Dr Marianna Marchesi

MArch, MSc, PhD

Lecturer in Architectural Design
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow

: marchesim@cardiff.ac.uk
: +44 (0)29 2087 0923
: Room 3.05, Adeilad Bute, Rhodfa'r Brenin Edward VII, Caerdydd, CF10 3NB

: Ar gael fel goruchwyliwr ôl-raddedig

I am a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow and a Lecturer of Architectural Design at the Welsh School of Architecture (Cardiff University, UK).

My recent research focuses on the implementation of a circular economy and resource efficiency in cities by design. Currently, I am developing a research fellowship funded by the European Commission through H2020-MSCA-IF programme with the contribution of Arup Foresight (London, UK). It aims at defining the contribution of social innovation in the transition to a circular economy in cities and the potential role of social housing.

I have been leading design units at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in which I involve students in envisioning neighbourhoods, architectures and building components that promote circularity and resource efficiency by design.

My research and teaching are supported by a long-time professional experience as an accredited architect in Italy and a multi-year research activity on design-focused topics in energy-efficient sustainable buildings and refurbishments, modular construction and timber architecture.

I am responsible for the development of a European Commission-funded H2020-MSCA-IF (2018-2020) with the contribution of Arup Foresight (London, UK) on the implementation of the circular economy in the design of social housing.

I hold a Master of Architecture at the University of Ferrara (Italy), and later received a Master of Science in Sustainable Buildings at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (Italy). Here, I also obtained a Ph.D. in Sustainable Energy and Technologies focused on Design Research for the design development of mass-customised modular houses in collaboration with MIT (USA) where I spent a research year.

As a researcher assistant, I collaborated at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano on the development of sustainable high-performance building designs and technologies for two years. I also served as a teaching assistant in Architectural Design courses at the IUAV University (Italy) for three years, and at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (Italy) supporting undergraduate and postgraduate students in design studio activities.

As an architect, I initially worked in architectural firms for four years, and then, as a freelance architect for another four years, collaborating with building contractors, technicians and suppliers on the implementation of full-integrated high-quality buildings.

2021

Marchesi, M. and Tweed, C. 2021. Social innovation for a circular economy in social housing. Sustainable Cities and Society 71, article number: 102925. (10.1016/j.scs.2021.102925)
Marchesi, M. 2021. Social innovation for a circular economy in urban communities. Presented at: Sustainable Earth 2021, Virtual, 24-25 June 2021.
Marchesi, M. 2021. Social innovation for a circular economy in urban communities. Presented at: Climate Change & Circular Economy Workshop, Virtual, 27 April 2021.
Marchesi, M. 2021. Social innovation for a circular economy. Presented at: Wales Tech Week 2021, Virtual, 21 -25 June 2021.
Marchesi, M. 2021. CircuBED - Applying the circular economy to the design of social housing. Project Report. Cardiff University.

2020

Marchesi, M., Tweed, C. and Gerber, D. 2020. Applying circular economy principles to urban housing. Presented at: Beyond 2020, Virtual, 2-4 November 2020, Vol. 588. IOP Publishing: Conference Series pp. 1.15-1.19., (10.1088/1755-1315/588/5/052065)

2019

Marchesi, M., Tweed, C. and Gerber, D. 2019. Circular design for affordable, human-centred and zero-waste urban housing. Presented at: 19th European Roundtable for Sustainable Consumption and Production (ERSCP 2019), Barcelona, Spain, 15-18 October 2019 Presented at Segalas, J. and Lazzarini, B. eds.Proceedings of the 19th European Roundtable for Sustainable Consumption and Production Circular Europe for Sustainability: Design, Production and Consumption. Book of abstracts. ERSCP 2019, Barcelona pp. 204.

2018

Girasoli, T. and Marchesi, M. 2018. 1. Isolamento termico; 2. Protezione dall'umidita'; 3. Tenuta all'aria e ventilazione; 4. Condizioni di benessere nell'edificio. In: Benedetti, C. ed. Appunti di fisica tecnica. Bozen-Bolzano University Press

2017

Marchesi, M. and Matt, D. T. 2017. Design for mass customization: Rethinking prefabricated housing using axiomatic design. Journal of Architectural Engineering 23(3), article number: 5017004. (10.1061/(ASCE)AE.1943-5568.0000260)

2016

Marchesi, M., Kim, S. and Matt, D. 2016. Application of axiomatic design to the design of the built environment: a literature review.. In: Farid, A. M. and Suh, N. P. eds. Axiomatic Design in Large Systems: Complex Products, Buildings & Manufacturing Systems.. Springer, pp. 151-174.
Marchesi, M., Fernandez, J. E. and Matt, D. T. 2016. Applying axiomatic design to prefabricated building design in the housing industry: A case study analysis. In: Farid, A. M. and Suh, N. P. eds. Axiomatic Design in Large Systems: Complex Products, Buildings and Manufacturing Systems.. Cham: Springer, pp. 175-200., (10.1007/978-3-319-32388-6_7)
Marchesi, M., Kim, S. and Matt, D. T. 2016. Assessing the design innovation potential of timber prefabricated housing through axiomatic design.. In: Jahanmir, S. et al. eds. Advances in Multidisciplinary Engineering.. ASME Press, (10.1115/1.861080_ch32)

