PhD, Associate Professor of Building Technology at the Department of Architecture of the University of Palermo and lecturer at the Laboratory of Construction and at Environmental Design
AGATHÓN | International Journal of Architecture Art and Design, 2024
The goals of climate neutrality by 2050 and the reduction of CO2 emissions by 55% (compared to th... more The goals of climate neutrality by 2050 and the reduction of CO2 emissions by 55% (compared to the 1990 level) by 2030 (European Commission, 2019, 2021) pose the European Union, and even more so the rest of the world, with several complex issues, including a significant increase in ‘clean’ energy production from alternative and renewable sources, the reduction of energy poverty, greater security of energy supply and a drastic decrease in dependence on energy imports; at the same time, the aim is to foster modern economic growth decoupled from the use of non-renewable resources, the creation of new jobs, and to generate environmental and health benefits, objectives with inevitable cultural, political, economic, production, technological and social implications to be addressed both within one’s borders and in foreign policy. The energy transition is, therefore, complex and challenging to implement because it involves ‘everything’ and is needed ‘everywhere’ but also because globally, primary energy consumption has been steadily increasing for at least half a century.
The theoretical and experimental framework presented demonstrates how energy, ecological and digital transitions can contribute synergistically to achieving the goals of decarbonisation and climate neutrality. The contributions published in the form of essays and research papers appear consistent with the 2022 Strategic Foresight Report (European Commission, 2022) based on the JRC report entitled Towards a Green and Digital Future – Key Requirements for Successful Twin Transitions in the European Union (Muench et alii, 2022) and founded on the fundamental concepts of (a) ‘twin’ transitions, as the key to a sustainable, fair and competitive future; (b) ‘just’ transition, for widespread acceptance of green and digital solutions to mitigate consumption and improve efficiency; (c) ‘integrated approach’ to challenges, to maximise the benefits of synergies and better manage risks. From the published contributions, it emerges the need for a paradigm shift that, on the one hand, is characterised by a ‘sufficiency’ approach (regarding new land occupation and new constructions) and a circular economy (to limit the use of non-renewable resources) capable of exploiting the potential of technologies for the new services made possible by digitisation, and on the other hand, relies on new user awareness of the limits of the Planet, pursuable through ‘soft’ urgent actions that are robust, flexible and easy to implement as they require a lower financial commitment. We assume that community energy renewable energy production from hydrogen and production chains can help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. In that case, the vast existing real estate heritage is an area in which it is possible to intervene effectively, even where it has a historical and cultural value, using tools such as digital twins or analysis methodologies capable of assessing ex-ante the impacts on the ecosystem and prefigure scenarios for cities, buildings and production processes aimed at sustainable development and compatible with the urgent objectives set for 2030 and 2050. These are some of the strategies, pathways, measures and actions that can take place by exploiting the availability of the substantial financial resources allocated by governments for transitions, stimulating the sensitivity of local administrators and enhancing the skills and transversal competencies of technicians and operators in the sector, but also and above all by raising users’ awareness of the risks posed by climate change, to activate their ‘behavioural’ response to the consumption of energy and non-renewable natural resources.
AGATHÓN | International Journal of Architecture, Art and Design, 2024
Design, understood as a modern discipline in its broadest sense, has always been inextricably lin... more Design, understood as a modern discipline in its broadest sense, has always been inextricably linked to energy production, availability and accessibility. Every project resulting from human creativity and ingenuity, whether material or immaterial, analogue or digital, depends on it; it is necessary to break free from this atavistic dependence by finding alternative paths that lead us to the energy transition. An increase in human awareness is required to accomplish this and achieve social and environmental equity. In this perspective, this paper, starting with the concepts of ‘mitigation’, ‘sufficiency’, ‘circular economy’ and ‘innovability’, illustrates a number of highly replicable experiments carried out by the multidisciplinary Dotdotdot Studio by employing storytelling, emotive technology and the value of data to generate awareness in users on the issue of energy conservation.
The potential for architecture offered by natural materials in terms of comfort, reduction of emb... more The potential for architecture offered by natural materials in terms of comfort, reduction of embodied energy and energy-saving in the operational phase, dictates in-depth research that might highlight advantages and contribute to improving their characteristics. This research focuses on earth bricks and, in particular, a type of brick made from unfired clay, known as adobe. The aim of the research is to verify improvements in performance of adobe with the aid of nanotechnology. The adobe mixture was prepared with water, soil (from Sicily) and LAPONITE® as a stabilizer. The adobe bricks were subjected to tests of resistance to compression and flexion, resistance to abrasion, capillary absorption of water and resistance to impact. The results may be deemed positive, in particular those relating to resistance to compression. Further research will be necessary, especially with regard to problems of water absorption.
