MARCO FERRERO

Insegnamento di Architettura Tecnica II
 
Modalità di erogazione della didattica – anno accademico 2026-27
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Marco Ferrero is Associate Professor of Architectural Technology (SSD CEAR-08/A, formerly ICAR/10) at Sapienza University of Rome. He graduated with honours in Civil and Building Engineering and holds a PhD in Building Engineering. His academic career spans over three decades, combining research, teaching and institutional responsibilities. He served as University Researcher in Architectural Technology at Sapienza (1997–2006; confirmed 2000) and has been Associate Professor since November 2006 (confirmed 2009). Since February 2022 he holds the Italian National Scientific Qualification (ASN) for Full Professorship in Architectural Technology and Architectural Design (SC 08/C1), attesting to his scientific maturity and national standing.
His research integrates architectural technology, construction techniques, material diagnostics, environmental performance and digital modelling approaches (HBIM and Digital Twins), with a focus on heritage systems. His work addresses the relationship between materials, envelopes and performance-based transformation processes, combining experimental investigations with modelling and decision-support methodologies. Since 2018, he has focused on the Foro Italico complex in Rome (Casa delle Armi), with particular attention to thin marble envelopes, restoration-oriented modelling and diagnostics, leading to peer-reviewed publications and consultancy with Sport e Salute S.p.A. (from 2022).
He is currently National Principal Investigator of the PRIN 2022 project DIMHENSION, coordinating interdisciplinary teams on digital heritage, HBIM workflows and decision-support systems. This experience provides a solid foundation for HERMES, particularly in knowledge modelling and evidence-based processes. His leadership is further confirmed by institutional roles, including Presidency of the Single-cycle Master’s Degree in Building Engineering–Architecture (2021–2024).

In 2016 contributed to the research group awarded the “Outstanding UHI Group of Researchers Award” at the 4th Intl Conf. on Countermeasures to UHI (Singapore).
His scientific impact is primarily documented through non-bibliometric indicators characteristic of the Architectural Technology and Heritage field: over the last ten years he has produced 58 scientific publications, including 17 Class A journal articles (last fifteen years) and one monograph, demonstrating continuity and quality of research outputs.
Bibliometric indicators confirm this impact: Scopus h-index 15 (865 citations), Google Scholar h-index 16 (1,165 citations), ResearchGate h-index 15 (996 citations), evidencing consistent international visibility. He is also included in the AD Scientific Index 2026 (Architecture), ranking #17 in Italy (out of 390).
These recognitions align with Architectural Technology, environmental performance of envelopes, and heritage-focused research, reinforcing excellence and leadership potential.

Invited lecture (remote) at New York University (2019), within the Intl Program on World Cultural Heritage Studies on climate change impacts, conservation issues and building retrofit strategies, confirming international engagement in heritage technology and sustainability.
At Universidad de Granada (ETSIE/UGR), he delivered seminars for Master’s Degree students (2017) and participated in advanced Research Training Courses (2021) on lime-based materials, within an institutional collaboration framework, contributing to Mediterranean networks on heritage diagnostics and conservation technologies.
Additional international exposure includes participation in Marmomac/Stone Academy events and cross-border workshops linking academia and industry, supporting practice-oriented research outputs.
He coordinates official collaborations programs involving Sapienza University, Universidad de Granada, New York University, Tokyo University and Hochschule Darmstadt, promoting joint workshops, research initiatives and knowledge-transfer activities.

Teaching activities and PhD supervision
Core teaching in Architectural and Building Design II (Master’s Degree, 2009–present), laboratory-centered with performance analysis, environmental simulation, and technology of intervention; specialized course “Architecture and Technology of Stone” (2010–2020), bridging materials, diagnostics, envelopes, and restoration. Supervision: >130 master theses in Architectural Technology; 7 completed PhDs (2013–2024) on energy modeling, stone envelopes, durability and innovation, amphibious/floating construction performance, and multi-objective optimization (one Doctor Europaeus, 2024). Current PhD (XL cycle): Generative design to support proactive design using synergistic BIM and AI. Continuous doctoral teaching and committee roles demonstrate capacity to train young researchers in WP4 relevant domains: adaptive reuse, performance-based simulation, optimization, and methodological integration with HBIM/AI pipelines.