2015

Marchesi, M., S-G., K. and Marr, D. 2015. Assessing the design innovation potential of timber prefabricated housing through axiomatic design.. Presented at: ASME 2015 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Houston, TX, USA, 13-19 November 2015.
Marchesi, M. and Ferrarato, I. A. 2015. Addressing the adaptive customization of timber prefabricated housing through axiomatic design. Procedia CIRP 34, pp. 199-205. (10.1016/j.procir.2015.05.001)

2014

Marchesi, M.et al. 2014. Axiomatic design approach for the conceptual design of sustainable buildings. Presented at: The 8th International Conference on Axiomatic Design, Lisbon, Portugal, 24-26 Sept 2014 Presented at Mourao, A. and Gonclaves-Coelho, A. eds.Proceedings of the Eigth International Conference on Axiomatic Design (ICAD 2014). Monte de Caparica, Portugal:
Marchesi, M. and Paradisi, I. 2014. The role of the customer in building design: a literature review. Presented at: 3rd International Workshop on Design in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark, 22-23 Aug 2014 Presented at Jensen, L. B. and Thompson, M. K. eds.Proceedings of the 3rd International Workshop on Design in Civil and Environmental Engineering. pp. 129-136.
Erlacher, P. and Marchesi, M. 2014. Improving the energy efficiency of existing building envelope. In: Riso, V. ed. Modern Building Reuse: Documentation, Maintenance, Recovery and Renewal.. Universidade do Minho.: Escola de Arquitectura, pp. 121-137.

2013

Pasetti Monizza, G.et al. 2013. Axiomatic design in participated urban planning: potentials and criticism. Presented at: 2nd International Workshop on Design in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Worcester, USA, 28-29 Jun 2013 Presented at Thompson, M. ed.Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Design in Civil and Environmental Engineering. pp. 39-45.
Marchesi, M. and Rondoni, M. 2013. Nodi costruttivi. In: Benedetti, C. ed. Risanare l'esistente. Soluzioni per il comfort e l'efficienza energetica. Bozen-Bolzano University Press
Marchesi, M.et al. 2013. Conceptual design of a housing project based on axiomatic design. Presented at: The 2nd International Workshop on Design in Civil & Environmental Engineering, Worcester, MA, USA, 28-29 June 2013.
Marchesi, M., KIm, S. G. and Matt, D. 2013. Application of the axiomatic design approach to the design of architectural systems: A literature review. Presented at: The 7th International Conference on Axiomatic Design., Worcester, MA, USA, 27-28 June 2013.

Research interests and expertise

My current research is focused on the implementation of circularity and resource efficiency in cities. My recent project is focused on exploring the contribution of social innovation to the transition to a circular economy in cities and the potential role of social housing communities.

My research is supported by expertise on the design of energy-efficient sustainable buildings and refurbishments, modular architecture and timber construction acquired by a multi-year experience as a researcher and a long-term activity as an accredited architect. My approach to design research is grounded on a doctoral degree in the field that has provided me with a structured methodological framework and research process.

Current research projects

H2020 MSCA IF 2017 – CircuBED: Applying the Circular Economy to the Design of Social Housing

This project explores how social housing communities can contribute to the transition to a circular economy (CE) in cities and how they can be engaged and empowered in envisioning different possible scenarios for the transition to a circular community by gamification.

Resource efficiency in cities is connected to people behaviours, but until now, the CE has placed limited attention to social practices and behavioural change. On the other side, behavioural change for a sustainable living shows being effectively encouraged through initiatives of social innovation (SI) that involve communities and groups of interest in alternative social practice.

Therefore, this study pointed at understanding the phenomenon of SI on circularity and resource efficiency in cities to define the potential contribution of social housing communities by the implementation of alternative production and consumption practices. Emerging SI concepts have been embedded in the current CE approach to support development.

Based on these results, the study aims at exploring the ability of a playful practise to engage social network members, promote bottom-up knowledge and support collaborative discovery on how to contribute to a circular economy. Based on this experience, a game design concept for a serious application on social innovation for a circular economy will be also outlined.

https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/explore/find-a-project/view/2412458-circubed-applying-the-circular-economy-to-the-design-of-social-housing

Research funding

06/2018-12/2021 - H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship 2017 - CircuBED: Applying the Circular Economy to the Design of Social Housing- Grant Agreement n. 793021; Award: € 195,454.80. Supervisors: Prof. C. Tweed (Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University), Dr D. Gerber (ARUP Foresight, London).

05/2017 - SCoRE Cymru Grant from the Welsh European Funding Office (UK) to support the development of an H2020 research application on the implementation of a circular economy in the built environment.