Nanotechnology is a science that utilises methods and techniques to manipulate material on a size... more Nanotechnology is a science that utilises methods and techniques to manipulate material on a size-scale smaller than a micrometre (normally between 1 and 100 nanometres) and has the aim of producing materials with particular chemical-physical characteristics. It constitutes a true multi-disciplinary sphere of investigation, involving numerous areas of research, ranging from molecular biology to chemistry, from the science of materials to (applied and basic) physics, to mechanical and electronic engineering. Nanotechnology\u2019s present and future applications render this an issue of great current interest, bearing in mind not only its innovative character, but also its possible impact on industrial applications and, therefore, our daily lives; it has a capacity to spark off a real 21st century industrial revolution. Its the importance is confirmed by the interest shown by all the major world powers, including the USA, China, South Korea, India, not to mention Europe of course; these are devising long-term programmes devoted exclusively to the development of nanotechnology. In the architectural sphere the use of nano-structured materials interests the building in its entirety, from the basic structure to the walling, from lighting to energy production. However, the contribution of nanotechnology is not restricted to newly-built structures, but represents an opportunity for an overhaul of the whole cultural heritage. This sector includes experimentation on nano-structured materials for cleaning and reinforcement on stonework samples from the archaeological site of Morgantina. For this purpose, nano-structured systems have been devised and proved effective in the cleaning process, utilised as cleaning agents with the characteristics of a gel. As for the reinforcement of stonework, hybrid nano-structured polymers have been synthesised and tested; the presence of the organic and inorganic components guaranteed a sound performance. Apart from issues of cleaning and the reinforcement of stonework, that of enhancing the performance of a traditional material such as earth was tackled, with its utilisation not only in the sphere of historical architectural restoration but also in new constructions. The research aims to create nano-composite materials, a new class of material characterised by an ultra-fine dispersion of elements, typically of the order of a few nano-metres; in virtue of this dispersion the nanocomposites possess unique properties, not shared by conventional composites or micro-composites. In other terms, the research aims to bolster earth with nano-structured reinforcement, in order to improve the chemical-physical and mechanical performance of the final product. The research involves aspects of the cultural and material tradition, as well as innovation, as a criterion for renewing building methods. To sum up, nanotechnology certainly represents an advance in the scientific field, its potential being enormous. The fact should not be neglected that this science requires investigation of the risks for human health, due to the utilisation of materials manipulated on the nanometric scale; in this regard notes of caution have been voiced regarding the toxic nature of various nanostructured materials. The only path to take for the safeguard of health and environment, in our opinion, is to invest as much as possible in research and knowledge, especially with the involvement of public organisations
This paper describes the methodology of research and analy- sis that have been adopted in order t... more This paper describes the methodology of research and analy- sis that have been adopted in order to develop the targets of the project, along with the design proposal. A literature review about urban regeneration ad its best practices and a deep study of the various features and peculiarities of the area has been conducted. Such a study guided the definition of the criteria that must be ap- plied to develop the project. The proposal of urban regeneration aims to retrain the whole di- strict by retrofitting ENPAM\u2019s buildings and industrial sheds by the railway as well as redesigning the public spaces and the green areas. The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. The first section overviews the state of art about urban regeneration, taking into account the theories, the regulations, and the best practices. The adopted methodology of analysis and the situation of the ur- ban sector is reported in the second section, as well as underlining critical issues and project requirements emerged. Design criteria and the project proposal is described in the third section
Le tonnare, complessi morfologicamente e tipologicamente significativi nell\u2019ampio panorama d... more Le tonnare, complessi morfologicamente e tipologicamente significativi nell\u2019ampio panorama dei beni culturali, sono oggetto di studio dell\u2019archeologia industriale. Esse possono essere risorse immobiliari utilizzabili per fini speculativi di riconversione ad usi pi\uf9 remunerativi: gli interventi sui grandi complessi innescano spesso processi pi\uf9 ampi del rinnovo urbano, sollecitando nuove strategie di sviluppo basato sul rinnovamento dell\u2019immagine e sul significato simbolico che pu\uf2 assumere l\u2019intervento. In quanto risorse urbane, possono promuovere strategie di riorganizzazione territoriale mediante la rilocalizzazione di servizi, quali i musei, oppure lo sviluppo di attivit\ue0 innovative, come i centri di formazione o sperimentazione. In quanto beni culturali, sono testimoni di memorie e di valori simbolici, riutilizzabili per la valorizzazione di se stessi, ma anche per riqualificare ampie porzioni di tessuto urbano. In quanto risorse ambientali possono favorire il recupero tanto di spazi urbani aperti, quanto di parti di paesaggio in cui si collocano. Cos\uec, risultano di particolare interesse i contributi di: Francesca Scalisi, sulla storia delle tonnare; di Cesare Sposito, che analizza la loro architettura e lo sviluppo che la tipologia ha avuto nel tempo; di Elio Capr\uec, che propone un intervento di recupero per la Favignana; infine di Giuseppina Colicci, sulla cialoma, tipico canto legato al lavoro. Un repertorio di immagini sulle tonnare Florio e Bordonaro in Palermo, conclude la pubblicazione
