was built? 2 Why were some experts against its construction? 3 Who was the project’s chief engineer? 4 What style of design is the Golden Gate Bridge? 5 How many years did it take to complete the Bridge?

6 7 8 9 10

What is ‘international orange’? Why was it chosen? How many traffic lanes are there? Where did Joseph Strauss’s love for bridges start? What is Irving F. Morrow best remembered for? What type of work did Charles Ellis complete for the project?

vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the text.

1 baia 2 forma 3 armonizzarsi con 4 pitture anticorrosione

______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________

5 arrugginisce 6 scorre 7 corsie 8 passaggi pedonali

______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________

internet research

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Search on the Internet for more information about where the masters of The Golden Gate

Bridge got inspiration for their design from and what architectural style was popular at that time.

video comprehension

5 Watch the video about the Golden Gate Bridge and answer the following questions. 1 2 3 4 5 6

Where was Strauss from? Did Strauss have an engineering degree? What natural disaster is the location prone to? What were the ironworkers known as? What was Strauss obsessed with? Who was May 27th 1937 dedicated to?

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 Can you name

three materials typical of modern architecture?

stilts pilastri tondi bulk grandezza, mole Cubism was a style of visual art created by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) and Georges Braque (1882-1963) that reduced objects into geometrical forms. It had a profound influence on architecture. Purism was an extension of Cubism and advocated a return to clear, ordered forms. It used explicit geometrical forms and large areas of pure colour.

Le Corbusier (1887-1965) Born in Switzerland, Charles-Édouard Jeanneret was an architect famous for his contributions to what is now called Modernism. He was also an urban planner, a sculptor, painter, furniture designer and a writer. Known as Le Corbusier, he had a 50-year-long career during which he contributed to modern design and to providing better living conditions for citizens in crowded cities. At the beginning of his career he travelled around Europe and worked with Auguste Perret in Paris. Later he co-operated with the famous architect, Peter Behrens, in Germany. In 1916 he moved to Paris where he met the painter, Amédée Ozenfant. They rejected Cubism* and started a new artistic movement called Purism*. It was during this period that he adopted the pseudonym Le Corbusier, as he believed that everybody could reinvent themselves. For four years, he didn’t build anything, preferring to concentrate on studying the Purist theory. He supported the idea of using modern industrial methods and materials for houses and was soon able to propose several different single-family house models which he later designed for clients near Paris. His ‘Villa Savoye’ (1929-1931) was the one that best summarised his five main ideas about architecture which are: reinforced concrete stilts or pillars which manage to raise the house off the ground by •  supporting the bulk of the structure; a free-façade with no supporting walls; •  an open floor plan without any supporting walls, thus providing freedom to organise •  the internal floor space; long strips of horizontal ribbon windows on the second floor to permit free views of •  the surrounding garden and maximum illumination; a ramp joining the ground to the roof garden level, thus permitting a walk area through •  the structure.

More about Villa Savoye was designed by Swiss architects Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret and built in Poissy just outside Paris between 1928 and 1931. It is an example of a modernist villa and its design includes Le Courbusier’s five points of new architecture. It is now a popular tourist attraction as it is one of the most renowned examples of the International style, which developed in Europe and the United States in the 1920s and ’30s, and is open all year round.

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milestones in architecture  /  Modern Architecture Influenced by the problems he saw in the industrial city at the beginning of the twentieth century, he tried to find efficient architectural solutions to house people living in slums and improve the quality of their lives during a period of urban housing crisis. One of his projects, ‘Immeubles-Villas’, proposed large blocks of cell-like individual apartments piled one on top of the other. He also studied solutions for entire cities and in 1922 he proposed a group of high skyscrapers made of glass with both offices and apartments, set in large green spaces and meant for wealthy citizens. His idea was to use modern industrial techniques and policies to turn society into a more efficient environment with a higher standard of living. In 1925 he suggested knocking down a large part of Paris and replacing it with his 60-storey cruciform towers from the Contemporary City *. Although he received great criticism from politicians and industrialists, he also provoked discussions on how to deal with the terrible conditions of this part of the city. Le Corbusier was a leader of the Modern Movement and his most influential sphere was that of urban planning by which he tried to create better living conditions and a better society through housing concepts.

The Contemporary City was Le Corbusier’s first complete plan for an ideal city. Designed around function, efficiency and mass production, he suggested that the centre of a city should consist of skyscrapers (about 5%) and the remaining 95% should be parks with trees. The social elite would live in the city centre whilst the working class were to be placed at the edge of the city in modest apartments. wealthy abbienti knocking down di abbattere

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts on these pages and answer the following questions. 1 Where did Le Corbusier go at the beginning of his career? 2 Who did he meet in 1916? 3 Why did he adopt the pseudonym Le Corbusier?

3

4 5 6 7

What are his five main ideas about architecture? What was he influenced by? What did he propose in 1922? Who criticised his 1925 proposal?

MEDIATING TEXTS   Now read the texts again and find the following information.

1 2 3 4

real name place of birth jobs and activities name of the artistic movement he started

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

5 name of the villa built between 1929 and 1931 6 idea he suggested in 1922 7 idea he suggested in 1925 8 his most influential sphere

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

vocabulary

4 Match these verbs from the text to their synonyms. 1 to reject 2 to support

3 to raise 4 to propose

5 to turn into 6 to provoke

a b

c d

e f

to abandon   to sustain

to put forward   to uplift

to incite   to transform

writing

5

FIRST MEDIATING TEXTS   Write an essay (140-190 words) discussing Corbusier’s concept of the ideal city, stating whether you agree with him or not. In your essay you should include the following points: • his main ideas about architecture;       •  his dream;      •  ... (your own idea).

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 What is more

important, the visual aspects of a building or its functionality? Discuss in pairs.

prairie prateria sloping inclinato overhangs sporgenze cantilevered a sbalzo, aggettanti stream ruscello custom-made su misura fittings accessori

The main objective of organic architecture is to create harmony between the buildings where people live and the natural world. This is achieved by following design techniques that take into consideration the characteristics of the site to be built on, so that constructions, furnishings and surroundings are unified and interrelated.

Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) One of the most influential architects of the first half of the twentieth century was Frank Lloyd Wright. Born in the USA, he attended the University of Wisconsin, School of Engineering, but left without finishing his degree. In 1887 he moved to Chicago and joined the firm Adler and Sullivan. In 1893, after focusing on residential design work for this architectural firm, he established his own practice. During his ‘Prairie Period’ (1900-1910) he Frederick Robie House, Chicago designed low buildings with sloping roofs and suppressed chimneys, overhangs and terraces. These houses are considered the first examples of the open-plan. He used mainly unfinished materials for these homes. His masterpiece, the Frederick Robie House, deeply influenced young European architects after World War I. During the 1930s he started designing ‘Usonian’ houses (meant for the middle class) which were characterised by a simple, elegant geometry. Wright’s most famous private residence was ‘Fallingwater’, a building completely fused with its surroundings. It features cantilevered balconies and terraces, with a stream and waterfall which run below part of the building. Another very famous building designed by Wright is the Guggenheim Museum in New York. It has a spiral form and the interior looks like the inside of a seashell, because according to his intentions visitors were supposed to visit the artworks by walking down from the top level (reached by means of a lift) along the central spiral ramp. Unfortunately some important details of his design were ignored when the museum was built, so the artworks are actually viewed by walking up the walkway instead. Wright’s works are based on the idea of organic architecture*, which gives great importance to the relationship between the site, the building and the client’s requirements. He was one of the first architects to create custom-made furniture and fittings (including electric lighting). Typical characteristics of his buildings are the innovative use of new building materials (for example he used Pyrex glass tubing) and the development of more open-plans in houses.

The masters

Fallingwater, Pennsylvania, USA

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Frank Lloyd Wright and David Pearson The term ‘organic architecture’ was first used by Frank Lloyd Wright. Subsequently, David Pearson, architect and planner, drew up a set of rules regarding its design called the Gaia Charter which states as follows: ‘Let the design: •  be inspired by nature and be sustainable, healthy, conserving, and diverse; •  unfold, like an organism, from the seed within; •  exist in the continuous present and begin again and again; •  follow the flows and be flexible and adaptable; •  satisfy social, physical, and spiritual needs; •  grow out of the site and be unique; •  celebrate the spirit of youth, play and surprise; •  express the rhythm of music and the power of dance.’

milestones in architecture  /  Modern Architecture reading comprehension

2 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 During which century was Frank Lloyd Wright an important architect? 2 His first job was for a firm: in which city? 3 What type of materials did he use in the ‘Prairie Homes’? 4 Who did the Frederick Robie House influence?

5 What were the main features of ‘Usonian’ houses? 6 In which city is the famous museum with a spiral shape? 7 What is ‘organic architecture’? 8 What are the typical characteristics of Wright’s buildings?

vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Match these words from the text to their definitions.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

degree firm practice terrace masterpiece balcony waterfall seashell

a b c d e f g h

elevated platform projecting from the wall of a building an academic title open area connected to a house for outdoor living space the home of a marine mollusc a steep fall of water from a height the pursuit of a profession, especially law a partnership or association for carrying on a business a person’s greatest piece of work

listening

4

3.12   Listen to an expert talking about the Guggenheim Museum and complete the text with the missing

words.

The Guggenheim Museum is an (1) ________________ museum situated on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. It houses a permanent collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early (2) ________________ and contemporary art as well as being host to many special (3) ________________ throughout the year. Its current building was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and is a (4) ________________ of twentieth-century architecture. His modernist building was totally different from any other museum, as it was highly expressive and intensely (5) ________________, a ‘temple of the spirit’. The building is shaped like a (6) ________________ and is wider at the top than the bottom. One of its unique features is a ramp (7) ________________ that goes from the ground level in a long, continuous spiral along the outer (8) ________________ of the building, right up to the ceiling (9) ________________. Renovation was carried out on the building in 1992 when another (10) ________________ was added to cope with the ever-growing collection on show, and further work was done on the outside of the building from 2005 to 2008.

speaking

5

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Talk to a partner about the

different types of housing in your area and discuss the following points: • how each area differs both with regard to the houses

themselves and facilities; • how much you think the area you grow up in can influence your way of thinking; • what improvements you would make to your own area and what benefits these would bring to the community in general.

More about The museum’s collection is founded upon several important private collections, starting with that of Solomon R. Guggenheim who set up a foundation for the museum in 1939 and stated that it was to be known as the Museum of Non-Objective Painting. Its opening exhibition included works by famous modernists of that time like Chagall, Modigliani and Picasso. The Guggenheim in New York shares its collection with its sister museum in Bilbao, Spain, and elsewhere.

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 Discuss with a

The Postmodern Movement

During the 1920s, architects started to believe that, in order to achieve beauty in contemporary terms, building forms should be determined by their functions and materials. Abstract painting and sculpture influenced the visual æsthetics of modern architecture and buildings began to be considered as volumes of space surrounded by light and thin walls instead of a heavy mass made of bulky material. With the emigration of a number of important German architects to the United States during the 1930s, the US became the leader in modern architecture, which by then had become an instrument for dealing with the complex building needs of a global society. During this period, architects’ designs were influenced by new technological bulky voluminoso, developments, such as prefabricated construction. ingombrante During the 1950s, modern architecture was considered anonymous and it began to receive criticism for its disrespect of regional Scottish Parliament Complex, Miralles, 2004 building traditions. As a result, the new generation of architects began looking for individual and regional forms of expression, even if great importance was still given to structure and materials. The task of contemporary architecture is to celebrate the transformation of building into art, by understanding the limitations and possibilities of building thanks to the æsthetic preferences and the ideological beliefs of the architect’s cultural environment. Postmodernism did not actually become a movement until the late 1970s. It combined new ideas with traditional forms, mixing and matching architectural styles in innovative combinations. partner what differences you think there are between modern and postmodern architecture.

James Stirling (1926-1992) James Stirling was one of the most famous British architects of the twentieth century. He designed several famous buildings and influenced the development of architecture especially in the UK, the USA and Germany. His best known design is the 1963 project for the Engineering Building at Leicester University. Other important buildings include the Social Sciences Centre in Berlin and the Performing Arts Centre for Cornell University. He believed that ‘the shape of a building should display the usage and way of life of its occupants’. Stirling was concerned with the humanisation of the environment and he wanted his buildings to be in harmony with common sense, tradition and the environment, whilst also showing concern for people. His works represent a transition from the Modern Movement to a type of architecture that understands historical roots and reEngineering Building, Leicester University interprets the past in new, original ways.

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milestones in architecture  /  Modern Architecture Aldo Rossi (1931-1997)

theoretical teorici

This famous Italian architect achieved international recognition in theory, drawing and architecture. In his earliest works, which were mostly theoretical, he was influenced by Italian modernism, classicism (Adolf Loos) and by the reflections of the painter De Chirico. In 1966 he published the book The Architecture of the City which received huge international success. In his designs he used the city as his central Bonnefanten Museum, Maastricht theme and believed that a city must be studied as something constructed over time, that remembers its past thanks to the monuments which give structure to it. In 1990 Rossi won the Pritzer Prize for architecture and he is considered the founder of the Neorationalist movement *.

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts on these pages and answer the following questions. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

What influenced the visual æsthetics of modern architecture? How were buildings considered during the 1920s? What were architects’ designs influenced by during the 1930s? Why was modern architecture criticised during the 1950s? What is the aim of contemporary architecture? What did Stirling influence? What were Stirling’s main concerns? Aldo Rossi achieved international fame in which three areas of work? What happened in 1966? What did he think about ‘the city’?

Neorationalism is a movement that began in Italy in the 1960s. It rejected the functionalist and technological preoccupations of Modernism, insisting on the social and cultural importance of existing structures. Rossi maintained that architects must respect the context of the city and its architecture, favouring a limited number of building types. The movement was characterised by elemental forms and an absence of detail.

vocabulary

3 Complete the sentences with the words from the box. theme − regional − abstract − harmony − traditional − prefabricated

1 Modern architecture was influenced by __________________ painting and sculpture. 2 In the 1930s, new technological developments led architects to design __________________ constructions. 3 In the 1950s, the new generation of architects began looking for individual and __________________ forms of expression. 4 Postmodernism in the 1970s, combined new ideas with __________________ forms. 5 James Stirling wanted his buildings to be in __________________ with the environment. 6 In Aldo Rossi’s designs, the city is the central __________________.

exam practice – speaking

4

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a brief oral presentation (3-5 minutes) on modern architecture. You should

include the following points:

• Functionalism and Minimalism;

• organic architecture;

• the Postmodern Movement.

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4 building vocabulary 1 MODERN ARCHITECTURE Write the expressions from the box under the photos. Purism  −  Art Deco design  −  Espressionist style  −  Postmodern architecture  −  Functionalism  −  Organic Architecture

1 _________________________________

2 _________________________________

3 _________________________________

4 _________________________________

5 _________________________________

6 _________________________________

2 ARCHITECTS and their MASTERPIECES Write the names of the architects from the box under the correct photo. Joseph Strauss  −  William F. Lamb  −  Walter Gropius  −  Le Corbusier  −  Aldo Rossi  −  Frank Lloyd Wright

1 _________________________________

2 _________________________________

3 _________________________________

4 _________________________________

5 _________________________________

6 _________________________________

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building vocabulary  /  Modern Architecture 3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Match each architectural style to the correct definition

1 Functionalism a   innovative combination of new ideas and traditional forms 2 Expressionism b   basic shapes and straight clean lines to avoid extravagant designs 3 Neoplasticism c   symbolism and exaggeration used to represent emotions 4 Industrial Classicism d   rational use of new materials, structural innovation, no ornaments 5 Modernism e   linear symmetry and asymmetrical curves, use of modern materials 6 Minimalist architecture f   how the building should be used is the most important feature 7 Art Deco g   use of precise lines, accurate shapes and economy of forms 8 Organic architecture h   linking architecture to technology and industry 9 Postmodernism i   creation of harmony between buildings and the natural world

4 Match each architectural style to the correct period and the country it originated from. Architectural style 1 Espressionist style 2 Neoplasticism 3 Minimalist style 4 Art Deco design 5 Purism 6 Organic architecture 7 Postmodernism

Period 1916-1931 start 1930s mid 1920s 1910-1925 start late 1970s 1910-1925 mid-to-late 1950s

5 Match the words to their synonyms.

Country Europe and the US USA Europe and the US France Germany USA France

1 purpose 2 a number of

3 accurate 4 regarded

5 linking 6 arranged

7 obliged 8 turn into

a b

c d

e f

g h

transform  organised

forced   objective

considered   various

connecting  precise

6 Complete the sentences with the words from the box. borrowed  − provided − expanded − suspended − composed −  crossed

1 Constructivism and Neoplasticism ____________ throughout Europe after the Paris Exposition. 2 The Bauhaus building is ____________ of three main wings connected by bridges. 3 Gropius ____________ construction materials and methods from modern technology. 4 Before the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, people ___________ the bay by boat or ferry. 5 The Golden Gate Bridge is ____________ on two towers that support the two main cables. 6 Le Corbusier ____________ better living conditions for citizens in crowded cities.

ACTIVE GLOSSARY 7

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write the English equivalent of the following words.

1 utilità 2 lavorazione del legno 3 elemento caratteristico 4 ampiezza 5 cavi 6 corde 7 pilastri tondi 8 grandezza, mole 9 pilastro, pilone

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

10 striscia 11 finestre a nastro 12 baraccopoli 13 accatastati 14 abbattere 15 inclinato 16 sporgenze 17 su misura 18 accessori

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

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4 focus on invalsi

Gaudí’s Masterpieces A

ntoni Gaudí (1852-1926) was a Spanish architect and leader E He of Catalan Modernism, (0) _____. was a creative genius whose style, inspired by nature, was unique and reached technical perfection and aesthetic value. The many religious images in his works earned him the nickname of ‘God’s Architect’. His vast amount of work, (1) _____, comprises different examples of residential and public 20th century buildings and reflects his passions: architecture, nature, religion and his love of Catalonia. He combined other skills, (2) _____, in his architectural creations. He also introduced new techniques in material treatments, such as trencadis that involved the use of waste ceramic pieces. His innovations were the consequence of his study of a variety of styles like neo-Gothic art and Oriental techniques. Gaudí usually created his works while conceiving them, (3) _____, and only seldom did he use detailed plans, preferring to create them as three-dimensional scale models that he moulded as he developed his ideas. He was a deeply religious man and his Catholic faith influenced his work very much. (4) _____ and blended his design elements with natural elements. In 1926, he was struck by a tram on his way to church and lost consciousness. Mistaken for a beggar (5) _____, he was not immediately taken to hospital. This was eventually the cause of his death. His most famous work and masterpiece, the Sagrada Família is a large Roman Catholic church and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, (6) _____. Gaudí devoted himself to this project from 1883 to his death. At that time, only the crypt, apse and part of one façade were completed. When he began working on it, he completely changed the original design of the cathedral, creating an original synthesis of all the solutions and styles he had tried before, (7) _____. He imagined the Cathedral as a forest, whose inside space is divided into small, independent modules. Every architectural and sculptural part of the church is dedicated to a religious theme. The crypt and the apse are in Gothic style (8) _____. The cathedral has a cruciform plane, a fiveaisled nave, a transept of three aisles, an apse with seven chapels and three façades. It will have eighteen towers (9) _____, for the centennial of Gaudí’s death. Its construction has been very slow because it relies on private donations. When people asked him (10) _____, Gaudí answered: ‘My client is not in a hurry. God has all the time in the world.’

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focus on invalsi  /  Modern Architecture reading comprehension

1

INVALSI   Read the text about Gaudí’s masterpieces. Parts of the text

have been removed. Choose the correct part (A-M) for each gap (1-10). There are two extra parts that you should not use. The first one (0) has been done for you. A

which is still incomplete today

B

most of which is concentrated in Barcelona

C

but the other elements of the church imitate natural shapes

D

with sketches, drawings and paintings

✔ E

although his works go beyond any classification

F

mixing Gothic and Art Nouveau forms

G

Gaudí viewed the natural world as perfect

H

when he would finish his masterpiece

I

when it is completed, probably in 2026

J

such as ceramics, stained glass and carpentry

K

due to his scruffy clothing and lack of identity documents

L

what he liked most about his creation

M

often improvising as they progressed

listening

2

3.13   Listen to a recording about Casa Batiló. First you will have one minute to study the task below, then you

will hear the recording twice. While listening, choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for questions 1-6. Only one answer is correct. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0 Gaudí worked on the project of Casa Batiló... A between 1875 and 1904. B ✔ between 1904 and 1906. C between 1875 and 1906. D between 1804 and 1806. 1 The façade... A is made of special distorted limestone. B has an uneven surface. C is decorated with colourful ceramic fragments. D is decorated with undulating sandstone fragments. 2 Gaudí concentrated on... A the roof. B the top floor. C the basement. D the garden. 3 The balconies... A have their original circular shape. B have brass railings in the shape of angels. C have lead railings in the shape of fish. D have iron railings in the shape of masks.

4 For the atrium... A he used all the same shade of colour. B he used different shades to create dark and light areas inside. C his use of colour created a uniform distribution of light inside. D he used the same colours on the exterior of the building. 5 The roof is characterised by conical chimney caps... A covered in plastic. B with ceramic balls. C with balls filled with water. D covered in clear glass and ceramics. 6 The façade looks like... A a dragon’s back thanks to layers of coloured glass fragments. B a dragon’s back thanks to coloured ceramic tiles. C a dragon’s tail thanks to circular-shaped ceramic tiles. D a dragon’s tail thanks to scale-like coloured glass fragments.

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1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about MODERN ARCHITECTURE with the words from the box. industrial  − usefulness − glass − stainless − symbolism − interruptions − ribbon −  economy  − construction − regional

Modernist architecture •  use of modern 4  ____________ materials and technology •  floors supported by

1  ____________ and practicality. Steel, plastic and glass – sense of space FUNCTIONALISM (first 20th century architectural movement)

monumental buildings use of 2  ____________ and exaggeration to represent emotions

ESPRESSIONIST STYLE (1910-1925 – Germany)

steel frame, external glass walls without 5  ____________

connected to Cubism, precise lines, accurate shapes, 3  ___________________ of forms CONSTRUCTIVISM NEOPLASTICISM (1910-1925 – France)

Minimalist architecture (mid-to late 1950s) basic shapes, straight clean lines THE BAUHAUS SCHOOL Walter Gropius

ARCHITECTURAL STYLES

PURISM – MODERNISM (1916-1931) Le Corbusier •  clear, ordered geometrical

forms

•  use of modern 6  ____________

methods and materials for housing

•  Villa Savoye – reinforced

concrete, free-façade, open floor plan, 7  ____________ windows, ramp from ground floor to roof garden

•  urban planning: project

‘Immeubles-Villas’ – aim to create a more efficient environment and higher standard of living – tall, cell-like apartment blocks

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ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE Frank Lloyd Wright •  importance given to

relationship between the site, the building and the client’s needs – custommade furniture, innovative use of new building materials like Pyrex 8  ____________ tubing, open-plan

•  Prairie Period (1900-

1910) – low buildings with sloping roofs, overhangs and terraces, first example of open-plan. Use of unfinished materials ‘Usonian’ houses (1930s) – simple elegant geometry

ART DECO DESIGN (1930s to World War II – New York) Empire State Building – William F. Lamb modernistic materials – 9  ____________ steel, glass and aluminium

POSTMODERNISM (1970s) individual and 10  ____________ forms of expression – combining new ideas with traditional forms and different architectural styles

revision  /  Modern Architecture revise your knowledge

2 Choose the correct option (A, B or C). 1 The first architectural style of the 20th century was... A Constructivism. B Neoplasticism. C Functionalism. 2 The Bauhaus School... A was founded by Walter Gropius. B only taught architecture. C is famous for its classical architectural style. 3 The Empire State Building... A is in the capital of the USA. B features many modernistic materials. C was built after World War II. 4 The Golden Gate Bridge... A has Art Deco elements. B has eight lanes for traffic. C is the longest bridge in the world.

5 Le Corbusier... A is famous for his contribution to Constructivism. B provided better living conditions in urban areas. C followed the theories of Cubism. 6 Frank Lloyd Wright... A was one of the most influential architects of the second half of the 20th century. B designed high buildings with flat roofs in his ‘Prairie Period’. C was the first architect to introduce the idea of the open plan design in houses. 7 Postmodernism... A became a movement in the late 1970s. B was only interested in modern architectural forms. C was only interested in the functionality of a building.

revise vocabulary

3 Complete the sentences about THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE with the words from the box. structural  − steel − suspension − ropes − cantilever − lighting − span − cables

1 The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is a ____________ bridge. 2 Initially some experts were against the project due to the ____________of the bridge and strong winds in the bay. 3 At first, Joseph Strauss wanted to build a ____________ suspension bridge. 4 The bridge’s ____________ system was designed by Irving Morrow. 5 Charles Ellis, an expert in ____________ design, provided the project with technical and theoretical precision. 6 The Bridge is suspended on two towers that support the two main ____________. 7 There are 250 pairs of vertical suspender ____________ across both sides of the Bridge. 8 Due to the high salt content in the air, anti-corrosive paints are used to protect the _____________ components.

reading comprehension

4 Read the text and answer the questions. The Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House in Australia, with its modern expressionist design, is one of the most distinctive performing arts centres in the world. Surrounded by Sydney Harbour on three sides, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. A design competition to replace the old opera house was launched in 1956 and was won by a Danish architect called Jørn Utzon. He was influenced by the architecture of various ancient civilisations such as the Mayas and ancient Japanese and Chinese culture. Unfortunately, he resigned from the Sydney Opera House project due to problems in developing its design and costs. Utzon’s original design was abandoned and construction of the opera house began in 1959 and took 16 years to complete. The roof is made up of three sets of interlocking vaulted shells made of precast concrete panels. The project went through three building stages – the upper podium, the outer shells and the interior design. Utzon was not invited to its formal opening in 1973 but he was later given recognition for his work.

1 What kind of architectural style is the Sydney Opera House? 2 Where is it located? 3 What nationality was the architect who won the competition to design the new opera house?

