The UNESCO chair: Australasia architecture studio at Mantua

A UNESCO Chair is a long-term program, set up in accordance with a resolution adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1992, for educational and research activities at international level. The UNESCO Chair program pursues the strategic objective of fostering the creation of new educational programs, generating innovation in the areas of design, scientific research and facilitating exchanges between Universities on specific themes. For the UNESCO Chair in Mantua (Mantova), the severe financial crises that have recently hit western economies reinforce calls for rethinking of strategies for territorial development. With this in mind, knowledge and cultural heritage take on a central role in facilitating economic development and recovery. The Australasia Architecture Studio at Mantua delivers both, traditional and emerging approaches to architectural training. Adding to a traditional design practice this postgraduate master studio investigates architectural programming, briefing of institutional clients and management techniques including (1) value management, (2) stakeholder management, (3) building information modelling and (4) reflective practice. Six projects from the Master's program are used to provide insights on the value of applying the above methods and techniques for educational and real-world significance, together with implications for, and applications to, the practice of architecture.