Abstract:

This paper focuses attention on education in the field of Architecture and Design focusing in particular on the role played by sustainable materials as key elements of sustainable technological progress in the construction industry. Until recently, the development of construction materials has been focused primarily on improving their performance in terms of both efficiency and durability, all with control of cost containment. Only more recently, attention has also been added to the environmental issues brought about by both production and use and their final disposal, expanding to include desirable recycling/reuse. In order to be able to contribute to the creation of a more sustainable urban environment, it is important that the attention of the educational activity is also directed, therefore, to the materials used, and in this regard particular potential seems to present those innovative ones that draw on the renewable resources of our planet for their constitution.

The introduction of innovative materials changes the relationship between building and construction materials in that while traditional materials have always performed a static function, innovative materials are characterized precisely by acquiring a dynamic function that enables them to adapt to environmental changes as well. This makes it possible to expand the frontiers of the dialogue between the building and the surrounding environment, which in this way can also take place through the careful use of materials. For such applications, smart materials are particularly suitable, which in the sphere of innovative materials are distinguished by their ability to change in response to stimuli from outside and are characterized precisely because they are able to exploit environmental resources, using the principles of nature for their operation by stimulating the strategies proposed by nature itself Remaining in this sphere, interesting prospects offer, in addition, innovative materials with a natural matrix that pursue an approach that assimilates materials to natural elements capable, therefore, of regenerating themselves. The potential of our planet's renewable natural resources can also be used, therefore, for the creation of materials for construction.

Starting from the use of more performing materials for design and construction of new buildings or the renovation of existing ones evolved, parametric modelling is a tool that also in construction sector can manage data in order to find the better solution. Parametric modelling not only follows a building throughout its entire life cycle but supports the technological changes in its main sector. The 3D model can be moved to 4D, considering, for example, the times of execution of the work or to 5D with an assessment of costs. 6D is associated with sustainability: it aids in building sustainable development. The concept of sustainability is examined according to an environmental point of view.

The authors, starting from this premise, will illustrate the approach to design through some teaching experiences conducted within undergraduate and Ph.D. courses of the Department of Architecture and Industrial Design of the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, developed with the intention of highlighting critical teaching issues related not only to the specificity of the proposed topics, but also to the level of knowledge and skills gained by the students.

Keywords:

Smart materials, Parametric modelling, Technological issues, Architectural and PhD courses.