JUST ACCEPTED
Since n. 24/2022, TECHNE Journal provides for the possibility of making the articles in the immediately issue available after their acceptance through the double-blind review phase, by publishing them in the form of Just Accepted Article. This method, already practiced by numerous scientific journals, allows an additional and free service for the Authors as well as for the entire scientific community, as it significantly accelerates the dissemination of contributions (with a fully citable format-DOI-Digital Object Identifier) compared to the longer times of publication of the complete issue
To this end, after the explicit authorization of the Authors, the Editorial Board selects from among the articles accepted that in the double-blind review have not received any requests for major revisions and have mostly received ratings of excellent and good (thus 4 out of 6 ratings for the “Essays and Viewpoints” category and 5 out of 7 ratings for the “Research and Experimentation” category).
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Each Just Accepted Article has a header, online publication date, article ID and Digital Object Identifier (DOI), and watermarks "Just Accepted Article" on each page. The DOI will also remain unchanged for the final article published in the final issue.
Not being in the final version, the Just Accepted articles are removed from the FUP-TECHNE Journals website at the time of the online publication of the definitive article.
After being published as Just Accepted, the article follows the normal production process (editorial revision, proofreading of the English language, layout, revision of the layout draft, online publication, revision before printing of the issue).
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ARTICLES JUST ACCEPTED
TECHNE Special Series Vol. 3/2025
Published: February 20, 2025
University communities for the green/digital renovation of public buildings
Gisella Calcagno1, Lucia Montoni1
1 Department of Architecture, Università di Firenze, Italia
Abstract
In the face of climate change and energy crises, the renovation of existing buildings is an adaptation imperative. Despite ambitious policies, effective progress is hindered by a limited focus on financial returns, neglecting the broader social and environmental dimensions of renovations. This paper presents a university-driven Living Lab methodology experimenting with Digital Twins to foster collaboration and engagement in the co-design of ambitious renovation projects. Tested in a pilot project site in a historical context, the collaborative digital methodology demonstrates the potential to optimize renovation processes and scenarios. Results highlight the transformative impact of the methodology, while addressing challenges for scaling up and replication.
Primary Contact: Gisella Calcagno, gisella.calcagno@unifi.it
DOI: 10.36253/techne-13115
“From leaves we live”. Patrick Geddes in Naples
Chiara Ingrosso1
1Department of Architecture and Design, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Italia
Abstract
The paper focuses on the years of Patrick Geddes' (1854-1832) training as a biologist and the research he carried out in Naples between 1879 and 1881 at the Zoological Station founded by Anton Dohrn in 1872. In those years, Geddes made a series of discoveries on the symbiosis between marine organisms that led him to formulate the theory of “reciprocal accommodation” in evolutionary terms. His exploration of the topic of symbiosis, central to the debate on the “struggle for survival”, placed him in the context of a specific strand of studies on cooperation and mutual support that in fact made him one of the forerunners of ecological thinking. At the height of the Victorian era, his thinking joined that of other exponents and groups who, like him, opposed contemporary industrialisation and advocated different models of development and cities, not only in Britain.
Primary Contact: Chiara Ingrosso, chiara.ingrosso@unicampania.it
DOI: 10.36253/techne-16957
Fashion's Future: The Power of Biomaterials and Digital Manufacturing for Systemic Sustainability
Michela Musto1
1Industrial Design Department, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Italia.
Abstract
In an era where fashion mirrors the excesses of a society driven by disposability, the garment emerges as a profound site for reimagining our relationship with identity, technology, and the environment. This paper explores the transformative potential of biomaterials and digital manufacturing in redefining fashion as a sustainable and ethical practice. Situated within the post-Anthropocene discourse, it examines its environmental and social impacts drawing on theoretical frameworks and on the analysis of punctual cases study that investigates the intersection of biomaterials and 3D printing. The paper critically addresses the existing barriers which hinder widespread adoption advocating for a systemic model that integrates innovation, ethics, and environmental consciousness.
Primary Contact: Michela Musto, michela.musto@unicampania.it
DOI: 10.36253/techne-16819
Digital Representations for Natural Heritage: valorisation strategies in the De+Humans Project
Alice Palmieri 1
1 Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Italia.
Abstract
The New European Bauhaus incorporates a multidisciplinary vision in its strategies to promote values of beauty, inclusion, and sustainability. The “Designing with more-than-humans” project applies this vision to the Cratere degli Astroni Natural Reserve, leveraging digital narratives that combine real and artificial imagery to raise awareness about the human-nature relationship and territorial identity. Through a transdisciplinary approach, the team analyzed local identity elements, exploring physical and perceptual relationships. Digital representation, integrating macro and micro perspectives, illuminates the interplay between these elements through a video-graphic product that overlays aerial footage, textual content, and AI-generated images, offering unprecedented perspectives to enhance the value of natural heritage.