4 Where did he get inspiration from? 5 Why did he abandon the project? 6 What does the roof consist of?

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revision writing

5 Look for a picture on the Internet and complete the text about the Bagsværd Church in Denmark with the words from the box.

courtyards  − masterpiece − buttresses − tiles − lighting − skylights − aluminium −  vaulted

The Bagsværd Church is on the outskirts of Copenhagen, Denmark. The building, which is considered to be a (1) ____________ of contemporary church architecture with its rounded (2)____________ ceiling made of reinforced concrete shells supported by rows of double columns that act as flying (3) ____________, was designed by Jørn Utzon in 1968 and completed in 1976. The building is narrow and has an austere façade that encloses various rooms and small (4) ____________ all connected by wide corridors that run both through the building and along the external walls where natural light enters through (5) ____________. The outside walls are covered in white prefabricated concrete panels and white glazed (6) ____________, while the roof made of (7) ____________ lends an industrial look to the building. The modular structure of the building and its integrated courtyards are reminiscent of the architectural style of Chinese Buddhist temples. One of the most significant features of the church is the natural (8) ____________ that comes through high lateral windows across the nave and is enhanced by the all-white interior.

6

MEDIATING TEXTS   Look for a picture and information about the Church of St Engelbert by Dominikus Böhm on the Internet, then write a text about it similar to the one in exercise 5.

exam practice – speaking

7

ES   Look at the photo of the Guggenheim Museum and search the Internet for information about this building, then answer the questions. • Where is this building and who designed it? • Which architectural period does it belong to? What are the characteristics

of this architectural period?

• What kind of artwork does it house? • What characterises this historical period? • Which famous literary authors belonging to this period have you studied?

AUTHENTIC TASK

MEDIATING CONCEPTS

a photographic exhibition 1 Work in small groups. You are going to organise a

photographic exhibition in your school to show your town’s/ area’s architectural sights.

2 Make a list of the most important buildings in your town/area.

Consider any historical epoch and/or industrial architecture too.

3 Take pictures of the buildings. 4 Decide how to classify your photos (e.g. historical period,

style, function, etc.) and write a short caption for each photo, adding dates and architects’ names whenever possible.

5 Show your photos in class and select the best ones for the

exhibition.

6 Organise the best vernissage ever!

Show roftfalent! you

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COMPETENZE CHIAVE •  competenza multilinguistica •  competenza digitale competenza personale, sociale e capacità di •  imparare a imparare •  competenza in materia di cittadinanza •  competenza imprenditoriale

21ST-CENTURY LIFE SKILLS •  senso critico •  creatività

•  decision making •  comunicazione efficace

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CONTEMPORARY TRENDS

Beijing National Stadium, China

OBJECTIVES MILESTONES in ARCHITECTURE ∞

ON-SITE VIDEO ∞ The Getty Museum

Contemporary masters

BUILDING VOCABULARY ∞

Contemporary architecture

FOCUS on INVALSI ∞

Zaha Hadid ∞ The BMW plant

REVISION ∞

Contemporary architecture AUTHENTIC TASK: How to organise an event

Watch the video. Where and when was the Getty Museum built? What main material was used and where did it come from? Which architect designed it and what characterises his style? Now read the texts on pages 274-275 and check.

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CONTEMPORARY MASTERS

Heydar Aliyev Center, Azerbaijan

Warm up

1 Have you

ever heard of the American architect Richard Meier? Surf the Net and find out what he is most famous for.

glazed vetrata enclosure struttura che racchiude shallow basso waxed cerato skylights lucernari

Richard Meier Richard Meier is an American architect who was born in 1934. He studied at Cornell University and then spent a period travelling in Europe where he met Le Corbusier, the architect he admired the most. He returned to the USA and worked for several famous architectural firms, before opening his own practice in New York in 1963. His works have been particularly influenced by Le Corbusier’s ideas, many of which were expanded by him, but other architects such as Mies Van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright and Luis Barragán have also affected his style. His rationalist buildings are famous for the use of the colour white; he became part of a group called The New York Five, a group of five architects who were interested in a purist form of architecture. His most famous design is perhaps the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Meier’s projects can be seen all over the world and he has been awarded a great number of prizes.

The Ara Pacis Museum is situated on the banks of the river Tiber in Rome and houses the Ara Pacis, a sacrificial altar erected as a symbol of Roman peace, which was consecrated in 9 BC. This new cover building was designed by Richard Meier and was inaugurated in 2006. It is a long, single-storey glazed loggia and replaces the previous enclosure, which was in ruins. The new structure has all the features of Meier’s design, in particular his expansive use of glass. The glass loggia stands above a shallow podium and provides a transparent wall between the river Tiber and the circular perimeter of the mausoleum of Augustus, built about 28 BC. The building consists of an asymmetrical entry hall with seven reinforced concrete columns finished with white waxed marble plaster, which leads to the rigorously symmetrical main hall, where the Ara Pacis is located. Natural lighting is maximised by skylights in the roof supported by four columns. Apart from protecting the ancient altar, this structure is also used for temporary exhibitions, and also contains a state-of-the-art digital library of Augustan culture. The outdoor roof terrace makes the building easily accessible and offers splendid views of the Tiber River and the Mausoleum of Augustus.

reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the texts on these pages and complete the following sentences.

1 The architect Richard Meier first _____________________ the most was Le Corbusier. 2 Meier’s buildings are famous for his use of the colour _____________________. 3 The ‘New York Five’ were interested in a _____________________ form of architecture. 4 The Ara Pacis Museum is a _____________________ building for a sacrificial altar as well as an exhibition centre. 5 The Jubilee Church provides a social and cultural focus _____________________ for the residents of Tor Tre Teste. 6 The church building is made up of three large _____________________ precast concrete walls. 7 The Xin-Yi Residential Tower in Taipei is an example of _____________________ development. 8 The tower has immediately become a _____________________ for the city.

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milestones in architecture  /  Contemporary Trends The Jubilee Church (opened in 2003) is a church and a community centre located in the suburbs of Rome. A work of contemporary architecture, it was conceived as a centre to revitalise an isolated quarter of Rome. It was built as part of the Archdiocese of Rome’s millennium project and is the fiftieth new church and community centre to be constructed in the suburbs of Rome, this time in an area called Tor Tre Teste. It provides a rather isolated housing quarter of Rome with a new centre designed to strengthen the residential fabric of the community. It is located at the centre of the housing scheme and provides a social and cultural focus point for over 8,000 residents. It sits on a flat triangular site and the project features concrete, stucco, travertine and glass and is divided into four parts: the precinct with the church and the community centre connected by a four-storey atrium, a terrace to the north-east, a recreation area to the north-west and a car park to the west. The actual church building consists of three large curved walls on the south side made of precast concrete. These dramatic concrete walls or shells look like gliding white sails and form segments of spheres, with recessed thresholds in between, allowing access to the church and baptistery. The sagrato is an open square surrounded by grass with benches and trees. Inside the church, the floor, altar and priest’s chair are all made of stone, while only the pews are made of wood. Natural light enters the entire length of the building through the translucent clear glass roof and at night, the light that emanates from within animates the landscape.

precast concrete componenti prefabbricati di calcestruzzo gliding plananti sails vele thresholds soglie benches panchine pews panche di chiesa

In 2019, Richard Meier and Partners completed the Xin-Yi Residential Tower in Taipei, one of Asia’s key cultural and economic centres. This luxury, 31-storey residential tower is an example of sustainable development that has the welfare of the community at heart. The tower has many of the features related to Richard Meier and Partners’ architectural design including an elegant shaft rising from a transparent base, well-proportioned interiors and a bright white exterior that shines in the Taipei sun. The tower, which immediately became a landmark for the city, is composed of a transparent, luminous part to the south with living and social spaces, which merges invisibly with the solid north part that has the core service of the residences. The building’s roof is a communal space with a swimming pool and a roof deck offering spectacular views of the city. The building itself is surrounded by greenery that features sculptures by international artists and is freely accessible to the general public. www.richardmeier.com

reading comprehension

3 Which text says...? Put a tick (✓) in the correct column. Ara Pacis Museum Jubilee Church

Xin-Yi Tower

1 The building serves to protect an ancient monument. 2 Glass is a main feature of the construction. 3 It is a reference point for the community. 4 It is also used for exhibitions. 5 Natural light plays an important role in the design. 6 The construction has just one floor. 7 The building has roof-top facilities.

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 Look at the

photographs A-C. Match the buildings to the correct names. 1

2 3

Lloyd’s Building   Pompidou Centre   Millennium Dome

ducts condotti staircases scalinate shafts vani dell'ascensore lavish sontuoso, lussuoso strive si sforzano di household domestici

More about The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, is another design by Richard Rogers. Completed in 1995, it is made almost entirely of glass which reflects the ‘openness’ of the court to the citizens of the EU. As with many of Rogers’ designs, the building relies very much on natural light.

A

Richard Rogers Richard Rogers was born in Florence in 1933 of Anglo-Italian parents. He is one of the most significant British architects of our time and the winner of a great number of prizes and awards. He studied in London and got a post-graduate degree from Yale School of Architecture, where he met a fellow British student, Norman Foster. In 1963 they set up a successful practice called Team 4 (their respective wives were also part of the practice). By 1967 this partnership had dissolved, but Rogers continued developing his ideas of prefabrication, structural simplicity and energy-efficient buildings, which are typical of his modernist and functionalist designs. In 1971 Rogers started a partnership with Italian architect Renzo Piano. In that same year, along with Irish engineer Peter Rice, they won the design competition for the Pompidou Centre in Paris. This project made him world-famous and Roger’s characteristic high-tech styling can be seen: water, heating and ventilation ducts and stairs, typical elements of the interior, are exposed in a new inside-out style. The same controversial style, taken to the extremes, was used for his Lloyd’s Building in London, where staircases and lift towers are situated in towers and shafts on the exterior.

B

C

CN Tower

After completing the Lloyd’s Building, Rogers started working both on individual buildings and on master planning. He has dedicated most of his later career to matters close to architecture, urbanism, sustainability and the ways in which cities and people interact. One of his most controversial works is the Millennium Dome. Completed in 1999, it gave rise to great political and public debate because of its high cost and the contents of the exhibition it housed. Tower 3 World Trade Center was built by the architectural firm, Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners, as part of the reconstruction project of the World Trade Center in New York that was destroyed during the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. Construction of the 80-storey tower was completed in 2018. It has a concrete core, a perimeter steel structure and glass façade. Rogers’ designs are lavish and enthusiastic but also strive to meet the aims of their users and the changing needs of society.

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milestones in architecture  /  Contemporary Trends More about High-tech architecture (also called Late Modernism or Structural Expressionism) is an architectural style, started in the 1970s, which incorporates elements of high-tech industry and technology into building design. It was a kind of rebellious attitude, whose aim was to show the technical elements of the building by externalising them. In this way, the technical aspects create the building’s æsthetics. The most important representatives of this style include the British architects Norman Foster, Richard Rogers and the Italian Renzo Piano. The aim of these architects was to create an industrial æsthetic style so former industrial appliances were used as household objects for the interior of the building and former industrial spaces were also converted into residential spaces.

Nemo Museum, Amsterdam

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts on these pages and match the two parts of the sentences. a

b c d e

exposed structure with typical interior elements appearing on the exterior.   has been concerned with the city and changing needs of society.   the Yale School of Architecture.   the Pompidou Centre in Paris.   modernist and functionalist.

1 Where was Rogers born? 2 What was Team 4? 3 Name three typical features of Rogers’ designs.

4 The Pompidou Centre used high-tech styling. In what other building did Rogers use this style? 5 Why was the Millennium Dome project controversial?

1 2 3 4

Richard Rogers met Norman Foster at Rogers’ style of architecture is His most famous work is The Pompidou’s high-tech styling was characterised by its 5 During the later part of his career Rogers

3 Now answer the following questions.

vocabulary

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the text.

1 pratica _________________ 2 ad alta efficienza energetica _________________ 3 riscaldamento _________________

4 discutibile 5 ascensore 6 fabbisogni

_________________ _________________ _________________

video comprehension

5 Watch the video about the Millennium Dome and complete the sentences. 1 Richard Rogers is famous for his highly-functional ____________ design. 2 The dome of this building is made of very ____________ material. 3 The twelve supports represent the twelve ____________ of the year and the hours on a clock face. 4 Time is also represented in the ____________ of the dome itself. 5 The height of the centre of the dome represents the number of ____________ in a year. 6 In the original plans, the dome was much ____________.

exam practice – speaking

6

ES MEDIATING TEXTS   Prepare a short oral presentation (3-5 minutes) in which you explain the characteristics of high-tech architecture and its main objectives, mentioning also how Richard Rogers’ works are perfect examples of this philosophy.

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 Which of

Norman Foster

Norman Foster is one of the most innovative British architects of our time. Born in 1935 into a working-class family, from a very Millau Viaduct young age he was interested in design and engineering. While he was working in an office at the Manchester Town Hall, a boring job he did not like, a treasurer clerk noticed that he spent his free time sketching buildings. a   New Thanks to this, Foster started working at a local architects office and later studied Wembley architecture at the University of Manchester School of Architecture and City Planning. Stadium In 1967 he founded Foster & Partners, which is today an international design practice b   Canary Wharf with a young and cosmopolitan team. Between 1968 and 1983 he had a long-lasting c   Centre partnership with American architect, Richard Buckminster Fuller. Their projects Point were mainly focused on the development of environmentally sensitive approaches to Scan the text design. Their first successful work was the Willis Building in Ipswich (1975) which was to check your inspired by the Art Deco (for more information, turn to page 256) Daily Express Building answer. in Manchester. As their client wanted to bring back a sense of community into the workplace, Foster’s innovative idea was to design open-plan office floors, roof gardens, a swimming pool and a gym for the employees. From that moment his name was treasurer clerk associated with the design of office buildings. tesoriere In the 1990s, he was asked to design a development to replace the Baltic Exchange in iconic iconico, London. He planned a 385 m high skyscraper called the ‘London Millennium Tower’, figurativo but it was considered too high, so instead he designed 30 St Mary Axe (known today as ‘The Gherkin’) that included several sustainable energy ideas. Other More about famous works include the Millau Viaduct in southern France, which is The United Arab Emirates pavilion at the 2015 the tallest bridge in the world, and the iconic New Wembley Stadium in Milan Expo was designed by Foster and his London. Foster has won numerous awards and his latest projects deal partners and represented the desert landscape with innovative, sustainable buildings in inhospitable and unstable parts and planning traditions of the Emirates. of the world. these London buildings was designed by Foster?

reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text again and complete the sentences below.

1 Foster was already interested in ____________ and engineering as a child. 2 With Richard Buckminster Fuller, he focused on developing environmentally sensitive ____________ to design. 3 The design of the Willis Building provided its employees with a ____________ that brought back a sense of community. 4 The design of ‘The Gherkin’ included several sustainable ____________ideas. 5 The Millau Viaduct is located in ____________ France.

3 Read the following sentences and match them to the correct works by Foster on page 279. 1 Its unusual design means that people can recognise it from afar. 2 It had problems after it was built and had to be closed for some time. 3 In this project, Foster converted already available space to improve circulation within the building. 4 It is a popular venue for sport and entertainment. 5 It consumes much less energy than another building of its size.

__________ __________ __________ __________ __________

vocabulary

4 Find the synonyms of these words in the text. 1 drawing 2 concentrated

278

_____________ _____________

3 forward looking _____________ 4 tall building _____________

5 prizes 6 precarious

_____________ _____________

milestones in architecture  /  Contemporary Trends Famous works by Norman Foster The British Museum has seen a massive increase in visitors over the last few years, which was causing problems for the public moving from one gallery to the other. This has now been solved by covering its smaller court, which was previously used only for storage, to create a central space leading directly into the galleries on each side. Foster has covered this space between the four sides of the court with a glass roof shaped like the top half of a doughnut, only this doughnut is square around the outside but with the traditional circular hole in the middle. The structural glazing is covered on the outside with green ceramic dots to limit the amount of sunlight entering the court. 30 St Mary Axe (commonly known as The Gherkin) is a commercial skyscraper in London’s financial district. It is 180 m high with 41 storeys, and was opened in December 2003. It is immediately recognisable, even at a distance, due to its particular design. The construction has a triangulated perimeter and a curved glass lens-shaped cap at the very top. This is actually the only piece of curved glass on the building even if to the naked eye the overall shape looks as if it is entirely made of curved glass. The building was constructed with energy-saving criteria, which means it consumes half the power that a similar building would normally use up.

The Millennium Bridge, a steel suspension bridge for pedestrians that crosses the River Thames in London, was opened for the first time in June 2000. However, the bridge was swaying too much and had to be closed for two years to reduce this unwanted motion; it was finally opened again in 2002. The bridge has two river piers and is made of three main sections. The aluminum deck is 4 m wide and there are eight suspension cables. Wembley Stadium is a football stadium in London, which hosts major football matches, both at national and international level. The original Wembley Stadium dating back to 1923, was demolished from 20022003. This new stadium was opened in 2007. It is the second-largest stadium in Europe and can hold 90,000 seated supporters. Its design includes a partially retractable roof and the 134-metre-high Wembley Arch. Apart from football matches, the stadium doughnut ciambella is also used for live concerts. was swaying oscillava deck ponte

video comprehension

5 Watch the video of the Millau Viaduct and answer the following questions. 1 What kind of bridge is the Millau Viaduct? 2 What is it used for? 3 What impression do you get looking at the bridge even if it’s very strong? 4 How long does it take to get from one side of the bridge to the other? 5 How long did it take to build? 6 What are the beams and towers made of?

exam practice – speaking

6

ES

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Talk to your partner about the various constructions designed by

Norman Foster, describing which one you prefer and why.

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milestones in architecture scrap di scarto hardware shop negozio di ferramenta

Frank Gehry

Frank Gehry is a Canadian prize-winning contemporary architect who was born in 1929. As a child he was very creative and enjoyed making model towns using small scrap pieces of wood from his grandfather’s hardware shop. In 1947 he moved to California Deconstructivism and studied at the University of Southern California’s School of Architecture and later at began in the late Harvard Graduate School of Design. 1950s and some of Gehry’s style is called Deconstructivism* and, unlike Modernism, it goes against social its main features are goals and functional necessity. Some experts have criticised his works because his fragmentation and buildings waste structural resources by creating functionless forms and do not seem to manipulation of a belong to their surroundings. However, his buildings, including his residence in Santa structure's surface Monica, have become very famous tourist attractions. to create a sense These abstract and imaginative structures are often regarded as the most important of distortion and dislocation. Therefore, works in contemporary architecture and Gehry himself is considered a great celebrity in buildings constructed the architectural field. His most famous works are the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao along these lines have (1997), the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles (2003) and the Vitra Design Museum an unpredictable in Germany (1990), to name but a few. appearance and a kind Apart from being an architect, he has also been a professor of of controlled chaos. Architecture at Colombia University and the Yale School of Architecture. He is famous for designing furniture, jewellery, sculptures and household items, many of which are inspired by the image of fish, and for innovating architectural software. Regardless of whether one likes or dislikes his buildings, they are sure to provoke a response from any viewer. He is still very active in the world of architecture and one ongoing project is The tower for the Luma Arles complex, an arts centre in the south of France. This twisting, angular, aluminium-clad tower will house research facilities, workshops and Gehry’s house, Santa Monica, California studios. It is scheduled to open in 2020. A famous architect’s career: Frank Gehry

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao Vitra Design Museum, Germany

More about The Dancing House in Prague, Czech Republic, is a fine example of Deconstructivism because of its very non-traditonal design. It was designed by the Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry in 1992 and completed in 1996. At the start, Gehry called the house ‘Fred and Ginger’ after the famous dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers because the house looks like a pair of dancers.

280

milestones in architecture  /  Contemporary Trends reading comprehension

1 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 What do you know about Gehry’s childhood? 2 What can you say about his style? 3 Why has his style been criticised?

4 Name two of Gehry’s works. 5 Apart from being an architect, what else is Gehry famous for?

listening

2

3.14   Listen to an expert talking about some of Frank Gehry’s works and complete the text with the missing

words.

The Richard B. Fisher Center is considered by many to be the best small (1) _____________ hall in the United States. It opened in 2003 and was designed by Frank Gehry of course. The centre has two (2) _____________ and four rehearsal studios for dance, drama and music. The Fisher Centre is (3) _____________ fuel free, thanks to the heat and air conditioning systems powered by geothermal facilities.

The next building I’d like to talk about is the Ray and Maria Stata Center or Building 32, an (4) __________ complex that Gehry designed for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The building was opened in 2004 and is often called the ‘Stata Center’. It is a fine example of Deconstructivist architecture with the building splitting into two distinct (5) __________ from the fourth floor up. The building is a very unusual shape with (6) __________ at strange angles and curved walls that collide with each other. Various kinds of materials have been used like brick, mirror-surface steel, aluminum, bright (7) __________ and corrugated metal, and they all look as if they have been put together by chance. This is the exact effect Gehry wished to achieve. It expresses the (8) __________, daring, and creativity of the research that goes on inside the ‘Stata’.

Last but not least for today, is the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Again, this was designed by Gehry, and opened in 2003. The construction cost of the final project was well over the original estimated budget and there were many delays during construction due to lack of (9) _____________. In an attempt to cut costs, the original (10) _____________ exterior design was replaced with a cheaper stainless steel skin. The interior of the building is designed in such a way that the acoustics are brilliant, with the ceiling and wall panels finished in fir wood and an oak wood flooring.

video comprehension

3 Watch the video about The Guggenheim Museum and complete the following sentences. 1 Two distinctive features of the Guggenheim Museum are its titanium ____________ and glass atrium. 2 By using special software, Gehry created unique ____________ to exhibit art. 3 The materials used by Gehry include limestone, ____________ and titanium. 4 The passageways are ____________ and the walkway is curved. 5 Looking down on the building, its exterior resembles a ____________. 6 A rippling effect is achieved by the slight dent in the titanium ____________. 7 Some of the nineteen galleries are finished in ____________.

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milestones in architecture Warm up

1 What do you

know about Renzo Piano? Have you ever seen any of the buildings he has designed? If so, where? What do you think of them?

tangle groviglio sparkle scintilla

More about All of his family members (his grandfather, father, four uncles and brother) were builders, but Renzo chose instead to become an architect.

Renzo Piano Renzo Piano, born in Genoa in 1937, is a famous Italian architect all over the world. His first major successful project was the Italian Industry Pavilion Pompidou Centre at Expo ’70 in Osaka, which attracted the attention of British architect, Richard Rogers. The two of them started working together and designed the new Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris that was opened in 1977. At first, this structure received a lot of criticism for its tangle of brightly coloured pipes, but it is now considered as a great achievement both from a technical and conceptual point of view, making this museum, dedicated to figurative arts, music, industrial design and literature, a popular place of social and cultural exchange within the heart of the city. This six-storey building with its flexible interior and visible technology of construction grids, bright coloured utility elements and transparent pipes gave a sparkle to high-tech styling of the 1970s. In 1999, Renzo Piano expanded the library and the exhibition place and reorganised public spaces to cope with the popularity of the museum. The De Menil Collection in Houston, Texas, is another of his projects that can be compared to the Pompidou Centre. This museum houses over 10,000 works of primitive and modern art and the main features of its design are its simplicity and flexibility, which immediately won it instant praise as a model of functional modesty. In 2009, Renzo Piano began his project to build The Shard, a 95-storey skyscraper in London. This energy efficient, pyramidal tower covered in glass was opened in 2012. Piano adopted a sophisticated use of glazing with glass panes, which with the reflection of the sun and the sky, makes the building seem as if it changes shape according to the weather and seasons. Over the years, Piano has designed over 40 world-famous projects, including museums, galleries, churches, music parks, institutes and national centres, shopping centre and airports. His latest project is the design of a minimalist white beam bridge in Genoa to replace the Morandi motorway Bridge that collapsed in August 2018, killing 43 people. Piano says that the new steel bridge will be safe and durable.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 What was Renzo Piano’s first important commission? 2 Who did he work with on the design of the Pompidou Centre? 3 What makes the Pompidou Centre an example of high-tech styling? 4 What aspects of the design of the De Menil Collection museum make it a model of functional modesty? 5 How did Piano achieve the effect of the Shard changing shape? 6 What kind of bridge has Piano designed to replace the Morandi Bridge with?

video comprehension

3 Watch the video about the Shard and complete the sentences below with the missing information. 1 The Shard is another name for the London ____________ Tower. 2 Most people call it ‘The Shard’ because it looks like a piece of ____________ stabbing the sky. 3 It has an internal ____________ column at its centre. 4 ____________ are situated on the 31st, 32nd and 33rd floors. 5 There are ____________ apartments. 6 From above, the train lines below look like a huge plate of ____________. 7 At the very top of the building, there is a ____________.

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Herzog & de Meuron The Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron have been finding inventive architectural solutions for a diverse range of projects for over twenty years. One of their most famous commissions is the conversion of London’s Bankside electric power station into the Tate Modern, an architectural masterpiece. This project demonstrates their ability to transform ordinary shapes, materials and surfaces through new treatments and techniques. The Tate Modern, part of the Tate Gallery, the largest contemporary art museum in the world, was opened in May 2000. Another important project by this Swiss team of architects is the Allianz Arena Stadium in Munich, Germany, that was completed in 2005 and perfectly combines building design and functionality. It has a light cover in EFTE cushions (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) a plastic polymer related to Teflon, much lighter than glass, 100% recyclable, durable and highly transparent. The cover is the same for the façade and the roofing, giving the impression that the building is a single unit. The cushions look like the synthetic leather of a football and the pattern of the Bavarian flag and they can be lit from the inside with LED lighting with the colours of the two local football clubs. There are three tiers of seating inside, as close to the pitch as possible, and the whole building has stairways all the way round, creating the effect of a floating structure. As is usual in the works of Herzog and de Meuron, much thought was given to the design of the exterior. A series of paths leading up to the stadium link it to a green-covered parking area, creating the effect of a huge park with natural trails that blend perfectly with the surrounding landscape. More recently, in 2019, the partners designed the new Hilton Conrad Hotel in Washington D. C. In this project, they created a spectacular monolithic structure with a mirrored façade.

tiers livelli pitch campo

The masters Jaques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron were born in Basel, Switzerland, in 1950. They have known each other since they were in kindergarten, and have followed parallel careers over the years. Their partnership started in Basel in 1978, and it now comprises more than 120 people worldwide with offices in London, Munich and San Francisco. The team has a wide range of projects under way, for both public facilities and private buildings. They have been awarded several prizes, including the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2001 and the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize in 2014.

reading comprehension

1 Read the texts and complete the sentences below. 1 The two Swiss architects have worked together on various projects for ____________ than two decades. 2 The Tate Modern ____________ to be an electric power station in London. 3 The Tate Modern is a fine example of how these architects use innovative ____________ and techniques to create their transformations. 4 The Allianz Arena is a perfect ____________ of building design and functionality.

