DAD (Department of Architecture and Design) was established in 2013 following legal compliance requirements and the merger of the three departments that constituted the Faculty of Architecture: DSA, DIPARC and POLIS. It combines within it the research and educational functions previously attributed to the Faculties; since January 2017 it has been named the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD). The Department is part of the Polytechnic School, together with the four Engineering departments.
The Department consists of academics and researchers in the fields of Architecture and Design, characterized by a high interdisciplinary approach of knowledge and scientific expertise. It focuses its interests on research concerning existing architecture and compositional-design processes of construction at various intervention scales, together with design processes for products and services aimed at improving the relationship between users and the spaces they inhabit.
The scientific knowledge, critical-historical expertise, design skills at various scales, and design-related competencies all contribute to the teaching, research, and third mission/social impact activities of DAD.
Strategic vision
The Department operates within the broader landscape of scientific research and higher education, contributing to the development of theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of architecture, design, urban planning, and spatial planning. It maintains an ongoing dialogue with other disciplinary sectors – from engineering to social sciences, from computer science to environmental sciences – with the aim of addressing contemporary challenges in an integrated manner: ecological transition, digitalization, social inclusion, urban regeneration, and the enhancement of cultural heritage.
The Department works within a multi-scalar reference context aligned with all application fields of design, producing dissemination and research at local, national, and international levels. Numerous and articulated collaboration agreements are in place, participating in national and international projects, as well as local partnerships with stakeholders in the territory.