The course aims at providing technical-scientific fundamentals for an aware choice of materials in the sustainable architectural project, by completing the knowledge acquired during the course of Science and Technology of Materials of the BSc in Architecture. The study of the eco-sustainability of construction materials will clearly and unambiguously motivate their use in sustainable architectural design, based on the analysis of their production processes and properties. Moreover, the course aims at illustrating the students some tools for the eco-compatibility assessment of the construction materials. This knowledge will allow students to develop critical tools for materials evaluation and selection, as well as original ideas to be applied in other design course and Atelier of the program.

The course provides students with advanced and specific knowledge of construction materials previously introduced in the “Materials Science and Technology” course of the Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, with a particular focus on their ecological and sustainability-related properties. Appropriate tools for assessing the eco-compatibility of building materials will be introduced, and students will develop the competences and practical skills required to critically select and properly use materials within sustainable architectural design. In particular, students will acquire the following abilities: Knowledge • advanced knowledge of the main classes of construction materials, including both structural and functional materials (such as thermal and acoustic performance), with particular reference to their structure, properties, durability, and interactions with the surrounding environment; • speciafic knowledge of the production processes of construction materials, with a specific focus on environmental and safety-related impacts associated with manufacturing processes; • knowledge of next-generation materials, especially those developed through alternative and innovative production processes as eco-sustainable solutions (Green Building Materials) to conventional high-impact materials and technologies; • knowledge of methodologies and tools for environmental impact assessment, including the interpretation and analysis of relevant standards and regulations; • knowledge derived from the analysis of multiple case studies, aimed at building a critical background for material evaluation and selection. Competences • competences related to environmental challenges associated with the architecture and construction sectors; • specific competences for evaluating the environmental impact of building materials through indicators such as raw material consumption, energy demand, global warming potential, environmental pollution, toxicity, and waste generation; • competences in the critical assessment of architectural projects and existing case studies; • the ability to make informed and critical decisions regarding the selection of materials in sustainable architectural design. Skills • the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to conscious and critical design choices, in compliance with sustainability and safety requirements; • the ability to select the most suitable materials according to specific application targets, adopting a holistic approach that integrates structural, functional, and environmental performance criteria.

Students are required to possess the knowledge acquired through the disciplinary contributions of the courses included in the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Architecture, specifically: “Architectural Technology,” “Environmental Technical Physics,” “Fundamentals of Structural Analysis,” and “Materials Science and Technology.” In addition, students must be able to critically employ and integrate the sources, tools, and methods related to the aforementioned disciplines.

The course “Sustainability of Processes and Products in Materials for Architecture” addresses the relationship between the use of materials and environmental sustainability in architectural design. The course, corresponding to 6 ECTS credits, is structured as follows: Lectures (4 ECTS) • Part 1 (1.5 ECTS): focuses on the general aspects related to the environmental impact of materials and their production cycles, including pollutants generated by materials and their effects on human health and the environment. This section also addresses the sustainable management of natural resources, end-of-life scenarios for materials, and practices of deconstruction and selective demolition. • Part 2 (2 ECTS): focuses on the sustainability of architectural materials. This section is dedicated to structural materials, materials for vertical enclosures, roofing systems, finishes, and thermal insulation. The following construction materials are examined: metals, concrete, ceramics and bricks, wood, bamboo, straw, raw earth, glass, waterproofing materials, thermal insulation materials, paints and coatings, adhesives, and binders. Innovative, adaptive, and responsive (biomimetic) materials are also presented, with reference to future developments in research on eco-sustainable materials. For each class of materials, the course addresses production processes, properties, durability, environmental sustainability, and possible technological solutions aimed at achieving materials and components with the required mechanical performance, durability, and energy efficiency. • Part 3 (0.5 ECTS): addresses the main indicators used to assess the eco-compatibility of construction products throughout the entire life cycle of building components, including potential reuse, recycling, and disposal scenarios. Finally, the course introduces the principal environmental certification labels and rating systems. Practical session (2 ECTS) The practical session will be dedicated to translating knowledge into competences and skills, and be carried out through the use of different approaches and tools, including: • Analysis of case studies, from relevant bibliography and technical document; • Evaluation of environmental performance of materials and structures, by using specific tools such as standard, data-base and software; • Topical depending on the most innovative, advanced and sustainable construction materials and related technologies and manufacturing processes; • Understanding and use of materials maps as criteria selection in design based on technical and environmental performance

The teaching methods include single- and multi-disciplinary lectures focused on the concrete experience of sustainable design, as well as possible thematic seminars. Collective discussions on issues related to sustainable architecture may also be organized, providing students with further insights through scientific literature. The course workload consists of 6 ECTS credits (60 hours) of teaching activities, divided into 4 ECTS credits (40 hours) of lectures and 2 ECTS credits (20 hours) of practical exercises. For any clarification regarding the lessons, the instructor will be available by appointment.

Lecture slides, some thematic handouts, and useful study documents are available to students on the Teaching Portal. References for reading and reading guidelines will be provided during the lectures. Suggested bibliography: - M.F. Ashby. Materials and sustainable development. Butterworth-Heinemann (2016). - M.F. Ashby. Materials and the environment. 2nd edition, Butterworth-Heinemann (2013). - B. Berge. The ecology of building materials. Elsevier Architectural Press, Oxford (2009). - A selection of relevant and UpToDate scientific bibliography (research papers) available from PoliTO electronic sources.

Slides;

Modalita di esame: Prova scritta (in aula); Prova scritta in aula tramite PC con l'utilizzo della piattaforma di ateneo;

Exam: Written test; Computer-based written test in class using POLITO platform;

... The exam is aimed at assessing the knowledge acquired by students regarding construction materials, analyzed in terms of their environmental sustainability (production process, effects on health and the environment, durability, and end-of-life management), as well as the tools used to evaluate their eco-compatibility. Students are expected to demonstrate that they have acquired the necessary skills to critically select and consciously use materials within the context of sustainable architectural design. Therefore, the examination will assess the knowledge gained through both lectures and practical activities. Examination format: Written exam with open- and/or closed-ended questions administered via PC using the University’s Exam platform integrated with proctoring tools (Respondus). • Use of the University’s Exam platform integrated with proctoring tools (Respondus); • Exam duration: 1.5 hours; • A maximum of 15 questions (typically 10), mainly structured as open-ended questions, although quizzes may also be included. Each question is assigned a maximum score of up to 5/30; • No supporting materials (calculator, sheets of paper, etc.) are typically required during the exam. Should any materials be necessary, the instructor will communicate this in advance; • Availability of a sample exam uploaded to the teaching portal; • Possible request for further clarification from the student regarding the exam performance and/or an additional oral examination, in accordance with the University Guidelines for online examinations.

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilita o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unita Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione piu idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.