5 The stadium looks like a single unit, thanks to the EFTE ____________ that make up the cover for the façade and roof. 6 The stairways all around give the impression that the building is ____________. 7 Careful design of the exterior means that it ____________ in perfectly with the surrounding landscape. 8 Their latest project to be completed is a ____________in the USA.

listening

2

3.15 FIRST   Listen to this extract about the Chinese National Stadium in Beijing. Then complete the sentences with the missing words.

1 2 3 4 5 6

The stadium is located ___________ Beijing. The stadium was planned to live ___________ the Olympics Games. The name ‘Bird’s Nest’ was given by the ___________ themselves. From far away, the building seems a ___________ boat. From close up, the impression is of a more ___________ shape. The stadium was conceived as a new kind of urban and ___________.

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milestones in architecture

Daniel Libeskind Daniel Libeskind, a Polish-American architect, artist, professor and set designer was born in 1946; he is famous for his design of major cultural, commercial and residential projects around the world. His first major success was The Jewish Museum in Berlin, Germany (2001) but he has also worked in other countries like Ireland where he designed the Grand Canal Theatre project in Dublin that can seat an audience of 2,000 and is located in the cultural docklands area of the city. Perhaps he is best known for winning the competition to be the master plan architect for the reconstruction of the World Trade Center site in New York formerly referred to as ‘Ground Zero’ after the September 11 terrorist attacks destroyed the previous World Trade Center in 2001. Unlike usual procedure, it was not just a panel of experts who chose the winner, but also the normal man on the street and more significantly, the relatives of the victims of 9/11, so that everyone would feel actively involved in the reconstruction of Ground Zero. Therefore, Libeskind did not have an easy task ahead of him as the destruction of the Twin Towers had had a devastating effect on many people, so, here architecture would have to have a healing effect. His WTC (World Trade Center) Master Plan embodies the conceptual framework and technical foundations for the complex redevelopment of Ground Zero, defining the location of all elements on the site and building standards regarding height and size. His Master Plan also takes into consideration the relationship between the site and the surrounding city. The centerpiece of Libeskind’s design is the Freedom Tower, which he designed in collaboration with other architects. For Libeskind, it represents a spiritual peak for the city and aims at restoring its hope and optimism. It is a 104-storey skyscraper, completed in 2014, and is situated in the north-west corner of the site. Its spire reaches 1,776 feet, a reminder of when America gained its independence in 1776. Many other architects have collaborated in the design of other structures on the site, some of which have been completed, while others are still in the process of being built.

One World Trade Center spire pinnacolo

reading comprehension

1 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 Apart from being an architect, what else does Daniel Libeskind do? 2 How did he first become successful? 3 How big is the Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin, designed by Libeskind?

4 Which competition did he win? 5 What details does his Master Plan include? 6 What is special about the height of the Freedom Tower?

vocabulary

2 Find the synonyms of these words in the text. 1 process 2 committee 3 assignment

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

4 specifications 5 high point 6 home rule

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

writing – internet research

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Do some research on Libeskind’s works on the Internet and choose the one you like best. Then write a brief description of it referring to its shape, colour and the materials used. You may also wish to include the following information: • location; • construction date;

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• building reasons; • use.

milestones in architecture  /  Contemporary Trends

Stefano Boeri’s Vertical Forest

Warm up

As part of a redevelopment project in Milan, the Studio Boeri was asked to design a 1 What are the luxury residential complex. They planned two skyscrapers, one 85 m and the other 116 m advantages high, built with traditional materials (reinforced concrete and bricks), but with balconies of recovering acting as planters to hold trees, thus creating the first ‘Vertical Forest’. The Vertical Forest degraded urban has over 900 trees and many shrubs and floral plants. The façades covered with glass areas? panels intensify the green of the towers. The project, which represents a huge step for green architecture, was praised worldwide, planters vasi per fiori and won the Highrise Award in 2014. It has become a model for sustainable residential shrubs cespugli buildings, and is described by Boeri as being ‘a device for the environmental survival of dust polvere contemporary European cities’. The vegetation system helps produce humidity, absorbs sprawl espansione CO2 and dust particles, produces oxygen and creates a micro-climate full of several species of insects and birds, providing fresh air and improving The master the quality of living for its occupants. The plants also protect Stefano Boeri is professor of Urban Design at the the building from radiation and noise pollution. The project Polytechnic of Milan. He founded ‘multiplicity’, an also works as an ‘anti-sprawl’ strategy for the city, balancing international network for the study of contemporary the amount of trees taken away for urban development, with urban transformation. He is the founder of Boeri Studio increased biodiversity, without enlarging the city’s limits. and Stefano Boeri Architects, a Milan-based firm which The Vertical Forest provides a system of irrigation that filters operates in the field of contemporary architecture and and reuses the grey water produced by the building. In addition, urbanism improving or recovering areas, especially in a photovoltaic system on the roof provides energy to increase Europe. They are currently working on the urban project, the building’s self-sufficiency, while the vegetation integrates named ‘The Polcevera Park and The Red Circle’ in well with the public parks nearby. Since the Vertical Forest in Genoa which won the competition to rebuild the area Milan, the Studio Boeri has designed an experimental project in Genoa destroyed after the Morandi Bridge disaster for Cairo, Egypt. The Cairo Vertical Forest, consisting of three in 2018. The aim of their project is to transform this ‘cubes’, one hotel and two apartment blocks, each measuring devastated area into a territory of sustainable innovation that will give new life to the city of Genoa. Another project 30 m high and 30 m wide, will have 350 trees and over 14,000 is the first Vertical Forest in Albania and the Master Plan shrubs and perennials. These three new vertical forests will be for Tirana continues Boeri’s belief in ‘Urban Forestation’ to energy sufficient and will absorb 7 tons of CO2 in one year and help fight climate change. produce 8 tons of oxygen. www.stefanoboeriarchitetti.net/en/projects/

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 2 3 4

What is the Vertical Forest? Has the Vertical Forest won any awards? What advantages do the plants give? How does the project contribute to limiting the expansion of cities?

5 How does the project recuperate and produce energy? 6 What is the Cairo Vertical Forest? 7 How will this project help to reduce pollution?

vocabulary

3 Find the synonyms of these words in the text. 1 towers 2 prize

_____________ _____________

3 present-day _____________ 4 residents _____________

5 boundaries _____________ 6 autonomy _____________

exam practice – speaking

4

ES MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Can the æsthetics of a city improve the quality of life of its inhabitants? In pairs, discuss the question. Then present your ideas to the class.

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5 building vocabulary 1 CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE Write the expressions from the box under the photos. Rationalist Building  − Neo-Futurism − Deconstructivism −  Sustainable Postmodern architecture  −  High-tech architecture  −  Green architecture

1 _________________________________

2 _________________________________

3 _________________________________

4 _________________________________

5 _________________________________

6 _________________________________

2 ARCHITECTS AND THEIR MASTERPIECES Write the names of the architects from the box under the correct photo. Richard Meier  −  Richard Rogers  −  Norman Foster  −  Frank Gehry  −  Renzo Piano  −  Herzog and de Meuron

Millenium Dome

1 _________________________________ Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao

4 _________________________________

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De Menil Collection Houston

2 _________________________________ Getty Museum, Los Angeles

5 _________________________________

Millau Viaduct

3 _________________________________ Allianz Arena Stadium

6 _________________________________

building vocabulary  /  Contemporary Trends 3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Match each architect to the correct description.

1 Richard Meier 2 Richard Rogers 3 Norman Foster 4 Frank Gehry 5 Renzo Piano 6 Herzog and de Meuron 7 Daniel Libeskind 8 Stefano Boeri

a b c d e f g h

he won the competition for the construction of the Pompidou Centre he has designed a bridge to replace the Morandi motorway bridge in Genoa he won the master plan competition for the reconstruction of Ground Zero his buildings have an unpredictable appearance and a kind of controlled chaos a lot of thought is given to exterior design Le Corbusier influenced him the most he is associated with the design of open-plan office buildings plants protect his buildings from radiation and noise pollution

4 Complete the sentences below with the words from the box. simplicity  − peak − ongoing − beam − pyramidal − welfare − vegetation

1 Richard Meier creates buildings that have the ____________ of the community at heart. 2 Gehry is still very active in the world of architecture and has many ____________ projects. 3 The main design features of Renzo Piano’s De Menil Collection are ____________ and flexibility. 4 The Shard is a ____________ tower covered in glass. 5 Renzo Piano has designed a white ____________ bridge for Genoa. 6 For Libeskind, his Freedom Tower represents a spiritual ____________ for New York City. 7 The ____________ on Stefano Boeri’s Vertical Forest in Milan protects the building from radiation and noise pollution.

5 Underline the correct alternative to complete the sentences. 1 One of the features of Richard Meier’s buildings is an expensive / expansive use of glass. 2 Richard Rogers’s lavish designs strive to meet the aims of their users and the changing needs of society / industry. 3 Norman Foster adopts an environmentally sensitive / sensible approach to design in his projects. 4 Frank Gehry goes against social / sociable goals and functional necessity. 5 Herzog & de Meuron have the ability to transform / transfer ordinary shapes, materials and surfaces through new treatments and techniques. 6 Stefano Boeri uses traditional materials like reinforced concrete but includes planters / vases in his constructions.

ACTIVE GLOSSARY 6

MEDIATING TEXTS   Write the English equivalent of the following words.

1 vetrata __________________ 2 lucernari __________________ 3 soglie __________________ 4 componenti prefabbricati __________________ di calcestruzzo __________________ 5 condotti __________________ 6 scalinate __________________ 7 vani dell’ascensore __________________ 8 oscillare __________________

9 ponte 10 groviglio 11 livelli 12 campo da calcio 13 pinnacolo 14 vasi grandi per fiori 15 cespugli 16 espansione

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

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5 focus on invalsi

ZAHA

Heydar Aliyev Center, Baku, Azerbaijan

H A D I D (1950-2016) D Zaha Hadid was an Iraqi-born British architect, (0) ___, a prestigious award often called the Nobel Prize of architecture. She also won The Stirling Prize in 2010 and 2011. In 2012, she received the title of ‘Dame’ from Queen Elizabeth II for services to architecture, and in 2016, a month before her death, she became the first woman to be awarded the Royal Gold Medal for the Royal Institute of British Architects. Her architecture was based on in-depth research and ambitious experimentation, (1) ___ to the physical context and landscapes of her projects. These characteristics are evident in the MAXXI, the first national museum for contemporary art and architecture that opened in the outskirts of Rome in 2010, designed by her firm, Zaha Hadid Architects, (2) ___ organised by the Ministry of Cultural Assets and Activities. The MAXXI museum is located in an area formerly occupied by military barracks. Its fragmented geometry and curved walls match with the neo-classical façade, while (3) ___ creates an interesting dialogue with the classical heritage of the Flaminio neighbourhood. Its structure is composed of criss-crossing galleries that recall the movement of the complex circulation of the city. These aspects demonstrate Zaha Hadid’s dynamic vision of architecture (4) ___, while creating buildings that are coherent with their surroundings. In this project, movement was obtained through lines that overlap, creating a complex net of galleries (5)  ___, without following a single linear route. Hadid described this way of experiencing contemporary art as a ‘drift’

through the galleries. The fact that visitors enter the galleries at different points, gives them the opportunity to experience the lack of a single viewpoint as an element of contemporary art itself. The concrete walls are painted in light colours, (6) ___, and the building is covered with a glass ceiling, with concrete beams, which filter the natural light and function as elements to hang flexible exhibition dividers. The MAXXI Museum is just one of Hadid’s masterpieces. Other major works include the Guangzhou Opera House in China and the Riverside Museum in Scotland. Several of her buildings were still under construction at the time of her death, including Beijing Daxing International Airport and the Al Wakrah Stadium in Qatar, (7) ___. The terminal of Beijing Daxing International Airport, with its central hub and six curved spokes, looks like a starfish when seen from above and indeed has been given this nickname by the Chinese media. It is not easy to put Hadid’s architectural style into one specific category, (8) ___. However, her many works have been described by others as belonging to Deconstructivism and Neo-Futurism. She accepted the use of technology software that became popular during her time, (9) ___ and make models of the designs because she said she did not want to limit herself and her designs only to what the computer could do. During her career, she was praised and admired for her use of curves, (10) ___. Whatever people wish to call her style, Zaha Hadid always created, dynamic inventive hightech designs that shifted the geometry of buildings.

Phaeno Science Center, Wolfsburg, Germany

outskirts periferia barracks caserme criss-crossing a linee incrociate overlap si sovrappongono

drift girovagare hang appendere dividers divisori hub corpo centrale spokes bracci

focus on invalsi  /  Contemporary Trends reading comprehension

1 INVALSI   Read the text about the architect Zaha Hadid and her masterpieces. Parts of the text have been

removed. Choose the correct part (A-M) for each gap (1-10). There are two extra parts that you should not use. The first one (0) has been done for you. A

that was strictly related to movement

B

one of the venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

C

and she always took great care on concentrating

D ✔

the first woman to win the Pritzker prize (2004)

E

contrasted by black twisting suspended staircases

F

but she continued to draw her buildings by hand

G

after winning a competition for this project

H

giving architecture a new expressive identity

I

visitors can walk through

J

and she always paid special attention

K

on show to the public

L

and she herself claimed not to follow any one particular style or school

M

the ambitious and dynamic design

The Riverside Museum, Glasgow, Scotland

listening

2

3.16 INVALSI   Listen to an interview Zaha Hadid did about her project of the BMW Plant in Leipzig, Germany.

First you will have one minute to study the task below, then you will hear the recording twice. While listening, choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for questions 1-6. Only one answer is correct. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0 Zaha Hadid’s approach in this project... A is similar to the factory aesthetic of the 20th century. B follows the same type of approach used in the production of other cars. C ✔ aimed to reflect BMW’s different approach to production in the building itself. D is inspired by the production design of Ford cars. 1 The BMW Central Building... A is totally different from any of her other projects. B is about reducing space so people work closer. C is based on a complicated process of objectives. D is based on the idea of deriving space from a linear process. 2 The concept of space was explored... A using three-dimensional models. B using a system of two-dimensional lines to devise a three-dimensional space. C without the help of engineering skills. D by getting people to move through spaces. 3 Structure in her work... A is a simple armature to support an abstract diagram. B involves a lot of hard work by labourers. C means making buildings as high as possible. D means placing structural elements to achieve the best use of space.

4 In this project... A they developed spaces with almost no columns. B they collaborated with engineers to build columns. C they designed a new type of column to create more space. D engineers working on the structure took up too much space. 5 At BMW, the reporter asks... A if a choreographer worked on the project. B if the project can be considered in terms of choreography and context. C if the proper entrance to the building is the start of an entry sequence. D if she thinks the space from the street to the entrance is big enough. 6 Zaha Hadid says... A she has just finished studying urban organisation. B they still need to do years of training before knowing how to create space. C from the very start, they have been obsessed with diagramming context. D an investigation is currently being carried out on the use of space in the building.

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5 revision map your knowledge

1

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete the map about CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE with the words from the box. master  − neo-futurism − planters − open-plan − glass − techniques − chaos − high-tech

RATIONALIST BUILDING

GREEN ARCHITECTURE

Richard Meier – expansive use of 1  ____________ – Getty Museum, Ara Pacis Museum

2  __________________ ARCHITECTURE Richard Rogers – lavish, functional designs – Pompidou Centre, Millenium Dome

Stefano Boeri – urban forestation, 8  ____________ incorporated into structures – The Vertical Forest Milan and other countries, the Polcevera Park and the Red Circle – rebuilding Genoa

CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE

CONVERSION / RENOVATION / INNOVATION Herzog and de Meuron – use of new treatments and 7  ____________ to transform ordinary shapes, materials and surfaces – importance given to exterior of building, conversion of electric power station into Tate Modern, Allianz Arena Stadium

SUSTAINABLE POSTMODERN ARCHITECTURE

6  __________________ Renzo Piano – flexibility, functionality, sophisticated use of glazing – Pompidou Centre, De Menil Collection, The Shard, design of bridge to replace Morandi Bridge Genoa

Norman Foster – 3  ____________ office buildings – 30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin), Millau Viaduct, New Wembley Stadium DECONSTRUCTIVISM Frank Gehry – structures with unpredictable appearance and controlled 4  ____________ – Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Dancing House

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Daniel Libeskind – 5  ____________ plan architect for reconstruction of World Trade Center site – Freedom Tower, The Jewish Museum, Grand Canal Theatre

revision  /  Contemporary Trends revise your knowledge

2 Choose the correct option (A, B or C). 1 Richard Meier is famous for the use of ... in the design of his buildings A the colour white.  B plastic.  C  columns. 2 Richard Rogers... A set up a practice with Frank Gehry. B won the competition to reconstruct Ground Zero. C was born in Florence. 3 Norman Foster... A designed the Shard. B includes sustainable energy ideas in his designs. C has never designed any bridges. 4 Frank Gehry... A is American from California. B follows the theories of Modernism. C designs abstract and imaginative structures.

5 Renzo Piano... A comes from Genoa. B worked with Richard Meier in the 1970s. C designed the Allianz Arena Stadium. 6 Herzog and de Meuron... A converted an old power station into a stadium. B have known each other since high school. C have designed a stadium. 7 Stefano Boeri... A included three skyscrapers in his Vertical Forest in Milan. B designs projects that work as an anti-sprawl strategy for cities. C never makes use of traditional materials.

revise vocabulary

3 Complete the sentences about CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE with the words from the box. lighter  − daylight − precision − multinational − forms − computer-aided

1 Contemporary architects produce highly conceptual and expressive _________ and designs. 2 Nowadays these architects make use of very advanced technology to make taller, ____________ and stronger buildings. 3 New ____________ design techniques allow them to design and model structures in three dimensions. 4 Buildings can be constructed with much more speed and ____________than before. 5 Some contemporary skyscrapers have façades that shimmer or change colour according to the ____________. 6 Many contemporary projects are the work of ____________ agencies with their team of architects, engineers and designers working together all over the world.

reading comprehension

4 Read the text and answer the questions. Bjarke Ingels – BIG BIG is one of the most advanced studios in the world in their development of urban scenarios and horizons. It was founded in 2005 by Bjarke Bundgaard Ingels, a Danish architect, known for emphasising sustainable development in his projects. BIG has two offices, one in Copenhagen and the other in New York, where professionals from all over the world are brought together to work on the numerous projects the studio deals with worldwide. All these professionals of different nationalities share their visionary ideas and innovative theories about society and lifestyle, producing outstanding designs, which are enriched by their different cultural backgrounds. Each professional offers his expertise that ranges from architecture to design and from concept creation to engineering leading to an innovative perspective of our future cities. This vast amount of collective knowledge is further enhanced by exploring new disciplines connected to architecture and also through research, leading to the creation of projects that always consider society, economics and ecology as their key words.

1 Who started the studio called BIG? 2 What does this architect consider to be important in his projects? 3 Where do the professionals who work in the BIG offices come from? 4 What advantage is there for design in having a team of professionals like this? 5 What professional fields do these experts belong to? 6 What three points are always foremost in their minds when working on a project?

www.big.dk/#projects-leg LEGO House official video

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5

revision writing

5 Look at the picture below and complete the text about BIG’s second project, the EPIQ Tower, for Ecuador’s capital city with the words from the box.

interlocking  − fragmented − mixed-use − shade − inspired − commercial − greenery − historical

In 2019, the architecture firm BIG presented its project for its (1) ____________ EPIQ tower for Quito in Ecuador. The tower will have 24 storeys that will be used for residential and (2) ____________ purposes as well as offices in the city’s Parque la Carolina district. Its design has been (3) ____________ by details taken from the (4) ____________ centre of Quito. Indeed the 24-stroey EPIQ tower, that will be made up of two curved (5) ____________ blocks, will be covered in herringbone-patterned tiles matching the pavements of Quito. These varying tones of pinkish tiles, which will cover different portions of the (6) ____________ building, will also recall the Old City’s salmon pink buildings that date back to the 16th century. This use of colour will emphasise the different building blocks, which will each have their own (7) ____________ of red. The form of the tower will also be broken up by large pockets of (8) ____________ to blend with the large landscaped park it will face.

6

www.big.dk/#projects-alto2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Look for a photo and information on the Internet about BIG’s first project in Ecuador called

the IQON Tower then write a text about it similar to the one in exercise 5.

exam practice – speaking

7

ES   Look at the photo of the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, on page 280 and search on the Internet for information about this building. Then answer the following questions. • • • • •

Who designed this building? What kind of artwork does it house? Which architectural period does it belong to? What are the characteristics of this architectural period? Can you name any buildings in Italy or in other countries that are examples of this architectural style? Which famous literary authors belonging to this period have you studied?

AUTHENTIC TASK

MEDIATING CONCEPTS

how to organise an event 1 Work in small groups. You are going to organise a

fundraising event to restore or renovate a historical building.

2 Choose an important building in your area and gather

information to identify the necessary intervention.

3 Decide what fundraising event you want to organise (e.g. auction, dinner, concert, etc.). 4 Decide the time, place and minimum offer for the event

and write a text for the promotional material (e.g. brochure, radio or TV commercial, online ad, etc.). Include information about the importance of the building you want to restore and the benefits for the whole community. Don’t forget to add photos!

5 Print the promotional material and advertise the event.

Good luck!

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COMPETENZE CHIAVE •  competenza multilinguistica •  competenza digitale competenza personale, sociale e capacità di imparare •  a imparare •  competenza in materia di cittadinanza •  competenza imprenditoriale

21ST-CENTURY LIFE SKILLS •  senso critico •  creatività

•  decision making •  comunicazione efficace

BUILDING CAREERS

OBJECTIVES PROFESSIONALS in CONSTRUCTION

ON-SITE VIDEO ∞ Construction professionals

∞

Types of professional figures Operatives ∞ ∞ Surveyors ∞ Structural and civil engineers ∞ Architects ∞ Domestic energy assessors ∞ Coordinators for safety and health matters

EXAM PRACTICE and PCTO ∞

ercorsi per le competenze trasversali e per P l’orientamento (PCTO) ∞ Exam practice – PCTO report ∞ How to write a covering letter ∞ How to write a CV

Which professionals in construction do you already know? Could you describe their tasks briefly? Watch the video and read the texts in this section to check your answers and ideas.

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PROFESSIONALS IN CONSTRUCTION

Warm up

1 Do you know

the various jobs associated with the ‘construction trade’? Read the text and check.

skilled qualificato

More about Other construction trades include: heavy equipment operators, steel erectors, pipe fitters, bricklayers, steel fixers, carpenters, plasterers and painters.

Types of professional figures There are many different careers within the construction industry, and they often vary from country to country. The three main types of career are usually based on educational background as described below. Unskilled and semi-skilled: general site labourers, with few or no qualifications. •  Skilled: on-site managers who possess knowledge and experience in their profession. •  Technical and management: personnel with the highest educational qualifications, •  usually graduate degrees, trained to design, manage and give instructions regarding the construction process. Among the professionals working in construction, the most important are operatives, surveyors, structural and civil engineers and architects.

Operatives Construction operatives are ground workers and labourers who prepare the ground for building and the building materials to be used. They also remove materials and lay drains, pipes etc., using both hand and power tools. Building maintenance technicians carry out a great number of services on city buildings under the supervision of local authorities. For example, they repair or replace roofs, doors, windows, heaters, electrical, plumbing and closed water systems, maintain fire, life and safety systems, do maintenance work, etc.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text again and answer the following questions. 1 What does the type of job people do in construction usually depend on? 2 What skills do you need to be an on-site manager?

3 What does the training of management personnel prepare them for? 4 What do construction operatives use in their job? 5 What type of buildings do maintenance technicians work on?

listening

3

3.17   Listen to Lisa Hill talking about the lack of women on construction sites and decide if the statements

below are true (T) or false (F).

T F 1 As soon as she started working with her father, Lisa knew it would be her future career. 2 Her family has been in the construction business for years. 3 When she started working for her father, he treated her differently from other workers on the building site. 4 The 11% of women who work on construction sites all have office jobs. 5 Lisa gets annoyed about how people react when they hear what job she does. 6 Lisa thinks that the gender problem can be solved in the construction industry by encouraging young people to consider it as a valid career option.

294

Building Careers

Surveyors

Warm up

1 Talk to a partner

Surveyors can be divided into three categories.

and discuss the areas where you think surveyors work and what their tasks might be, then check the text to see if your ideas were right.

BUILDING SURVEYORS Field •  property and construction Responsibilities •  design and development of new buildings •  renovation and maintenance of old ones •  evaluation of properties Tasks •  preparation of specific documents and studies •  consultation with clients about building regulations •  designing projects and adapting them according to building regulations and project requirements

QUANTITY SURVEYORS Field •  construction projects Responsibilities •  supervision of costs of buildings and civil engineering projects for clients or contractors Tasks •  finding solutions to achieve the required standards and quality at the best price •  preparation of estimates of cost and contract documents •  adherence to statutory building regulations

LAND SURVEYORS Field •  area mapping Responsibilities •  measuring, collection and analysis of data including information about boundaries, buildings and both natural and man-made features •  assessment of land for redevelopment •  surveying of different areas like landfill sites, quarries and pipeline and distribution structures •  managing and monitoring projects Tasks •  taking measurements using sophisticated field equipment, like GPS, theodolites and aerial and ground scanners •  digital mapping •  finding solutions for practical planning and development problems •  using computer-aided design (CAD) and other IT software to interpret data •  providing advice to clients

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 What are building surveyors responsible for? 2 What do building surveyors have to take into consideration when designing a project? 3 Who do quantity surveyors work for? What are their main tasks? 4 What kind of equipment do land surveyors use in their job? 5 How do the qualifications necessary to become a surveyor differ between Italy and the UK?

quantity surveyor perito misuratore contractors appaltatori, imprenditori estimates stime, preventivi boundaries confini RICS

More about In the UK, you need to have a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accredited degree course to become a surveyor. A number of degrees are accepted like surveying, construction, civil or building engineering. This is followed by professional development training. If your degree course is not a RICS accredited one, it is necessary to do a postgraduate course in surveying. It is also possible to enter the profession via an apprenticeship.

