ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

Course objectives

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN The objective of course is transmission of methods and tools necessary for comprehension of physical and performance quality of components characterizing urban and rural spaces, with the aim of activating a process of sustainable design of built environment oriented to reduction of emissions into atmosphere and pollution of air, water and soil; reduction of environmental load of transformations and consumption of resources; increase in welfare and environmental quality. The experimentation will focus on evaluation of project bioclimatic aspects (control of sunshine and natural lighting; passive cooling; passive heating; hygrometric and bioclimatic comfort); project bioecological aspects (soil control, ecological management of water, eco-compatibility of materials, reusability of components, recyclability of waste); project energy aspects (increase in energy efficiency, reduction in energy consumption, use of renewable energy, reduction in active systems); project environmental sustainability aspects (impact assessment of intervention, pre-feasibility and environmental feasibility, environmental certification). Knowledge and understanding At the end of course, student has learned knowledge and understanding, as well as skills that allow supporting, from a theoretical-methodological point of view, implementation of objectives for ecological efficiency into intervention. Students have to acquire an adequate and specific knowledge of tools, systems and techniques used to work on built and natural environment, also through methods to verify technological-environmental, morpho-typological and functional efficiency of ecodesign. Assessment of knowledge will be carried out through in progress design experimentation and examination test. Applying knowledge and understanding Student has to demonstrate mastery of an integrated experimental and analytical-design approach to finalise knowledge learned, to solve complex problems related to conservation process for natural and anthropic assets, environmental restoration and improvement of environmental qualities resulting from various compatible actions within intervention strategies. In particular, student is able to experiment and assess integrated and multi-scale interventions, using methods, techniques and tools learned. These skills will be verified through design experimentation activities, in the context of ongoing processes, aimed at developing capacity for individual and group approach to application and professional problems. Making judgements Student has to demonstrate ability to learn, evaluate and revise knowledge and experiences in order to form an independent and original judgment. In particular, student should be adopting skills in autonomous project management of conscious and compatible intervention, with the aim of detailing innovative and sustainable solutions. The achievement of these critical and autonomous judgement skills will be learned during experimental and design activities, through simulations of eco-efficient technological interventions. Communication skills Students will have to demonstrate the ability in technical communication of theoretical, methodological and design competence, using advanced and multimedia representation tools and verbal and written infographic language, through innovative ecodesign proposals. The achievement of these skills will be learned during experimental activities, which ensure full control of specific expressive and illustrative skills. Learning skills Students have to demonstrate a full capacity for autonomous knowledge process, which will allow them to update and increase skills in the field of environmental design and, more generally, in peculiar strategies for eco-efficient technological intervention. Acquisition of these skills will take place through specific theoretical contributions given during the course, aimed at broadening framework of skills to access innovative methodologies, tools and applications and through constant participation in experimental activities, dialectical field of knowledge learned assessment, within concrete experiences of design. Assessment of learning skills will take place, above all, in exam test finalised to highlight autonomy in knowledge-learned management.