National and international collaborations and networks
National. Sapienza University (DICEA—Architectural Technology; DIAEE—energy and environmental physics) on building retrofit, performance analysis and simulation. Collaboration with University of Messina and University of Bologna within PRIN 2022 DIMHENSION (National PI), integrating HBIM/Digital Twin workflows, diagnostics and decision-support frameworks. Partnerships with UNIPG/CIRIAF on cool materials, optical–thermal characterization and dynamic performance. RSE S.p.A.–Sapienza agreement (2024–2025) on energy retrofit and environmental sustainability for high-heritage-value buildings. Founder and coordinator of the StonEng research group, focusing on heritage transformation through integrated technological, historical, digital and performance-based approaches.
Institutional and industry networks. Long-term collaboration with Sport e Salute S.p.A. (Foro Italico, Casa delle Armi) for heritage consultancy and project support, transferring research outcomes into restoration strategies. Active networks with Veronafiere–Marmomac and Stone Academy for technology transfer on stone materials and construction innovation, linking academic research with applied and industrial contexts.
International. Collaborations with TU Delft (Design Informatics; deep uncertainty; co-authorship with J.H. Kwakkel), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (AiEM) on environmental and technological design, IHE Delft Flood Resilience Chair Group on multiscale resilience, New York University on energy and material performance, and Universidad de Granada on heritage construction and diagnostics. Additional academic links include Tokyo University and Hochschule Darmstadt.
These networks ensure strong Mediterranean positioning, cross-disciplinary integration (technology–environment–digital) and support the implementation of HERMES across WP1 (knowledge frameworks), WP3 (Human–AI communication), WP4 (scenario and counterfactual modelling) and WP5 (validation and transferability).

Other work experience (e.g. consultancy)
Heritage consultancy and applied research. Sport e Salute S.p.A. (2018–2024; formal convention from 2022): scientific consultancy and assistance to the RUP for the restoration and adaptive reuse of Casa delle Armi (Foro Italico, Rome), one of the most relevant XX-century heritage sites in Italy. Activities include diagnostics-informed strategies for thin marble cladding, HBIM-based digital modelling, environmental and performance assessment, and comparative evaluation of intervention scenarios. This experience demonstrates direct integration of research, decision-support frameworks and real transformation processes.
Experimental research and diagnostics. H2CU (2017–2020): collaboration in experimental analyses on pollutants and simulated acid rain effects on lapideous and cementitious materials, linking laboratory evidence to façade performance and ageing processes, supporting evidence-based evaluation of envelope behaviour. Technical consultancy (2012–2016): building pathology (water penetration) and photovoltaic system performance (thermography and electroluminescence), confirming applied expertise in diagnostics and performance assessment.
Innovation and technology transfer. Patent co-inventor (IT 102016000127043, 2019) on cool coloured mortars balancing aesthetic compatibility and thermo-optical performance, supporting climate-adapted interventions in historic contexts. Collaboration with Veronafiere–Marmomac and Stone Academy for technology transfer, material experimentation and development of innovative construction systems.
These experiences produce prototypes, operational methodologies and decision frameworks connecting academic research with professional practice, directly supporting WP4 activities on scenario evaluation, counterfactual reasoning and AI-assisted decision processes in heritage transformation contexts.

Administrative role and position responsibility
Academic leadership. President of the single-cycle Master’s Degree in Building Engineering–Architecture (2021–2024), with responsibility for strategic planning, quality assurance (Chair of CGAQ), organisational innovation and stakeholder engagement. Actions included admissions reform (dual test sessions), expansion of tutoring systems and strengthening of academic coordination, leading to a significant increase in enrolments (over 50% in three years). Organization of the first national LM-4 plenary meeting (Rome, July 2024) to coordinate programmes in response to evolving regulatory and disciplinary frameworks.
Governance and institutional service. Member of Department Board and Faculty Board; participation in Didactics and Space Management Commissions; previous roles in internationalisation (COFINT, RELINT). Long-term involvement in teaching organisation, scheduling and coordination processes, contributing to programme management and quality assurance over more than two decades.
PhD governance. Secretary of the PhD in Ingegneria dell’Architettura e dell’Urbanistica (2001–2011) and member of the Resources Commission (since 2017), with responsibilities in budget oversight, resource allocation and monitoring of training quality.
Project management and external agreements. Experience in managing third-party agreements (e.g., Sport e Salute S.p.A.), including coordination of activities, deliverables and reporting procedures. Proven ability in aligning resources, timelines and outputs within complex projects.
These roles demonstrate strong capability in coordinating institutional processes, managing resources and ensuring quality control, supporting readiness for managing responsibilities, including milestone and KPI monitoring, risk management and inter-unit coordination within PRIN HYBRID, including cross WP alignment (WP1 frameworks, WP3 regenerative co design and communication, WP4 scenario/counterfactual modeling leadership, WP5 validation).