Top tips for surveyors Develop good oral and written •  communication skills. Always be accurate in your •  calculations especially when using equipment. Develop the ability to identify •  problems and solve them quickly. Develop your IT skills and your ability •  to interpret 2D and 3D information. Learn to work independently and to •  make decisions.

295

professionals in construction Warm up

1 What is the

difference between a structural and a civil engineer? Try to guess, then read the texts and check your answer.

Bachelor laurea di primo livello chartered iscritto all’ordine

Civil engineers

Top tips for engineers Be creative but •  without forgetting the importance of safety. Learn to work well •  in a team. Develop your •  problem-solving skills. Pay attention to •  detail.

Structural and civil engineers There are two main types of engineers: structural and civil engineers.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

CIVIL ENGINEER

A structural engineer designs and ensures the structural soundness of buildings and structures. Key words for a structural engineer •  Funds and materials: these should be used in an efficient way. •  Mathematics and computers: these are used to design structures and calculate if buildings are sound. •  Simulations and solutions: they simulate possible, problematic situations, like high winds or earth movements and design solutions. •  Collaboration: they often work with architects. •  Advice: during construction, they examine work and give advice to contractors.

A civil engineer carries out engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of buildings and infrastructures. Key words for a civil engineer •  Sectors: they can work in design, building, research and teaching. •  Specialisations: there are various fields (e.g. construction, environmental and transportation engineering). •  Infrastructures: they design, build, repair and supervise the construction of infrastructures like buildings, bridges, roads, tunnels, airports, etc. •  Calculations: of labour costs and materials •  Duties: controlling and ensuring the completion of projects. •  Location: urban or rural setting.

Career path •  Consult university websites to understand entry requirements. •  Gain some work experience to help you decide if this is a suitable career for you. •  Subjects to study: mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry and computer science; usually Bachelor engineering degree programmes also include surveying, statistics, ethics, mechanics and design. •  Degree: usually a four-year BEng or BSc Bachelor degree followed by supervised work experience or a postgraduate engineering course (MEng/MSc) to specialise in one or more sub-disciplines. •  Certification: before being certified, some work experience is required plus fulfillment of exam requirements. After that, engineers are given the title of Professional Engineer (in the US, Canada and South Africa), Chartered Engineer (in most Commonwealth countries), Chartered Professional Engineer (in Australia and New Zealand) or European Engineer (in most of the European Union).

reading comprehension

2 Read the text again and answer the following questions. 1 What do structural engineers do? 2 What are the typical problems that a structural engineer’s work tries to avoid? 3 What do civil engineers do exactly? Where do they work? 4 What can you do if you are interested in different universities and you are not sure which to choose?

5 Why is it important to have some work experience before studying engineering? 6 Why can summer jobs be important for your career? 7 How long does a Bachelor degree usually last? 8 What happens before a civil engineer is certified?

speaking

3

FIRST

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs. Are you more interested in a career as a surveyor or an engineer?

Why? What are the main differences between these jobs? What are their advantages and disadvantages?

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Building Careers

Architects

Warm up

People who work in the field of architecture combine art and science to create a variety of new residential and commercial structures – or redesign existing structures – taking into account the style, safety and sustainability of a building in line with regulations and the client’s needs.

KEY WORDS FOR AN ARCHITECT Collaboration: working closely with clients to understand their objectives, budget and any specific requirements for the project before drafting plans; they also work with other professionals like engineers, urban planners, landscape architects, builders and interior designers. Data collection: before designing, architects may be required to produce data on the environmental impact of a project, its feasibility, cost analysis and a land-use study. Final construction plans: used by builders, architects must produce these plans that include details about plumbing, heating, electrical, ventilation and structural systems. Research and knowledge: when creating a plan, architects must take into consideration building codes, fire regulations, zoning laws, city ordinances and access for the disabled; research should be carried out on the proposed site to ensure that the design plan blends well with existing buildings. Tools and technology: architects must be able to use computer-aided drafting systems, building modelling and other relevant software. 3D models are often produced by hand using chipboard and foam. 3D printers are also used to produce prototypes of the design. Sectors: residential and a variety of commercial constructions such as office towers, shopping centres or even aquariums.

More about In the US, most architects do a five-year bachelor’s degree at an accredited technical college or university then three years of experience before they can take the Architect Registration Exam. Furthermore, in some states, to maintain their licence, architects have to continue doing courses, while in other states, they have to attend seminars, workshops and conferences. Employment opportunities for architects is expected to increase by 4% between 2016 and 2026. Those with a better chance of finding a job are architects who have a good knowledge of environmentally sustainable technology.

1 Discuss with a

partner what you think would be satisfying about working as an architect and compare your ideas.

feasibility fattibilità

Top tips for architects Develop excellent oral and written communication •  skills. Keep updated about building regulations and the •  latest energy-efficient products. Develop your software technology skills. •  Always take into consideration the environmental •  impact of your design. A famous architect’s career: Frank Gehry

reading comprehension

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the text and complete the following sentences.

1 Architects create a variety of new structures through a _____________ of art and science. 2 They need to be ____________ and use their technical skills when redesigning an existing building. 3 Architects not only have to liaison with clients but also with many other ____________ people involved in the project. 4 Data may be necessary to evaluate how big an impact the design may have on the ____________. 5 Final construction plans include information about various ____________ in the building. 6 The design of a structure must be ____________ to people with disabilities. 7 Chipboard and ____________ are used to make 3D models by hand.

writing

3

FIRST ONLINE INTERACTION   Write an email (140-190 words) to a friend explaining why you think he should choose to do architecture at university. You should think about your friend’s skills, job satisfaction and employment opportunities.

297

professionals in construction Warm up

1 Write a list of all

the appliances and equipment you have at home. Compare your list with a partner and decide which appliances you think consume the most energy.

thorough accurata

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a document included in the Deed of Sale and is also required when you rent or build a house. If a house is renovated a new EPC is issued that takes account of any improvements in energy performance. An EPC complies with several EU directives. The Italian EPC is called APE (Attestato di Prestazione Energetica).

Domestic energy assessors Domestic energy assessors (DEAs) evaluate the energy efficiency of domestic buildings like houses and flats and issue an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC*) according to their findings. They are legally responsible for their statements that contribute to producing the EPC.

KEY WORDS FOR DEAs Data collection: to compile an EPC, energy assessors have to collect data of the building from land registers, like the age of the building, its type, size, and the number of floors and rooms. Inspection: DEAs have to carry out a thorough inspection of the property in order to issue an accurate EPC. During inspection, the condition and materials of doors and windows are examined. Temperature: DEAs measure the external and internal temperature and also check the heating and hot water systems, including solar panels or collectors. Data to software: all information is uploaded onto a computer software program that calculates the Energy Performance Index and provides the EPC. Advice: DEAs give people practical advice on how to improve the energy performance rating, specifying the best performance that can be obtained. This is useful for house owners as these improvements not only save them money, but also increase the sale value of the property.

Top tips for DEAs You should have knowledge of building and •  construction, engineering science and technology and maths. Develop your analytical thinking skills. •  Make sure you can understand written English. •

Always remember to be thorough and pay •  attention to detail. Learn to use your initiative. •  Make sure you have basic IT skills. •  Develop your verbal communication skills. •

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. 1 All buildings on the property market must have an Energy Performance Certificate. 2 You don’t have to get an EPC after substantial property restoration. 3 The rules of energy certificates follow European directives. 4 Buyers are liable for the completeness and truthfulness of the certificates. 5 EPCs are provided only for energy-efficient properties. 6 Energy assessors explain efficiency ratings to land registers.

T F

vocabulary

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Find the English equivalents of these words in the text.

1 prestazione ________________ 2 adempie a ________________

3 dichiarazioni ________________ 4 catasti ________________

5 classificazione _______________ 6 valore _______________

writing

4

ONLINE INTERACTION   A company which organises training courses for the qualification of domestic energy assessors has asked you to write a brief description of the job (140-190 words) to insert in a website page.

298

Building Careers

Coordinators for safety and health matters Coordinators for safety and health matters are responsible for making sure that safety standards are respected at all times in the workplace and in particular on construction sites, which have many regulations to keep risks at an acceptable level. On the construction site, the coordinator for safety and health matters covers the preparation and execution stages of the project, drawing up a safety and coordination plan.

KEY WORDS FOR COORDINATORS FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH MATTERS Regular inspections: to ensure the working environment is safe without serious risks. Implementation of conditions: to protect workers during their tasks. Protective equipment: to ensure that workers use the required protective equipment. Training: to provide training for the workers. Problem-solving: suggesting strategies to solve problems that include investigating the cause of accidents. Collaboration: meetings and shared responsibility with the other parties of the safety programme, including owners, contractors, supervisors and workers, both self-employed and companies.

Warm up

1 What do you

think the main tasks of a coordinator for safety and health matters are?

drawing up redigendo

Top tips for coordinators for safety and health matters Make sure you know all legislations and procedures. •  You must have a good knowledge of potentially hazardous materials or practices. •  Develop your skills for writing policies and procedures for health and safety. •  Be familiar with data analysis and reporting statistics. •  Develop good organisational skills. •

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 What are coordinators for safety and health matters responsible for? 2 What do they do on a construction site? 3 Why should regular inspections be carried out? 4 Who do coordinators for safety and health matters collaborate with? 5 Why is it necessary to have good writing skills in this job?

vocabulary

3 Find the synonyms of these words or expressions in the text. 1 procedures 2 in charge of 3 rules 4 potentially dangerous situations

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

5 make certain 6 necessary 7 give 8 detailed plans

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

writing – internet research

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   Surf the Net and find out about the European Directives on the implementation of minimum safety and health requirements on work sites. Write a report (140-190 words) describing the preventive measures specified in the document.

5

MEDIATING TEXTS   In your FLIPBOOK. Revise all the professional figures in this section and complete the map.

299

EXAM PRACTICE AND PCTO

Warm up

1 Talk to a partner about what kind of work placement experience you think would be the most useful and interesting for your future career.

humble umile

Percorsi per le competenze trasversali e per l’orientamento (PCTO) PCTO, formally known as Alternanza Scuola-Lavoro, is a training experience organised by schools in contact with local businesses and studios in the private and public sector, as well as voluntary associations, where students can get an idea of what the real working world is like. It is part of the ‘lifelong learning strategy’ adopted by all European countries and also in other countries like the US and Australia. Students from Surveying schools can, for example, find work experience placements in architecture studios, surveying firms or building sites, or other firms involved in the construction industry. This is a great opportunity to discover what branch of surveying you are most interested in, which will help you to decide what other courses you may need to do in the future to reach your goal. Getting work experience while you are still a student will also be useful for your future career. Although many employers agree that qualifications are important, most of them also expect you to have some experience, which will make your CV stand out among those of many applicants when the time comes for you to apply for your first job.

Top tips for work experience placements Before starting, find out as much as you can about the firm you’ll •  work with. Have a clear idea of what you would like to learn from this experience. •  Never be late. •  Dress suitably and follow all safety regulations. •  Show you are eager and willing to learn by asking lots of questions. •  Offer to help as much as possible. •  Don’t rush away at the end of the day if everybody around you is •  still working. Don’t give the impression that you think you know it all – be •  humble and listen to advice.

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts and answer the following questions. 1 What is PCTO? Why is PCTO a useful experience for students? 2 Which countries adopt this lifelong learning strategy? 3 In what way is this kind of training experience important for your future career? 4 Why is it important to keep a diary while doing your training experience? 5 What does ‘don’t stay in your comfort zone’ mean?

300

Keep a diary during your work placement so you can add details •  to your CV and this will also help in writing your final report that counts as part of your oral exam. Accept responsibilities and new challenges whenever you can – •  don’t stay in your comfort zone. Always do the very best you can. •  Don’t be shy – if you have a good idea, share it with the people you •  are working with. At the end of your experience, ask for a reference and/or feedback. •  Remember to thank your employer for giving you this •  opportunity.

vocabulary

3 Complete the table with the words from the text. Noun

Verb

Adjective

volunteer

volunteer

(1) ____________

adoption

adopt

(2) ____________

use

use

(3) ____________

(4) ____________

qualify

qualified

(5) ____________

apply

applied

(6) ____________

impress

impressed

Building Careers

Exam practice – PCTO report Here below you can find an example of a report written by an Italian student who did a training experience with a company called SST – Soluzioni di Sviluppo del Territorio, in Padua. The format will help you to prepare a report on your own work placement experience. Indicare l’azienda/ente in cui sei stato inserito, accennare all’organizzazione in reparti e settori e parlare dell’accoglienza ricevuta.

Indicare le funzioni del reparto/settore in cui sei stato inserito, la sua organizzazione interna e le interrelazioni con altri.

For my training experience, I spent two weeks with a company called SST, Soluzioni di Sviluppo del Territorio, in Padua. On my first day, I was introduced to the team of surveyors. The room was full of people working on computers and talking together over designs laid out on tables. Everybody was very welcoming, and they immediately gave me my own desk and PC to work on. SST is a team of registered surveyors that deals with both large and small survey management projects. They offer their expertise and industry experience to developers, architects, town planners and engineers, giving advice on how to maximise the success of a project. I was assigned to the detail surveying department, that defines the location and heights of features of a site. This department is strictly connected to and works in cooperation with architects, designers and engineers who need to know the actual physical situation in terms of features and levels of the site in question before being able to design buildings and infrastructures. This department also carries out underground surveys and produces 2D and 3D models in order to provide a complete picture to give certainty in design. I was mainly involved in completing detail surveys that were carried out on site. Here they showed me how terrestrial 3D Laser Scanning works. Then, back at the office, I had the chance to discuss how all this information can be used by architects and engineers for their designs. I also worked on a construction site and had to mark out how close buildings were to their boundaries.

Specificare le competenze e le capacità richieste in ambito lavorativo.

My knowledge of Maths turned out to be really useful and here I had the chance to see how mathematical equations are applied to the real world. Pinpoint accuracy in this kind of job is essential and I collaborated in producing a report for professionals involved in a new renovation project. I noticed that everybody worked as part of a team to produce the survey management project, whose quality depends on the efficiency of everyone’s commitment. In my own small way, I believe I managed to do my job properly and I am happy that the people I worked with trusted that any data I produced was done correctly, maintaining the high level of accuracy necessary for this kind of work. This really made me feel as if I were part of the team.

Indicare strumenti, attrezzature etc. utilizzati e i rapporti con il tutor aziendale.

To do the job I was assigned, I mainly used a PC with the relevant software for calculating the data collected on site, and my brain of course! The fact that I was already familiar with some of the software programs helped me a lot. I was in constant contact with my tutor and could ask for any advice when necessary, which everyone, not only my tutor, was very willing to give me. I enjoyed this experience a lot. I had often asked myself what it would be like to work in a surveying company. After these days at SST, I feel I would like to find a job like this one in the future. Michele Gualtieri – IV C

pinpoint accuracy estrema accuratezza, massima precisione

Indicare il processo lavorativo dell’azienda/ente in cui sei stato inserito.

Specificare le mansioni svolte e gli aspetti professionali approfonditi.

Indicare cosa hai potuto rilevare rispetto alla tua capacità di svolgere i compiti che ti sono stati assegnati, all’autonomia nello svolgerli, alla tua capacità di lavorare in team. Dire cosa hai imparato su te stesso, se le tue aspettative sono state confermate o disattese e perché, stilare un bilancio finale dell’esperienza svolta.

301

exam practice and pcto reading comprehension

1 Read Aurora’s report and match each paragraph to the correct description from the box. My PCTO experience in an architectural studio 1

From February 6th to February 20th 2019, I had the opportunity to do my work experience at an architectural studio called Studio Architetti 101, situated in Verona. Four architects founded this studio a few years ago after having gained experience with other studios. They all have their own office, each with enormous windows to let as much light in as possible. Upon my arrival, I was immediately welcomed by my tutor, Roberto, one of the founders of the studio, who introduced me to the other three architects. They all made me feel perfectly comfortable and Roberto explained the tasks I would be given during my training experience.

2

My tutor gave me many tasks to do during my work placement and also provided me with practical knowledge, that you don’t normally find in the textbooks we have at school. This architectural studio mainly deals with renovation, which at first, may seem simpler to do than new constructions. However, actually it involves a lot of work like asking for numerous permits and special attention has to be paid to a long series of factors: the place where the apartment or house is located, buildings already built, foundations, year of construction and so on. One of the tasks I was given was to contact various offices asking for the required permits as well as creating files with all the relevant information about the site where the building to be renovated was situated. Metric calculations, technical reports and building practices are all part of the tasks that belong to the architect and I was given the opportunity to get experience in all of them.

3

The main competence I needed, which turned out to be really useful, was my knowledge of AutoCAD. During my work placement, I learned to use this program more efficiently and I also made use of the main office programs to create files on the computer about the renovation project.

4

I was also asked to do tasks onsite like taking the measurements of an apartment with the aid of the ‘laser’ (an instrument that measures and records the measurements of a wall). Then I had to calculate the square metres of plasterboard panels necessary to make a wall or a false ceiling. In these cases, I realised how important it is to be accurate and I was well aware of the responsibility that had been assigned to me. In addition, with the use of AutoCAD I made a plan of the building to be renovated. Then with the other architects, I compared the drawings indicating the current state of the apartment with other drawings with the proposed changes to be made. In this way, I was able to understand what had to be demolished and what had to be constructed. The next step was to create the electrical installation plan. In addition to this, I was also involved in designing a further plan for overcoming architectural barriers for people with disabilities.

5

I tried to do all the tasks assigned to me to the best of my ability and I am very grateful for the way that my tutor and the other architects explained everything so clearly, and then trusted me to work on my own. I had no difficulty in getting used to the work environment, because everybody immediately made me feel at ease and were always ready to help me if I needed them.

6

This work experience helped me to be more focused on what I do, and I learned that it is vital to be very careful in order to carry out tasks accurately. All the expectations that I had about the job were confirmed and I really enjoyed all the tasks that I was assigned. It was a very interesting experience and I would have liked to have been able to continue for longer, to further expand my knowledge and competences. Aurora Bernardi – IV G

A Further explain the assigned tasks and relative required competences. B Give information about the company and the welcome you received. C Indicate the required skills and competences. D Specify what you have learned from this experience and give a final evaluation. E Describe the tasks you were asked to carry out. F Describe the way you performed the assigned tasks, how you felt and your relationship with your colleagues and tutor.

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Building Careers

listening

2

3.18   Listen to a student talking about his PCTO training experience at the technical office of the Municipality

of Pietralunga and complete the text with the missing information.

The student did his training experience at the (1) _______________ of the town hall in Pietralunga. His tutor was a (2) _______________ and the two of them hit it off immediately. This office is responsible for helping citizens with anything involved with the (3) _______________ and issues many types of documents. One of the simplest tasks the student had to do was putting an (4) _______________ on projects, while more complex duties included gathering data for (5) _______________. This information then had to be uploaded onto a (6) _______________ that also included information about (7) _______________ procedures. He also had the chance of analysing an (8) _______________ certification. During his work placement experience he learnt many new notions and terms and improved his (9) _______________ and technical background. He was able to assist his tutor in a project to make a new (10) _______________ for the town hall. This project also included new (11) _______________ measures for the building. He was really (12) _______________ when his tutor showed his appreciation of the work he had done.

writing

3 Write a report on your work placement experience (140-190 words) describing where you worked, what you had to do and how useful you think this experience was.

exam practice – speaking

4

ES   Prepare a brief oral presentation (3-5 minutes) on your PCTO experience. You should include the following

points: • • • • •

description of workplace and what they do; description of tasks you were given to do; the support you received from your tutor; what skills you improved and acquired; your opinion of the usefulness of this kind of experience.

303

exam practice and pcto Warm up

1 Discuss the

following questions with a partner, then read the texts to check your ideas. • What is a

covering letter?

• Why are

covering letters important for people looking for jobs?

How to write a covering letter A covering letter, or letter of application, is basically a letter of introduction to a prospective employer for a specific job and accompanies your CV. This kind of letter gives you the opportunity to highlight what special qualities you have that would make you the most suitable candidate for the position in question. Writing an excellent covering letter is a way to make yourself stand out from all the other candidates. In a covering letter you can show your best points and add details that are not included in your CV. These details, of course, must be pertinent to the job you are applying for, so that they will catch the recruiter’s attention.

Rules for writing a covering letter

•  Write your address in the top right of the letter and the company’s address on the left. Begin with Dear Sir/Madam, if you don’t know the name of the person you are writing •

to. In this case, you must end your letter with Yours faithfully, and then your name underneath. If you know the name of the person, begin with Dear Mr/Ms and end your letter with Yours sincerely, before signing the letter. In the first paragraph, explain the purpose of your letter •  and refer to where you heard about the positon you wish to apply for. In the body of the letter, explain why you are the ideal •  candidate, highlighting your skills and experience. In the final paragraph refer to attachments like •  your CV or any relevant certificates.

Top tips for writing an effective covering letter Try and find out the name of the person who will read your letter, •  usually the recruiting manager, and address it directly to him or her. Write in a formal style. •  Your letter should be no more than a page long, so write in a clear, •  concise way. Say how you found out about the job (ex. advertisement on website) •  and why you are interested in applying.

Underline a few highly relevant skills or experiences you have •  strictly connected to the position you are applying for. Do NOT include the same information that is detailed •  in your CV. Say why you think you would be suitable for the job. •  Check that there are no typing, grammar or punctuation mistakes in •  your letter.

reading comprehension

2 Read the texts and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones. 1 A covering letter is sent separately from your CV to an employer. 2 A good covering letter can help an employer decide if you are the right candidate for the job. 3 Some details in your covering letter will be the same as the ones in your CV. 4 Skills or qualities referred to in a covering letter must be relevant to the position you are applying for. 5 Employers appreciate long letters with lots of details. 6 The covering letter should also state why you think you should be chosen for the job.

T F

vocabulary

3 Find the synonyms of the following words or expressions in the texts. 1 presentation __________________________ 2 go with __________________________ 3 focus attention on __________________________

304

4 appropriate 5 relevant 6 stressing

__________________________ __________________________ __________________________

Building Careers

4 Complete the following sentences from a covering letter with the words from the box. interested  − good − read − keen − enclose − experience − forward − apply − suitable enthusiastic  − knowledge

1 I __________ about your job advertisement on your company’s website. 2 I would like to ____________ for the position of intermediate architect at your head office in Bristol. 3 I already have ____________ in the preparation of construction documents and detailing. 4 I am very __________________ at using design and drafting software applications. 5 I feel I would be ____________ for this position as I have excellent written, communication and organisational skills. 6 I have an excellent __________________ of English and Chinese. 7 I am ____________ on facing new challenges. 8 I am ____________ about the idea of working in a team. 9 I am particularly ______________ in working in the field of renovation. 10 I ____________ my CV with details of my qualifications and work experience up to the present date. 11 I look ____________ to hearing from you.

5

3.19   Listen to an expert talking about what not to include in a covering letter and complete the text below

with the missing information.

As you well know, a covering letter is an important part of your job (1) ____________. However, if it is not written correctly and includes the wrong kind of information, it could do more harm than good. One of the major things to avoid is writing too much. Remember, recruiters receive thousands of applications so they won’t have time to read long (2) ____________ about yourself and your capabilities. A short, concise letter focusing on what you can offer your prospective employer will be much more (3) ____________ in getting you noticed. Therefore, do not include non-relevant information, personal information or anything else not (4) ____________ connected to the position you are applying for. What’s more, irrelevant information may obscure the qualifications that you possess, and a recruiter is likely to get bored and put your application (5) ____________ before finishing reading it. Another important aspect to remember is that your covering letter shows your ability as a writer and your (6) ____________ to detail, therefore, spelling mistakes should be avoided at all costs. Make sure you read your letter again before sending it away, or better still, get someone to check it for you – it’s always difficult to see your own (7) ____________. Remember that employers can check on your qualifications, so there’s no point in telling (8) ____________ to make your application sound better. You’ll be found out in the end, so make sure you always tell the truth about your (9) ____________ and work experience. One last tip: don’t talk about what (10) ____________ you’d expect if you were hired; that can be done at a later date during an interview.

6 Now write a covering letter in answer to this advertisement you saw in your local newspaper. Follow the rules given above and use the sentences in exercise 4 to help you.

305

exam practice and pcto Warm up

1 What

information do you think is important in a CV?

How to write a CV The CV (Curriculum Vitae), or rĂŠsumĂŠ (in American English), is a summary of the educational background, qualifications, training, work experience, personal skills and contact details of a candidate that is sent to a prospective employer along with a covering letter when applying for a job. It is very important because it makes the job finding procedure easier for those who are looking for a candidate and for job candidates themselves. Your success in finding a job may depend on how well you have written your CV. The information included in the various sections of the CV must be simple to read and attract the interest of the reader quickly. If you want to find a job within the European Union, you can use a standardised model called Europass CV, which has been designed to simplify recruitment among member countries of the European Union. CV templates can easily be found on Internet, and can be downloaded and filled in, or completed online in digital form. They include the following sections.

PERSONAL DETAILS: full name, professional title, email address, mobile phone number,

home address, nationality and date of birth. A photo can also be included here but it is not absolutely necessary.

driving licence patente

EDUCATION: write the name of the university, college or high school attended and the period of attendance, starting from the most recent. Include also the final mark of the highest qualification achieved. WORK EXPERIENCE: list the names of the companies you have worked for, the period of

employment and the positions held with any specific responsibilities, as well as any achievements reached. Begin with the most recent.

SKILLS: provide information about your knowledge of any foreign languages and computer programs, specifying any certificates in your possession with regard to these disciplines. Mention if you have attended any specific courses that are relevant for the position you are applying for. In addition to this, specify if you have a driving licence. In this section, you can also mention other personal qualities like excellent communication skills or the ability to work well in a team or any other personal skills that you think are pertinent to the job you are applying for. These will give employers an insight into your personality. INTERESTS: to be included only if they are relevant for the position you are applying for.

reading comprehension

2 Read the text and answer the following questions. 1 What is the purpose of a CV? 2 What kind of style should a CV be written in? 3 What order should the information regarding education be written in?

