7 sustainable buildings in Italy Made with recycled materials or of natural origin, with low environmental impact

The 17th Venice Architecture Biennale moves towards full disclosure in answering this year's set question: How will we live together?. Hashim Sarkis, the curator of the event, has suggested to 46 participating countries "to imagine spaces in which we can generously live together". Living in a period where society already grasps the urgency of environmental preservation, some countries focused on the crossroads of sustainability and architecture.

When applying sustainability to architecture, one of the first studies that can ensure high environmental performance mainly roots in monitoring the lifecycle of the building process; the purpose is to achieve the European objectives in transitioning to a climate-neutral society until 2050. The ideal vision revolves around energy positive, circular buildings that will autonomously manage their internal climate and undergo short-term construction changes for long-term use. Adding a few more features in parallel to ensure building efficiency, they are forecasted to resolve or balance resource scarcity, climate change, preventive health measures, urbanization, and population changes. While the countdown is slowly approaching 2050, several near-zero energy buildings (NZEB) constructed in Italy gain a wider resonance and acknowledgement. 

#1 Fiorita Passive House

Year: 2021
Locality: Padova, Villa del Conte
Design Team: Zaettastudio

LAGO Campus is one of the biggest and recent buildings on the list. With a $10 million investment, Zaettastudio has created a wooden structure with large windows and a sunscreen made of 58 coloured strips inspired by the work of Gerhard Richter. LAGO Campus is divided into seven spaces: LAGO Logistica, LAGO Osteria, LAGO Giardino, LAGO Oasi, LAGO Fabbrica, LAGO Showroom, and LAGO Office. Each space has a single purpose; for instance, a chef manages LAGO Osteria to create a leisure atmosphere in the building, while LAGO Office is primarily a working space. In addition, the geothermal energy system, ventilation from natural wind, four stations for electric cars, and waste storage contribute to the sustainable objectives of the project.