Architecture that Listens: Unlocking Sustainability through Social Awareness
Isabella M. Lami
Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST), Politecnico di Torino, Viale Mattioli 39, 10125 Turin, Italy
Beatrice Mecca *
Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST), Politecnico di Torino, Viale Mattioli 39, 10125 Turin, Italy * corresponding author – beatrice.mecca@polito.it
Elena Todella
Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST), Politecnico di Torino, Viale Mattioli 39, 10125 Turin, Italy
Keywords: sustainable architecture, social sustainability, assessment framework, SWOT, SROI
Abstract: How can social sustainability be assessed and boosted in architecture? To address this question, this paper discusses two integrated assessment frameworks aimed at the strategic evaluation of social sustainability in design processes, combining different approaches to manage critical steps better, avoid biases, and allow for better evaluation and management of resource allocation. The two frameworks aim to assist the designer and the decision-maker in the analysis, graphical visualization, and evaluation of the social sustainability of architectural projects. Both frameworks combine three methods: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats analysis, Stakeholder Analysis or the Multi-Values Appraisal Methodology, and the Social Return of the Investment. These integrated frameworks were applied to two projects of expansion and internationalisation of a university campus in Italy: the “Polytechnic House of Culture” and “Torino Esposizioni”. The research shows how these frameworks support the design process and reports some possible output design strategies to address social sustainability in architectural projects.
Abstract (in Italian)
Come è possibile valutare e promuovere la sostenibilità sociale in architettura? Questo contributo propone due framework integrati per supportare progettisti e decisori nell’analisi e gestione della sostenibilità sociale nei progetti architettonici. Combinando Analisi dei punti di forza, debolezza, opportunità e minacce (SWOT), Stakeholder Analysis o Multi-Values Appraisal Methodology, e il metodo Social Return on Investment; i framework aiutano a identificare fasi critiche, ridurre bias decisionali e migliorare l’allocazione delle risorse. Applicati a due casi studio – la “Casa della Cultura del Politecnico” e “Torino Esposizioni” – mostrano come la sostenibilità sociale possa essere valutata in modo strutturato, fornendo input operativi per orientare scelte e strategie progettuali.