Organized within the framework of the Research Project of National Relevance (PRIN) “Upcycling Architecture in Italy: Forging and Promoting a Renewed Building Culture,” this International Conference aims to bring together new insights and perspectives on the history, theory, and practice of Upcycling architecture and Design for Disassembly (DfD).
The main goal of the conference is to advance knowledge of European construction culture over the past seven decades, examining it through the specific lens of Upcycling and DfD. To achieve this, the development of a historical and theoretical framework is complemented by an extensive survey of best practices across the continent, bringing in a wide range of perspectives. Moreover, by fostering dialogue between construction history and contemporary design, the conference seeks to explore and promote innovative methodologies for incorporating Upcycling practices in the regeneration of Europe’s post-WWII built heritage. More broadly, it seeks to contribute to a global renewal of contemporary European construction culture.
The October 2025 International Conference in Turin also strives to contribute to the public debate on these critical themes, which are particularly relevant during a time of major technological and energy transition. The research framework is shaped in response to several pressing contemporary challenges, many of which stem from the ongoing energy and environmental crises, exacerbated by the current geopolitical climate.
Key considerations, such as EU policies on the rational use of building materials, the aging of Italy’s built heritage, and the rising costs of construction materials, have further focused this research. From this perspective, the conference aims to make a targeted and meaningful contribution to the strategies of the European Green Deal and related initiatives.
You can download the full call for papers here: https://www.upcyclingarchitecture.it/items/upcycling-architecture-international-conference
