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Environmental Design Course

Master Course on Architecture | Prof. Arch Giuseppe Ridolfi PhD

This course represents a disciplinary contribution of «Architectural Technology» to the Architectural Design Master @ School of Architecture, University of Florence.
It is focused on built environment design in compliance with human needs while respecting the environmental balance.
It teaches the comprehensive approach concerning a systemic decision-making process to be conducted in the form of scientific research using parametric computational modeling and dynamic performance simulation to highlight physical phenomena, evaluate alternatives, and give awareness of the effects induced by choices. It concerns unconventional contexts requiring critical/innovative approaches beyond the norm and the application of appropriate materials, smart technologies and architectural solutions to build a sustainable environment.

Teaching is carried out as a fab-lab developed through in-class design assignments, case-study analysis, and assisted baseline exercises involving use of state of the art architectural modeling, energy simulation/assessment software, and CNC prototyping technology as well. Activities are also supported by the Department's Architectural Models Laboratory (LMA) and MAILAB – Multimedia Architecture Interaction for advanced use of modeling and computational simulation through visual programming.
Upon completion the class, students are expected to acquire knowledge, awareness and designing skills on:
• environment as an intra-system between humans, nature and buildings
• performance design, green metrics and energy assessment
• decision-making process based on data evidence
• performance-driven computational work-flow
• architectural mass modeling and numerical simulation of environmental conditions
• high-energy architectural envelopes and passive-energy solutions
• smart technologies and materials for sustainable architectures
• digital prototyping and industrial manufacturing of building envelopes.

G. Ridolfi, Architetture in Ambienti Estremi

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