In the context of environmental emergency of which the construction sector is one of the main cau... more In the context of environmental emergency of which the construction sector is one of the main causes – since it consumes 40% of the (embodied and operational) energy and produces about a third of the total waste – and due to the ambitious objectives set by the international community and by many countries to reduce the environmental impact of buildings during their whole life cycle, this paper wants to make a contribution to the understanding of the state of the art on cycle-based research activities, sustainable experiments and good practices that the building industry and the academy have implemented in recent years. In particular, it refers to cycle-based theoretical and experimental actions involving process and product innovations at different scales (‘macro’, ‘meso’ and ‘micro’) of the built environment. They are capable of overcoming the traditional linear approach to use an approach aiming, on the one hand, to extend the service life cycle, and on the other, to evaluate new...
Bioeconomy, circular economy, land use reduction, sustainable use of natural resources, reduction... more Bioeconomy, circular economy, land use reduction, sustainable use of natural resources, reduction of CO2 emissions in the atmosphere and recycling are the keywords which the building world must face in the near future, as the environmental emergency can no longer be postponed. In order to disseminate in the scientific community the different possibilities of timber as a sustainable building material throughout its whole life cycle and to provide the professionals with suitable decision-making tools for a conscious design, within the cultural and scientific scenario of the recent years, the paper serves as a moment of reflection highlighting how a closer integration between different sectors (forestry, building, energy, industrial and waste management) can find, in the use of timber, an opportunity to significantly reduce the overall impact of a built environment life cycle
The book presents reflections on the centrality of Design in the discipline of Technology of Arch... more The book presents reflections on the centrality of Design in the discipline of Technology of Architecture and on the need to adapt the design method to the innovation of thought implemented by the research world. The theme of the Innovation in the Method of Technological Design is an interesting challenge that in this volume has been addressed considering the complexity of the levels of thematic depth, opening up to critical reflections, proposals for tools and illustration of case studies that show the breadth, relevance and multidimensionality of this issue. The era of digital and information technology have significantly influenced the way of doing and thinking in architecture and this evolution of design thinking takes on different connotations in training or professional practice. In the volume, it is transversally observable as the degree of innovation is to be found in the contents (ideas, techniques and procedures), as well as in the tools. The need to adapt the design method to the innovation of thought, carried out and encouraged by the world of research, obliges us to rethink the existing contents and training paths that must generate it and to privilege the didactic experiences in which the traditional procedure (frontal teaching, individual study, profit examination) is passed. Since the labour market rewards those who demonstrate their ability to control the design process with creativity and predictability, concreteness and feasibility, sensitivity and respect for the transforming environment, the book proposes the centrality of the technological project, based on a technical culture, since it is able to guarantee the correct use of resources and an appropriate management of the transformation process. New paradigms of regenerative architecture, \u2018cradle to cradle\u2019 approach, methodological approach to the design of shelters in archaeological sites, building with water, materials for digital production in architecture are interesting design experiments wisely described: the development of such a debate can also lead to useful contributions to the development of technological thinking
La conoscenza storica, archeologica, geometrica, materica e tecnologia di reperti archeologici \u... more La conoscenza storica, archeologica, geometrica, materica e tecnologia di reperti archeologici \ue8 un prerequisito per la progettazione di sistemi di protezione, in grado di soddisfare la duplice funzione conservativa e fruitiva del bene; in tal modo, attraverso nuove forme e mezzi di comunicazione, questi oggetti "semiofori" potranno ritrovare l'identit\ue0 perduta e vedere riconosciuto il proprio valore. Questo contributo fornisce elementi di riflessione per valutare i sistemi di protezione del patrimonio archeologico, gi\ue0 fase di pianificazione del processo di conservazione e di messa in valore
AGATHÓN | International Journal of Architecture Art and Design, 2024
The goals of climate neutrality by 2050 and the reduction of CO2 emissions by 55% (compared to th... more The goals of climate neutrality by 2050 and the reduction of CO2 emissions by 55% (compared to the 1990 level) by 2030 (European Commission, 2019, 2021) pose the European Union, and even more so the rest of the world, with several complex issues, including a significant increase in ‘clean’ energy production from alternative and renewable sources, the reduction of energy poverty, greater security of energy supply and a drastic decrease in dependence on energy imports; at the same time, the aim is to foster modern economic growth decoupled from the use of non-renewable resources, the creation of new jobs, and to generate environmental and health benefits, objectives with inevitable cultural, political, economic, production, technological and social implications to be addressed both within one’s borders and in foreign policy. The energy transition is, therefore, complex and challenging to implement because it involves ‘everything’ and is needed ‘everywhere’ but also because globally, primary energy consumption has been steadily increasing for at least half a century.
