OVERVIEW

Considering the importance of technology and environmental sustainability for the design of (vegetated) open areas and buildings, the course aims at deepening the relation between design and technology, through the study of systems for the integration of vegetation in architecture and the use of natural elements for climate and environmental control.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim is to provide the tools for facing a design project of open spaces, considering technological and environmental aspects (as limited sources, pollution, etc.) and to qualitatively evaluate performances and environmental impacts of design choices, in relation to the specific characteristics of the site. Since the majority of the European and world population lives in urban areas, the main ecological and environmental issues of such areas are faced, as well as related strategies to be adopted to increase resilience and climate change adaptation.

The main learning outcomes can be summarized as follows:

• Critically elaborate and evaluate the relations between urban environment, open spaces design and ecological and environmental issues;
• Applying the topics of the classes to the design of an open space
• Qualitatively evaluate the environmental impacts and benefits of design choices, among which the selection of one or more systems, in relation to the site characteristics), considering in particular outdoor comfort improvement and rain water management.

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes interactive lectures, also involving experts. For students attending classes, a design exercise is also proposed, with the aim to deep the topics of the lectures. In order to favour the a critical view of the topics and active involvement of students, some activities as debates and case studies research are also included.

Students who have a valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the teacher and with the Department of Architecture and Design's disability referent (https://architettura.unige.it/commissioni_e_referenti_dipartimento).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The main topics are:

• ecological design and its historical evolution
• environmental and microclimatic analysis for sustainable design
• ecological and environmental issues of urban areas
• climate change adaptation and resilience for sustainable urban design and planning;
• microclimatic and environmental analysis for sustainable design in urban areas;
• tools and strategies for the integration of green infrastructure.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Slides will be available on Aulaweb. For each topic a specific bibliography will be provided as well.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

KATIA PERINI (President)

MARIA CANEPA

ANDREA GIACHETTA

ADRIANO MAGLIOCCO

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The final exam includes the evaluation of the students’ skills considering methodological, theoretical and practical knowledge of the topics of the course. It includes also a discussion on the exercises developed during the course (for the students attending classes)

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Students attending classes

The oral exam and the activities implemented during classes (e.g. debates) will evaluate the ability of the students to critically elaborate and relate the topics. The design exercise will allow verifying the abilities to apply the knowledge acquired and to qualitative evaluate the impact of design choices on the environment.

Students not attending classes

The oral exam will evaluate the ability of the students to critically elaborate and relate the topics. In addition, thorough specific examples and cases, the abilities to apply the knowledge acquired and to qualitative evaluate the impact of design choices on the environment will be verified.

The evaluation takes into account also the quality of exposure and the correct use of specific terms.