The course unit aims to raise students’ awareness of the impact of buildings on environmental and social ecosystems, by studying and discussing, throughout the sessions, topics that can inform the development of an individual position.

Through the structure and organization of the sessions and the topics addressed, the course aims for students to develop analytical skills, critical thinking, and a general understanding of the themes explored. It seeks to ensure a command of fundamental knowledge that will inform their future professional practice as architects. In parallel, the preparation of essays and reports is encouraged, fostering critical analysis, argumentative reasoning, and a comprehensive framing of the subjects discussed.

The course program will be structured around the following themes, to which others may be added whenever case analysis so requires, discussing the concepts, impacts, and different approaches to action.

• Circular Economy and Circular Construction;

• Biomimicry, or the lessons from Nature;

• Lessons from vernacular architecture;

• Healthiness, health, comfort, and economy;

• Natural materials: earth, timber, and other vegetal materials;

• Life Cycle Analysis;

• Design for deconstruction;

• Maintenance and conservation;

• Rehabilitation and reuse;

• Energy and environmental certification;

• The role of technology and innovation;

• Social equity and the built environment.