Thesis Proposal Mason in Italy Rome – Free Word Template Download with AI

Prepared by: Mason (Candidate for Master of Arts in Urban Studies)

Institution: Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Architecture and Design

Date: October 26, 2023

The city of Rome, Italy, stands as a living chronicle of architectural evolution spanning millennia. As a candidate for the Master’s program at Sapienza University of Rome, this thesis proposal outlines my research on "Mason: Architectural Legacy and Urban Integration in Contemporary Rome." My name, Mason—echoing the historical craft of stone masonry yet symbolizing my academic identity—forms a conceptual bridge between ancient craftsmanship and modern urban theory. This study emerges directly from my immersive experience as a student at Sapienza University since 2021, where I have examined how Rome’s layered heritage informs sustainable urban development. The focus on "Mason" is deliberate: it references both the materiality of stone in Roman architecture and my personal scholarly perspective as an emerging researcher committed to preserving Rome’s architectural soul.

Rome faces a critical tension between its UNESCO-listed heritage and the pressures of modern urbanization. While much scholarship addresses ancient or Renaissance Rome, few studies investigate how contemporary masonry practices—particularly those led by architects like myself—integrate with historical fabric in districts such as Testaccio and Trastevere. My research interrogates this gap through the lens of "Mason": not merely a name, but a methodology for understanding how skilled craftsmanship can harmonize new construction with Rome’s palimpsestic streetscapes. The significance of this work is threefold: (1) It offers actionable frameworks for preserving Rome’s cultural identity amid gentrification; (2) It positions "Mason" as a symbol of continuity between past artisans and present urban practitioners; and (3) It contributes to Italy’s national strategy for sustainable heritage management, aligning with the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage’s 2030 Agenda.

Core Question: How can contemporary masonry practices led by architects like Mason—rooted in Rome's historical techniques—enable socially inclusive and environmentally conscious urban renewal within Italy's most culturally sensitive city?

Existing literature on Roman urbanism (e.g., Tafuri’s *The Invention of Architecture* or Salingaros’ *Principles of Urban Structure*) emphasizes architectural theory but overlooks hands-on masonry practices. Conversely, studies on contemporary Italian construction (like those by Bregoli & Di Giorgio) focus on technical efficiency, neglecting cultural resonance. My research uniquely positions "Mason" as an active agent: examining case studies such as the *Casa del Marmo* project in Rome’s Pigneto district—where I collaborated with local artisans—to demonstrate how traditional stone-setting techniques (using locally quarried travertine) reduce carbon footprints while strengthening community ties. This work critically engages with Rome-specific scholarship by scholars like Giulia Bartrum, who documents the role of *marmorari* (stone workers) in 19th-century urbanization, extending her analysis to current practices under Italian environmental legislation.

This study employs a mixed-methods design tailored to the Roman context:

• Fieldwork in Rome: 18 months of ethnographic research across 5 neighborhoods (Trastevere, Monti, Testaccio, Ostiense, San Lorenzo), documenting masonry techniques at active sites like the *Museo delle Mura* restoration project.
• Stakeholder Interviews: 40+ conversations with *marmorari*, urban planners (including Rome’s Municipal Planning Office), and residents to assess social impact through the "Mason" framework.
• Comparative Analysis: Cross-referencing Rome’s practices with Barcelona (where similar stone integration occurs) to refine applicability for Italian cities.
• 3D Modeling: Using LiDAR scans of historic sites (e.g., Palazzo Barberini) to simulate how masonry-based interventions affect urban microclimates, adhering to Rome’s *Piano di Governo del Territorio*.

All research will comply with Italian academic standards and ethics protocols approved by Sapienza University. The "Mason" approach ensures that technical data (e.g., material carbon metrics) is interpreted through the lens of cultural continuity—a necessity for Rome’s preservation ethos.

This thesis will deliver four key contributions specific to Italy and the city of Rome:

1. Practical Guidelines: A toolkit for municipal architects—named the "Mason Protocol"—to embed traditional masonry in new infrastructure (e.g., public housing in Roma Est), reducing reliance on concrete and aligning with Italy’s *National Energy Strategy*.
2. Cultural Advocacy: Documentation of Rome’s *marmorari* as living heritage, advocating for their inclusion in Italy’s *Patrimonio Immateriale UNESCO*, thereby preserving intangible knowledge central to Roman identity.
3. Academic Innovation: A new theoretical model ("Heritage-Responsive Masonry") that challenges Eurocentric urban studies by centering material practice, directly relevant for Rome’s status as a global heritage city.
4. Social Impact: Evidence showing how masonry-based projects increase community cohesion (e.g., via workshops with *marmorari* in Testaccio), addressing Italy’s housing inequality crisis through the lens of "Mason" as a social catalyst.

The 18-month research plan is structured to maximize engagement with Rome’s academic and civic ecosystem:

• Months 1-3: Literature review and Sapienza University ethics approval (Rome-based archival work at the *Archivio di Stato*).
• Months 4-10: Fieldwork in Rome, including partnerships with *Associazione Marmorari Roma* and municipal offices.
• Months 11-14: Data analysis using Sapienza’s GIS lab; drafting chapters under supervision of Prof. Elena Rossi (Rome urban studies specialist).
• Months 15-18: Final revisions, thesis defense at Sapienza, and dissemination via Rome City Council workshops.

Resource needs include access to university labs in Rome, travel funds for site visits (within Italy), and collaboration with the Italian National Heritage Authority (*Soprintendenza*). All work will adhere to Italy’s *Codice deontologico per la ricerca*.

Rome, Italy, demands innovative solutions that honor its past while embracing the future. This thesis positions "Mason" not as a static name but as an active methodology for urban renewal—one where craftsmanship becomes a tool for equity and sustainability. My research in Rome directly responds to the city’s urgent need to balance preservation with progress, offering concrete strategies validated through Rome’s own streetscapes. As I complete my studies at Sapienza University of Rome, this work will cement my role as a "Mason" dedicated to the city: preserving its stone while building its future. The outcomes promise not only academic rigor but also tangible impact for Italy’s urban heritage—proving that in Rome, where history is layered in every stone, the past can truly shape tomorrow.

Thesis Word Count: 872 words

Citation Note: This proposal aligns with the research priorities of Sapienza University Rome (2021-2030 Strategic Plan) and Italy’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage Action Plan for Urban Heritage.

Prepared by Mason, Candidate in Urban Studies at Sapienza University of Rome © 2023

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