4 In which section should you state that you have a driving licence? 5 What kind of information can give employers an idea of what you are like?

vocabulary

3 Find the words in the text to complete the table below. Noun (1) ____________________ (2) ____________________ (3) ____________________

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Verb educate employ succeed

Adjective educational employed successful

Noun (4) ____________________ (5) ____________________ (6) ____________________

Verb recruit attend achieve

Adjective recruited attended achieved

Building Careers

4 Complete the following CV with the words and expressions from the box. desired employment  −  education and training  − qualification − skills −  B Eng  −  work experience

writing

5 Read this job ad and the information about Justin Garcia then write his CV and covering letter for the job advertised. You can use the CV in exercise 4 to help you.

Justin Garcia lives in Los Angeles. His address is 69 High Street, LA. His telephone number is 894-63217. His email is jgarcia@hotmail.com. He was born on 25 October 1988. He is American and married. He studied at the Los Angeles Architectural Institute from 2006 to 2009 and has a degree in architecture. He has an excellent knowledge of Vectorworks 2016 and is fluent in Spanish and French. He worked as a junior architect for Wilsons Architects from 2009 to 2011 and then with Ferguson & Partners from 2011. He has 4 years’ experience in high-end residential construction documents and detailing, strong design and graphic skills and excellent attention to detail. He is very enthusiastic about his job, but would like to improve his situation by working for a larger company with better career prospects.

6 Download a CV template from the Internet and fill in the form with your personal data and information about your education, skills and interests if relevant.

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L I L C

LITERATURE

Before you read

1 Put a tick (3) next

to the type of information you think you will find in the text. Then read the passage and check. 1

Information about the weather 2   Information about the time 3   Number of tremors 4   Crusoe’s feelings 5 Add something else you think you will be able to find: _______________ overthrown disfatto dreadful terribile crumbling sgretolarsi posts puntelli cracked spezzarono was falling in stava crollando ladder scala tossed sballottato

A famous earthquake in Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe Robinson Crusoe is an adventure book about a sailor who is shipwrecked and finds himself alone on a desert island, where he spends about 30 years. In the following text, Crusoe has just built a shelter but he risks losing everything because of an earthquake.

T

he very next day after this wall was finished I had almost had all my labour overthrown at once, and myself killed. The case was thus: as I was busy in the inside, behind my tent, just at the entrance into my cave, I was terribly frightened with a most dreadful, surprising thing indeed; for all of a sudden I found the earth come crumbling down from the roof of my cave, and from the edge of the hill over my head, and two of the posts I had set up in the cave cracked in a frightful manner. I was heartily scared: but thought nothing of what was really the cause, only thinking that the top of my cave was falling in, as some of it had done before; and for fear I should be buried in it, I ran forward to my ladder, and not thinking myself safe there neither, I got over my wall for fear of the pieces of the hill which I expected might roll down upon me. I had no sooner stepped down upon the firm ground, that I plainly saw it was a terrible earthquake, for the ground I stood on shook three times at about eight minutes’ distance, with three such shocks as would have overturned the strongest building that could be supposed to have stood on the earth; and a great piece of the top of a rock, which stood about half a mile from me, next the sea, fell down with such a terrible noise as I never heard in all my life. I perceived also that the very sea was put into a violent motion by it; and I believe the shocks were stronger under the water than on the island. I was so much amazed with the thing itself, (having never felt the like, nor discoursed with any one that had) that I was like one dead or stupefied; and the motion of the earth made my stomach sick, like one that was tossed at sea: but the noise of the falling of the rock awakened me, as it were; and rousing me from the stupefied condition I was in, filled me with horror; and I thought of nothing then but the hill falling upon my tent and all my household goods, and burying all at once; and this sunk my very soul within me a second time. After the third shock was over, and I felt no more for some time, I began to take courage; yet I had not heart enough to go over my wall again, for fear of being buried alive, but sat still upon the ground greatly cast down and disconsolate, not knowing what to do. All this while I had not the least serious religious thought; nothing but the common Lord have mercy upon me! and when it was over, that went away too. From Robinson Crusoe by D. Defoe

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clil  / Literature 2 Read the passage again and choose the correct option. 1 When the earthquake happens, Crusoe is… A working inside the cave. B climbing a ladder. C finishing a wall. 2 At the first shock… A the posts crack and the earth begins to fall from the top of the hill. B the roof cracks, so Crusoe begins to repair it. C some earth falls from the roof and two of the posts he has put up crack noisily. 3 At first… A Crusoe does not realise what it is, but he is terribly frightened. B he understands it is a terrible earthquake and he is afraid of being buried alive. C he waits until the noise is over.

3

5 Crusoe describes the earthquake as… A a terrible noise and three shocks under the sea water. B three violent shocks, a huge rock falling down the hill, the sea churned up. C a shock lasting eight minutes, then again three shocks and a building starting to tumble down. 6 The movement of the earth makes Crusoe feel… A seasick. B airsick. C carsick. 7 After the earthquake Crusoe… A pulls himself together and goes back to his tent. B sits in shock unable to do anything. C is aware he is hurt.

MEDIATING TEXTS   Choose the correct meaning of the following words.

1 overthrown 2 crumbling 3 buried 4 stepped 5 overturned 6 perceived 7 amased 8 cast down

4

4 His first reaction is… A to start to repair the roof. B to rush out. C to sit still, not knowing what to do.

a a a a a a a a

vanished falling swallowed placed his foot modified heard surprised impressed

b b b b b b b b

concluded   folding   placed in a tomb   hit   moved   saw   frightened   depressed

c c c c c c c c

destroyed  burning   completely covered   measured the distance  destroyed  understood  annoyed   stupefied

FIRST   Have you ever felt an earthquake? If yes, say where and when it happened, what you were doing, what

you felt, what you thought, what you did. Describe the reactions of the people around you. If no, imagine how you would feel and what you would do. Write about 140-190 words.

More about Robinson Crusoe is a novel by Daniele Defoe (1660-1731) which was first published in 1719. Defoe was born in London. He enjoyed travelling and his fiction reflects this interest; his character, Robinson Crusoe, changes his life by voyaging far from his native England. The novel is based on the true story of a shipwrecked sailor named Alexander Selkirk, who was put ashore on a desert island, where he lived five years before being rescued. The book has a very little plot, but it became increasingly popular because the hero is presented as a very ordinary person. It is set on the Caribbean Islands. There Robinson Crusoe meets a savage and gives him the name of Friday, after saving him from the cannibals. Defoe wants to show that the individual can modify his destiny through action.

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clil

Before you read

1 Tick (3) the forms of pollution you would expect to have found in Dickens’ time. 1 2

air pollution   radioactive contamination   water pollution   noise pollution   light pollution   visual pollution   stationary pollution sources

3 4 5 6 7

abuts confina, è adiacente banks banchine colliers navi carboniere filthiest la più sudicia maze labirinto thronged popolate waterside del lungofiume coarsed più grezzi apparel indumenti dangle pendono jostling urtando ballast-heavers scaricatori coal-whippers carbonai brazen di malaffare stacks mucchi tottering vacillanti neglect abbandono

Dickens’ London Jacob’s Island Near to that part of the Thames on which the church at Rotherhithe abuts, where the buildings on the banks are dirtiest and the vessels on the river blackest with the dust of colliers and the smoke of close-built low-roofed houses, there exists the filthiest, the strangest, the most extraordinary of the many localities that are hidden in London, wholly unknown, even by name, to the great mass of its inhabitants. To reach this place, the visitor has to penetrate through a maze of close, narrow, and muddy streets, thronged by the roughest and poorest of waterside people, and devoted to the traffic they may be supposed to occasion. The cheapest and least delicate provisions are heaped in the shops; the coarsest and commonest articles of wearing apparel dangle at the salesman’s door, and stream from the house-parapet and windows. Jostling with unemployed labourers of the lowest class, ballast-heavers, coal-whippers, brazen women, ragged children, and the raff and refuse of the river, he makes his way with difficulty along, assailed by offensive sights and smells from the narrow alleys which branch off on the right and left, and deafened by the clash of ponderous waggons that bear great piles of merchandise from the stacks of warehouses that rise from every corner. Arriving, at length, in streets remoter and less-frequented than those through which he has passed, he walks beneath tottering house-fronts projecting over the pavement, dismantled walls that seem to totter as he passes, chimneys half crushed half hesitating to fall, windows guarded by rusty iron bars that time and dirt have almost eaten away, every imaginable sign of desolation and neglect. From Oliver Twist, by C. Dickens

More about Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was one of England’s greatest writers. He is best known for novels such as Oliver Twist and Great Expectations. Dickens wrote about the London he lived in, the conditions of the poor and the growing tensions between the classes. In fact, the author was a social reformer who used fiction to criticise economic, social and moral conditions in Victorian England.

2 Read the passage about Dickens’ London and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F). 1 The majority of people in London do not know the name of the area described in the text. 2 At the start the man finds it easy to walk through the streets. 3 The people who live in this area do not belong to the upper class. 4 There are a lot of warehouses in this area. 5 The houses are in good condition. 6 The windows are filthy.

T

3 Write a short description (about 150 words) of the area where you live including the following information: • the houses and buildings;

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• the people;

• the streets and shops.

F

clil  / Literature

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells The following passage describes the encounter between the protagonist and the Elois who, after reaching the apex of progress and control over nature, live in a state of mental laziness. After all, the sanitation and the agriculture of today are still in the rudimentary stage. The science of our time has attacked but a little department of the field of human disease, but even so, it spreads its operations very steadily and persistently. Our agriculture and horticulture destroy a weed just here and there and cultivate perhaps a score or so of wholesome plants, leaving the greater number to fight out a balance as they can. We improve our favourite plants and animals – and how few they are – gradually by selective breeding; now a new and better peach, now a seedless grape, now a sweeter and larger flower, now a more convenient breed of cattle. We improve them gradually, because our ideals are vague and tentative, and our knowledge is very limited; because Nature, too, is shy and slow in our clumsy hands. Some day all this will be better organized, and still better. That is the drift of the current in spite of the eddies. The whole world will be intelligent, educated, and cooperating; things will move faster and faster towards the subjugation of Nature. In the end, wisely and carefully we shall readjust the balance of animal and vegetable life to suit our human needs. This adjustment, I say, must have been done, and done well; done indeed for all Time, in the space of Time across which my machine had leaped. The air was free from gnats, the earth from weeds or fungi; everywhere were fruits and sweet and delightful flowers; brilliant butterflies flew hither and thither. The ideal of preventive medicine was attained. Diseases had been stamped out. I saw no evidence of any contagious diseases during all my stay. (...) Social triumphs, too, had been effected. I saw mankind housed in splendid shelters, gloriously clothed, and as yet I had found them engaged in no toil. (...) It was natural on that golden evening that I should jump at the idea of a social paradise. (...) I thought of the physical slightness of the people, their lack of intelligence, and those big abundant ruins, and it strengthened my belief in a perfect conquest of Nature. For after the battle comes Quiet. Humanity had been strong, energetic, and intelligent, and had used all its abundant vitality to alter the conditions under which it lived. And now came the reaction of the altered conditions. From The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

More about The Time Machine is a science fiction novel by the British author H.G. Wells, published in 1895. The novel attempts to understand what will become of human beings in the distant future. The central character is a time traveller who can transport himself back and forth in time with the aid of a machine he invented.

2

Before you read

1 Decide if the

statements below about social sustainability are true (T) or false (F).

1 New housing communities should be designed to last for only a few years. _____ 2 The lack of social sustainability in cities is a problem only in Europe. _____ 3 Government officials and architects often don’t understand what people need. _____ 4 Good neighbours play an important role in making a place socially sustainable. _____ weed erbaccia a score 20 (in questo testo) wholesome sano clumsy goffe drift deriva eddies vortici to suit adattarsi, soddisfare toil fatica gnats moscerini slightness esilità

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the passage and complete the table. What does the writer say about these topics?

19th Century Agriculture: progress in agriculture was very slow and selective because people were not sure of what they wanted but they were moving steadily ahead.

The Future Description of nature: ________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

Description of nature: ________________________________ Illnesses: ____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

3 Read the last paragraph again, what is the narrator’s conclusion? Do you think that the idea of development is pessimistic or optimistic? Justify your choice.

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CLIL

clil

Before you read

1 Can you name

an architect who has also worked in furniture and interior design?

Oscar Wilde and decorative art The Picture of Dorian Gray, a novel by the Irish writer Oscar Wilde, tells the story of Dorian Gray, a young and very good-looking boy who declares he would give away his soul in exchange for eternal youth. His wish becomes true and he remains young while his portrait shows the signs of age and Dorian’s cruel actions. The following extract is from the seventh chapter of the book, when Dorian sees for the first time that the face of the portrait has changed.

Dorian Gray’s house

A

hailed a hansom chiamò una carrozza loitered indugiò glistened luccicavano wreath ghirlanda spoil of some Doge’s barge spoglia di qualche gondola dogale cape soprabito after he had taken the buttonhole out dopo essersi sbottonato swept spinse shuddering tremanti linger indugiare quivering vibrante winced trasalì into its polished depths nella sua lucida profondità warped deformava

fter a little while, he hailed a hansom and drove home. For a few moments he loitered upon the doorstep, looking round at the silent square, with its blank, close-shuttered windows and its staring blinds. The sky was pure opal now, and the roofs of the houses glistened like silver against it. From some chimney opposite a thin wreath of smoke was rising. It curled, a violet riband, through the nacre-coloured air. In the huge gilt Venetian lantern, spoil of some Doge’s barge, that hung from the ceiling of the great, oak-panelled hall of entrance, lights were still burning from three flickering fets: thin blue petals of flame they seemed, rimmed with white fire. He turned them out and, having thrown his hat and cape on the table, passed through the library towards the door of his bedroom, a large octagonal chamber on the ground floor that, in his new-born feeling for luxury, he had just had decorated for himself and hung with some curious Renaissance tapestries that had been discovered stored in a disused attic at Selby Royal. As he was turning the handle of the door, his eye fell upon the portrait Basil Hallward had painted of him. He started back as if in surprise. Then he went on into his own room, looking somewhat puzzled. After he had taken the buttonhole out his coat, he seemed to hesitate. Finally, he came back, went over to the picture, and examined it. In the dim arrested light that struggled though the cream-coloured silk blinds, the face appeared to him to be a little changed. The expression looked different. One would have said that there was a touch of cruelty in the mouth. It was certainly strange. He turned round and, walking to the window, drew up the blind. The bright dawn flooded the room and swept the fantastic shadows into dusky corners, where they lay shuddering. But the strange expression that he had noticed in the face of the portrait seemed to linger there, to be more intensified even. The quivering ardent sunlight showed him the lines of cruelty round the mouth as clearly as if he had been looking into a mirror after he had done some dreadful thing. He winced and, taking up from the table an oval glass framed in ivory Cupids, one of Lord Henry’s many presents to him, glanced hurriedly into its polished depths. No line like that warped his red lips. What did it mean? From The picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

2 Read the text and choose the correct option. 1 Dorian Gray passes through... A the entrance hall, the library, his room and again the library. B the entrance hall, his room and the library. C the entrance hall, the library and his room. 2 What elements communicate the luxurious aspect of Dorian’s room? A its shape B the tapestry on the walls C the handle of the door

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3 How does the portrait look? A It looks friendlier. B It looks brighter. C It looks somehow crueller. 4 What is Dorian’s reaction? A He looks at himself in the mirror. B He smashes an oval mirror onto the floor. C He polishes an oval glass framed in ivory Cupids.

clil  / Literature 3 Complete the table referring to the objects of the following places.

Object Outside/ sky Square roofs smoke air Entrance lantern hall walls lights fire Library blinds glass frame

Colour (1) ______ (2) ______ (3) ______ (4) ______ (5) ______ – (7) ______ (8) ______ (9) ______ –

Material – – – – – (6) ______ – – (10) ______ (11) ______

4 Now complete this summary. Dorian Gray takes a cab back to his (1) ______________. Before (2) ______________ he stops on the doorstep and looks at the square. In his home the (3) ______________ are still burning. He looks at the portrait (4) ______________ had done for him and (5) ______________ that it has changed: a sneer has appeared at the corner of the mouth. He picks up a (6) ______________ and looks at his own face and then again at the face of the portrait. He is astonished and asks himself what is the (7) ______________ of this change.

More about Before becoming famous as a writer, Oscar Wilde gained a reputation for his eccentric lifestyle. Influenced by the aesthetic theories of John Ruskin and Walter Horatio Pater, he proclaimed himself Professor of Aesthetics and the founder of the Aesthetic Movement.

5 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F).

T

chandeliers lampadari rosewood palissandro creaked cigolavano dismally cupamente thrive fiorire eventide vespro idle fancy inutile capriccio

he mark of all good art is not that the thing done is done exactly or finely, for machinery may do as much, but that it is worked out with the head and the workman’s heart. I cannot impress the point too frequently that beautiful and rational designs are necessary in all work. I did not imagine, until I went into some of your simpler cities, that there was so much bad work done. I found, where I went, bad wall-papers horribly designed, and coloured carpets, and that old offender the horse-hair sofa, whose stolid look of indifference is always so depressing. I found meaningless chandeliers and machine-made furniture, generally of rosewood, which creaked dismally under the weight of the ubiquitous interviewer. I came across the small iron stove which they always persist in decorating with machine-made ornaments, and which is as great a bore as a wet day or any other particularly dreadful institution. (...) Now, what you must do is to bring artists and handicraftsmen together. Handicraftsmen cannot live, certainly cannot thrive, without such companionship. Separate these two and you rob art of all spiritual motive. Having done this, you must place your workman in the midst of beautiful surroundings. The artist is not dependent on the visible and the tangible. He has his visions and his dreams to feed on. But the workman must see lovely forms as he goes to his work in the morning and returns at eventide. And, in connection with this, I want to assure you that noble and beautiful designs are never the result of idle fancy or purposeless day-dreaming. They come only as the accumulation of habits of long and delightful observation. And yet such things may not be taught. Right ideas concerning them can certainly be obtained only by those who have been accustomed to rooms that are beautiful and colours that are satisfying.

From The lecture ‘House Decoration’, Chicago, 1882

1 In America Wilde finds much which offends his personal taste. 2 American wallpapers have tasteful patterns. 3 Iron stoves are highly decorative. 4 Mass-produced furniture and ornaments are fine and elegant. 5 Wilde is in favour of a strengthened relationship between craftsmen and artists. 6 The poor environment is responsible for the lack of taste.

6

T

F

MEDIATING CONCEPTS   Work in pairs and discuss the following statement about interior design.

Interior design can create a relaxing and beautiful environment.

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CLIL

clil

Before you read

1 Match these words from the text to their Italian equivalents.

1 edifice 2 joint 3 moulding 4 colossal 5 pillar 6 roofless 7 tower-like 8 surface 9 slab a  giuntura b   superficie c  cornice d  pilastro e   simile a una torre f  lastra g   privo di tetto h  colossale i  costruzione gropingly a tentoni sheer dritta hums ronza hearken ascolta one-stringed con una corda adjoining vicino rustle fruscio uncompromising irremovibile heathen pagano bide aspettare folk persone, gente

Stonehenge in Hardy’s Tess of the D’Ubervilles The following passage is taken from Tess of the d’Ubervilles, a novel by Thomas Hardy. The protagonist, Tess, is now with her lover, Angel Clare, they are running away as Tess has killed her husband. They arrive at Stonehenge. They had proceeded thus gropingly two or three miles further when on a sudden Clare became conscious of some vast erection close in his front, rising sheer from the grass. They had almost struck themselves against it. ‘What monstrous place is this?’, said Angel. ‘It hums,’ said she. ‘Hearken!’ He listened. The wind, playing upon the edifice, produced a booming tune, like the note of some gigantic one-stringed harp. No other sound came from it, and lifting his hand and advancing a step or two, Clare felt the vertical surface of the structure. It seemed to be of solid stone, without joint or moulding. Carrying his fingers onward he found that what he had come in contact with was a colossal rectangular pillar; by stretching out his left hand he could feel a similar one adjoining. At an indefinite height overhead something made the black sky blacker, which had the semblance of a vast architrave uniting the pillars horizontally. They carefully entered beneath and between; the surfaces echoed their soft rustle; but they seemed to be still out of doors. The place was roofless. Tess drew her breath fearfully, and Angel, perplexed, said: ‘What can it be?’. Feeling sideways they encountered another tower-like pillar, square and uncompromising as the first; beyond it another and another. The place was all doors and pillars, some connected above by continuous architraves. ‘A very Temple of the Winds,’ he said. The next pillar was isolated; others composed a trilithon; others were prostrate, their flanks forming a causeway wide enough for a carriage and it was soon obvious that they made up a forest of monoliths grouped upon the grassy expanse of the plain. The couple advanced further into this pavilion of the night till they stood in its midst.

More about Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was an English novelist and poet, belonging to Naturalism, a literary movement. Most of his characters are outsiders, people who stand up to the narrow-mindedness of their world. One of the reasons of Hardy’s popularity is how he depicts the landscape. All his novels are set in Wessex, a fictional place. But forests, hills and villages have lot in common with Dorset, the place where he was born and which he knew so well. His novel Tess of the d’Ubervilles, published in 1891, tells a tale of seduction, love, betrayal. and murder. The novel revolves around a young woman who struggles to find her place in society.

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clil  / Literature ‘It is Stonehenge!’, said Clare. ‘The heathen temple, you mean?’ ‘Yes. Older than the centuries; older than the d’Urbervilles! Well, what shall we do, darling? We may find shelter further on.’ But Tess, really tired by this time, flung herself upon an oblong slab that lay close at hand, and was sheltered from the wind by a pillar. Owing to the action of the sun during the preceding day the stone was warm and dry, in comforting contrast to the rough and chill grass around, which had damped her skirts and shoes. ‘I don’t want to go any further, Angel,’ she said, stretching out her hand for his. ‘Can’t we bide here?’ ‘I fear not. This spot is visible for miles by day, although it does not seem so now.’ ‘One of my mother’s people was a shepherd hereabouts, now I think of it. And you used to say at Talbothays that I was a heathen. So now I am at home.’ He knelt down beside her outstretched form, and put his lips upon hers. ‘Sleepy are you, dear? I think you are lying on an altar.’ ‘I like very much to be here,’ she murmured. ‘It is so solemn and lonely – after my great happiness – with nothing but the sky above my face. It seems as if there were no folk in the world but we two.’ From Tess of the D’Ubervilles by T. Hardy

2

MEDIATING TEXTS   Read the passage and answer the following questions.

1 The action takes place at night, and the description of Stonehenge is given through other senses as well as sight. Find words or sentences referring to each of the following senses: hearing: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ touch: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ sight: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2 The presence of the structure is not exact or clear: Tess and Angel cannot understand what it is. This uncertainty is underlined by some expressions, find them. 3 In which part of the structure are Tess and Angel when they realise that the place is Stonehenge? 4 What does the author say about the place where Tess lay?

3

MEDIATING TEXTS   Complete this summary of the text.

Tess and Angel arrive in the evening at (1) ____________. They don’t (2) ____________ where they are, but feeling around they (3) ____________ they are in a circle of upright stones, some of which serve as (4) ____________ for the others. Tess stretches out upon one of the (5) ____________ which is still (6) ____________ from the sun, even if it’s (7) ____________ now. She (8) ____________ as if she is at home and she says she feels as if there (9) ____________ no people in the world but them.

4

MEDIATING TEXTS   After Angel has called the place ‘a Temple of the Winds’, there is an objective description. Translate it into Italian.

‘The next pillar was isolated; others composed a trilithon; others were prostrate, their flanks forming a causeway wide enough for a carriage and it was soon obvious that they made up a forest of monoliths grouped upon the grassy expanse of the plain.’ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5 Go to page 200 and look at the picture of Stonehenge and write your own description of the place. 315

CLIL

clil

Before you read

1 Would you like to

go on a road trip with a friend? Where would you go and what means of transportation would you go by?

outgoing che porta fuori città scattered diversi arched in arrivava formando un arco wound girava socking darmi cazzotti stuck bloccato dismal cupo cried for invocai plantlike sieves permeabili come le fronde di una pianta head for dirigersi screwed up andava in frantumi

More about ‘Beat Generation’ was the name given to a group of American post-World War II writers. They began as a small group of close friends and later emerged as a movement during the 1950s. The Beat Generation included Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Neal Cassady and William S. Burroughs. The central themes of ‘Beat’ culture included experimentation with drugs, spiritual and sexual liberation and the rejection of materialism. Route 6 and Route 66 are two American highways which run from the east to the west and only intersect in Chicago. They both appear in Kerouac’s On the Road.

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The American ‘way’: On the Road On the Road is a novel by Jack Kerouac which tells the story of Sal Paradise and his friend Dean Moriarty and their adventures as they travel across the United States. The following passage is taken from chapter 2, and relates the departure of Sal from New York.