The theoretical and experimental framework presented demonstrates how energy, ecological and digital transitions can contribute synergistically to achieving the goals of decarbonisation and climate neutrality. The contributions published in the form of essays and research papers appear consistent with the 2022 Strategic Foresight Report (European Commission, 2022) based on the JRC report entitled Towards a Green and Digital Future – Key Requirements for Successful Twin Transitions in the European Union (Muench et alii, 2022) and founded on the fundamental concepts of (a) ‘twin’ transitions, as the key to a sustainable, fair and competitive future; (b) ‘just’ transition, for widespread acceptance of green and digital solutions to mitigate consumption and improve efficiency; (c) ‘integrated approach’ to challenges, to maximise the benefits of synergies and better manage risks. From the published contributions, it emerges the need for a paradigm shift that, on the one hand, is characterised by a ‘sufficiency’ approach (regarding new land occupation and new constructions) and a circular economy (to limit the use of non-renewable resources) capable of exploiting the potential of technologies for the new services made possible by digitisation, and on the other hand, relies on new user awareness of the limits of the Planet, pursuable through ‘soft’ urgent actions that are robust, flexible and easy to implement as they require a lower financial commitment. We assume that community energy renewable energy production from hydrogen and production chains can help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. In that case, the vast existing real estate heritage is an area in which it is possible to intervene effectively, even where it has a historical and cultural value, using tools such as digital twins or analysis methodologies capable of assessing ex-ante the impacts on the ecosystem and prefigure scenarios for cities, buildings and production processes aimed at sustainable development and compatible with the urgent objectives set for 2030 and 2050. These are some of the strategies, pathways, measures and actions that can take place by exploiting the availability of the substantial financial resources allocated by governments for transitions, stimulating the sensitivity of local administrators and enhancing the skills and transversal competencies of technicians and operators in the sector, but also and above all by raising users’ awareness of the risks posed by climate change, to activate their ‘behavioural’ response to the consumption of energy and non-renewable natural resources.
AGATHÓN | International Journal of Architecture, Art and Design, 2024
Design, understood as a modern discipline in its broadest sense, has always been inextricably lin... more Design, understood as a modern discipline in its broadest sense, has always been inextricably linked to energy production, availability and accessibility. Every project resulting from human creativity and ingenuity, whether material or immaterial, analogue or digital, depends on it; it is necessary to break free from this atavistic dependence by finding alternative paths that lead us to the energy transition. An increase in human awareness is required to accomplish this and achieve social and environmental equity. In this perspective, this paper, starting with the concepts of ‘mitigation’, ‘sufficiency’, ‘circular economy’ and ‘innovability’, illustrates a number of highly replicable experiments carried out by the multidisciplinary Dotdotdot Studio by employing storytelling, emotive technology and the value of data to generate awareness in users on the issue of energy conservation.
The potential for architecture offered by natural materials in terms of comfort, reduction of emb... more The potential for architecture offered by natural materials in terms of comfort, reduction of embodied energy and energy-saving in the operational phase, dictates in-depth research that might highlight advantages and contribute to improving their characteristics. This research focuses on earth bricks and, in particular, a type of brick made from unfired clay, known as adobe. The aim of the research is to verify improvements in performance of adobe with the aid of nanotechnology. The adobe mixture was prepared with water, soil (from Sicily) and LAPONITE® as a stabilizer. The adobe bricks were subjected to tests of resistance to compression and flexion, resistance to abrasion, capillary absorption of water and resistance to impact. The results may be deemed positive, in particular those relating to resistance to compression. Further research will be necessary, especially with regard to problems of water absorption.
