TECNOLOGIE PER LA PROGETTAZIONE SOSTENIBILE
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: GIANLUCA RODONO'Expected Learning Outcomes
The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and methodological tools required to design sustainable buildings that combine architectural quality, environmental performance, and technical feasibility. The course explores the principles of sustainable design, innovative and low-impact construction technologies, renewable energy sources, sustainability assessment tools, and the latest parametric design methods applied to architecture.
Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge of the principles of sustainable design and the main strategies for creating buildings with a low environmental impact. They will understand sustainable construction systems, energy-efficient technologies, the use of renewable energy sources, environmental sustainability assessment criteria, and the main digital tools used in parametric and performance-based design.
Applying Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course, students will be able to apply sustainable design principles to the development of an architectural project, selecting technologies and materials consistent with environmental and energy-performance objectives. They will be able to analyse case studies, assess design solutions in relation to the climatic context, use digital tools to support design decision-making, and develop sustainable and technically feasible design proposals, including through group work and hands-on construction experimentation.
Course Structure
The course combines lectures, practical exercises, and group-based design activities.
Lectures introduce the theoretical foundations of sustainable design, innovative construction technologies, energy-efficient design, and environmental sustainability assessment tools.
Practical activities include the critical analysis of sustainable architecture case studies, the development of a design project using sustainable construction technologies, and the experimental construction of a prototype in collaboration with companies operating in the sector. Where possible, the course also includes technical visits to construction sites and companies in the construction industry.
These teaching methods contribute in an integrated manner to the achievement of the expected learning outcomes, ensuring consistency between the course’s educational objectives and the teaching methods adopted.
Should the course be delivered in a blended or online format, the necessary changes to the teaching methods described above may be introduced to ensure that the programme set out in this syllabus is fully covered.
Required Prerequisites
Recommended Prior Knowledge
To engage effectively with the course, students are expected to have a sound knowledge of the fundamental principles of architectural technology and construction systems, acquired through successful completion of the Architettura Tecnica I course.
It is also strongly recommended that students have acquired the knowledge and skills provided by the Architettura Tecnica II and Fisica Tecnica courses, particularly with regard to the thermophysical behaviour of the building envelope, energy efficiency, and environmental comfort.
Detailed Course Content
The subject of the course is the design of sustainable architecture, i.e. architecture that combines formal quality and expressive coherence with adequate performance in terms of functionality, safety, well-being and comfort. The design of sustainable architecture must also aim to reduce the impact of construction on ecosystem resources throughout the building's life cycle.
The course’s aim is to deepen the knowledge of contemporary construction processes, to address the issue of the building feasibility and the environmental sustainability of an architectural work.
The course specifically develops the topics below.
1. Evolution of sustainable development
Sustainable approach to the design of the built environment. Demographic aspects and land consumption. Energy consumption of buildings and environmental impact.
Revival of the local constructive culture, bioclimatic architecture, bio-architecture, ecological architecture, sustainable architecture.
2. Principles of sustainable design, with specific regard to the Mediterranean climate
Analysis of macro and microclimatic factors and of the morphology of the building area.
Form and orientation of buildings. Albedo.
Use of vegetation to control solar radiation, wind speed and direction, relative humidity.
"Passive" and "active" heating and cooling systems.
Architectural integration of renewable energy source systems.
Overview of the functional distribution criteria of residential buildings. Positioning, insulation, and solar shading of windows.
Advantages of massive walls for the thermal comfort of buildings in Mediterranean climate.
Technological solutions for the reduction of thermal bridges.
Green roofs and green walls.
3. Passive House standard, on zero energy buildings, on the energy certification
Introduction to Passivhaus standard and to zero-energy and zero-emission buildings (ZEB, nearly ZEB, net ZEB).
Energy certification of buildings in Italy.
4. Use of renewable and sustainable energy sources in construction
Introduction to the most widespread renewable and sustainable energy sources in the construction sector, at building or neighborhood level (solar, wind, geothermal, biomass energy). Pre-dimensioning of solar panels.
5. Dry construction systems and processes
Review of the main "dry" systems and construction methods currently used in the construction sector. Advantages of the selective demolition of buildings.