Scientific organisations / Coordination of academic activities
Project and research coordination. National Principal Investigator of PRIN 2022 DIMHENSION (Sapienza, Messina, Bologna), coordinating interdisciplinary teams working on HBIM/Digital Twin, material diagnostics and performance-based decision frameworks for Modern Heritage façades. Founder and coordinator of the StonEng research group, focused on heritage transformation through integrated technological, historical, digital and performance-based approaches.
Research programmes and labs. Coordinator of SOS Urban Lab (since 2021), evolving from U-SAFE (PI; Progetto Grande d’Ateneo), addressing multiscale resilience to flooding and heatwaves through integration of ICAR/10, ICAR/02 and GEO/05, with links to international partners (IHE Delft, UPC). Activities include coordination of research agendas, supervision of doctoral and postdoctoral work and integration of interdisciplinary methodologies.
Conferences, workshops and dissemination. Organisation and chairing of international conferences and workshops (e.g. “The Potential of the Built Environment in Climate-related Challenges”, 2022; Marmomac Meets Academies; UrbanAID; Kyoto–Rome Inclusive Connection), with active roles in Colloqui.AT.e (scientific committee, reviewer, session chair) and participation as keynote or invited speaker. Founder and Scientific Director of the StoneTales editorial series (Librìa), with a multidisciplinary scientific board bridging architecture, technology and heritage studies.
International cooperation networks. Promotion of collaborations with institutions in Spain, Germany, Japan and the United States, supporting researcher mobility, joint research initiatives and knowledge transfer between academia, industry and public bodies.
These experiences provide strong evidence of the capacity to coordinate complex scientific activities within the hybrid and interdisciplinary framework of HERMES.

Editorial activity
Scientific production and editorial profile. The candidate has developed a substantial and continuous scientific production in the field of Architectural Technology, reflected in publications, editorial initiatives and active engagement in international dissemination. This research activity is complemented by structured editorial responsibilities and coordination roles.
Editorial leadership. Founder and Scientific Director of the StoneTales book series (Librìa), curating research at the intersection of architectural technology, stone materials, heritage and design. Coordination of a multidisciplinary scientific board including experts in technology, architectural design, art history and sustainability, fostering dialogue between research, industry and cultural production.
Journal roles. Member of the Topical Advisory Panel of Atmosphere (MDPI, ANVUR Class A, SC 08/C1) and of the Scientific Board of Bioarchitettura. Guest Editor of international special issues: Sustainability (passive strategies, resilience and citizen engagement) and Atmosphere (Zero Energy Buildings and Indoor Thermal; “The Potential of the Built Environment in Climate-related Challenges”, including second edition), addressing energy performance, climate adaptation and urban resilience.
Peer review activity. Regular reviewer for major international publishers. Elsevier journals: Energy and Buildings, Journal of Building Engineering, Solar Energy, Sustainable Cities and Society, Ain Shams Engineering Journal. MDPI journals: Atmosphere, Buildings, Climate, Geosciences, IJERPH, Materials, Remote Sensing, Sustainability.
These activities demonstrate recognised expertise and active contribution to international research agendas, supporting quality assurance and dissemination of HERMES results, particularly for WP4 methodological development and interdisciplinary integration

Membership of scientific societies
Scientific society membership. Member of Ar.Tec. – Società Scientifica di Architettura Tecnica (founded 2002), the official national scientific society for the Architectural Technology sector. Participation dates back to the early stages of the society’s constitution, including involvement in the preliminary assemblies held in Rome prior to its formal establishment, contributing to the definition and consolidation of the disciplinary community in Italy.
Scientific community engagement. Active participation in Ar.Tec. initiatives through contributions to Colloqui.AT.e, including papers, peer review, session participation and thematic discussions, supporting the advancement of research in Architectural Technology, building performance, materials and heritage systems.
Academic–professional networks. Although not formal memberships, long-term collaboration frameworks with Stone Academy and Marmomac/Veronafiere connect academic research with industry and technological innovation in stone materials and construction systems. These activities support dissemination, knowledge transfer and interaction with practitioners.