Nanotechnology is a science that utilises methods and techniques to manipulate material on a size... more Nanotechnology is a science that utilises methods and techniques to manipulate material on a size-scale smaller than a micrometre (normally between 1 and 100 nanometres) and has the aim of producing materials with particular chemical-physical characteristics. It constitutes a true multi-disciplinary sphere of investigation, involving numerous areas of research, ranging from molecular biology to chemistry, from the science of materials to (applied and basic) physics, to mechanical and electronic engineering. Nanotechnology\u2019s present and future applications render this an issue of great current interest, bearing in mind not only its innovative character, but also its possible impact on industrial applications and, therefore, our daily lives; it has a capacity to spark off a real 21st century industrial revolution. Its the importance is confirmed by the interest shown by all the major world powers, including the USA, China, South Korea, India, not to mention Europe of course; these are devising long-term programmes devoted exclusively to the development of nanotechnology. In the architectural sphere the use of nano-structured materials interests the building in its entirety, from the basic structure to the walling, from lighting to energy production. However, the contribution of nanotechnology is not restricted to newly-built structures, but represents an opportunity for an overhaul of the whole cultural heritage. This sector includes experimentation on nano-structured materials for cleaning and reinforcement on stonework samples from the archaeological site of Morgantina. For this purpose, nano-structured systems have been devised and proved effective in the cleaning process, utilised as cleaning agents with the characteristics of a gel. As for the reinforcement of stonework, hybrid nano-structured polymers have been synthesised and tested; the presence of the organic and inorganic components guaranteed a sound performance. Apart from issues of cleaning and the reinforcement of stonework, that of enhancing the performance of a traditional material such as earth was tackled, with its utilisation not only in the sphere of historical architectural restoration but also in new constructions. The research aims to create nano-composite materials, a new class of material characterised by an ultra-fine dispersion of elements, typically of the order of a few nano-metres; in virtue of this dispersion the nanocomposites possess unique properties, not shared by conventional composites or micro-composites. In other terms, the research aims to bolster earth with nano-structured reinforcement, in order to improve the chemical-physical and mechanical performance of the final product. The research involves aspects of the cultural and material tradition, as well as innovation, as a criterion for renewing building methods. To sum up, nanotechnology certainly represents an advance in the scientific field, its potential being enormous. The fact should not be neglected that this science requires investigation of the risks for human health, due to the utilisation of materials manipulated on the nanometric scale; in this regard notes of caution have been voiced regarding the toxic nature of various nanostructured materials. The only path to take for the safeguard of health and environment, in our opinion, is to invest as much as possible in research and knowledge, especially with the involvement of public organisations
This paper describes the methodology of research and analy- sis that have been adopted in order t... more This paper describes the methodology of research and analy- sis that have been adopted in order to develop the targets of the project, along with the design proposal. A literature review about urban regeneration ad its best practices and a deep study of the various features and peculiarities of the area has been conducted. Such a study guided the definition of the criteria that must be ap- plied to develop the project. The proposal of urban regeneration aims to retrain the whole di- strict by retrofitting ENPAM\u2019s buildings and industrial sheds by the railway as well as redesigning the public spaces and the green areas. The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. The first section overviews the state of art about urban regeneration, taking into account the theories, the regulations, and the best practices. The adopted methodology of analysis and the situation of the ur- ban sector is reported in the second section, as well as underlining critical issues and project requirements emerged. Design criteria and the project proposal is described in the third section
Le tonnare, complessi morfologicamente e tipologicamente significativi nell\u2019ampio panorama d... more Le tonnare, complessi morfologicamente e tipologicamente significativi nell\u2019ampio panorama dei beni culturali, sono oggetto di studio dell\u2019archeologia industriale. Esse possono essere risorse immobiliari utilizzabili per fini speculativi di riconversione ad usi pi\uf9 remunerativi: gli interventi sui grandi complessi innescano spesso processi pi\uf9 ampi del rinnovo urbano, sollecitando nuove strategie di sviluppo basato sul rinnovamento dell\u2019immagine e sul significato simbolico che pu\uf2 assumere l\u2019intervento. In quanto risorse urbane, possono promuovere strategie di riorganizzazione territoriale mediante la rilocalizzazione di servizi, quali i musei, oppure lo sviluppo di attivit\ue0 innovative, come i centri di formazione o sperimentazione. In quanto beni culturali, sono testimoni di memorie e di valori simbolici, riutilizzabili per la valorizzazione di se stessi, ma anche per riqualificare ampie porzioni di tessuto urbano. In quanto risorse ambientali possono favorire il recupero tanto di spazi urbani aperti, quanto di parti di paesaggio in cui si collocano. Cos\uec, risultano di particolare interesse i contributi di: Francesca Scalisi, sulla storia delle tonnare; di Cesare Sposito, che analizza la loro architettura e lo sviluppo che la tipologia ha avuto nel tempo; di Elio Capr\uec, che propone un intervento di recupero per la Favignana; infine di Giuseppina Colicci, sulla cialoma, tipico canto legato al lavoro. Un repertorio di immagini sulle tonnare Florio e Bordonaro in Palermo, conclude la pubblicazione
