Rome Center Students Explore Sustainable Architecture Through "SustainabITALY" Project

Cassandra Thomas

Rome Center students and faculty with their "SustainabITALY" exhibit

The U of A Rome Program is spearheading an exciting project under the guidance of Francesca Riccardo from the faculty of architecture. The project, SustainabITALY, brings together a group of students to explore sustainable architecture and its significant impact on the built environment.

In collaboration with the Local Association of Architects in Rome and the Lazio region, students participated in a transformative workshop aimed at designing an exhibition. The SustainabITALY exhibition celebrates Italian architecture, focusing on buildings for cultural spaces in Italy that have achieved LEED Gold and Platinum certification.

Funded by the Ministry of Culture, specifically the General Directorate of Contemporary Creativity, and supported by the Local Association of Architects Rome, this initiative represents a collaboration between academia, industry and government to promote sustainable practices.

Mentored by three young Roman architects serving as project group leaders, students had the opportunity to contribute to a culturally enriching and stimulating environment. Working within this dynamic setting, they meticulously crafted the exhibition, infusing each element with creativity and a sustainability ethos.

Launched in the spring of 2024, the SustainabITALY exhibition came to life in the Gardens of the Acquario Romano, the headquarters of the Association of Architects Rome and Lazio Region. During the summer of 2024, students worked on the graphic design aspect of the project, creating templates and setting up the entire exhibition.

The opening conference featured representatives from the Italian Ministry of Culture and designers of the best practices highlighted in the exhibition. This collaborative effort has resulted in an itinerant project. After its debut in Rome, the exhibition will embark on a journey across continents, visiting the U of A's Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design in the United States, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and concluding at the American University in Dubai.

SustainabITALY symbolizes the union of academic insight, professional expertise and governmental support in championing sustainability. This global journey of the exhibition not only highlights the excellence of Italian sustainable architecture but also fosters an international dialogue on best practices in the field, inspiring future generations of architects worldwide.