I

’d been pouring over maps of the United States in Paterson for months, even reading books about the pioneers and savoring names like Platte and Cimarron and so on, and on the road-map was one long red line called Route 6 that led from the tip of Cape Cod clear to Ely, Nevada, and there dipped down to Los Angeles. I’ll just stay on 6 all the way to Ely, I said to myself and confidently started. To get to 6 I had to go up to Bear Mountain. Filled with dreams of what I’d do in Chicago, in Denver, and then finally in San Fran, I took the Seventh Avenue subway to the end of the line at 242nd Street, and there took a trolley into Yonkers; in downtown Yonkers I transferred to an outgoing trolley and went to the city limits on the east bank of the Hudson River. If you drop a rose in the Hudson River at its mysterious source in the Adirondacks, think of all the places it journeys by as it goes out to sea forever – think of that wonderful Hudson Valley. I started hitching up the thing. Five scattered rides took me to the desired Bear Mountain Bridge, where Route 6* arched in from New England. It began to rain in torrents when I was let off there. It was mountainous. Route 6 came over the river, wound around a traffic circle, and disappeared into the wilderness. Not only was there no traffic but the rain came down in buckets and I had no shelter. I had to run under some pines to take cover; this did no good; I began crying and swearing and socking myself on the head for being such a damn fool. I was forty miles north of New York; all the way up I’d been worried about the fact that on this, my big opening day, I was only moving north instead of the so-long-for-west. Now I was stuck on my northernmost hangup. I ran a quarter-mile to an abandoned cute English-style filling station and stood under the dripping eaves. High up over my head the great hairy Bear Mountain sent down thunderclaps that put the fear of God in me. All I could see were smoky trees and dismal wilderness rising to the skies. ‘What the hell am I doing up here?’, I cursed, I cried for Chicago. ‘Even now they’re all having a big time, they’re doing this, I’m not there, when will I get there!’ – and so on. Finally a car stopped at the empty filling station; the man and the two women in it wanted to study a map. I stepped right up and gestured in the rain: they consulted; I looked like a maniac, of course, with my hair all wet, my shoes sopping. My shoes, damn fool that I am, were Mexican huaraches, plantlike sieves not fit for the rainy night of America and the raw road night. But the people let me in and rode me north to Newburgh, which I accepted as a better alternative than being trapped in the Bear Mountain wilderness all night. ‘Besides,’ said the man, ‘there’s no traffic passes through 6. If you want to go to Chicago you’d do better going across the Holland Tunnel in New York and head for Pittsburgh,’ and I knew he was right. It was my dream that screwed up, the stupid hearthside idea that it would be wonderful to follow one great red line across America instead of trying various roads and routes. From On the Road by J. Kerouac

clil  / Literature 2 Read the text and choose the correct option. 1 Why does Sal consult lots of maps and books before starting his journey? A He wants to relax because the journey will be long and tiring. B He wants to plan his journey. C Studying maps and reading books is part of his job. 2 Why do you think he finds the pioneers fascinating? A He can identify with them because of their journey westward. B He has a lot of spare time and he likes reading. C He is doing a project on American history.

3

6 Why does a car stop at the filling station? A Because the people in the car want to have a rest. B Because they want to consult the road map. C Because they want to wait for the rain storm to stop.

3 What is the final destination of his journey? A Los Angeles B Ely C San Francisco

7 At first the people in the car hesitate to let Sal in… A because he looks like a fool. B because they do not understand what he wants. C because they are not going to Chicago.

4 When Sal sees the Hudson river he realises… A he is going in the same direction as the river. B the river is perpendicular to his direction. C he is going in the opposite direction of the river.

8 The man suggests Sal change route… A because there is another route, which is shorter. B because Route 6 does not have enough traffic. C because Pittsburgh is a city worth visiting.

MEDIATING TEXTS   The road in the title is a metaphor for life in general, and the protagonist takes to the road for

several reasons. Choose among the following and explain your choice. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

4

5 Sal feels a fool because... A he has lost his road map. B he realises he shouldn’t have gone north. C he has ruined his shoes.

freedom   opportunity   discovery  adventure   loneliness  confusion  desolation  change   challenge

_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

MEDIATING TEXTS   Match the following words and expressions to their meaning or definition.

1 to savor 2 tip 3 to tip down 4 trolley 5 downtown 6 to hitch up 7 all the way 8 so-longed-for 9 hangup 10 filling station 11 eaves 12 sopping 13 hearthside idea

a b c d e f g h i j k l m

in the city centre or going towards it  gutter   to hitch hike along   to go down quickly to a lower level   to enjoy food or an experience slowly, in order to enjoy it as much as possible  tram   a lazybones’ idea   extremely wet   for the whole journey  obsession   the pointed end of something, especially something which is long and thin   petrol station   strongly desired

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building grammar Present simple

Present continuous

Il Present simple si usa per parlare di azioni abituali o per affermazioni di carattere generale (fatti sempre veri, leggi della natura). Ecology deals with living organisms. Does ecology have its own rules and laws?

Il Present continuous si usa per parlare di azioni che si svolgono nel momento in cui si parla. Both we and the ecosystem change while we are studying it. Oppure si usa per indicare un’azione che si svolge al presente, anche se non esattamente nel momento in cui si parla.

Spesso questo tempo viene usato con avverbi di frequenza quali always, usually, often, normally, sometimes, rarely, occasionally, seldom, hardly ever, never (ever) o altre espressioni temporali quali daily, twice a week, four times a month, every year…

We are exploiting the resources of the Earth. Spesso questo tempo viene usato con espressioni temporali quali now, at the moment, at present, these days, ecc. These days scientists are focusing on a new subject.

Chemical substances are often harmful.

Video tutorial 1

1 Underline the correct alternative.

1 The environment of an organism is including / includes factors such as climate, solar insulation and geology. 2 Population ecology experts examine / are examining new data these days. 3 I interview / am interviewing a famous ecologist from NY today. 4 Population ecology is studying / studies the dynamics of population of a single species. 5 Does ecology have / Is ecology having any sub-disciplines? 6 Now the DECC are trying / try to create a disposal facility by the end of 2029. 7 Earthquakes and floods often are happening / happen in Italy. 8 Water represents / is representing the largest part of the globe.

2 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. 1 Ecology _______________ (comprise) a lot of sub-disciplines. 2 This week we _______________ (start) to study what ecology is. 3 They _______________ (not use) any pollutants at the moment. 4 Ecology _______________ (make) use of other sciences. 5 What _______________ community ecology _______________ (deal with)? 6 Ecology _______________ (determine) what is right or wrong. 7 This year we _______________ (study) ecology for the first time. 8 Ecological science _______________ (include) lots of different branches of science. 9 Population level _______________ (focus) on individuals of the same species. 10 Nowadays scientists _______________ (examine) ways to preserve our environment. 11 People _______________ (become) more and more aware of environmental problems. 12 How human beings interact _______________ (have) a great impact on our biosphere.

Zero conditional Il periodo ipotetico di tipo 0 si usa per parlare di fatti sempre veri, procedure e leggi della natura. Sia nella frase principale che in quella secondaria si usa il present simple. Quest’ultima è introdotta da if o da when (ever). You focus on individuals of the same species if you study the population level. When they die, living organisms release chemicals into the soil.

3 Match the two parts of the sentences. 1 2 3 4 5

If an ecological crisis has a positive result, If there isn’t any water, We speak of air pollution If pollution draws public attention, If heavy metals do not occur naturally in an area, 6 If there are aircraft and industrial noise,

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a b c d e f

the environment can become unfavourable to the survival of a species. no living thing can exist. they are considered as pollutants. we speak of noise pollution. some important laws to protect the environment are passed. when there is a release of chemicals into the atmosphere.

building grammar The future In inglese esistono tre forme verbali per indicare un'azione futura: will + forma base del verbo Si usa per: • parlare di quello che si pensa succederà nel futuro (spesso con verbi quali think, expect, be sure/ afraid, believe o con espressioni quali certainly, probably) Its low-income residents will be able to save about 30% on their utility bills.

• parlare di decisioni immediate prese nel momento in cui si parla

to be going to + forma base del verbo Si usa per: • indicare l'intenzione di fare qualcosa o realizzare un progetto per il futuro

Present continuous Si usa per: • per parlare di azioni future già programmate

The cost of petrol is rising again. I’m going to buy a car that runs on gas!

We are buying this house with renewable energy resources to achieve energy autonomy.

• fare previsioni future basate sull'osservazione dei fatti This is going to make a real difference for people who have a low income.

‘ Thanks to these photovoltaic panels, you can save energy and money.’ ‘I’ll buy them, then!’

Video tutorials 2, 3, 4

4 Complete the sentences with an appropriate future form of the verbs in brackets. 1 How long _____________ (they/wait) before starting the new cohousing project? 2 Tomorrow the architects _____________ (come) to investigate what natural energy sources are available. 3 I think it _____________ (be) easy for them to find eco-friendly materials in our area. 4 They _____________ (not use) materials which are dangerous for our health. 5 I’m sure the green building project in our town _____________ (not have) damaging effects on the environment. 6 Our school _____________ (install) a new boiler this term to save on energy consumption. 7 ‘I can’t find my book on recyclable materials.’ ‘Don’t worry, I ___________ (lend) you mine.’ 8 What ___________ (you/study) in this course? 9 Simon has decided that he ___________ (design) an eco-friendly building in that area. 10 ‘I’ve been told you’re moving house.’ ‘Yes, I ___________ (live) in a cohousing community.’

First conditional Il periodo ipotetico di primo tipo si usa per parlare di ipotesi reali o probabili nel presente o nel futuro. Nella frase introdotta da if (frase secondaria) si usa il Present simple, mentre nella frase principale si usa la costruzione will + forma base del verbo. Will può a volte essere sostituito da can, may o dall’imperativo. If you join a cohousing community, you will have extra shared facilities in common with the other residents of the community. Al posto di if si possono usare even if (“anche se”) e unless (“a meno che non”) seguito dalla forma affermativa del verbo. He won’t save on petrol unless he changes his car for a more efficient model.

Video tutorial 5

5 Complete the sentences about green housing with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. 1 If you _____________ (turn down) your water heater thermostat, your bills _____________ (be) lower. 2 You _____________ (can) reduce water consumption if you _____________ (use) low-flow taps. 3 How much energy _____________ (you/save) if you _____________ (insulate) your roof? 4 If we _____________ (not stop) using fossil fuels, we _____________ (not help) to make our environment better. 5 If your family _____________ (want) to buy high energy-saving home appliances, they _____________ (have to) look for the ones classified AAA. 6 You _____________ (be able) to generate your own energy if you _____________ (invest) in wind turbines.

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building grammar Past simple Si usa il Past simple per descrivere o parlare di azioni e situazioni, accadute in un preciso momento nel passato e ormai concluse. When they built their house, they chose hard metals for special features. Did global population and prosperity grow in the twentieth century? When they decided to construct the building, they did not choose to use soft metals.

Video tutorials 6, 7

6 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. 1 When cement _______________ (appear), the first mortared stone walls were created. 2 People _______________ (not request) transparent buildings in the past. 3 _______________ peasants _______________ (collect) building material from fields? 4 In the past people _______________ (decorate) the roofs with symbols. 5 _______________ people _______________ (create) niches in walls? 6 Some tourists _______________ (buy) the house a few years ago.

Past continuous Si usa il Past continuous per descrivere un’azione che era in corso di svolgimento in un determinato momento del passato. Si usa anche per descrivere uno ‘scenario’, una situazione di sfondo, sulla quale si innestano altre azioni più brevi e compiute espresse con il Past simple. While they were building that house, we moved to another town.

Video tutorials 8, 9

7 Underline the correct alternative. 1 He was hurting / hurt himself while he made / was making cement. 2 I was using / used gypsum when he told / was telling me to use a different material. 3 George talked / was talking to the builder when his phone rang / was ringing. 4 At the time when this house was built, concrete was becoming / became more and more popular. 5 While Peter painted / was painting the house, he fell / was falling off the ladder. 6 Those tourists looked / were looking at that bridge when it collapsed / was collapsing. 7 He was painting / painted the bathroom, when the doorbell rang / was ringing. 8 Unfortunately, they didn’t use / weren’t using non-toxic materials when they built / were building our home. 9 While they walked / were walking in the dark, they came / were coming across a strange structure.

8

MEDIATING TEXTS   Translate the following sentences into English.

1 Grazie alla resistenza del legno si possono creare grandi open space. 2 Il calcestruzzo è cemento Portland mischiato con sabbia, ghiaia e acqua. 3 La malta è usata come agente legante e deve essere forte e durevole. 4 Il PVC è spesso usato nei sistemi idraulici a causa della sua buona resistenza chimica ai fluidi corrosivi. 5 La quantità di carbonio contenuta nell’acciaio determina se la lega è dura o morbida. 6 Quando demolirono l’edificio, recuperarono i mattoni da usare per altri scopi. 7 Producono i materiali edili localmente per ridurre l’inquinamento causato dal trasporto. 8 Quando progettarono la costruzione dell’edificio, decisero di utilizzare materiali sostenibili e di evitare solventi dannosi per la salute. 9 Uno dei vantaggi dell’usare mattoni o pietra è che questi materiali spesso aumentano il comfort durante il caldo estivo o il freddo invernale. 10 Paragonati ai materiali alternativi, i prodotti in plastica offrono numerosi vantaggi economici.

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building grammar Comparatives and superlatives Si usa il comparativo per paragonare due cose o persone tra loro. Il secondo termine di paragone è introdotto da than. The RTK real time option is more accurate than the first option. The DGPS offers horizontal accuracy if dimensions are lower than one metre. Old surveying instruments are not as precise as the new ones.

Si usa il superlativo per confrontare più cose o persone all’interno di un gruppo o una categoria. Il secondo termine di paragone nel superlativo può essere introdotto da of/among (se si tratta di un insieme di elementi) o da in (se si tratta di luoghi). New digital levels are the quickest among all the surveyor’s instruments. The most accurate version of DGPS in the world is RTK.

Video tutorials 10, 11

9 Complete the sentences with the comparative or superlative form of the adjectives in brackets. 1 2 3 4

The working drawing stage is ___________ (demanding) of all stages. An electronic Total Station is ___________ (expensive) than a theodolite. One of the aims of a Master Plan is to create a structure for ___________ (good) quality integrated City Centre. It is important to make very precise drawings because they must conform to all ___________ (late) building standards. 5 John is the _____________ (old) member of the company and has worked here all his life. 6 The _____________ (important) thing to remember when writing an architectural brief is to include all the information which isn’t in the drawing. 7 CAD drawings are much _____________ (versatile) than traditional drawings done by hand. 8 The condition of the building was much _____________ (bad) than they had expected. 9 The _____________ (quick) way to evaluate a house accurately is to get an architectural report on the property. 10 The document must be presented to the authorities no _____________ (late) than Wednesday.

Past simple vs Present perfect Il Past simple si usa per parlare di azioni e situazioni accadute in un preciso momento del passato e ormai concluse, mentre il Present perfect si usa per parlare di azioni avvenute in un tempo non precisato del passato o in un tempo non ancora concluso. Years ago CAD replaced the old T-square. When did the first physical maps appear? Old surveying instruments didn’t offer the same accuracy we have today. Modern science has recently developed a form of technology called GPS. Experts haven’t fully determined the consequences of this process yet.

Video tutorial 12

10 Underline the correct alternative. 1 Before the first village was created, people did not live / have not lived in permanent places. 2 The earliest examples of planned cities in history have been / were in India and in what we now call Iraq. 3 Due to all these problems, governments have recently started / recently started to think of improving living conditions in large urban areas. 4 The village expanded / has expanded until about 1840. 5 During the Baroque period urban designers planned / have planned large scale buildings, wide squares, long streets and elaborate parks. 6 Crespi d’Adda has been / was on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites since 1995. 7 People at that time have collected / collected food or have hunted / hunted in one place and then moved / have moved on to a new one. 8 Since the Industrial Revolution, population has dramatically grown / grew in number. 9 Cities have changed / changed considerably since the end of the nineteenth century. 10 According to historians, Hippodamus has been / was the first architect to produce some systematic theories about town planning.

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building grammar Modals (1) Can si usa per esprimere capacità e possibilità o meno di fare qualcosa e per chiedere, accordare o rifiutare un permesso. Deep foundations can be made of timber or steel. Could esprime capacità o possibilità nel passato (Past simple) o al condizionale presente. We could clean our ceramic floor by using a neutral floor cleaner. May si usa per chiedere un permesso in modo formale, per esprimere probabilità o con valore concessivo. This kind of floor may cause slipping and tripping. Might è usato per chiedere un permesso in modo molto formale e per esprimere probabilità (più remota di may). Proper training and better safety measures might help to reduce accidents at work.

Video tutorial 13

11 Underline the correct alternative. 1 2 3 4

Conventional house walls have an inner wooden framework that can / may support part of the house. The geotechnical engineer could not / might not load the foundations beyond its bearing capacity. The materials, equipment and tools used on this site can / might not meet some safety standards. Could / Might you use a portable concrete mixer fifty years ago?

12 Complete the sentences with can, can’t, could, couldn’t, may or might. 1 I’m sorry, I _____________ lend you my goggles at the moment because I’m using them. 2 He put his glasses on because he _____________ see a thing without them. 3 He _____________ be a good architect, but everybody finds it difficult to understand his choice of colours. 4 They _____________ agree to putting in double glazing, but I very much doubt it because they hate spending money on house improvements. 5 _____________ you please tell me what safety measurements are used on this site?

Second and third conditional Il periodo ipotetico di secondo tipo riguarda ipotesi improbabili o impossibili nel presente o nel passato. La frase introdotta da if o when (frase secondaria) contiene il verbo al Past simple, mentre nella frase principale si usa la costruzione would + forma base del verbo.

Il periodo ipotetico di terzo tipo riguarda ipotesi impossibili nel passato. La frase introdotta da if o when (frase secondaria) contiene il verbo al Past perfect, mentre nella frase principale si usa la costruzione would have + participio passato del verbo.

If you used concrete and steel in your floor structures, they would last longer.

If you had used concrete and steel in your floor structures, they would have lasted longer.

• Nella proposizione secondaria con if si usa la forma were del

• Nella proposizione secondaria, oltre a would have + participio

verbo be per tutte le persone, compreso I e he/she/it (if I were; if he/she/it were). • Nella proposizione principale, oltre a would + forma base, si possono trovare i verbi modali could, might e should.

passato, si possono trovare i verbi modali could have, might have e should have.

• In inglese si possono usare forme miste di periodi ipotetici quando la proposizione principale e la subordinata appartengono a

sfere temporali diverse (condizionale di secondo tipo nella principale e terzo tipo nella secondaria oppure condizionale di terzo tipo nella principale e di secondo tipo nella secondaria).

Video tutorials 14, 15

13 Match the two parts of the sentences. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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The house would be warmer If they had given the worker a harness, If I were you, If they had clearly marked the site exits, It would be easier to avoid accidents, If the climate were cold, If he had been wearing the right gear,

a b c d e f g

he might not have been injured so badly. I would wear a hard hat to protect my head. he wouldn’t have fallen. if they used better insulation. if more workers wore protective clothing. the two vehicles wouldn’t have crashed. it would be important to keep a cold roof temperature.

building grammar Present perfect simple vs Present perfect continuous Il Present perfect simple si usa per parlare di azioni avvenute in un periodo di tempo non specificato oppure non ancora concluso o per azioni passate con effetti sul presente. Il Present perfect continuous si usa per azioni iniziate nel passato e che sono ancora in corso e sottolinea la durata e la continuità dell’azione. So far the electrician has installed six photovoltaic systems. The electrician has been installing the photovoltaic systems all afternoon.

14 Underline the correct alternative.

Video tutorial 16

1 ‘I’ve been breaking / I have broken this pipe, I’m sorry.’ 2 Somebody has been stealing / has stolen some of my electric panel boards. There were four here before. 3 Tim is tired. He’s been working / has worked on that project all afternoon. 4 They have been repairing / ’ve repaired the plumbing system all day, but they haven’t finished it yet. 5 They have been reducing / have reduced energy consumption by 10%. 6 Have you got an electric heat pump? I have been leaving / have left mine somewhere and I can’t find it. 7 They have been choosing / have chosen this system because it is less expensive. 8 Sam has always been working / has always worked in the solar energy field.

15 Complete the sentences with the Present perfect simple or Present perfect continuous of the verbs in brackets. 1 They _____________ (not install) a house alarm yet even if there ___________ (be) a lot of burglaries lately. 2 I _____________ (just call) the police because someone broke into my house while I was out. 3 He _____________ (look for) a house for months but he can’t find one with all the energy saving features he wants. 4 They _____________ (build) new homes according to passive house standards in our city since 2006. 5 Since the Kyoto Protocol came into force, several countries _____________ (manage) to drastically reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. 6 The washing machine _____________ (spin) for the last 10 minutes. When is it going to stop?

Past perfect simple vs Past perfect continuous Il Past perfect simple si usa per descrivere un’azione avvenuta prima di un’altra azione accaduta nel passato. Il Past perfect continuous si usa per indicare un’azione che si stava compiendo fino al verificarsi di un’altra, anch’essa passata. When they arrived, my husband had already done everything. Julie had been waiting for the plumber all afternoon when she suddenly realised it was the wrong day.

Video tutorial 17

16 Complete the sentences with the Past perfect simple or Past perfect continuous of the verbs in brackets. 1 Sam tried to contact our old electrician but he __________ (change) his mobile phone number and nobody knew his new one. 2 Stuart __________ (study) the project for weeks, when he was told that the client was not interested in it any longer. 3 She was worried about her new ventilation system because she __________ (never/use) one before. 4 The strange thing was that they __________ (just/talk) about the distribution of drinking water when the pipe broke. 5 We __________ (use) this kind of panels for years before we installed the new ones, so we knew the cost of using them. 6 They _____________ (discuss) the use of renewable energy sources for over an hour when they were interrupted by a phone call. 7 He _____________ (already decide) not to buy the house even before they told him the price, because he realised the energy costs would be too high.

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building grammar Modals (2) Must, have to e have got to si usano per esprimere un obbligo o una necessità. Must generalmente è usato quando la necessità/l’obbligo è sentita/o dal parlante. Può essere usato solo al presente e al futuro. Per gli altri tempi si ricorre alle diverse forme di have to. Si usa have to quando l’obbligo è imposto da un’autorità o una circostanza esterna. This wall is falling down. We must have it repaired. As this is a historical building, you have to restore it following special guidelines. Mustn’t indica una proibizione assoluta. Don’t have to si usa per dire che non è necessario fare qualcosa. They mustn’t start work because these devices do not comply with the specific building codes. You don’t have to wait for the building surveyor to arrive to start work.

Video tutorials 18, 19

Should/Ought to è la forma condizionale del verbo ‘dovere’. Si usa per consigli, suggerimenti o rimproveri. Advanced systems for seismic energy dispersion should be applied to foundations and new materials in this case. Should have i usa per rimproveri (non si è fatto qualcosa al passato che andava fatto). They should have applied these systems for buildings in this area which is subject to earthquakes. Had better esprime una forte raccomandazione. You’d better predict the consequences of earthquakes on this urban area before you start designing your project. Be supposed to si usa per esprimere quello che ci si aspetta che qualcuno debba fare. Civil engineers are supposed to cooperate with surveyors and other specialised engineers.

Video tutorials 20, 21

17 Underline the best alternative. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

In a major opera house, dressing room facilities had better be / must be very large. Before building a dam, its future impact should be / is supposed to be estimated. The structures of buildings able to resist seismic effects don’t have to be / mustn’t be particularly strong. Some fundamental concerns should have been considered / are supposed to be considered before taking this project into consideration. When designing this opera house I don’t have to / am supposed to provide it with modern lighting and acoustic enhancement. A major opera house should be / has to be provided with mechanised stages and stage machinery. The engineers mustn’t / had better consider the environmental impact on nature and wildlife in this area. Any changes in renovation work will have to / had better be carried out according to building regulations.

The passive La forma passiva si usa per evidenziare il risultato di un’azione e non chi la compie. In inglese si usa la forma passiva molto più spesso di quanto non accada nella lingua italiana, specialmente nel linguaggio tecnico e quando si parla di istruzioni e divieti. Properties can be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A new bridge is being constructed to replace the old one. Any changes in renovating processes will have to be carried out according to building regulations.

18 Turn these active constructions into the passive. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

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People used the name civil engineering to distinguish this discipline from military engineering. Acid rain and other pollutants affect stonework. Work can easily and unknowingly damage surfaces in interior and exterior spaces. Insulating the building and installing solar and photovoltaic panels can reduce heating bills. The consequences of recent earthquakes have caused very high costs. Time and use usually cause disrepair. They are planning a new picnic area for our local park. They have performed Hamlet many times at our theatre over the last few years.

building grammar Reported speech and questions Il discorso indiretto si usa per riferire il contenuto e il significato di un messaggio, che viene in genere introdotto dai verbi to ask, to say e to tell (solo quando è espresso il complemento di termine) seguiti da that. Tempi verbali, pronomi personali, espressioni di luogo e tempo, aggettivi e pronomi possessivi possono subire una modifica. Se il tempo dichiarativo è al passato, quello del discorso indiretto scala di un tempo all’indietro, come segue: Present simple ➞ Past simple Present continuous ➞ Past continuous Present perfect ➞ Past perfect will ➞ would ‘Is this your Europass CV?’ ➞ She asked if that was my Europass CV. The architect said to his assistant, ‘I’ve just finished designing my project’. ➞ The architect told his assistant that he had just finished designing his project. Past continuous, Past perfect e used to non subiscono modifiche. Non ci sono cambiamenti anche nel caso che il verbo introduttivo sia al Present simple, per esprimere verità permanenti.

Video tutorials 22, 23

19 Turn the questions into indirect speech. 1 Are they looking for a junior architect? 2 Is he familiar with AutoCAD? 3 Did the candidate have three years’ experience?

4 What is a building report? 5 Can you estimate the remaining life of this roof? 6 Does this document replace the technical drawings?

20 Change the direct speech into reported speech using the prompts. 1 ‘How long have you been studying for this exam Martin?’ (I/ask) __________________________________________________________________________________________ 2 ‘You will be able to find work as an engineer in your own country, Susan.’ (John/tell) __________________________________________________________________________________________ 3 ‘I bought a book about the RIBA Stirling Prize.’ (Pauline/say) __________________________________________________________________________________________ 4 ‘What does AIA stand for?’ (Sara/ask) __________________________________________________________________________________________ 5 ‘How many members does RICS have?’ (Brian/want/know) __________________________________________________________________________________________ 6 ‘There have been a lot of job advertisements for engineers on The Times recently.’ (Tommy/tell) __________________________________________________________________________________________

Relative clauses Le frasi relative sono quelle introdotte da pronomi relativi. Si usa who (o that) per le persone, which (o that) per le cose, whose per esprimere possesso, where per i luoghi, when per il tempo. Le frasi relative possono essere defining o non-defining. La defining relative clause contiene un’informazione essenziale. Il pronome relativo complemento oggetto può essere omesso. This is the civil engineer who has worked on that project. (soggetto) This is the civil engineer (who) we spoke to yesterday. (complemento oggetto) La non-defining relative clause, solitamente racchiusa fra due virgole, contiene un’informazione non indispensabile. In questi casi si usa sempre who per le persone e which per le cose (non si usa that). Il pronome relativo non può mai essere omesso. Our architect, who also designed that famous house, works for an architectural firm.

Video tutorial 24

21 Complete the sentences with an appropriate relative pronoun. 1 2 3 4 5

What was the name of the woman ____________ phoned this morning? Jim Connor is the man ____________ brother checked the drawings. Is there a good time ____________ we can look at this project? The house ____________ we live has just been renovated. People say that the road ____________ connects our village to the end of the province is not safe.