In the context of environmental emergency of which the construction sector is one of the main cau... more In the context of environmental emergency of which the construction sector is one of the main causes – since it consumes 40% of the (embodied and operational) energy and produces about a third of the total waste – and due to the ambitious objectives set by the international community and by many countries to reduce the environmental impact of buildings during their whole life cycle, this paper wants to make a contribution to the understanding of the state of the art on cycle-based research activities, sustainable experiments and good practices that the building industry and the academy have implemented in recent years. In particular, it refers to cycle-based theoretical and experimental actions involving process and product innovations at different scales (‘macro’, ‘meso’ and ‘micro’) of the built environment. They are capable of overcoming the traditional linear approach to use an approach aiming, on the one hand, to extend the service life cycle, and on the other, to evaluate new...
Bioeconomy, circular economy, land use reduction, sustainable use of natural resources, reduction... more Bioeconomy, circular economy, land use reduction, sustainable use of natural resources, reduction of CO2 emissions in the atmosphere and recycling are the keywords which the building world must face in the near future, as the environmental emergency can no longer be postponed. In order to disseminate in the scientific community the different possibilities of timber as a sustainable building material throughout its whole life cycle and to provide the professionals with suitable decision-making tools for a conscious design, within the cultural and scientific scenario of the recent years, the paper serves as a moment of reflection highlighting how a closer integration between different sectors (forestry, building, energy, industrial and waste management) can find, in the use of timber, an opportunity to significantly reduce the overall impact of a built environment life cycle
The book presents reflections on the centrality of Design in the discipline of Technology of Arch... more The book presents reflections on the centrality of Design in the discipline of Technology of Architecture and on the need to adapt the design method to the innovation of thought implemented by the research world. The theme of the Innovation in the Method of Technological Design is an interesting challenge that in this volume has been addressed considering the complexity of the levels of thematic depth, opening up to critical reflections, proposals for tools and illustration of case studies that show the breadth, relevance and multidimensionality of this issue. The era of digital and information technology have significantly influenced the way of doing and thinking in architecture and this evolution of design thinking takes on different connotations in training or professional practice. In the volume, it is transversally observable as the degree of innovation is to be found in the contents (ideas, techniques and procedures), as well as in the tools. The need to adapt the design method to the innovation of thought, carried out and encouraged by the world of research, obliges us to rethink the existing contents and training paths that must generate it and to privilege the didactic experiences in which the traditional procedure (frontal teaching, individual study, profit examination) is passed. Since the labour market rewards those who demonstrate their ability to control the design process with creativity and predictability, concreteness and feasibility, sensitivity and respect for the transforming environment, the book proposes the centrality of the technological project, based on a technical culture, since it is able to guarantee the correct use of resources and an appropriate management of the transformation process. New paradigms of regenerative architecture, \u2018cradle to cradle\u2019 approach, methodological approach to the design of shelters in archaeological sites, building with water, materials for digital production in architecture are interesting design experiments wisely described: the development of such a debate can also lead to useful contributions to the development of technological thinking
La conoscenza storica, archeologica, geometrica, materica e tecnologia di reperti archeologici \u... more La conoscenza storica, archeologica, geometrica, materica e tecnologia di reperti archeologici \ue8 un prerequisito per la progettazione di sistemi di protezione, in grado di soddisfare la duplice funzione conservativa e fruitiva del bene; in tal modo, attraverso nuove forme e mezzi di comunicazione, questi oggetti "semiofori" potranno ritrovare l'identit\ue0 perduta e vedere riconosciuto il proprio valore. Questo contributo fornisce elementi di riflessione per valutare i sistemi di protezione del patrimonio archeologico, gi\ue0 fase di pianificazione del processo di conservazione e di messa in valore
Possible and Preferable scenarios of a sustainable future – Towards 2030 and Beyond, 2021