Primary Contact: Alice Palmieri, alice.palmieri@unicampania.it
DOI: 10.36253/techne-16965
The economic impacts of con(temporary) urban regeneration processes: the case of Milan
Leopoldo Sdino1, Francesca Torrieri1, Marta Dell’Ovo2, Marco Rossitti1
1Department of Architecture, Built Environment, and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italia.
2Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Politecnico di Milano, Italia
Abstract
Considering the growing importance and widespread adoption of temporary approaches to urban transformations, the paper deals with the open research challenge of understanding the economic impacts of tactical urbanism interventions. Moving from a literature review on the impacts of urban regeneration projects, it proposes an investigation approach from a local economy growth perspective. This approach is applied to the “Piazze Aperte” program, which was implemented by the municipality of Milan in 2018. Its preliminary results return a possible positive contribution of tactical urbanism experiences on the reference neighborhoods’ business dynamics. It seems to unfold about the different neighborhoods' specificities and the intervention area's urban morphology
Primary Contact: Leopoldo Sdino, leopoldo.sdino@polimi.it
DOI: 10.36253/techne-16953
ARTICLES JUST ACCEPTED
TECHNE n.29/2024
Published December 20, 2024
Biogenic materials for the decarbonization of the built environment
Francesca Thiébat1, Fiamma Morselli1
1 Department of Architecture and Design, Politecnico di Torino, Italia
Abstract
This contribution highlights the need to reflect on the environmental, cultural, and social value of biogenic construction materials and their role in the roadmap towards climate neutrality. Based on a mapping of European case studies, the essay investigates the diffusion of biogenic materials in architecture, questioning whether their use is limited to experimental cases or if it can be at the base of a decarbonization strategy. The analysis conducted reveals the urgency of adopting technologies and practices that promote the diffusion and scalability of biogenic materials to respond, on the one hand, to energy and environmental regulations and, on the other hand, to contribute effectively and economically sustainably to the demand for net-positive materials, as alternatives to conventional ones.
Primary Contact: Francesca Thiébat, francesca.thiebat@polito.it
DOI: 10.36253/techne-16598
Post-decarbonisation and Generative Artificial Intelligence. Towards a Possible Operational Methodology.
Angelo Figliola 1, Maurizio Barberio 2
1Dipartimento di Pianificazione Design Tecnologia dell’Architettura, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italia.
2Dipartimento di Meccanica Matematica e Management, Politecnico di Bari, Italia
Abstract
The recent introduction of Generative Artificial Intelligence tools in architectural design has simultaneously opened new possibilities and raised questions about their appropriate use in holistic design processes, such as those related to environmental design. In a post-decarbonisation context, where the goal is to drastically reduce CO2 emissions and promote regenerative practices, avoiding the uncritical adoption of these tools is essential. Therefore, this paper proposes an operational methodology that integrates such tools within Sustainable-Aided Design, a holistic approach aimed at bridging the gap between architectural design and environmental design from the ultra-early stage of the design process.
Primary Contact: Angelo Figliola, angelo.figliola@uniroma1.it
DOI: 10.36253/techne-16538
Textile materials and retrofit strategies. New frontiers for energy efficiency
Giulia Procaccini1
1Dipartimento di Architettura, Ingegneria delle Costruzioni e Ambiente Costruito, Politecnico di Milano, Italia
Abstract
Membranes, thanks to their intrinsic properties, have always played a fundamental role within the construction sector. Nowadays, with the urgent need to renovate the European building stock, the innovative use of these materials in façade retrofit solutions emerges as a promising strategy to increase the renovation rate. This paper outlines the results of a PhD research that explores Textile Façade Retrofit Strategies (TFRS) as viable, sustainable alternatives to traditional façade retrofits, comparing their environmental and energy impacts. By promoting lightweight solutions, the research aligns with the goals of decarbonization by significantly reducing the environmental and energy impacts associated with retrofit methods and enhancing the resilience and adaptability of urban façades.
Primary Contact: Giulia Procaccini, giulia.procaccini@polimi.it
DOI: 10.36253/techne-16600
Transforming Social Housing Neighbourhoods into Energy Communities: Challenges and Opportunities
Elnaz Behnam Kia 1
1Dipartimento di Architettura e Progetto, Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, Italia
Abstract
The contribution aims to highlight the potential application of Renewable Energy Community (REC) concept in large Affordable and Public Housing neighbourhoods, particularly those in the European cities’ suburbs which were developed between the 1970s and the 1990s, in order to achieve carbon neutrality and mitigate barriers to energy provision for low-income groups. The research aims to provide a qualitative overview of energy community policies and initiatives at the European level. By identifying common approaches and strategies that are framing the development of best practices in the European and Italian contexts, it explores the characteristics that enable an Energy Community to act as a driver of local sustainable transformation and social cohesion.