325

glossario tematico e illustrato A

abutment /əˈbʌtmənt/ spalla accommodation /əˌkɒməˈdeɪʃn/ alloggio accuracy /ˈækjərəsi/ precisione acid precipitation /ˈæsɪd prɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃn/ precipitazione acida agricultural drainage /ˌæɡrɪˈkʌltʃərəl ˈdreɪnɪdʒ/ drenaggio agricolo air conditioner /eə(r) kənˈdɪʃənə(r)/ condizionatore air pocket /eə(r) ˈpɒkɪt/ sacca d’aria air pollution /eə(r) pəˈluːʃn/ inquinamento dell’aria airtight /ˈeətaɪt/ ermetico aisle /aɪl/ navata, corridoio allergic reaction /əˈlɜːdʒɪk riˈækʃn/ reazione allergica alloy /ˈælɔɪ/ lega aluminium /ˌæljəˈmɪniəm/ alluminio amps /æmps/ ampere, amperaggio appliance /əˈplaɪəns/ apparecchio, dispositivo approach ramp /əˈprəʊtʃ ræmp/ rampa apron /ˈeɪprən/ piazzale, area di stazionamento apse /æps/ abside arch /ɑːtʃ/ arco artificial dams /ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃl dæms/ dighe artificiali assessment /əˈsesmənt/ valutazione at right angles /ət raɪt ˈæŋɡls/ perpendicolarmente automatic digital level /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk ˈdɪdʒɪtl ˈlevl/ livello digitale automatico, autolivello digitale automatic door /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk dɔː(r)/ porta automatica

B

backdrop /ˈbækdrɒp/ fondale backhoe digger /ˈbækhəʊ/ scavatrice a cucchiaia rovescia backyard /ˌbækˈjɑːd/ cortile bacteria /bækˈtɪəriə/ batteri baggage claim area /ˈbæɡɪdʒ kleɪm ˈeəriə/ area ritiro bagagli balcony /ˈbælkəni/ prima galleria bank /bæŋk/ sponda bar /bɑː(r)/ resistenza barcode /ˈbɑːkəʊd/ codice a barre barley /ˈbɑːli/ orzo Baroque /bəˈrɒk/ Barocco barrel vault /ˈbærəl vɔːlt/ volta a botte barren /ˈbærən/ arido, sterile basement /ˈbeɪsmənt/ seminterrato batten /ˈbætn/ asse battery /ˈbætri/ batteria bay /beɪ/ baia bay window /beɪ ˈwɪndəʊ/ finestra a golfo beam /biːm/ trave bearing plate /ˈbeərɪŋ pleɪt/ piastra di appoggio behaviour /bɪˈheɪvjə(r)/ comportamento

326

bio matting /ˈbaɪəʊ ˈmætɪŋ/ stuoia bio biofuel /ˈbaɪəʊfjuːəl/ biocarburante biosphere /ˈbaɪəʊsfɪə(r)/ biosfera birch /bɜːtʃ/ betulla blade /bleɪd/ pala bleeder valve /ˈbliːdə(r) vælv/ valvola di sfogo d’aria blight /blaɪt/ degrado blind /blaɪnd/ veneziana boarding room /ˈbɔːdɪŋ ruːm/ sala d’imbarco boarding walkway /ˈbɔːdɪŋ ˈwɔːkweɪ/ passerella d’imbarco boiler /ˈbɔɪlə(r)/ caldaia bond /bɒnd/ legame boom /buːm/ braccio boots /buːts/ stivali border /ˈbɔːdə(r)/ confine bordering /ˈbɔːdərɪŋ/ confinante boundary /ˈbaʊndri/ confine box /bɒks/ palco bracing member /ˈbreɪsɪŋ ˈmembə(r)/ elemento fortificante, di controventatura branch duct /brɑːntʃ dʌkt/ condotto di derivazione brass /brɑːs/ ottone brick /brɪk/ mattone bridge /brɪdʒ/ ponte brief /briːf/ direttive brittle /ˈbrɪtl/ friabile brittleness /ˈbrɪtlnəs/ fragilità building consent /ˈbɪldɪŋ kənˈsent/ licenzia edilizia building materials /ˈbɪldɪŋ məˈtɪəriəls/ materiali edili building renovation /ˈbɪldɪŋ ˌrenəˈveɪʃn/ rinnovo edilizio building sewer /ˈbɪldɪŋ ˈsuːə(r)/ collettore principale by-pass taxi way /baɪ pɑːs ˈtæksi weɪ/ pista di accesso by-product /baɪ ˈprɒdʌkt/ effetto secondario, sottoprodotto

C

cable /ˈkeɪbl/ cavo cadastral map /kəˈdæstrəl mæp/ mappa catastale cantilever bridge /ˈkæntɪliːvə(r) brɪdʒ/ ponte cantilever cantilever span /ˈkæntɪliːvə(r) spæn/ travata a cantilever carbon dioxide /ˌkɑːbən daɪˈɒksaɪd/ biossido di carbonio carpenter /ˈkɑːpəntə(r)/ falegname carpet /ˈkɑːpɪt/ moquette cast iron /ˌkɑːst ˈaɪən/ ghisa catwalk /ˈkætwɔːk/ passerella di manovra cave /keɪv/ grotta cement /sɪˈment/ cemento centre span /ˈsentə(r) spæn/ campata centrale ceramic tile /səˈræmɪk taɪl/ piastrella di ceramica chartered /ˈtʃɑːtəd/ iscritto all’ordine

chemical discharge /ˈkemɪkl dɪsˈtʃɑːdʒ/ scarico chimico chemistry /ˈkemɪstri/ chimica chips /tʃɪps/ schegge cinder concrete /ˈsɪndə(r) ˈkɒŋkriːt/ calcestruzzo di cenere circuit breaker /ˈsɜːkɪt breɪkə(r)/ interruttore automatico circuit vent /ˈsɜːkɪt vent/ colonna di ventilazione city dwellers /ˈsɪti ˈdwelərs/ cittadini city limit /ˈsɪti ˈlɪmɪt/ confine urbano civil engineer /ˌsɪvl endʒɪˈnɪə(r)/ ingegnere civile clad /klæd/ rivestito cladding /ˈklædɪŋ/ rivestimento clay /kleɪ/ argilla clerestory /ˈklɪəstɔːri/ cleristorio, lucernaio climate /ˈklaɪmət/ clima climate change /ˈklaɪmət tʃeɪndʒ/ cambiamento climatico clinker /ˈklɪŋkə(r)/ residuo incombusto, scoria clogging /klɒɡɡɪŋ/ otturare cloth /klɒθ/ stoffa coal /kəʊl/ carbone coated /kəʊtəd/ ricoperto cofferdam /ˈkɒfə(r)dæm/ argine di contenimento cohousing /ˌkəʊˈhaʊzɪŋ/ coabitazione, coabitare coil /kɔɪl/ bobina column /ˈkɒləm/ pilastro common land /ˈkɒmən lænd/ terreno di uso pubblico commuting zone /kəˈmjuːtɪŋ zəʊn/ zona di pendolari compartment /kəmˈpɑːtmənt/ settore compass /ˈkʌmpəs/ bussola compound /ˈkɒmpaʊnd/ composto concern /kənˈsɜːn/ ditta concrete /ˈkɒŋkriːt/ calcestruzzo concrete mixer /ˈkɒŋkriːt mɪksə(r)/ betoniera condominium /ˌkɒndəˈmɪniəm/ condominio congestion /kənˈdʒestʃən/ traffico intenso connector /kəˈnektə(r)/ connettore constraint /kənˈstreɪnt/ costrizione construction machinery /kənˈstrʌkʃn məˈʃiːnəri/ macchinari da costruzione consultant /kənˈsʌltənt/ consulente consumption /kənˈsʌmpʃn/ consumo contour line /ˈkɒntʊə(r) laɪn/ curva di livello conurbation /ˌkɒnəˈbeɪʃn/ conurbazione conveyor belt /kənˈveɪə belt/ nastro trasportatore copper /ˈkɒpə(r)/ rame core /kɔː(r)/ centro cork /kɔːk/ sughero corn /kɔːn/ mais

cornice /ˈkɔːnɪs/ cornicione corrosion /kəˈrəʊʒn/ corrosione, ruggine council houses /ˈkaʊnsl haʊsiz/ case popolari counter /ˈkaʊntə(r)/ sportello counterweight /ˈkaʊntəweɪt/ contrappeso countryside /ˈkʌntrisaɪd/ campagna cracking /ˈkrækɪŋ/ spaccatura, cedimenti craft /krɑːft/ artigianato crop residues /krɒp ˈrezɪdjuz/ residui colturali cross referencing /ˌkrɒs ˈrefrənsɪŋ/ riferimenti incrociati crossing /ˈkrɒsɪŋ/ crociera cross-laminated timber /ˌkrɒs ˈlæmɪneɪtɪd ˈtɪmbə(r)/ legno lamellare a strati incrociati curtain wall /ˈkɜːtn wɔːl/ facciata continua curtains /ˈkɜːtns/ tende

D

dam /dæm/ diga, argine damage /ˈdæmɪdʒ/ danno debris /ˈdebriː/ detriti decay /dɪˈkeɪ/ decomposizione, declino decomposer /ˌdiːkəmˈpəʊzə(r)/ decompositore decrease /dɪˈkriːs/ diminuzione deeds /diːds/ atto di proprietà degree of seismicity /dɪˈɡriː əv ˈsaɪzmɪsɪti/ grado di sismicità dehumidification /ˌdiːhjuːˈmɪdɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ deumidificazione demolishment /dɪˈmɒlɪʃmənt/ demolizione detached house /dɪˈtætʃt haʊs/ casa indipendente, villetta digging machine /dɪɡɡɪŋ məˈʃiːn/ scavatrice disaster /dɪˈzɑːstə(r)/ disastro disrepair /ˌdɪsrɪˈpeə(r)/ cattivo stato, rovina disruption /dɪsˈrʌpʃn/ interruzione dome /dəʊm/ volta, cupola domotic /dəʊˈmɒtɪk/ domotico double glazing /ˌdʌbl ˈɡleɪzɪŋ/ doppi vetri double-decker bridge /ˌdʌbl dekə(r) brɪdʒ/ ponte a due piani downgrading /ˌdaʊnˈɡreɪdɪŋ/ declassamento downspout /ˈdaʊnspaʊt/ discendente pluviale draftsman /ˈdrɑːftsmən/ disegnatore tecnico, progettista drain /dreɪn/ scarico drainage /ˈdreɪnɪdʒ/ fognatura draining circuit /dreɪnɪŋ ˈsɜːkɪt/ rete di scarico drawback /ˈdrɔːbæk/ inconveniente dressing room /ˈdresɪŋ ruːm/ camerino

glossario tematico e illustrato drilled shaft /drɪld ʃɑːft/ palo trivellato driveway /ˈdraɪvweɪ/ strade private di accesso driving licence /ˈdraɪvɪŋ laɪsns/ patente drone /drəʊn/ drone drop /drɒp/ calo drop in value /drɒp ɪn ˈvæljuː/ svalutazione drop-off areas /drɒp ɒf ˈeəriəs/ aree di raccolta drought /draʊt/ siccità dry climate /draɪ ˈklaɪmət/ clima secco dual plumbing /ˈdjuːəl ˈplʌmɪŋ/ doppio impianto idraulico duct /dʌkt/ condotto dumping /ˈdʌmpɪŋ/ scarico durability /ˌdjʊərəˈbɪləti/ durevolezza dust /dʌst/ polvere dust mask /dʌst mɑːsk / maschera antipolvere dwelling /ˈdwelɪŋ/ abitazione, dimora dyke /daɪk/ argine, diga di ritenuta

E

earplugs /ˈɪəplʌɡs/ tappi per le orecchie earth /ɜːθ/ terra earth terminal /ɜːθ ˈtɜːmɪnl/ messa a terra earthenware /ˈɜːθnweə(r)/ terracotta earthing system /ɜːθɪŋ ˈsɪstəm/ sistema di messa a terra earthquake /ˈɜːθkweɪk/ terremoto edge /edʒ/ margine electrical box /ɪˈlektrɪkl bɒks/ scatola da incasso electrical field /ɪˈlektrɪkl fiːld/ campo elettrico electrical system /ɪˈlektrɪkl sɪstəm/ impianto elettrico electronic total station /ɪˌlekˈtrɒnɪk ˈtəʊtl ˈsteɪʃn/ stazione totale elettronica embedded /ɪmˈbedɪd/ incassato enamel /ɪˈnæml/ smalto enamel paint /ɪˈnæml peɪnt/ vernice a smalto endurance /ɪnˈdjʊərəns/ resistenza energy flow /ˈenədʒi fləʊ/ flusso energetico engineer /ˌendʒɪˈnɪə(r)/ ingegnere entrepreneur /ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜː(r)/ imprenditore environment /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈment/ ambiente environmental impact /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈɪmpækt/ impatto ambientale ethanol /ˈeθənɒl/ etanolo evaporation /ɪˌvæpəˈreɪʃn/ evaporazione exhaust /ɪɡˈzɔːst/ di scarico exploitation /ˌeksplɔɪˈteɪʃn/ sfruttamento

exposure /ɪkˈspəʊʒə(r)/ esposizione extinct /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/ estinto eye protection /aɪ prəˈtekʃn/ protezione agli occhi

F

fabric /ˈfæbrɪk/ struttura, tessuto façades /fəˈsɑːds/ facciate facility /fəˈsɪləti/ struttura, servizio fan /fæn/ ventilatore fan vaulting /fæn ˈvɔːltɪŋ/ volta a ventaglio farm pollution /fɑːm pəˈluːʃn/ inquinamento agricolo farmhouse /ˈfɑːmhaʊs/ fattoria fascia /ˈfeɪʃə/ involucro feature /ˈfiːtʃə(r)/ caratteristica feeder cable /ˈfiːdə(r) ˈkeɪbl/ cavo dell’alimentazione fence /fens/ recinto fertiliser /ˈfɜːtəlaɪzə(r)/ fertilizzante fiberglass /ˈfaɪbəɡlɑːs/ lana di vetro fill /fɪl/ materiali di riempimento finishes /ˈfɪnɪʃiz/ finiture fir /fɜː(r)/ abete fireproof /ˈfaɪəpruːf/ ignifugo fitting /ˈfɪtɪŋ/ impianto fixture /ˈfɪkstʃə(r)/ infisso flat /flæt/ appartamento flight information board /flaɪt ˌɪnfəˈmeɪʃn bɔːd/ tabellone arrivi e partenze flight of stairs /flaɪt əv steə(r)s/ rampa di scale flood /flʌd/ inondazione floor /flɔː(r)/ pavimento floor drain /flɔː(r) dreɪn/ scarico flush /flʌʃ/ liscio fly ash /flaɪ æʃ/ cenere volatile, cenerino flying buttress /ˌflaɪɪŋ ˈbʌtrəs/ arco rampante flyover /ˈflaɪəʊvə(r)/ cavalcavia foamed /fəʊmd/ espanso food chain /ˈfuːd tʃeɪn/ catena alimentare footing /ˈfʊtɪŋ/ fondamenta, appoggio footlights /ˈfʊtlaɪts/ ponte luce footpath /ˈfʊtpɑːθ/ marciapiede footprint /ˈfʊtprɪnt/ impronta foreseen /fɔːˈsiːn/ previsto form /fɔːm/ armatura formwork /fɔːmwɜːk/ cassaforma fossil fuel /ˈfɒsl fjuːəl/ combustibile fossile foundations /faʊnˈdeɪʃns/ fondamenta frame /freɪm/ telaio framework /freɪmwɜːk/ struttura freight /freɪt/ merci frieze /friːz/ fregio front loader /ˌfrʌnt ˈləʊdə(r)/ pala a caricamento frontale frost heave /frɒst hiːv/ criosollevamento funding /ˈfʌndɪŋ/ finanziamento funnel /ˈfʌnl/ imbuto

furnace /ˈfɜːnɪs/ generatore d’aria calda

G

gable vent /ˈɡeɪbl vent/ griglia di areazione gallery /ˈɡæləri/ galleria galvanised netting /ˈɡælvənaɪzd ˈnetɪŋ/ reti zincate gap /ɡæp/ spazio vuoto gear /ɡɪə(r)/ meccanismo, ingranaggio geotextile /dʒiːəʊˈtekstaɪl/ geotessile girder bridge /ˈɡɜːdə(r) brɪdʒ/ ponte a travata glacier /ˈɡlæsiə(r)/ ghiacciaio glass beam /ɡlɑːs biːm/ trave in vetro glass pane /ɡlɑːs peɪn/ pannello di vetro glazing type /ɡleɪzɪŋ taɪp/ tipo di vetri globe /ɡləʊb/ globo gloves /ɡlʌvs/ guanti glue /ɡluː/ colla goggles /ˈɡɒɡlz/ occhialini granite /ˈɡrænɪt/ granito gravel /ˈɡrævl/ ghiaia, breccia gravimeters /ˈɡrævɪmɪtə(r)s/ gravitometri greenhouse effect /ˈɡriːnhaʊs ɪˈfekt/ effetto serra grid pattern /ɡrɪd ˈpætn/ reticolo grider /ɡrɪdə(r)/ trave groin vault /ɡrɔɪn vɔːlt/ volta a crociera ground plan /ɡraʊnd plæn/ modello base ground-fault /ɡraʊnd fɔːlt/ difetto di isolamento verso terra groundwater /ˈɡraʊndwɔːtə(r)/ acqua freatica grout /ɡraʊt/ malta liquida, intonaco guard /ɡɑːd/ parapetto guesswork /ˈɡeswɜːk/ supposizione guild /ɡɪld/ corporazione gutter /ˈɡʌtə(r)/ canale di scolo guttering /ˈɡʌtərɪŋ/ grondaia gypsum /ˈdʒɪpsəm/ gesso gypsum board /ˈdʒɪpsəm bɔːd / cartongesso

H

hall /hɔːl/ sala, ingresso hallmark /ˈhɔːlmɑːk/ segno caratteristico handrail /ˈhændreɪl/ corrimano hard hat /ˈhɑːd hæt/ cappello rigido hardcore /ˈhɑːdkɔː(r)/ massicciata hard-wired /ˈhɑːd ˈwaɪəd/ cablato hard-wired appliances /ˈhɑːd ˈwaɪəd əˈplaɪənsiz/ apparecchi cablati hardwood /ˈhɑːdwʊd/ legno massiccio harmful /ˈhɑːmfl/ nocivo hazard map /ˈhæzəd mæp/ mappa di pericolosità healthily /ˈhelθɪli/ in modo sano

heat /hiːt/ riscaldamento heat insulation /hiːt ˌɪnsjuˈleɪʃn / isolamento termico heave /hiːv/ scorrimento orizzontale heavy industry /ˌhevi ˈɪndəstri/ industria pesante helmet /ˈhelmɪt/ elmetto, casco herbivore /ˈhɜːbɪvɔː(r)/ erbivoro high visibility vest /ˌhaɪ vɪzəˈbɪləti vest/ maglia ad alta visibilità hinged sash /hɪndʒd sæʃ/ telaio con cerniera hollow tile /ˈhɒləʊ taɪl/ tavella hot dip galvanised /hɒt dɪp ˈɡælvənaɪzd/ zincato a caldo hot spring /hɒt sprɪŋ/ sorgente termale hubs /hʌbs/ centri hydronic /ˈhaɪdrənik/ a trasmissione di calore per circolazione chiusa di fluido hydrosphere /ˈhaɪdrəʊsfɪə(r)/ idrosfera hypo-allergenic /ˌhaɪpəʊˌæləˈdʒenɪk/ ipoallergenico hypsometric tint /ˌaɪpsəˈmetrɪk tɪnt/ tinta ipsometrica

I

ice lenses /aɪs lenziz/ lenti di ghiaccio incentive /ɪnˈsentɪv/ incentivo insulation /ˌɪnsjuˈleɪʃn/ isolamento intersection /ˌɪntəˈsekʃn/ intersezione iron /ˈaɪən/ ferro iron ore /ˈaɪən ɔː(r)/ minerali in ferro issue /ˈɪʃuː/ problema, questione

J

joint /dʒɔɪnt/ congiunta joist /dʒɔɪst/ travetto junk /dʒʌŋk/ cianfrusaglie

K

kerb /kɜːb/ bordo keystone /ˈkiːstəʊn/ chiave di volta kiln /kɪln/ forno

L

laminate /ˈlæmɪnət/ laminato land /lænd/ terra land reclamation /lænd ˌrekləˈmeɪʃn/ bonifica landfill /ˈlændfɪl/ discarica landing /ˈlændɪŋ/ pianerottolo landscape /ˈlændskeɪp/ paesaggio, panorama landslide /ˈlændslaɪd/ smottamento laundry /ˈlɔːndri/ lavanderia lawns /lɔːns/ prati lead /liːd/ piombo levee /ˈlevi/ argine life cycle /ˈlaɪf saɪkl/ ciclo della vita lift shaft /lɪft ʃɑːft/ vano dell’anscensore lifting hook /ˈlɪftɪŋ hʊk/ gancio di sollevamento light pollution /laɪt pəˈluːʃn/ inquinamento luminoso lighting outlet /ˈlaɪtɪŋ ˈaʊtlet/ presa della luce

327

glossario tematico e illustrato lightning rod /ˈlaɪtɪŋ rɒd/ parafulmine lime /ˈlaɪm/ calce limestone /ˈlaɪmstəʊn/ pietra calcarea liveability /ˌlɪvəˈbɪləti/ vivibilità livestock /ˈlaɪvstɒk/ bestiame load-bearing /ləʊdˈ beəriŋ/ portanti lobby /ˈlɒbi/ atrio loft /lɒft/ soffitta logs /lɒɡs/ tronchi long-wave radiation /ˈlɒŋ weɪv ˌreɪdiˈeɪʃn/ radiazione a onde lunghe low flow tap /ləʊ fləʊ tæp/ rubinetto a risparmio energetico low-income /ləʊ ˈɪnkʌm/ a basso reddito lungs /lʌŋs/ polmoni

M

magnetic field /mæɡˌnetɪk ˈfiːld/ campo magnetico main breaker /meɪn ˈbreɪkə(r)/ interruttore principale main duct /meɪn dʌkt/ condotto di mandata principale main supply pipe /meɪn səˈplaɪ paɪp/ tubazione di andata maintenance /ˈmeɪntənəns/ manutenzione manufacturing area /ˌmænjuˈfæktʃərɪŋ ˈeəriə/ area di produzione map /mæp/ cartina maple /ˈmeɪpl/ acero marine wildlife /məˈriːn ˈwaɪldlaɪf/ fauna marina marital status /ˌmærɪtl ˈsteɪtəs/ stato civile marsh /mɑːʃ/ palude mason /ˈmeɪsn/ muratore masonry /ˈmeɪsənri/ muratura means /miːnz/ strumento mechanical strain /məˈkænɪkl streɪn/ deformazione meccanica meltdown /ˈmeltdaʊn/ fusione del nocciolo meteorology /ˌmiːtiəˈrɒlədʒi/ meteorologia metre box /ˈmiːtə(r) bɒks/ contatore microscopic organism /ˌmaɪkrəˈskɒpɪk ˈɔːɡənɪzəm/ organismo microscopico mineral resource /ˈmɪnərəl rɪˈsɔːs/ risorsa mineraria moat /məʊt/ fossato moisture /ˈmɔɪstʃə(r)/ umidità mortar /ˈmɔːtə(r)/ malta mortice /ˈmɔːtɪs/ incastro a mortasa mould /məʊld/ muffa mountain range /ˈmaʊntən reɪndʒ/ catena montuosa movable bridge /ˈmuːvəbl brɪdʒ/ ponte mobile mud /mʌd/ fango mullion /ˈmʌliən/ montante divisorio

328

N

nail /neɪl/ chiodo narrow /ˈnærəʊ/ stretto natural balance /ˈnætʃrəl ˈbæləns/ equilibrio naturale nave /neɪv/ navata centrale neighbourhood /ˈneɪbəhʊd/ vicinato nest /nest/ nido nitrogen /ˈnaɪtrədʒən/ azoto noise pollution /nɔɪz pəˈluːʃn / inquinamento acustico noise/nɔɪz/ rumore non-renewable resources /ˌnɒn rɪˈnjuːəbl rɪˈsɔːsɪz/ risorse non rinnovabili nozzle /ˈnɒzl/ ugello nuclear power station /ˌnjuːkliə ˈpaʊə(r) ˈsteɪʃn/ stazione nucleare

O

oak /əʊk/ quercia observation deck /ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃn dek/ terrazza visitatori oil spill /ɔɪl spɪl/ versamento di petrolio open-source /ˌəʊpən ˈsɔːs/ gratuito orchestra pit /ˈɔːkɪstrə pɪt/ fossa dell’orchestra outbuilding /ˈaʊtbɪldɪŋ/ fabbricato annesso outer layer /ˈaʊtə(r) ˈleɪə(r)/ strato esterno outskirts /ˈaʊtskɜːts/ periferia overall /ˌəʊvərˈɔːl/ tuta da lavoro overlapping /ˌəʊvəˈlæppɪŋ/ sovrapposto ownership /ˈəʊnəʃɪp/ proprietà oxidant /ˈɒksɪdənt/ ossidante

