La filosofia nell'ambiente costruito: concetti, metodi, impatti

The design and evaluation of the built environment today face increasingly complex challenges: promoting well-being and health, improving sustainability and inclusivity, and preserving the historical and social value of the built heritage. These are central concepts in contemporary architecture and urban studies, yet they are not always easy to define, measure, or translate into shared design practices.

This event stems from the need to critically examine these concepts by exploring their epistemological foundations, ethical implications, and social impact. At its core is an interdisciplinary dialogue between built environment research and philosophical reflection—a field of inquiry still partly unexplored, yet increasingly necessary.

The event opened and concluded with contributions by Stefano Capolongo, Director of the ABC Department, who framed the scientific and cultural relevance of the initiative and highlighted the importance of integrating research, design, and social responsibility in the study and transformation of the built environment.

At the heart of the event was a roundtable discussion featuring Thomas Bonnin, philosopher of science, Maddalena Buffoli, architect and Design & Health researcher, and Laura Menatti, philosopher of science working at the intersection of architecture, psychology, and medicine. Their contributions offered theoretical perspectives and case studies addressing the ethics of architectural research, Evidence-Based Design, the definition of health, inclusivity, and landscape, as well as the role of philosophy as a bridge between traditionally distinct disciplines.

The event provided an opportunity for shared reflection on how science, design, and society can engage in a more aware and responsible dialogue, starting from the right questions to create environments truly oriented toward collective well-being.