The course deals with theoretical and applied aspects of architectural technology and construction, with a specific focus on minimising the environmental impacts of design and construction choices. Construction products and methods and building systems, as well as the ramifications of cultural models, building standards and regulations, production modes, and users’ behaviour are holistically understood as variables which affect the overall environmental performance of constructions. The course can provide the tools to deal with possible subsequent activities (masters’ theses, workshops, post-graduate courses, professional practice) with the necessary awareness. Also for this reason, it embraces a specific, radical approach. The state of the art regarding concepts, methodology and “know-how” will be transmitted, also examining outstanding case studies at the international level. The objective is the formation of an ability to deal autonomously and skilfully with an architectural technology problem, in particular with regard to holistic approach, feasibility (constructional and/or procedural), minimisation of the use of resources (materials and energy), and substantiation of choices. The students are required to assimilate the proposed contents and to demonstrate the maturation of critical thinking skills through the application of such contents.

- Ability to critically relate several aspects of complex problems regarding the built environment - Ability to consciously relate different operating elements in complex systems, with a special reference to the built environment - Ability to process a design/building response to meet a specific system of objectives and constraints (eg maximising some environmental performances, minimising embodied energy, making use of local/natural materials and local energy resources, and minimising their consumption at different stages of the building process) - Ability to investigate in detail the materiality of a building, verify its construction technology, and calculate some of its most relevant ecological impact indicators. The acquisition and understanding of the conceptual and operational tools will be verified, among other means, through exercises (see "Additional information" below).

- Comprehension and expression in the language of architectural technology - Understanding and ability to use the technical drawing - Basic knowledge in building technology, building structures, and building physics - Knowledge of the fundamentals of the systems approach - Ability to analyse and interpret the consequences of technological choices on the transformation of the built environment - Understanding that a project should be based on the analysis of needs and the identification of functional roles and performances for each part of the built environment, the systematic verification of the correspondence between the stated goals and the solutions adopted, and the quality of living.

The course provides tools to develop a skill for reading the built environment (monumental building excepted); it clearly prefers the techniques based on renewable and/or low-energy resources; it transmits basic knowledge for the calculation of ‘embodied energy’ and ‘embodied carbon’, as well as other key indicators for the assessment of the environmental impact of construction; it argues to first understand what is already there, then to consciously modify it having both the objectives of today and a durable future in mind, and only in the alternative to consider new construction, where and when necessary. The course puts a focus on natural materials, both newly-developed and traditional, and on building technologies based on them. Envelope design and building strategies in contemporary architecture are analysed. It also encompasses a discussion of the present expectations in terms of comfort and the statutory requirements regarding energy consumption, and puts them in context within the broader imperatives of future-oriented decisions. Lectures and case study analyses will cover: - Concepts and examples associated with Appropriate technology and low-tech. Traditional architecture and technology, both as past and living heritage. (1.5 CFU) - Concepts and methodology of calculating and assessing ecological footprint, ‘embodied energy’ and ‘embodied carbon’ in construction products and buildings. (1.5 CFU) - Properties of natural materials, building products and construction processes based on them, and a discussion of possible applications in contemporary architecture (both in new construction and in retrofits). (3 CFU)

During the whole course, students will be engaged in short exercises to be collectively discussed in order to ensure active participation and interaction. Moreover, they will work on a long-running exercise consisting in the analysis of outstanding case studies at the international level. The exercise will include the following tasks: 1. detailing the building at an appropriate scale; 2. inventorising the construction elements and materials; 3. calculating characteristic values for some significant dimensions (including λ, μ); 4. showing the method of installation of the building elements and the sequence of construction phases; 5. calculating the environmental impact of the building materials used (EE, EC calculated according to agreed methodologies and databases).

Most of the course’s time (approx. 45 out of 60 hrs) will be dedicated to lectures (some of which may be held by guest speakers) and discussions with the students. Health restrictions permitting, a hands-on building experience will be offered to the students. The remainder time will be dedicated to supporting the step-by-step development of students’ exercises.

Students should be acquainted with the following works: Bjørn Berge, The ecology of building materials, London : Architectural Press, 2009 (2nd ed.). Andrea Bocco Guarneri, Vegetarian Architecture, Berlin : Jovis, 2020. Kent A. Harries; Bhavna Sharma, Nonconventional and Vernacular Construction Materials, Sawston : Woodhead Publishing, 2016. Cindy Harris; Pat Borer, The Whole House Book. Ecological Building Design and Materials, Machynlleth : Centre for Alternative Technology, 2005. Tom Woolley, Natural building. A guide to materials and techniques, Ramsbury : The Crowood Press, 2006. In addition, references will be provided for individual lectures and in support of the students’ work. The presentations delivered by the teacher will be downloadable in PDF format from the teaching portal.

Slides;

Modalità di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria; Elaborato grafico individuale; Elaborato scritto individuale;

Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Individual graphic design project; Individual essay;

... Examination mode is oral, with a duration of approximately 20’. The examination will focus on the teaching program, and will consist of a discussion of: - some of the course topics. Rating: 12 points max., according to the following criteria: correct use of technical language (4 pts), appropriate references to the technical and cultural context (4 pts), effective comprehension of the most relevant theoretical and/or operational issues (4 pts); - a written and drawn individual portfolio, consisting in approximately five A3 sheets and illustrating the case study analysed. Rating: 18 points max., according to the following criteria: technical correctness of the drawings (5 pts), correctness of the inventory (4 pts), understanding of building techniques (4 pts), correctness of environmental impact calculations (5 pts). The portfolio shall be uploaded to the appropriate section of the portal no later than one week before the examination date.

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità 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'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.