P

pad /pæd/ piastra di fondazione padded /ˈpæddɪd/ imbottito parterre /pɑːˈteə(r)/ platea particulate /pɑːˈtɪkjələt/ particolato partition /pɑːˈtɪʃn/ tramezzo passenger terminal /ˈpæsɪndʒə(r) ˈtɜːmɪnl/ terminal viaggiatori paste /peɪst/ pasta pattern /ˈpætn/ modello paved /peɪvd/ lastricato pedestrian thoroughfare /pəˈdestriən ˈθʌrəfeə(r)/ via pedonale pediment /ˈpedɪmənt/ frontone pesticide /ˈpestɪsaɪd/ pesticida petroleum /pəˈtrəʊliəm/ petrolio pier /pɪə(r)/ pilastro pile /paɪl/ palo pillar /ˈpɪlə(r)/ pilastro pin /pɪn/ spinotto, perno pipe /paɪp/ tubo plain /pleɪn/ pianura plaster /ˈplɑːstə(r)/ intonaco plateau /ˈplætəʊ/ altopiano platform /ˈplætfɔːm/ banchina, marciapiede plug /plʌɡ/ spina plumb /plʌm/ verticale, perpendicolare

plumbing /ˈplʌmɪŋ/ system impianto idraulico pneumatic tube /njuːˈmætɪk tjuːb/ tubo pneumatico pollutant /pəˈluːtənt/ sostanza inquinante pollution /pəˈluːʃn/ inquinamento pond /pɒnd/ stagno potable water /ˈpəʊtəbl ˈwɔːtə(r)/ acqua potabile poured /pɔː(r)d/ colato powder /ˈpaʊdə(r)/ polvere precast /ˌpriːˈkɑːst/ prefabbricato predator /ˈpredətə(r)/ predatore pre-stressed concrete /pri:strest ˈkɒŋkriːt / calcestruzzo precompresso pre-tensioned /pri:ˈtenʃnd/ precompresso, precaricato profitable /ˈprɒfɪtəbl/ redditizio proposal /prəˈpəʊzl/ progetto proscenium /prəˈsiːniəm/ proscenio prosthetics /prɒsˈθetɪks/ prostetica protective gloves /prəˈtektɪv ɡlʌvs/ guanti protettivi pump /pʌmp/ pompa

Q

quantum physics /ˈkwɒntəm fɪzɪks/ fisica quantistica quantum sensing /ˈkwɒntəm sensɪŋ/ sensori quantistici quarry /ˈkwɒri/ cava quest /kwest/ ricerca

R

radiator /ˈreɪdieɪtə(r)/ radiatore radon /ˈreɪdɒn/ radon rafter /ˈrɑːftə(r)/ travicello rainwater /ˈreɪnwɔːtə(r)/ acqua piovana ranch /rɑːntʃ/ ranch rate /ˈreɪt/ ritmo, tasso rating /ˈreɪtɪŋ/ valutazione, classificazione real estate /ˈriːəl əsteɪt/ proprietà immobiliare rebar /ˈriːbɑ(r)/ tondino spiralato reclaimed material /rɪˈkleɪmd məˈtɪəriəl/ materiale di recupero recycled material /ˌriːˈsaɪkld məˈtɪəriəl/ materiale riciclato redevelopment /ˌriːdɪˈveləpmənt/ ricostruzione reed /riːd/ canna refrigeration system /rɪˌfrɪdʒəˈreɪʃn ˈsɪstəm/ sistema di refrigerazione regulating valve /ˈreɡjuleɪtɪŋ vælv/ valvola di regolazione rehearsal /rɪˈhɜːsl/ prova reinforced concrete /ˌriːɪnˌfɔːst ˈkɒŋkriːt/ cemento armato relief /rɪˈliːf/ scarico, rilievo Renaissance /rɪˈneɪsns/ Rinascimento renewal /rɪˈnjuːəl/ rinnovamento replacement /rɪˈpleɪsmənt/ sostituzione reservoir /ˈrezəvwɑː(r)/ bacino idrico

restoration /ˌrestəˈreɪʃn/ restauro retail /ˈriːteɪl/ vendita al dettaglio return air /rɪˈtɜːn eə(r)/ condotto dell’aria di ritorno return pipe /rɪˈtɜːn paɪp/ tubazione di ritorno revolving /rɪˈvɒlvɪŋ/ girevole ridge tile /rɪdʒ taɪl/ tegola di colmo riser /ˈraɪzə(r)/ alzata rising /ˈraɪzɪŋ/ insurrezione roof /ruːf/ tetto roof tiles /ruːf taɪls/ tegole roof vent /ruːf vent/ sfiato ropes /rəʊps/ corde, funi row /rəʊ/ fila rubbish /ˈrʌbɪʃ/ rifiuti run /rʌn/ rampa runway /ˈrʌnweɪ/ pista rusting /rʌstɪŋ/ arrugginimento

S

safety at work /ˈseɪfti ət wɜːk/ sicurezza sul lavoro safety mask /ˈseɪfti mɑːsk/ maschera di sicurezza safety vest /ˈseɪfti vest/ giubbotto di sicurezza scaffold /ˈskæfəʊld/ ponteggio scale /skeɪl/ scala scenic route /ˈsiːnɪk ruːt/ strada panoramica scour /ˈskaʊə(r)/ erosione scratches /skrætʃɪz/ graffi screw /skruː/ vite sea level /ˈsiː levl/ livello del mare seal /siːl/ guarnizione sealant /ˈsiːlənt/ sigillante sealing /ˈsiːlɪŋ/ sigillatura seat /siːt/ posto a sedere secondary road /ˈsekəndri rəʊd/ strada secondaria security check /sɪˈkjʊərəti tʃek/ controllo di sicurezza security door /sɪˈkjʊərəti dɔː(r)/ porta di sicurezza semi-detached house /ˌsemi dɪˈtætʃt haʊs/ villetta bifamiliare settlement /ˈsetlmənt/ assestamento, insediamento settling /ˈsetlɪŋ/ assestamento sewage /ˈsuːɪdʒ/ fognatura sewer gases /ˈsuːə(r) ɡæsɪz/ gas mefitici shade /ʃeɪd/ ombra shading /ʃeɪdɪŋ/ ombreggiatura, sfumatura shaft /ʃɑːft/ albero shale /ʃeɪl/ scisto argilloso shallow /ˈʃæləʊ/ superficiale shared /ʃeə(r)d/ in comune sheave /ʃiːv/ carrucola sheet vinyl wallpaper /ʃiːt ˈvaɪnl ˈwɔːlpeɪpə(r)/ carta da parati con fogli vinilici shelter /ˈʃeltə(r)/ riparo shimmer /ˈʃɪmə(r)/ riflesso shingles /ˈʃɪŋɡlz/ scandole

glossario tematico e illustrato short-wave radiation /ˈʃɔːt weɪv ˌreɪdiˈeɪʃn/ radiazione a onde corte shovel /ˈʃʌvl/ badile shrubs /ʃrʌbs/ arbusti shutter /ˈʃʌtə(r)/ imposta, persiana side span /saɪd spæn/ campata laterale signature /ˈsɪɡnətʃə(r)/ firma simple-span beam /ˈsɪmpl spæn biːm/ ponte a travata continua single family /ˈsɪŋɡl ˈfæməli/ casa monofamiliare sketches /sketʃɪz/ schizzi skirting /ˈskɜːtɪŋ/ battiscopa skylight /ˈskaɪlaɪt/ lucernario skyscraper /ˈskaɪskreɪpə(r)/ grattacielo slab /slæb/ piastra slag /slæɡ/ scoria di metallo slat /slæt/ lamella slate /sleɪt/ ardesia slipformed stone /slɪpfɔːmd stəʊn/ tecnica della matrice a colata slope /sləʊp/ pendenza sluice /sluːs/ gate slum /slʌm/ quartiere povero smoke alarm /ˈsməʊk əlɑːm/ allarme antifumo socket /sɒkd/ presa di corrente soil /sɔɪl/ suolo solar collector /ˈsəʊlə(r) kəˈlektə(r)/ collettore solare solid oak /ˈsɒlɪd əʊk/ massello di rovere sound waves /ˈsaʊnd weɪvs/ onde sonore source of pollution /sɔːs əv pəˈluːʃn/ fonte di inquinamento soybeans /ˈsɔɪbiːns/ fagioli di soia spalling /spɔːlɪŋ/ scheggiatura span /spæn/ campata spare room /speə(r) ruːm/ camera degli ospiti spark /spɑːk/ scintilla sprawl /sprɔːl/ espansione spread footing /spred ˈfʊtɪŋ/ fondazione distributrice stable state /ˈsteɪbl steɪt/ stato di stabilità stage curtain /steɪdʒ ˈkɜːtn/ sipario stage /steɪdʒ/ palcoscenico stained /steɪnd/ macchiato stainless steel /ˌsteɪnləs ˈstiːl/ acciaio inossidabile stairs /steə(r)s/ scale stale /steɪl/ viziato stand-alone /ˈstænd ələʊn/ autonomo state-of-the-art /ˌsteɪt əv ði ˈɑːt/ all’avanguardia steam /stiːm/ vapore steel-toe boots /stiːl təʊ buːts/ stivali con la punta in acciaio steep /stiːp/ ripido stilt /stɪlt/ pilastro tondo stoneware /ˈstəʊnweə(r)/ gres porcellanato

stonework /ˈstəʊnwɜːk/ lavoro in pietra storage /ˈstɔːrɪdʒ/ memoria straw bale /strɔː beɪl/ balla di fieno straw /strɔː/ paglia, fieno strength to power ratio /streŋθ tə ˈpaʊə(r) ˈreɪʃiəʊ/ rapporto forzapeso strip /strɪp/ fondazione continua structural damage /ˈstrʌktʃərəl ˈdæmɪdʒ/ danno strutturale subatomic particles /ˌsʌbəˈtɒmɪk ˈpɑːtɪkls/ particelle subatomiche subcontractor /ˈsʌbkəntræktə(r)/ subappaltatore subsidised /ˈsʌbsɪdaɪzd/ sovvenzionato suburb /ˈsʌbɜːb/ sobborgo sulphur dioxide /ˌsʌlfə daɪˈɒksaɪd/ diossido di zolfo surface runoff /ˈsɜːfɪs ˈrʌnɒf/ deflusso superficiale surrounding /səˈraʊndɪŋ/ circostante survey /ˈsɜːveɪ/ indagine surveying instruments /ˈsɜːveɪŋ ˈɪnstrəmənts/ strumenti di misurazione, ispezione, rilevamento surveyor /səˈveɪə(r)/ perito surveyor’s level /səˈveɪə(r)s ˈlevl/ livello (da geometra), livello su treppiede survival /səˈvaɪvl/ sopravvivenza suspended span /səˈspendɪd spæn/ travata appoggiata suspender /səˈspendə(r)/ tirante suspension bridge /səˈspenʃn brɪdʒ/ ponte sospeso suspension cable /səˈspenʃn ˈkeɪbl/ cavo di sospensione sustainable building /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈbɪldɪŋ/ edificio ecosostenibile swing bridge /ˈswɪŋ brɪdʒ/ ponte girevole synthetic material /sɪnˈθetɪk məˈtɪəriəl/ materiale sintetico

T

tank farms /tæŋk fɑːms/ serbatoi di stoccaggio tank /tæŋk/ serbatoio tar /tɑː(r)/ catrame taxiway /ˈtæksiweɪ/ pista di rullaggio technical manual /ˈteknɪkl ˈmænjuəl/ manuale tecnico tectonic plates /tekˈtɒnɪk pleɪts/ placche tettoniche tenement /ˈtenəmənt/ complesso di appartamenti tenon /ˈtenən/ tenone terraced house /ˌterəst ˈhaʊs/ casa a schiera texture /ˈtekstʃə(r)/ trama, struttura thatch /θætʃ/ copertura di paglia theodolite /θiˈɒdəlaɪt/ teodolite thermal insulation /ˈθɜːml ˌɪnsjuˈleɪʃn/ isolamento termico

thrust /θrʌst/ imposta tidal power /ˈtaɪdl ˈpaʊə(r)/ energia mareomotrice tide /taɪd/ marea tile /taɪl/ tegola timber frames /ˈtɪmbə(r) freɪms/ intelaiature di legno timber /ˈtɪmbə(r)/ legname tissue /ˈtɪʃuː/ tessuto to accommodate /tuː əˈkɒmədeɪt/ ospitare to affect /tuː əˈfekt/ influenzare to break down /tə breɪk daʊn/ decomporre to cast /tə kɑːst/ fondere to clog /tə klɒɡ/ otturare to coat /tuː kəʊt/ ricoprire to comply with /tuː kəmˈplaɪ wɪð/ essere conforme a to decompose /tə ˌdiːkəmˈpəʊz/ decomporsi to drill /tə drɪl/ trivellare to dump /tə dʌmp/ scaricare, gettare to engineer /tuː ˌendʒɪˈnɪə(r)/ progettare to fasten /tə ˈfɑːsn/ legare, fissare to gather around /tuː ˈɡæðə(r) əˈraʊnd/ riunirsi attorno to get a move on /tuː get eɪ muːv ɒn/ darsi una mossa to get damp /tuː get dæmp/ bagnarsi to harness /tə ˈhɑːnɪs/ sfruttare to put up /tə pʊt ʌp/ montare to shrink /tə ʃrɪŋk/ restringersi to surround /tə səˈraʊnd/ circondare to swell /tə swel/ dilatarsi tower cab /ˈtaʊə kæb/ torre di controllo tower crane /ˈtaʊə kreɪn/ gru a torre town house /ˈtaʊn haʊs/ casa a schiera toxin /ˈtɒksɪn/ tossina transept /ˈtrænsept/ transetto transom /ˈtrænsəm/ soprafinestra transpiration /ˌtrænspɪˈreɪʃn/ traspirazione travertine /ˈtrævətɪn/ travertino tread /tred/ pedata trench /trentʃ/ fosso trunking /ˈtrʌŋkɪŋ/ guide truss /trʌs/ capriata, trave reticolare trussed arch /trʌsd ɑːtʃ/ arco reticolare turf /tɜːf/ manto erboso turnover /ˈtɜːnəʊvə(r)/ ricambio

U

underground flow /ˌʌndəˈɡraʊnd fləʊ/ flusso sotterraneo unleaded fuel /ˌʌnˈledɪd ˈfjuːəl/ combustibile senza piombo unstable /ʌnˈsteɪbl/ instabile urban growth /ˈɜːbən ɡrəʊθ/ sviluppo urbano urban pathways /ˈɜːbən ˈpɑːθweɪz/ percorsi urbani utility bill /juːˈtɪləti bɪl/ bolletta

V

vacuum cleaner /ˈvækjuːm kliːnə(r)/ aspirapolvere valve /vælv/ valvola varnish /ˈvɑːnɪʃ/ vernice veneer /vəˈnɪə(r)/ impiallacciatura, rivestimento esterno vent /vent/ sfiatatoio versatility /ˌvɜːsəˈtɪləti/ versatilità vertical blind /ˈvɜːtɪkl blaɪnd/ tenda a pannello viaduct /ˈvaɪədʌkt/ viadotto villa /ˈvɪlə/ villa, magione voc emissions /viː əʊ siː ɪˈmɪʃns/ emissioni cov (composti organici volatili) voltage /ˈvəʊltɪdʒ/ tensione

W

wall stack section /wɔːl stæk ˈsekʃn/ condotto di distribuzione verticale walls /wɔːls/ muri walnut /ˈwɔːlnʌt/ noce ward /wɔːd/ corsia, reparto warehouse /ˈweəhaʊs/ deposito waste disposal /weɪst dɪˈspəʊzl/ eliminazione dei rifiuti waste pipe /weɪst paɪp/ tubo di scarico waste /weɪst/ rifiuti water pollution /ˈwɔːtə(r) pəˈluːʃn/ inquinamento dell’acqua water reeds /ˈwɔːtə(r) riːds/ canne acquatiche water service pipe /ˈwɔːtə(r) ˈsɜːvɪs paɪp/ tubo dell’acquedotto waterborne waste /ˈwɔːtəbɔːn weɪst/ rifiuto trasportato via acqua waterproof membrane /ˈwɔːtəpruːf ˈmembreɪn/ membrana impermeabile waterproof paper /ˈwɔːtəpruːf ˈpeɪpə(r)/ carta impermeabile weathering /ˈweðərɪŋ/ agenti atmosferici wells /wels/ pozzi wheat /wiːt/ grano width /wɪdθ/ larghezza wildlife /ˈwaɪldlaɪf/ fauna wind power /ˈwɪnd ˈpaʊə(r)/ energia eolica wind turbine /ˈwɪnd tɜːbaɪn/ turbina eolica windowpanes /ˈwɪndəʊpeɪn/ vetri windowsill /ˈwɪndəʊsɪl/ davanzale wiring system /ˈwaɪərɪŋ ˈsɪstəm/ impianto elettrico interno woodchips /ˈwʊdtʃɪps/ trucioli di legno working drawings /ˈwɜːkɪŋ ˈdrɔːɪŋs/ disegni esecutivi workman /ˈwɜːkmən/ operaio wrappers /ˈræpə(r)s/ carte di caramelle

Z

zoning /ˈzəʊnɪŋ/ zonizzazione

329

glossario tematico e illustrato

House (outside) Casa (esterno)

bargeboard mantovana

gabled roof tetto a due falde dormer window abbaino

ridge colmo

side-wall shingles scandole di rivestimento di parete

overhang aggetto tapered column colonna rastremata

plinth/ column base basamento di colonna

porch portico, veranda

steps scalini

window pane vetro

330

windowsill soglia

casing serramento, telaio

muntin listello

sash window finestra scorrevole, a ghigliottina

mullion montante fisso

glossario tematico e illustrato

Greek temple Tempio greco cella cella

sloping cornice cornice

frieze fregio

pitched/gabled roof tetto a falde

tympanum timpano

abacus abaco capital capitello crepidoma crepidoma

shaft fusto

pediment frontone

stylobate stilobate metope metopa

pronaos pronao triglyph triglifo

abacus abaco

abacus abaco

necking collarino

acanthus leaf foglia d’acanto

scroll-like/volute voluta

echinus echino Doric order ordine dorico

peristyle peristilio

astragal astragalo Ionic order ordine ionico

Corinthian order ordine corinzio

331

glossario tematico e illustrato

Church/Cathedral Chiesa/Cattedrale FAÇADE FACCIATA

louvre-board abat-son

bell tower torre campanaria

rose window rosone

gallery galleria

tracery traforo

stained glass vetrata

spire guglia

belfry torretta flying buttress arco rampante

gable timpano

order archivolto

splay strombatura

lintel architrave

tympanum lunetta

332

portal portale

pier trumeau

pier piedritto

glossario tematico e illustrato tower torre

pinnacle pinnacolo

abutment spalla

flying buttrees arco rampante

side chapel cappella laterale buttress contrafforte arcade arcata

belfry torretta

transept spire guglia di transetto

crossing crociera

pillar pilastro

porch portico

Lady chapel cappella assiale

chevet capocroce

PLAN PIANTA

apse abside

choir coro

crossing crociera

nave navata centrale

VAULT VOLTA

lierne costolone dorsale

tierceron costolone intermedio

diagonal buttress arco diagonale

keystone chiave di volta

formeret arco longitudinale

traverse arch arco trasversale

Lady chapel cappella assiale apsidiole cappella radiale

choir coro

aisle navata laterale

transept transetto

ambulatory deambulatorio

apsidiole cappella radiale

333

glossario tematico e illustrato

Castle Castello tower torre

keep maschio

conical spire pinnacolo conico

circular turret torretta circolare

stables scuderie

pinnacle pinnacolo merlon merlo

chapel cappella

arrow-slit feritoia well pozzo

parapet walk cammino di ronda

moat fossato

barbican barbacane

bailey cortile

drawbridge ponte levatoio

rampant cinta muraria

cannon-port feritoia per cannone

battlement parapetto

334

tavola conversione misure to convert

to

multiply by

to convert

to

multiply by

mm

inch

0,03937

inch

mm

25,4

cm

inch

0,3937

inch

cm

2,54

m

foot

3,28084

foot

m

30,48

m

yard

1,0936

yard

m

0,9144

km

statute mile

0,62137

statute mile

km

1,6093

km

nautical mile

0,5396

nautical mile

km

1,85318

cm2

sq. inch

0,1550

sq. inch

cm2

6,4516

m2

sq. foot

10,7639

sq. foot

m2

0,0929

m2

sq. yard

1,1960

sq. yard

m2

0,8361

km2

sq. mile

0,3861

sq. mile

km2

2,5900

ha

acre

2,4711

acre

ha

0,4047

cm3

cu.in.

0,06102

cu.in.

cm3

16,3870

m3

cu.ft.

35,314

cu.ft.

m3

0,02831

m3

cu.yd.

1,3080

cu.yd.

m3

0,7646

inch (in.)= pollice: 2,54 cm

square yard (sq.yd.)= iarda quadrata: 8361,26 cm2

foot (ft.)= piede: 30,48 cm

acre (a.)= acro: 0,4047 ha

yard (yd.)= iarda: 91,44 cm

square mile (sq.mi.)= miglio quadrato: 259 ha

(statute) mile (sta.mi.)= miglio terrestre: 1,6093 km

cubic inch (cu.in.)= pollice cubico: 16,3870 cm2

nautical mile (n.m.)= miglio nautico: 1,863 km

cubic foot (cu.ft.)= piede cubico: 0,02831 m3

square inch (sq.in.)= pollice quadrato: 6,4516 cm2

cubic yard (cu.yd.)= iarda cubica: 0,7646 m3

square foot (sq.ft)= piede quadrato: 929,028 cm2

335

On Site

Acknowledgements

Managing editor: Simona Franzoni Editorial project and coordination: Simona Pisauri Editorial dept: Simona Pisauri, Monia Cardella, Linda Pergolini Language consultant: Lisa Suett Art director: Marco Mercatali Picture editors: Simona Pisauri, Monia Cardella, Linda Pergolini, Giorgia D’Angelo Page design: Enea Ciccarelli, Sara Blasigh Page layout: Sara Blasigh Production manager: Francesco Capitano

Illustrated by: Laura Bresciani, Alberto Catenacci

Cover Cover design: Paola Lorenzetti Photos: Shutterstock © 2020 ELI S.r.l. P.O. Box 6 62019 Recanati Italy info@elilaspigaedizioni.it www.elilaspigaedizioni.it

No unauthorised photocopying All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of ELI. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. All websites referred to this coursebook are in public domain and whilst every effort has been made to check that the websites were current at the time of going to press ELI disclaims responsibility for their content and/or possible changes. While every effort has been made to trace all the copyright holders, if any have been inadvertently overlooked the publisher will be pleased to make the necessary arrangements at the first opportunity. Segnalazione di errori Produrre un testo scolastico è molto complesso. L’esperienza ci insegna che è quasi impossibile pubblicare un libro senza un errore o una imprecisione, e ci scusiamo con i nostri lettori. Ogni segnalazione che potete inviarci sarà per noi preziosa. Vi ringraziamo se vorrete scriverci al seguente indirizzo: redazione@elionline.com

Printed by Tecnostampa – Pigini Group Printing Division – Loreto, Trevi – Italia 20.83.022.0P ISBN 978-88-536-2959-3

Photo acknowledgements Alamy: 29, 58, 95 (top), 217; ELI Archives: pp: 20 (top right), 21 (photo), 32 (bottom), p. 35 (photo 2, 3), 40 (top), 41, 45, 73, 78, 79, 86 (background), 89, 115 (left), 140 (all the pictures in More about), 314, , 155, 162, 178, 184 (bottom), 188 (bottom), 189 (bottom), 227 (right), 255, 257 (top), 260, 262, 264 (right), 292, 308, 309, 310, 312 (ELI Readers), 314, 316; Gettyimages: pp: 108, © marco. parrilla (logo Kyoto Protocol): p. 21; OrtoPì Country Canapa House: p. 67; Shutterstock: pp: 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 (left, right), 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 32 (top), 33, 34 (top), 36, 38, 39 (top), 42, 44, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 60, 61, 62, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, 80, 81, 82, 84, 86 (top), 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98 (top), 99, 100, 101, 102, 103 (top left, right), 104, 105, 106, 107, 109, 110, 112, 114, 115 (right), 116, 118, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 132, 134, 136, 137, 138, 139 (bottom), 140 (top, middle), 141, 142, 144 (bottom left), 145, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 156, 158, 159, 160, 162 (top), 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 174, 175, 176, 177, 179, 180, 182, 183, 184 (top), 185, 186, 187 (top), 188 (top), 189 (top), 190, 191, 192, 194, 195, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 212, 213, 215, 216, 218, 219, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227 (left), 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 248, 249, 250, 252, 253, 254, 256, 257 (photos on the bottom), 258, 259, 261, 262, 263, 264 (photos on the left), 265, 266, 268, 269, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 292 (bottom), 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 303, 304, 306, 307; @WWFSASSI: p. 64 (bottom right). Websites: actonostry.ca: p. 95 (bottom); archdaily.com: p. 187 (bottom); archello.com: pp. 170-171; architecture.com: p. 139 (top); bamboo-eartharchitecture-construction.com: p. 35 (photo 1); bridgestone.com: p. 144 (top); byronbaytrain.com.au: p. 144 (bottom right); cosedicasa.com: p. 40 (bottom); design.fanpage.it: p. 34; ecobricks.org: p. 64 (top, left), p. 65; minambiente.it: p. 21 (logo Climate Action); passivhaustrust.org.uk: 39 (bottom); showtech.com.au: 103 (bottom left). Article acknowledgement p. 18 We are full of bright ideas to solve ecological problems. So let’s act on them by Chris Packham © Guardian News & Media Ltd 2019; p. 24 Greta Thunberg, schoolgirl climate change warrior: ‘Some people can let things go. I can’t’ by Jonathan Watts © Guardian News & Media Ltd 2019. The Publisher would like to thank Prof.ssa Maura Barberini, Arch. Paolo Vissani and Paolo Boccanera who commented on the material at different stages of its development. The Publisher and authors would also like to thank Prof.ssa Monica Berti, Prof.ssa Maria Assunta Cataldo, Prof.ssa Alessandra Cattozzo, Prof.ssa Maria Pia Conversi, Prof.ssa Maria Pia D’Alessandro, Prof.ssa Grazia Ercolino, Prof.ssa Maria Iannello, Prof.ssa Stefania Iannucci, Prof.ssa Patrizia Maranesi, Prof.ssa Laura Martinengo, Prof.ssa Marianna Monaco, Prof.ssa Anna Nuzzo, Prof.ssa Gabriella Provvedi, Prof.ssa Laura Rivoltella. A very special and warm ‘thank you’ to Dan Schenker and Sean Singer for the video The Globe Project; Saavepro for the video The Golden Gate Bridge; To LEGO® for the video LEGO House – Home of the Brick; and to Barbara Evaeus, WWF Sweden, for permission to use the video The Urban Green that was produced by WWF and Visionary Films to highlight leading examples of sustainable urban development to ensure that brilliant ideas and practices are replicated around the globe. A small contribution to WWF’s One Planet City Challenge has been made on behalf of the Publisher for the use of this material.

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