The course provides students with advanced specific knowledge on building materials and aims to deepen the study of the ecological properties of materials already analyzed in the frame of the course of Science and Technology of Materials during the Bachelor's Degree in Architecture. Some tools for evaluating the eco-compatibility of building materials will be analyzed and the necessary skills will be developed to correctly select and use the materials in the sustainable architectural project. Specifically, the students will acquire: - a specific knowledge on eco-friendly materials (Green Building Materials), their microstructure, their properties, their interactions with the surrounding environment and the possible degradation processes, - the skills to assess the environmental impact of the most common building materials in terms of consumption of raw materials, energy required for their production, global warming, environmental pollution, toxicity and waste production, - knowledge to evaluate, with awareness and competence, the eco-sustainability of processes and components and to select reusable and / or recyclable, durable and low environmental impact building materials.

For an active and beneficial learning of the contents, students must possess the knowledge deriving from the courses of the Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, specifically: "Technology of Architecture", "Environmental Technical Physics", "Fundamentals of structural analysis" and" Materials Science and Technology". Furthermore, students must know how to handle sources, tools and methods related to the aforementioned courses.

The course of "Materials for Architecture, Environmental Sustainability and Innovation" addresses the issue of the relationship between the use of materials and the environmental sustainability in architectural design. The course, equivalent to 6 credits (6 CFU), is organised as follows: - Part 1 (1 CFU): outline on the concept of sustainable development and eco-compatibility. Synopsis of the prevailing environmental impacts related to production cycles, the main pollutants related to the production of materials and the eco-compatibility indicators with reference to the life cycle. Furthermore, any reuse, recycling or disposal of building products, as well as the regulatory framework national and international in the field of environmental sustainability will be summarised. - Part 2 (4 CFU): the sustainability of materials for architecture. This section is dedicated to structural and functional materials, synthetic and natural, as well as adaptive and responsive materials for structural components, vertical cladding, roofing, finishes and thermal insulation. For each class of materials (mainly: metals, cement and concrete, ceramics and bricks, wood, bamboo, straw, raw earth, glass, thermal insulating) the discussion will cover the production cycle, their properties, durability, environmental sustainability, as well as the current most advanced and innovative possible technological solutions for producing materials and components with the necessary requirements, from a mechanical, durability, energy efficiency and eco-compatibility point of view. - Part 3 (1 CFU): concept design of innovative components.

The teaching methods include single and multi-disciplinary lectures devoted to the sustainable project, as well as to possible thematic seminars and practical learning activities aiming at a better use of the contents of the theoretical lectures. The teaching load includes 6 CFU (60 hours) of teaching and the commitment to find specific sources and to study bibliographic material and handouts. For any explanation on the lessons, the professor will be available on appointment.

- M.F. Ashby. Materials and sustainable development. Butterworth-Heinemann (2016), - M.F. Ashby. Materials and the environment. 2nd edition, Butterworth-Heinemann (2013), - E. Kultermann, W.P. Spence, Construction, Materials, Methods, and Techniques. Building for a sustainable future, Cengage (2021), - S. El khouli, V. John, M. Zeumer, Sustainable Construction Techniques, Edition Detail Green Books, 2015, - B. Berge. The ecology of building materials. Elsevier Architectural Press, Oxford (2009), - A. Fassi, L. Maina. L’isolamento ecoefficiente. Guida all'uso dei materiali naturali. Edizioni Ambiente (2009), - U. Wienke. Manuale di bioedilizia. 4a edizione, DEI (2008), - F. Cioffi, L. De Santoli, A. Lalli, F. Manes, L. Persia, S. Serranti. Scienze della sostenibilità. Energia, Risorse, Città, Acqua, Ecosistemi, Diritto. A cura di S. Serranti, Editore: Zanichelli, 2022. The lecture slides, some thematic handouts and / or support documents are made available by the professor on the teaching portal. Bibliographical documents and indications on standards will be specified from time to time during the lessons.

Lecture slides;

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

The learning of the theoretical foundations and application aspects of the course and the ability to critically address the various areas of the discipline will be verified through a written exam, lasting 90 minutes, via PC in the classroom and the Exam platform of the University. The exam consists in twelve to fifteen questions, with multiple choice questions and open answers, and focuses on the cultural, scientific and technological aspects relevant to the student of the Master's Degree in Architecture for sustainability. The exam also aims to evaluate whether the student has acquired the necessary dialogue tools to interact with other professionals of the building sector and the ability to select materials and their correct use in eco-sustainable architecture. Particular attention will be paid to the assessment of the ability to integrate the acquired knowledge and critical selection of design solutions with a lower environmental impact. For each question, a complete and concise answer is requested and a score of up to a maximum of 5/30 is assigned, based on the completeness of the open answers. The final mark is given by the sum of the partial marks obtained for each answer. It is not allowed to use supporting material (books, notes, calculators, electronic devices, etc.). During classroom lectures, numerous examples of questions covered by the exam tests are provided, commented on, and discussed. It is not permitted, during the exam, to use any support material (books, notes, calculators, electronic devices, etc.). Each multiple choice question is rewarded by a score ranging from 1 to 2/30, depending on the complexity/relevance of the question. For questions involving the possibility of multiple correct answers, a positive partial score is assigned to each correct answer and a negative partial score to each incorrect answer. For open answers, there is no negative score. However, an exhaustive and concise answer is required and a score ranging from 3 to 5/30 can be assigned to it, depending on the complexity/relevance of the question. The final grade is given by the sum of the partial scores rewarded to each answer. Students who have optionally engaged in independent study and concept design activities during the lessons will be able to benefit from a maximum of 3 bonus points which will be added to the grade of the written test and will contribute to the awarding of honours ("Lode"), if the sum of the written test mark and the bonus is greater than or equal to 30/30.

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.