Investigating the Future is an established practice for the academy and the world of crafts and i... more Investigating the Future is an established practice for the academy and the world of crafts and industry. From the Chicago Columbian Exhibition of 1893 to the two Worlds Fairs of New York City (1939 and 1965) and so on, the future has been foreseen as filled with technology and amazing architecture but not every vision of the future has described promising scenarios. The four visions of the future proposed by Norman Henchey (1978) conceptualized in classes – ‘possible’ (any future), ‘plausible’ (future that makes sense), ‘probable’ (highly likely to happen), ‘preferable’ (the best that could happen) – have been brilliantly described in the ‘Futures Cone’ reinterpreted by Joseph Voros (2003). As we move away from the present, the ‘possible’ tends to ‘preferable’ due to the lack of elements and data on which to base the programming and the planning: in fact, the certainty on the type of technologies and production methods that will be available, on the social structure and user uses, and so on decreases. By 2030, the world will already be different: Thomas L. Friedman (2016) highlights that the three main forces of our Planet – Moore’s Law (technology), the Market (globalization) and Mother Nature (climate change and biodiversity loss) – are all pressing at the same time, with inevitable consequences for the territory, cities, architecture, products and services that will be designed, developed and used in the future. The 17 2030 Sustainable Development Goals presented by the United Nations provide an answer for this time horizon, tracing the path towards a model to achieve a better and more sustainable future for everyone. But will these Goals be able to accelerate sustainable innovation? Paraphrasing Luciano Floridi, philosopher of Information and Technology at the University of Oxford, we ask ourselves if ‘green’ (of natural and artificial environments) and ‘blue’ (of science, technology and therefore the digital world) will succeed to guide a vision of the future capable of replacing ‘things’ (objects) with ‘relationships’, ‘individual planning’ with ‘common planning’, the ‘experience economy’ (and not consumption) with a ‘policy of care and relationships’ (and not production). A vision of the sustainable future of living, by looking at the two time horizons of 2030 and 2050, will be played on an increasingly synergistic work aimed at providing answers to many questions.
Resilience between Mitigation and Adaptation, 2020
Nowadays, the protection in situ, the enhancement and the fruition of archaeological sites are is... more Nowadays, the protection in situ, the enhancement and the fruition of archaeological sites are issues that are even more relevant, if we take into account the effects caused, in recent decades, by climate change both on the conservation of the most fragile artefacts and on the well-being of visitors. New questions related to the 'recover of identity' are raised by the relationships that the protection interventions establish with the environmental context (external) and with the ancient ruins (internal), imposing an interpretation of the project as a union of landscape, morphological, climatic, technical, use and management aspects, or by requiring a holistic and integrated approach, from a disciplinary point of view, and systemic, from a technical point of view. Without wishing to provide a set of predefined solutions, the contribution presents some innovative and reliable protection systems with a paradig-matic and exemplary character for architectural and construction quality, flexibility and adaptability of the space, energy and environmental performance, so that they can be a stimulus for areas of research and experimentation in specific archaeological sites.
TECHNOLOGICAL DESIGN. THE INNOVATION IN THE METHOD, 2018
The book presents reflections on the centrality of Design in the discipline of Technology of Arch... more The book presents reflections on the centrality of Design in the discipline of Technology of Architecture and on the need to adapt the design method to the innovation of thought implemented by the research world. The theme of the Innovation in the Method of Technological Design is an interesting challenge that in this volume has been addressed considering the complexity of the levels of thematic depth, opening up to critical reflections, proposals for tools and illustration of case studies that show the breadth, relevance and multidimensionality of this issue. The era of digital and information technology have significantly influenced the way of doing and thinking in architecture and this evolution of design thinking takes on different connotations in training or professional practice. In the volume, it is transversally observable as the degree of innovation is to be found in the contents (ideas, techniques and procedures), as well as in the tools. The need to adapt the design method to the innovation of thought, carried out and encouraged by the world of research, obliges us to rethink the existing contents and training paths that must generate it and to privilege the didactic experiences in which the traditional procedure (frontal teaching, individual study, profit examination) is passed. Since the labour market rewards those who demonstrate their ability to control the design process with creativity and predictability, concreteness and feasibility, sensitivity and respect for the transforming environment, the book proposes the centrality of the technological project, based on a technical culture, since it is able to guarantee the correct use of resources and an appropriate management of the transformation process. New paradigms of regenerative architecture, ‘cradle to cradle’ approach, methodological approach to the design of shelters in archaeological sites, building with water, materials for digital production in architecture are interesting design experiments wisely described: the development of such a debate can also lead to useful contributions to the development of technological thinking.
