The project in landscapes at risk. Back to architectural design

This contribution traces the research conducted within the extended partnership PE3-Return (multi-Risk sciEnce for resilienT commUnities undeR a changiNg climate) and is aimed at explaining the role that architectural design can and must assume in response to the contemporary condition, characterized by the profound changes imposed by climate change. Through the analysis of four case studies, chosen with the aim to compare interventions at different scales – the temporary device, the architectural artefact, the urban landscape and the low-density landscape – the study explore the possibility of overcoming the 'sectoral' and 'deterministic' approach that tends to break down the project into isolated disciplinary and operational domains. ‘Resilience’ is thus adopted in its humanistic, physical and sociological meaning, becoming a potential research tool for a ‘new balance’ to be achieved through methodological and design approaches capable of engaging with complexity, synthesizing diverse forms of knowledge, and fostering a conscious relationship with the built environment.