RURAL BUILDINGS DESIGN

1. Knowledge and Understanding

Students acquire solid knowledge of environmental sustainability principles applied to livestock buildings and rural structures, and understand the main international reference frameworks (IPCC, UNECE) and standards for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA, according to ISO norms). They become familiar with modern methodologies for the environmental assessment of agricultural and livestock buildings, and with the fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Building Information Modelling (BIM), and sensor and IoT technologies applied to environmental monitoring. Students also acquire the theoretical and regulatory foundations for drafting a Bill of Quantities in the context of rural construction planning.

2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding

Students are able to apply international frameworks and LCA methodologies to concretely assess the environmental sustainability of livestock buildings and agricultural structures. They can use GIS tools to analyse environmental impacts at a territorial scale, and employ BIM platforms to support the sustainable design of rural buildings. Students are capable of integrating sensor and IoT technologies for environmental monitoring in real livestock contexts, and of drafting and interpreting a Bill of Quantities for basic cost estimation and construction planning, including through the analysis of case studies and practical exercises.

3. Making Judgements

Students are able to critically evaluate the environmental sustainability of livestock buildings and rural structures, comparing different technological and constructive solutions in light of international reference criteria. They can formulate well-reasoned judgements on the appropriateness of design choices with respect to environmental sustainability and productive efficiency objectives, and can recognise the limitations and potential of digital tools (GIS, BIM, IoT) in different application contexts. They are also capable of independently interpreting the results of an LCA assessment or territorial analysis to guide informed design and management decisions.

4. Communication Skills

Students can present, using appropriate technical language, the results of environmental analyses, sustainability assessments, and cost estimates relating to rural and livestock buildings, both orally and in writing. They are able to clearly and effectively present and discuss technical documents in interdisciplinary and professional contexts. Students can communicate with professionals from different backgrounds (designers, agricultural engineers, territorial planning bodies, clients), adopting a register suited to the intended audience and arguing their choices with methodological rigour.

5. Learning Skills

Students develop the ability to independently keep up to date with evolving international sustainability standards, sector regulations, and digital technologies applied to rural and livestock building construction. The methodological approach of the course, grounded in the integration of theory, advanced digital tools, and applied case studies, fosters the development of an active learning method transferable to new professional and research contexts. Students also acquire the ability to critically select up-to-date technical and scientific sources, and to integrate knowledge from different disciplinary fields (engineering, ecology, economics, applied informatics) in order to address complex problems relating to the sustainability of the rural built environment.

Frontal teaching, exercises, technical visits.

If teaching is given in a mixed formula or remotely, necessary changes may be introduced to what was previously stated in order to comply with the provided and reported syllabus.

Basic knowledge of Mathematics, Physics, and Agricultural Buildings 

The frequency of the lessons is not mandatory but it is strongly recommended because it makes easier the learning process of the student.

Sustainability of livestock buildings: principles and best practices, and international sustainability frameworks (IPCC guidelines, UNECE guidance documents, and ISO standards for life Cycle Assessment - LCA).

Sustainability assessment tools: evaluation of the environmental sustainability of rural buildings and agricultural facilities by using LCA. Applied activities based on an inventory analysis case study.

GIS applications for environmental impact assessment: use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyse the environmental impacts of livestock buildings, including IPCC-based emission assessments. Applied activities by using the QGIS software.

Fundamentals of Advanced systems for improved sustainability of rural buildings: sensors and IoT technologies for environmental monitoring in livestock housing; Building Information Modelling (BIM) for building design, construction, and maintenance.

Construction materials and techniques for rural buildings: preparation and analysis of the Bill of Quantities, and Applied exercises. 

1) Translation from: Allevamento animale e sostenibilità ambientale. Vol 1. I principi. (2018). A cura di: B. Stefanon, M. Mele, G. Pulina. Franco Angeli editore, Roma. ISBN: 8891761834
2) ILCD General Guide on LCA
3) QGIS user manual
4) slides provided by the teacher

The exam consists of a final oral exam.

Assessment of learning is done through an oral interview. Student preparation will be assessed based on the following criteria: learning ability and depth of understanding of the topics covered, ability to summarize and present, and reasoning skills.

Assessment of learning may also be conducted online, if circumstances require.

Grading follows the following scheme:

Not suitable

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies

Analysis and synthesis skills: irrelevant, frequent generalizations

Use of references: completely inappropriate

18-20

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: very modest, obvious imperfections

Analysis and synthesis skills: barely adequate

Use of references: barely appropriate

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: slightly more than adequate knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: fair analysis and synthesis skills, argues logically and coherently

Use of references: uses standard references

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: has good analysis and synthesis skills, arguments are presented coherently

Use of references: uses standard references

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: more than good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: has notable analysis and synthesis skills

Use of References: Has studied the topics in depth

30-30 cum laude

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has excellent analysis and synthesis skills.

Use of references: Significant in-depth analysis.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.

As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their specific needs and on teaching objectives of the discipline. 

It is also possible to ask the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs).

Which are the main sustainability frameworks?

What are the basic principles of sustainability in livestock buildings?

How do you design a livestock building to reduce environmental impact?

What is life cycle assessment (LCA) and how does it apply to rural buildings?

What are the phases of an LCA analysis?

What type of data is collected during the inventory analysis phase?

Which are the main Advanced systems utilised to improve the sustainability of rural buildings?

What is the Bill of Quantities?

What are the main items to include in a Bill of QQuantities for a barn?