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Domen Zupančič
ECONOMY AND COMMON SENSE: SIMPLE 
SOLUTIONS FROM PAST FOR TODAY AND 
BEYOND
Mediterra 2009, 1
st
 Mediternean Conference on Earth 
Architecture
DiArch Facolta di Architectura, Italy
Escola Superior Gallaecia, Portugal
CRATerre-Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Architecture de 
Grenoble, France
13. – 16. marec 2009, Sardinija, Italija
http://www.uni-terra.org/events/mediterra-2009
Mediterra 2009 je bila prva mednarodna konferenca, kjer 
smo	 se	 srečali	 raziskovalci	 glinene	 arhitekture	 (eng.	 earthen	
architecture), graditelji, konservatorji in drugi. V štirih dneh je 
bilo predstavljenih preko 45 referatov na temo gline, arhitekture, 
ekonomije, upravljana, raziskav gradiv. Konferenca je bila 
organizirana na pobudo treh organizacij (fakultete in inštitut). 
Referati so bili strnjeni v zborniku.
Izvleček
The builder used constructing material due to rational reasons: 
source at hand with short delivery pathways; nature of material 
is	 verified	 from	 forefathers;	 handling	 with	 material	 is	 imparted	
through	 childhood.	 The	 last	 one	 has	 the	 most	 significant	 role	 in	
vernacular	 architecture.	 Why?	 In	 childhood	 way	 of	 thinking	 and	
solving problems are raised. Sincere constructional solutions 
in architecture are result of logic and local knowledge. Local 
knowledge may be concerned as variable resulting variances of 
solutions of the same problem - clay ceiling in Egypt and Yemen. 
The following paper shows how solutions from nowadays have 
origin in “past” architecture. Smart materials using low tech, with 
no	 artificial	 ener gy	 have	 much	 in	 common	 with	 smart	 materials	
“invented” in modern age. Clay and pine tree branch has much 
in common with reinforced concrete; soft soil and straw has 
much	 in	 common	 with	 fibreglass	 flooring;	 thin	 gypsum	 layers	
covering rammed earth may extent life span of construction as 
thin façade coating protect insulation from decay. 
ZUpANČIČ, Domen. Economy and common sense simple 
solutions from past for today and beyond. V: ACHENZA, 
maddalena (ur .), CORREIA, mariana (ur .), GUILLAUD, 
Hubert (ur .). mediterra 2009, (Architettura sostenibile 
/ documenti). 1a ed. monfalcone: EdicomEdizioni, cop. 
2009, str. 537-547, ilustr. ISbN 978-88-86729-95-6.
Tadeja Zupančič
COMMUNICATING (BY) CURRICULUM 
DESIGN: THE INTEGRAL TRADITION 
ON DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIP IN 
ARCHITECTURE
Communicating (by) Design
Chalmers University of Technology 
15. – 17. april 2009, Göteborg
Izvleček
The intensive programmes offer an opportunity to introduce 
fast	 changing	 and	 developing	 fields	 into	 the	 experience	 of	
architectural	 students	 regardless	 of	 the	 flexibility	 level	 of	
curricular structures and institutional contexts. The main aim is 
to enhance and promote place-sensitive interventions in physical 
and virtual worlds. The paper concludes with a discussion of 
intentions, experience gained, some sobering moments as well 
as the learning curves of participants and organizers when it 
comes to design culmination of sensitive physical and virtual 
realities.
ZUpANČIČ-STROjAN, Tadeja. Communicating (by) curriculum 
design : the integral tradition on doctoral scholarship in 
architecture. V: VERbEKE, johan (ur.), jAKImOWICZ, Adam 
(ur.). Communicating (by) design : proceedings of the colloquium 
"Communicating (by) Design" at Sint-Lucas brussels from 
15th - 17th April 2009. brussels: Hogeschool voor Wetenschap 
& Kunst; Gent: School of Architecture Sint-Lucas; Göteborg: 
Chalmers University of Technology, 2009, str. 675-685, ilustr. 
[CObISS.SI-ID 2279812]
Tadeja Zupančič
Matevž Juvančič
VIRTUAL SPACE DESIGN : A FLEXIBLE 
LEARNING MODEL
27th Conference on Education and Research in Computer 
Aided Architectural Design in Europe
Yildiz Technical University
16.-19. september 2009, Istanbul, Turkey
Izvleček
Studies on ‘the Unthinkable Doctorate’, focused on the 
development of doctoral scholarship in architecture, have shown 
three	 types	 of	 scientific	 research	 approaches:	 ‘conservative’,	
‘pragmatic’ and ‘liberal’. The aim of this contribution is to 
indicate that the integration of all the three ‘perspectives’ 
is possible even within the ‘conservative’ complex larger 
institutions (institutional contexts). This can be explained through 
the discussions and the results of the recent curricular Bologna 
renewal endeavours in Ljubljana/Slovenia: communicating (by) 
curriculum design. Identifying its own research tradition, to be 
continued and enhanced.