Primary Contact: Elnaz Behnam Kia, elnaz.behnamkia1@uniroma1.it
DOI: 10.36253/techne-16589
Biotechnologies and urban greening: the Zero Mile approach
Attilio Nebuloni1, Fiammetta Costa1, Giorgio Buratti1, Matteo Meraviglia1, Luciana Migliore2, Annamaria Alabiso2, Valerio Cantelmo2
1Dipartimento di Design, Politecnico di Milano, Italia
2 Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Italia
Abstract
Among the strategies capable of addressing the multiple challenges related to achieving the NetZero target, urban greening represents not only a strategy to increase the energy efficiency of buildings but also an opportunity to design new scenarios of biophilic living, capable of re-establishing positive connections between people and nature in the built environment. In this context, an area of study of growing interest focuses on the sustainable recovery of domestic greywater for reuse in buildings for irrigation purposes. The paper outlines the results of an interdisciplinary research project, which, through bio-filtration processes, enables the recovery of wastewater from household appliances to supply green architecture solutions.
Primary Contact: Attilio Nebuloni, attilio.nebuloni@polimi.it
DOI: 10.36253/techne-16529
City Harvest: Smart Service and Place Design with Collaborative Communities on Food Production
Aysegul Ozbakir Acimert1, Matthew Hexemer2, Derek Chezzi3, Soundharya Shivamadaiah4, Dhruvkumar Patel5, Derek Schmucker6
1,2,3,4,5,6Brookfield Sustainability Institute, George Brown College, Canada
Abstract
Food Insecurity is worsening due to climate change, and agriculture contributes to an estimation of 37% of global GHG emissions. Next, food loss and waste related activities emitted 9.3 Gt of CO2-e in 2017, which accounted for about half of the global annual emissions from the whole food system. Although many policies have been designed, it is still unclear how cities can do their parts. The objective of this paper is to introduce a data-driven and sustainable urban food service design that extends beyond decarbonization: ‘City Harvest’. Integrated design elements at neighborhood scale are: 1) soil based vertical farming structures; 2) residential indoor growing kits that also process organic waste; 3) AI and Web-GIS based knowledge platform for community co-creation activities.
Primary Contact: Aysegul Ozbakir Acimert, aysegul.ozbakir@georgebrown.ca
DOI: 10.36253/techne-16574
Resource circularity, solar energy and bioclimatics for the Climate Neutral historic building
Serena Baiani1, Paola Altamura1, Giada Romano1
1 Department of Planning Design Technology of Architecture, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Italy
Abstract
The contribution reports the results of research activities on the redevelopment of the historic built heritage in the urban context, a strategic and challenging field of investigation to achieve climate neutrality, sustainability and long-term resource conservation. The objective of the research is the development of a replicable and adaptable intervention model aimed specifically at historic buildings, which combines, according to the Cradle to Cradle approach, innovative circular and environmentally friendly technologies and systems, including passive bioclimatic systems and active integrated solar systems for energy production from RES. Among the research pilot cases, the contribution describes the experimentation for scenarios and gradients of integration and transformation of the existing building on the Ex Filanda in Rome.
Primary Contact: Serena Baiani, serena.baiani@uniroma1.it
DOI: 10.36253/techne-16923
Nurturing cities. Transcalar scenarios for urban agriculture
Leonardo Zaffi1, Michele D’Ostuni 2
1 Dipartimento di Architettura, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italia
2 Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agroalimentari, Università di Bologna, Italia
Abstract
Yona Friedman’s visions of using urban agriculture to eliminate the city's dependency on the countryside, reduce reliance on transportation and intermediaries, and free rural areas from exploitation seem more relevant than ever today. In a scenario where cities are nourished by food produced in increasingly distant locations and where the environmental impact of the food supply chain is increasingly unsustainable, it becomes strategic to rethink the relationship between cities and food by reintroducing agricultural production into urban areas through new soil-less cultivation technologies. This contribution discusses the models, challenges, and opportunities of urban agriculture practices as a possible tool for widespread urban regeneration and as the center of a transscalar action conducted in symbiosis between architecture and agriculture in various project areas.
Primary Contact: Leonardo Zaffi, leonardo.zaffi@unifi.it
DOI: 10.36253/techne-16601