6. Principles and tools of algorithmic design
Advantages of using parameters in the design process: moving from additive to associative logic. Introduction to algorithmic design with Grasshopper for Rhino and environmental and energy modelling with Ladybug and Honeybee.
7. Parametric design and sustainability of buildings
How to carry out detailed analyses of climate data and produce interactive climate graphics that support decision-making during the early stages of environmentally informed design. Create, simulate, and visualise energy models using OpenStudio for energy informed design. Parametric design tools for optimising building components on thermal comfort.
8. Industry 4.0 and sustainability
Introduction to Industry 4.0 technologies with a focus on the construction sector (additive manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, sensors, robots, advanced materials, big data, internet of things).
9. Evaluation of the environmental sustainability of buildings
Environmentally friendly construction materials and components. Embodied energy. Introduction to life cycle assessment in buildings (LCA). The ITACA protocol.
Design activities
1. MS Power Point presentation of an example of sustainable architecture.
During the first month, the students (in groups of two) will have to select and analyse in detail an example of sustainable architecture (renovation or new construction, residential or possibly tertiary), highlighting its main characteristics, main advantages, and possible criticalities, especially in relation to the Mediterranean climate.
The results of this activity will be illustrated with an MS Power Point presentation.
Accompany the presentation with adequate graphic and photographic documentation, sketches, drawings, and construction details, with explanatory captions.
The final file, with a PPT or PPTX extension, must be uploaded to Teams by a date to be determined by the lecturer (April 2027). The presentation will be shown to all colleagues and the lecturer on a date to be set by the lecturer (April 2027) (presentation duration: 8 minutes).
2. Design exercise: design of a construction unit using low-cost and low-tech construction technologies.
Starting from the beginning of April a second design exercise will be assigned, in which the students, in groups of three (to be defined also depending on the students’ number), will experiment with sustainable construction technologies for the design of a construction unit, with building technologies and climate context assigned by the lecturers. The construction technology tested will be validated with the realisation of a full-scale prototype by the students in collaboration with selected building companies and manufacturer.
Whenever possible as part of the course, the lecturers will organise guided tours to construction sites or companies producing building materials and components, participation in conferences or trade fairs.
Textbook Information
Slides illustrated by the lecturer (posted on MS Teams, "Lecture slides" folder) and lecture notes.
We also recommend consulting the DETAIL magazine and the UTET and The Plan atlases, available at the DICAr library.
Where necessary, further bibliography and/or technical documentation will be uploaded onto MS Teams.Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | For each programme’s topic, the lecturer will provide slides as teaching support | For each programme’s topic, the lecturer will provide slides as teaching support |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The exam for this course is made up of two main parts: group assignments during the course and an individual oral interview. The final grade will take into account the results of both parts.
In-Course Assignments (50% of the final grade)
The oral interview will cover the topics discussed during the course. The evaluation, which constitutes 50% of the final grade, will be based on the following criteria:
Knowledge of the topics: The depth and accuracy with which you master the required topics.
Expressive skills and command of language: The clarity and precision in explaining your ideas.
Ability to make connections: The ability to relate the different topics covered in the course syllabus.
Practical application: The ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world cases, including the freehand drawing of constructive details.
The oral interview can be taken during any available exam session. There are at least eight exam sessions scheduled throughout the academic year.
Oral Interview (50% of the final grade)
The oral examination will cover the topics discussed during the lectures. The evaluation, which constitutes 50% of the final grade, will be based on the following criteria:
Subject knowledge: depth and accuracy in the understanding of the required topics.
Communication skills and language use: clarity and precision in presenting one’s ideas.
Ability to make connections: skill in relating the various topics covered in the course.
Practical application: ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world cases, including the hand-drawn execution of construction details.
The oral examination can be taken during any of the available exam sessions. At least eight exam sessions are scheduled during the academic year.
Exam Registration
To sign up for an exam session, you must book your spot on the university portal.
Assessment may also be conducted online, should circumstances require it.
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, students may request an individual meeting to arrange any appropriate compensatory measures and/or exemptions, taking into account the learning objectives and each student’s specific needs. Students may also contact the Department’s CInAP representative (Centre for Active and Participatory Integration: Services for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders) at: https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
The Itaca protocol.
Energy production systems from renewable sources.
Evolution of the concept of sustainable development.