This thematic area encloses study, research and design activities on the culture of materials and technologies for architecture, design and environmental comfort, characterized today by particular attention to the aspects of environmental sustainability and by a sensitive approach to functional, relational and perceptive needs. From a transdisciplinary perspective, these activities investigate the relationship, today and in the recent past, between design, materials and their technological processes of transformation and application, with attention to changes in the socioeconomic and technological-productive context.
The thematic macro-area is divided into sub-areas of research and design that the disciplines of the PhD deal with in an interdisciplinary way:
- innovation of eco-compatible products, services and processes with particular attention to the technological-productive and behavioural context;
- research and analysis for the development and innovation of materials, with particular attention to the technological paradigm shift, technology transfer, the development of Nature-based solutions (NBS) and circular processes;
- analysis and development of the identity and perception of materials, semi-finished products, and products;
- support activities for local communities, nationally and internationally, in the development of projects and initiatives for sustainable development;
- design in extreme and fragile conditions, such as the climatic or social emergency, and scientific awareness initiatives in the Alpine context and developing countries, as well as analysis and development of living comfort in internal and external spaces;
- packaging design, in terms of materials and technologies in use, implementation of production chains, including territorial ones, and the network of related manufacturing companies, as well as aspects of sustainability, accessibility, sensoriality, interaction and identity.
- PE8_10 - Manufacturing engineering and industrial design
- PE8_9 - Production technology, process engineering
- PE8_11 - Sustainable design (for recycling, for environment, eco-design)
- PE8_3 - Civil engineering, architecture, offshore construction, lightweight construction, geotechnics
- SH1_9 - Industrial organisation; entrepreneurship; R&D and innovation