Channel 1
MICHELE CONTEDUCA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The course addresses the broad theme of urban regeneration and ecological transition, focusing on the environmental [re]qualification of urban open spaces through applied experimentation on a specific case study. In this perspective, the course takes as a reference the principles of resilient and healthy cities, understood as urban contexts capable of adaptively responding to environmental, climatic, and social challenges while simultaneously improving quality of life and public health. The course explores the scientific and disciplinary content of Environmental Design and of the technological culture of design, namely the theoretical principles, tools, and methods aimed at controlling the technical aspects required to achieve high-quality outcomes. The objective of the course is to provide methods and tools necessary for the study of the physical and performance-related qualities of the components characterizing urban and rural spaces, with the aim of activating a sustainable design process of the built environment. This process is oriented towards reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere and the pollution of air, water, and soil; lowering the environmental impact of transformations and resource consumption; and enhancing well-being, environmental quality, and urban resilience. The design experimentation will focus on the assessment of: • Bioclimatic aspects (solar access and lighting controls; ventilation; hygrometric and bioclimatic comfort); • Bioecological aspects (soil management, ecological water management, material eco-compatibility, component reusability, waste and by-product recyclability); • Energy and plant-system aspects (improving energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption, use of renewable energy, minimizing active plant systems); • Environmental sustainability aspects (impact assessments, environmental pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, environmental certification). Case study Environmental analysis and design of a regeneration area in the Testaccio district of Rome.
Prerequisites
The course is positioned at the conclusion of the first-year curriculum, where students have already acquired design tools and an understanding of landscape culture, both in its theoretical and philosophical dimensions as well as in its technical and scientific aspects.
Books
Zimmermann, A. (Ed.), Constructing Landscape. Materials, techniques, structural components, Birkhäuser, Basilea, 2015
Frequency
There is no obligation attendance. However, maximum attendance is recommended to lectures, seminar and review activities based on the timetable set by the calendar.
Exam mode
The acquired knowledge will be verified through design experimentation conducted individually or in groups during the course (three or four students). There are three ongoing checks [critique] which consist of the public presentation of the progress of the project and the production of specific graphic documents. The skills acquired will be verified, above all, through the exam, structured in such a way as to highlight the autonomy in organizing one's own learning. All topics covered in the course are examined. The final exam consists of an interview on the topics covered and the illustration of the project developed by the student aimed at verifying his ability to control the project from an environmental, energy and technological perspective. _Exam documentation During the course and for the final exam, students will have to develop: a. thematic and design tables from the urban scale to the construction detail scale b. slides for the summary communication of the different states of progress and the final project
Bibliography
Brown, G.Z. & De Key, M, Sun, Wind & Light. NY: John Wiley & Sons, 2001 Ratti, Smart City, Smart Citizen, Egea, 2013 Koolhaas et alt., Elements, Marsilio editore, 2014 Piano, AA.VV., Almanacco dell’Architetto. Da un’idea di Renzo Piano, Proctor Edizioni, 2012 Duany, Coyle, Sustainable and Resilient Communities, John Wiley & Sons, 2011 Fintikakis, N., Gaitani, N. et Al., Bioclimatic design of open public spaces in the historic centre of Tirana, Albania. In Sustainable Cities and Society, 2011 [online] Georgi, N., Tzesouri, A. Monitoring Thermal Comfort in Outdoor Urban Spaces for Bioclimatic Conditions Improvement. In 1st WSEAS International Conference on Landscape Architecture (LA '08) Proceedings. Algarve, 2008 [online] Dierna, Orlandi, Buone pratiche per il quartiere ecologico, Alinea, 2005
Lesson mode
The course is organized to create a continuous exchange between theoretical and practical aspects relating to the discipline. To this end, the course includes both lectures and laboratory activities in seminar form in the classroom, conducted individually or preferably in groups (three or four students). The seminar activity will be structured in two phases: the first will be aimed at the critical analysis of the case study to highlight its potential and critical issues from an environmental, bioclimatic, morphological, technological, energetic, and environmental profile; the second will concern the development of the application theme, from the design concept to the detail scale. In order to carry out the expected work in the classroom, each student must be able to use drawing tools, sketch paper, pencils and markers, and their own laptop. The laboratory includes a series of intermediate evaluations - Critique - organized according to the public presentation model through slides, design works and graphs. _ Frontal lessons In addition to the presentation of the project theme, the frontal lessons concern the principles of environmental sustainability and the technical solutions for the environmental control of the project. The lessons will focus on the following topics: Lectio 0 _ Prolusion Lectio 1 _ Testaccio: introduction to the case study Lectio 2 _ Introduction to Environmental Design Lectio 3 _ Analysis methodology for the environmental project Lectio 4 _ General strategies for the environmental design of open spaces Lectio 5 _ Environmental certification Lectio 6 _ Technological solutions for the environmental design of open spaces Lectures held by external teachers and professionals may be added to the frontal lessons. _ Materials All information, materials and documentation relating to the course will be available on the Sapienza e-learning 2 website http://elearning2.uniroma1.it which can be accessed online after registering for the course.
  • Lesson code10595878
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseLandscape Architecture
  • CurriculumLandscape Architecture
  • Year2nd year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDICAR/12
  • CFU6