Design, technology, and poverty – Devices for the design of architecture, objects, and society

Authors

  • Alessandro Valenti University of Genoa (Italy)
  • Francesca Scalisi University of Palermo (Italy)
  • Cesare Sposito University of Palermo (Italy)
  • Davide Fabio Colaci Politecnico di Milano (Italy)
  • Giacomo Moor Designer (Italy)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69143/2464-9309/1722025

Keywords:

poverty, education, economic growth, co-project, sustainability

Abstract

The paper analyses the contribution of Technological and Environmental Design and Architecture to overcoming poverty, one of the most urgent contemporary challenges, in line with Goal 1 of the UN Agenda 2030. Contextualising this issue in the global scenario, this paper critically illustrates some international events, research and good practices that are replicable and adaptable in similar contexts and are contributing to the cultural debate and action to eradicate poverty. It will be highlighted how the two disciplines can act in synergy as a pedagogical and economic tool, capable of promoting a culture of dignity and possibility for the design of architectures, objects, and societies, influencing, in a multidimensional way, the impact of poverty on people’s lives.

 

Article info

Received: 27/04/2025; Revised: 06/05/2025; Accepted: 27/05/2025

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Author Biographies

Alessandro Valenti, University of Genoa (Italy)

Architect and PhD, he is an Associate Professor of Interior Architecture at the Department of Architecture and Design, and a Visiting Professor at BUCT University in Beijing (China). He has always been interested in new forms of living, focusing his research on the relationships between architecture, design, interiors, and their hybridisation with other forms of knowledge. He is actively involved in publishing in the fields of design and architecture.
E-mail: alessandro.valenti@unige.it

Francesca Scalisi, University of Palermo (Italy)

Architect and PhD, she is a Researcher in Industrial Design at the Culture and Society Department. Her research focuses on the topics of environmental communication and environmental sustainability, with a focus on the life cycle of materials and nanostructured materials, and climate change strategies, pathways, measures and mitigation actions.
E-mail: francesca.scalisi@unipa.it

Cesare Sposito, University of Palermo (Italy)

Architect and PhD, he is an Associate Professor of Technological and Environmental Design of Architecture. Co-Director of the journal Agathón, his main areas of research include strategies for climate change mitigation in urban areas, environmental, social and economic sustainability of projects and innovative materials for architecture.
E-mail: cesare.sposito@unipa.it

Davide Fabio Colaci, Politecnico di Milano (Italy)

Architect and PhD, he is the Founder of DFC Studio, lecturer in Interior Architecture and Design and Course Leader of the Master’s Degree in Interior Design, IED Milan. His focus is on design and curating, investigating the transformations of the contemporary habitat and the phenomena of change related to design culture.
E-mail: dfc@davidefabioclaci.it

Giacomo Moor, Designer (Italy)

He founded his professional Studio in 2009, which is also equipped with a carpentry workshop. With his multidisciplinary team, he designs and produces custom-made furniture, limited edition collections for galleries and interiors for private clients, following every step of the creative and production process. He has received many international prizes and awards.
E-mail: giacomo@giacomoor.com

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Published

30-06-2025

How to Cite

Valenti, A., Scalisi, F., Sposito, C., Colaci, D. F. and Moor, G. (2025) “Design, technology, and poverty – Devices for the design of architecture, objects, and society”, AGATHÓN | International Journal of Architecture, Art and Design, 17, pp. 42–67. doi: 10.69143/2464-9309/1722025.

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