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The theoretical and experimental framework presented demonstrates how energy, ecological and digital transitions can contribute synergistically to achieving the goals of decarbonisation and climate neutrality. The contributions published in the form of essays and research papers appear consistent with the 2022 Strategic Foresight Report (European Commission, 2022) based on the JRC report entitled Towards a Green and Digital Future – Key Requirements for Successful Twin Transitions in the European Union (Muench et alii, 2022) and founded on the fundamental concepts of (a) ‘twin’ transitions, as the key to a sustainable, fair and competitive future; (b) ‘just’ transition, for widespread acceptance of green and digital solutions to mitigate consumption and improve efficiency; (c) ‘integrated approach’ to challenges, to maximise the benefits of synergies and better manage risks. From the published contributions, it emerges the need for a paradigm shift that, on the one hand, is characterised by a ‘sufficiency’ approach (regarding new land occupation and new constructions) and a circular economy (to limit the use of non-renewable resources) capable of exploiting the potential of technologies for the new services made possible by digitisation, and on the other hand, relies on new user awareness of the limits of the Planet, pursuable through ‘soft’ urgent actions that are robust, flexible and easy to implement as they require a lower financial commitment. We assume that community energy renewable energy production from hydrogen and production chains can help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. In that case, the vast existing real estate heritage is an area in which it is possible to intervene effectively, even where it has a historical and cultural value, using tools such as digital twins or analysis methodologies capable of assessing ex-ante the impacts on the ecosystem and prefigure scenarios for cities, buildings and production processes aimed at sustainable development and compatible with the urgent objectives set for 2030 and 2050. These are some of the strategies, pathways, measures and actions that can take place by exploiting the availability of the substantial financial resources allocated by governments for transitions, stimulating the sensitivity of local administrators and enhancing the skills and transversal competencies of technicians and operators in the sector, but also and above all by raising users’ awareness of the risks posed by climate change, to activate their ‘behavioural’ response to the consumption of energy and non-renewable natural resources.
The theoretical and experimental framework presented demonstrates how energy, ecological and digital transitions can contribute synergistically to achieving the goals of decarbonisation and climate neutrality. The contributions published in the form of essays and research papers appear consistent with the 2022 Strategic Foresight Report (European Commission, 2022) based on the JRC report entitled Towards a Green and Digital Future – Key Requirements for Successful Twin Transitions in the European Union (Muench et alii, 2022) and founded on the fundamental concepts of (a) ‘twin’ transitions, as the key to a sustainable, fair and competitive future; (b) ‘just’ transition, for widespread acceptance of green and digital solutions to mitigate consumption and improve efficiency; (c) ‘integrated approach’ to challenges, to maximise the benefits of synergies and better manage risks. From the published contributions, it emerges the need for a paradigm shift that, on the one hand, is characterised by a ‘sufficiency’ approach (regarding new land occupation and new constructions) and a circular economy (to limit the use of non-renewable resources) capable of exploiting the potential of technologies for the new services made possible by digitisation, and on the other hand, relies on new user awareness of the limits of the Planet, pursuable through ‘soft’ urgent actions that are robust, flexible and easy to implement as they require a lower financial commitment. We assume that community energy renewable energy production from hydrogen and production chains can help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. In that case, the vast existing real estate heritage is an area in which it is possible to intervene effectively, even where it has a historical and cultural value, using tools such as digital twins or analysis methodologies capable of assessing ex-ante the impacts on the ecosystem and prefigure scenarios for cities, buildings and production processes aimed at sustainable development and compatible with the urgent objectives set for 2030 and 2050. These are some of the strategies, pathways, measures and actions that can take place by exploiting the availability of the substantial financial resources allocated by governments for transitions, stimulating the sensitivity of local administrators and enhancing the skills and transversal competencies of technicians and operators in the sector, but also and above all by raising users’ awareness of the risks posed by climate change, to activate their ‘behavioural’ response to the consumption of energy and non-renewable natural resources.