TAARP: Participatory Learning on Dismantling, Reassembly, Modular and Cyclical Design Principles

TAARP means Tempor-Active Architecture & Reversibility Principles and is a participatory learning experience on dismantling and reassembly methods, and on modular, cyclical design principles based on the residual performance of materials.

The course focuses on lightweight, temporary, and minimal construction systems, often absent from architectural history textbooks but increasingly relevant to today’s more transient ways of living. Lightweight structures address essential needs: they are simple, functional, and made from easily accessible materials—textiles, thin membranes, flexible components—allowing the creation of adaptable spaces that can be assembled, dismantled, and transported with ease. In this sense, they embody the Vitruvian principles of firmness, utility, and beauty, standing in contrast to monumental and permanent architecture.

The association between lightness and architecture emerged with the structural revolution, thanks to materials capable of working in tension (cables, nets, technical fabrics). The course builds on an expanded notion of “ultra-lightweight”: coated fabrics, fluoropolymer films, woven and non-woven membranes, or FRP profiles are treated as full-fledged construction materials. Over the past fifty years, textile architecture has undergone significant technological and material developments.

Workshop Focus - The course, developed in collaboration with ETH (sustainability) and UPV (structural analysis), revolves around the case study TemporActive, an ultra-lightweight pavilion designed at Politecnico di Milano for the 2019 TensiNet Symposium. Assembled in a few days, used for one week, and later dismantled, it was conceived for reuse. The pavilion subsequently had a second life of three years, hosting activities, events, and workshops. TemporActive is therefore an example of temporary architecture designed for repeated cycles of assembly, use, and reuse.

Objectives -The course approaches dismantling as a reverse-engineering exercise: students catalogue all components, study deconstruction sequences, and learn to plan a future reassembly following Design for Disassembling principles. The analysis includes modular reconfiguration, subdivision into structural submodules, and the exploration of new envelope systems and potential uses for the pavilion’s “third life,” supported by structural assessments and environmental evaluations.

The course integrates:

• PBL – Re-design with problem solving, also on multiuser platforms. Focus on material efficiency, structural behavior, and sustainability.
• DBL – Form-finding for shells and membranes using physical models and computational tools (Grasshopper, Kangaroo, RhinoVault).
• Iteration and learning from errors.
• IN PRESENCE: Experiential Learning – Workshops at TextilesHUB and on the TemporActive: testing membranes, films, FRPs, recycled fabrics, and natural/synthetic fibers.
• IN PARALLEL (ONLINE for non attending the presence activities): re-design of possible combiantions of TempoActive modula for re-location in Univertity Campuses (Polimi or also in the own Campuses).
• Learning-by-doing path: initial trials, prototypes, translation into optimized physical structures.
• Parametric Design & Computational Analysis – Parametric modeling, structural simulations (Sofistik), and thermal, lighting, and LCA analyses.
• Interdisciplinarity – Teams of 4–5, guest lectures from ETH and UPV, interactions with membrane experts.

Through a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach, students will acquire the following skills:

• Deconstruction: dismantling strategies, risk analysis, and correct operational sequencing.
• Reassembly & Reconfiguration: coherent plan aligned with Design for Disassembling; valid submodules and new uses.
• Experimentation: informed use of materials, prototypes, and digital/analytical tools.
• Collaboration: contribution to team work and integration of diverse skills.

Participation is limited (maximum 20 students from all the ENHANCE universities, plus 20 spots reserved for Polimi students) and open to all Bachelor and Master’s students from all fields of studies. The ideal candidate should have:

• Knowledge of modeling software, from Rhino to Grasshopper;
• Ability to work with hands and perform practical tasks;
• Willingness to engage and take an active role within the group.

Interested students must submit:

• Transcript of records (clearly stating the GPA);
• Short CV.

The course will begin on March 9th, 2026.

Following meetings will take place as follows:

• 4 + 4 hours during the week of 16–20 March;
• 4 + 4 hours during the week of 7–10 April;
• 4 + 4 hours during the week of 20–24 April (in parallel with Design Week).

 The 4 + 4 format may take place in a single full day or over two half-days, depending on the availability of departmental classrooms (to be confirmed).

There will be 5 on-site sessions at Tempor-Active, each lasting 8 hours (to be scheduled according to the availability of expert operators specialized in dismantling).

 In case of remote attendance, alternative activities by simulations, projects, related to the on-site activities, will be asked to be developed: design and modelling possible configurations and re-locations of the TemporActive modular structure in different University Campuses.

During the week of 18–22 May, there will be an afternoon session (hybrid mode) for the joint presentation of the work carried out and the achieved results.

The two-level mutual trust-based quality assurance scheme has been adopted:

• at the university level: Politecnico di Milano has applied its internal quality assurance procedures and structures to the proposal of TAARP: Participatory Learning on Dismantling, Reassembly, Modular and Cyclical Design Principles it submitted to ENHANCE and to its implementation - the related learning activities,
• at the Alliance level: the body composed of Education Officers has made decisions regarding the inclusion of TAARP: Participatory Learning on Dismantling, Reassembly, Modular and Cyclical Design Principles proposed by Politecnico di Milano to the Innovative Learning Campus part of the joint ENHANCE educational offer, based on the compliance with the formal requirements and ENHANCE goals.

Successful completion of the activity will be based on:

• Attendance to the lessons/seminars (hybrid mode);
• Participation in the workshop (on-site activities) or online (connected by virtual meetings in parallel);
• Submission of a final paper on a topic to be agreed with the course instructors.

Applications are open from February 9 to 27 at 12:00 PM following the procedures listed below. Please, take the time to read them carefully in order to choose the right path.

ENHANCE students (a part from Polimi):

Applications will be submitted via the following form.

Please, be aware that for submitting your application you should have to be logged in with a Google account.

OR

Polimi students (only):

Applications will be submitted via the following link: Passion in Action.

Please, be aware that only the applications submitted through the Passion in Action website will be considered valid.

Either at Politecnico di Milano or online (the course is going to be delivered in a hybrid mode).

Available seats:

• 20 Polimi ;
• 20 for ENHANCE partner universities.