Abstract
Italy has recently experienced the realization of exemplary sustainable buildings for culture - museums, universities, schools, and cultural foundations - satisfying high environmental and comfort standards. Many hold LEED Gold and Platinum certifications, serving as benchmarks for sustainable architecture. The Green Building Council (GBC) Italia database shows these projects are distributed nationwide, with a higher concentration in the North, covering both new constructions and renovations. Disseminating knowledge about them at national and international levels is crucial. This study investigates the potential of an itinerant exhibition as a tool for promoting best practices. To what extent can such an exhibition facilitate the dissemination of knowledge about Italian sustainable building for culture? The paper examines SustainabITALY, a reusable, environmentally friendly experimental exhibition designed by University of Arkansas Rome Center students. Launched in 2024, it traveled from Italy to the USA, the UAE, and back, hosted by various universities. Students assembled and disassembled it, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on learning. Funded by the Italian Ministry of Culture, the initiative amplified Italy’s sustainable architectural visibility internationally. It emerged that itinerant exhibitions are effective knowledge dissemination tools, particularly when integrated with conferences, webinars, and digital platforms. The project also offered valuable real-world experience for students, who collaborated with young Roman female architects. Despite logistical and managerial challenges—coordinating stakeholders, shipping, and certifications—the initiative provided insights for future itinerant exhibitions. By describing the SustainabITALY project, this paper contributes to experimental strategies for knowledge dissemination and highlights the role of student-led initiatives in advancing sustainable design globally.
Presenters
Francesca RiccardoAdjunct Professor, Academic Coordinator of the Architecture and Interior Design Programs, University of Arkansas Rome Program, Roma, Italy
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Sustainable Architecture, Knowledge Dissemination, Students Collaboration, Itinerant Exhibition, Green Building
