Stefania DE MEDICI
Keywords
The research is consistent with the main topics of the Technological and Environmental Design of Architecture and is focused on innovation in the enhancement and management of the built environment.
Topics:
1. the adaptive reuse of buildings as an enhancement strategy;
2. quality and efficiency in building maintenance and management;
3. process and product innovation in building renovation.
Architect (1995) and PhD (2000) in Building and Environmental Renovation - XII cycle. Associate Professor of Technological and Environmental Design in Architecture (CEAR-08/C) since 2015 at the University of Catania, DICAR, School of Architecture and Cultural Heritage in Syracuse, where she was a researcher from 2004 to 2015. Since 2018 she is qualified as full professor, National Scientific Qualification, scientific sector 08/C1 - Design and Technological Project of Architecture. Member of the Advisory Board in the Ph.D. Course in Assessment and mitigation of urban and land risks, University of Catania (2017-).
Member of the ANVUR Working Group on Scientific Journals, Area 08 (2020-2023 and 2024-2027), member of the ANVUR Evaluation Experts Register, Scientific Expert Profile for University Accrediting (2019) and member of the digital register Cineca-Reprise, MIUR (2010-).
Editor in Chief of the book series “Rehabilitation, Maintenance and Innovation for the built environment”, Publisher: La Scuola di Pitagora, Naples, since 2017.
Currently teaching in the Master Programme in Architecture, University of Catania (2003-). Substitute professor at the University of Naples “Federico II” (2005-2012). Teacher and supervisor in post-graduate courses, tutor for postgraduate training at the Sicily Region (2020-2021).
Visiting Scholar at the School of Architecture, Design and Built Environment, Nottingham Trent University in 2018, the Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas, Universidad de Granada in 2019 and the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath (UK) in 2024.
Author of about 140 publications, among which 3 books, international and national essays and articles, focusing on innovation in the process of renovation, enhancement and management of the built environment. She is involved in and coordinates research projects funded through competitive calls for proposals and is the principal investigator of research projects in partnership with public institutions. Co-Inventor of the following Patents: “System for planning and controlling maintenance in a building space” (2012) Italian Patent No. 1395463-B, IPC Class: G06Q, Assignee: University of Catania; “Combinable Toy Comprising Shaped Geometric Blocks” (2025) Italian Patent No. 102023000012267, IPC Class: A63F, Assignee: University of Catania.
In 2021, she was awarded the STEAMiamoci prize in ITWIIN 2021, a national competition awarding the professional achievements of creative women active in the fields of research, technology transfer and innovative enterprise. In 2023, she won the international Global WIIN award with special mention.
Main Research Projects
2024-2025 – MAGA (PNRR iNEST): Maintenance and management for the protection of highly frequented archaeological heritage sites – Research team member
2024–2025 – AREE (British Academy): Adapting, re-using and enhancing the European rural heritage buildings: new technological solutions with rooted local materials - Local PI
2023–2026 – CALECHE (Horizon Europe): Coherent, Acceptable, Low Emission Cultural Heritage Efficient Renovation - Advisory Board member
2023–2025 – MICS (PNRR): Made in Italy Circular and Sustainable - SPOKE 2 - Project 2.03 Circular Design for Natural Fibres – Local PI
2023–2025 – PRIN 2022: Building Civic Identities. Towards an Atlas of Communal Palaces in Italian Urban History (12th-20th Centuries) – Research team member
2017–2021 – CLIC (H2020): Circular models Leveraging Investments in Cultural heritage adaptive reuse – Research team member
2013–2016 – PRIN 2010–2011: Landscape Protection between Preservation and Change. Economy and Beauty for a Sustainable Development – Research team member and coordination support
2011–2013 – Italy–Malta CBC: Euro-South HUB - The Hub – Research team member
2004–2006 – COFIN: Tools and procedures for enhancing the value of historical and artistic state property to be sold – Research team member and Local coordination
2001–2004 – Kress Foundation/WMF: New uses for old buildings: the Real Albergo de’ Poveri of Naples – Research team member
1999–2000 – ADAPT Programme: Online dissemination of methods for training new professionals in the management of the built environment – Research team member
Member of the steering committee of ITWIIN A.T.S EPS, the Italian Association of Women Inventors and Innovators, which deals with innovation and invention, both independently and in collaboration with other organisations and institutions.
ITWIIN A.P.S. ETS's main goals are as follows:
- The creation of a network for sharing information, projects and initiatives for developing new products, services and processes.
- Providing assistance to women through guidance, training and support for creating consortia and drafting projects at a national and European level.
- Promoting conferences, debates and initiatives to actively spread the culture of invention and innovation.
https://www.itwiin.org/en/index.html