Francesca Thiébat

This paper builds on research from a project aimed at promoting the circular economy through processes based on low-impact materials derived from natural fibers. A methodology is developed to assess the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of alternative production scenarios, thereby supporting the ranking of options. Assuming the principles of Life Cycle Thinking and circular economy and the operational aspects of Life Cycle Costing (LCC), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) approaches normed by international standards, an integrated approach is proposed based on the construction of a joint Global Cost indicator. Attention is paid to harmonizing impacts assessed in their own units of measurement to arrive at a monetary indicator for summarizing and simplifying the prioritization of alternatives. As a result, the integrated Global Cost calculation methodology is presented to internalize social and environmental impacts, as well as economic ones, and to evaluate the sustainability of materials derived from primary and waste natural fibers.

This contribution highlights the need to reflect on the environmental, cultural, and social value of biogenic construction materials and their role in the roadmap towards climate neutrality. Based on a mapping of European case studies, the essay investigates the diffusion of biogenic materials in architecture, questioning whether their use is limited to experimental cases or if it can be at the base of a decarbonisation strategy. The analysis conducted reveals the urgency of adopting technologies and practices that promote the diffusion and scalability of biogenic materials to respond to energy and environmental regulations, as well as to contribute effectively and sustainably to the demand for net-positive materials, as alternatives to conventional ones. This contribution highlights the need to reflect on the environmental, cultural, and social value of biogenic construction materials and their role in the roadmap towards climate neutrality. Based on a mapping of European case studies, the essay investigates the diffusion of biogenic materials in architecture, questioning whether their use is limited to experimental cases or if it can be at the base of a decarbonization strategy. The analysis conducted reveals the urgency of adopting technologies and practices that promote the diffusion and scalability of biogenic materials to respond, on the one hand, to energy and environmental regulations and, on the other hand, to contribute effectively and economically sustainably to the demand for net-positive materials, as alternatives to conventional ones.

Un mondo snaturato la natura?». Questa domanda è estremamente attuale soprattutto se riferita al contesto urbano, dove la natura è stata, e in parte è, una presenza coperta, esclusa o marginale. Le sfide climatico-ambientali richiedono soluzioni e processi sempre più diversificati, che portano a riflettere su una nuova abitabilità urbana della natura.

L'Incompiuto. Opere incompiute che "appaiono come luoghi di una memoria collettiva ancora da indagare. Nate come rovine e prodotte da un tempo compresso, sono architetture che danno forma al paesaggio" 2. Gli scheletri di calcestruzzo armato rappresentati nelle figure 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 e 6 diventano opere d'arte su cui riflettere, immagini di servizi pubblici, tracce di realtà che si dissolvono nel paesaggio, possibili ponti, ospedali, scuole e strade inabitati. Alterazioni Video si interroga sul ruolo dell'opera pubblica quale esito di una decisione politica che rimane ferma nel tempo, a cui si contrappone il concetto di opera pubblica in divenire, che parte dalle esigenze e dalle idee di chi la userà e la trasformerà. Il progetto architettonico, artistico o urbano assume qui un compito rigenerativo che contrasta un passato fermo, di cemento. Le persone entrando in gioco contribuiscono al valore comune del progetto. L'immagine della passerella a Lubiana di figura 7, nata dalla volontà di unire due sponde di un fiume per facilitare il percorso tra due parti della città, intende rappresentare metaforicamente il fil rouge che mette in collegamento due visioni: l'opera di proprietà pubblica, spesso non finita o mai iniziata, con l'opera di uso pubblico, effimera, temporanea, magari non finita però

The textile and clothing (T&C) industry, despite its significant contribution to the European economy, is one of the most polluting industries globally. Therefore, the EU's Green Deal has identified the T&C sector as a strategic area for allocating public funding and transitioning towards a circular economy (CE). In this context, the “Circular Design for Natural Fibers” project, financed by the PNRR MICS “Made in Italy Circolare e Sostenibile” programme, focuses on enhancing the use of natural fibrous material, related by-products and waste from local production chains. In the research, a crucial aspect is the evaluation of the effectiveness of circularity through life cycle approaches, such as LCA, LCC, S-LCA and LCSA, for environmental, economic and social sustainability evaluation, respectively. A systematic review was carried out, to provide a synthesis of the available scientific evidence regarding the life cycle approaches in the international/national context within the production, processing, and post-consumer supply chains of natural fibers. The study identifies gaps in the literature on life cycle evaluation approaches for natural fibers. Specifically, the LCA approach appears preponderant compared to the others. The paper offers insights for researchers and professionals interested in improving the sustainability of natural fiber production processes and the evaluation of their overall sustainability.

Vento, e ciò che in essi paiono le braccia, son le pale che girate dal vento fanno andare la pietra del mulino».