Sustainability Universal Design Parametric Design towards an architecture focused on the people and the environment using parametric design
SUMs IN A NUTSHELL SUMs is a design and consulting firm that combines the vision of a sustainable, inclusive and accessible architecture with the tools and methods offered by computational and generative design. SUMs offers user-tailored projects, based on the variety of functions and structures of the human body (Universal Design) and offers
comfortable spaces with the least environmental impact (sustainable design) thanks to the application of parametric design. All the environmental and anthropometric data, which represent the parameters of the real world, are transformed into architectural shapes and performances through the use of computational design solutions.
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CORE VALUES CHART OF SUMs Redefining Sustainable Design. A new perspective is needed for a truly Sustainable Design.
Algorithms-Aided Design meets the overlapping principles of Green Design and Universal Design.
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A MATHEMATICAL VIEW OF OUR WORLD
PRAISE DIVERSITY TO GO BEYOND STANDARDS
We use algorithms for advanced data management, shape optimization and interactive simulation.
We design inclusive environments to suit different users.
Through the use of mathematics, all human factors, weather data, dimensional and structural constraints are viewed as input parameters, which are transformed into architectural shapes and environmental performances.
The principles of Universal Design guide our design process towards inclusive environments, in order to suit the diversity of human bodies, age, culture, sex, functional abilities and in respect of people’s needs and desires.
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BIOCLIMATIC ARCHITECTURE VIEWED AS A TOOL, NOT ANYMORE ONLY AS A GOAL
perFORMance
We “build” sustainable lifestyles.
Shapes and material selection are based on their capacity to act as “human’s third skin” [Karl Lotz].
The approach on sustainable architecture is turned upside down: the new goal is improving the quality of life for all through green architecture, starting from the analysis of people’s needs.
Architecture returns to play its primary role in offering comfortable spaces in harmony with the environment.
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A GLOCAL ARCHITECTURAL LANGUAGE
A MULTIDIMENSIONAL APPROACH
We use a global methodology to find local solutions.
We use the same approach and core values for every single project, despite its dimensions.
The adopted solutions vary based on climate changes, cultural traditions, resource availability but the approach remains the same.
There are no predefined scales.
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REGENERATE REQUALIFY RENOVATE
AN UPSIDE-DOWN VIEW
We have four goals: - land consumption, + safety, + quality of life, + comfort.
We observe reality from new and different perspectives.
To achieve them, we give new life to existing facilities.
The art of listening and the dialogue are essential components at the base of good projects.
WHAT WE DO Full-service architectural design based on SUMs’ principles PHYToilet represents the first ecologic, sustainable and accessible public toilet. Architectural design and expert advice on universal access: SUMs architects. Product concept and constructed wetland design: Mauro Lajo and Davide Tocchetto
Full-service architectural design based on SUMs’ principles Open design competition to re-envision Piazza De Gasperi, Grottaferrata. An accessible path focused on taste, culture and environment, 4th classified. Architectural design: Fabrizio Bonatti, Giulia Pentella; quantity surveyor: Antonio Simonato
Implementation strategies for improving resource efficiency (water, energy, materials, soil, waste) “La Terra dei Bambini” Youth Centre of Um al Nasser, Gaza. Environmental sustainability consultant: Giulia Pentella. Architectural design: Arcò Architettura & Cooperazione in collaboration with Mario Cucinella Architects
Kuwait School (The Green School) in Khan Yunis, Gaza. Design team leader, environmental sustainability consultant and capacity-building manager: Giulia Pentella. Architectural design: Mario Cucinella Architects
Building performance analysis through simulations tools and 3D models to assist in design decision-making Grenoble-Phelma 2 design competition, university complex and amphitheatre. Daylight and facade’s solar exposure analysis: Giulia Pentella. Architectural design: Mario Cucinella Architects
Design competition for the Ri.MED Biomedical Research & Biotechnology Center. Daylight and facade’s solar exposure analysis: Giulia Pentella. Architectural design: Mario Cucinella Architects
Geometric optimization and Parametric design (computational design, generative algorithms, BIM) Aosta University. Facade optimization and detailed design support: Fabrizio Bonatti. Architectural design: Mario Cucinella Architects
Generative algorithm for high-rise residential towers, Expo Village Cascina Merlata. Form finding strategies to maximize exposure of dwellings to solar radiation in winter: Fabrizio Bonatti, Giulia Pentella. Architectural design: Mario Cucinella Architects
Geometric optimization and Parametric design (computational design, generative algorithms, BIM) Architectural competition for the National Automobile Museum renovation and extension, Torino. Shape optimization to minimize the need of metal roof structures: Fabrizio Bonatti. Architectural design: RicciSpaini Architetti
Water tower renovation, Milano. Parametric design of the external building envelope: Fabrizio Bonatti. Architectural design: King Roselli Architetti
Expert advice on Universal Design and Inclusive Planning “Supermercato dell’Accoglienza”, Bagno di Gavorrano (Grosseto). Adaptation strategies of the physical environment in compliance with the principles of Universal Design: Fabrizio Mezzalana. Architectural design: Unicoop Tirreno
Accessible and inclusive playground, Parco Formentano, Milano. Design and construction site supervision: Fabrizio Mezzalana within the project “Let’s all play!” by FISH Onlus
Teaching, training and research activities. Guidelines editing “Formulas” Mathematics Laboratory. Teaching support, exhibitions and seminars on applied mathematics: Fabrizio Bonatti. Department of Architecture at Roma Tre University
“Guidelines sustainable solutions”. Editing of the guidelines to reduce the environmental impact of Expo Milano 2015 temporary pavilions: Giulia Pentella
HOW WE WORK
WHO WE ARE SUMs is a team of architects based in Roma and Bologna (Italy), who decided to put together their competencies and skills acquired in years of practice in the fields of Universal Design and Parametric and Sustainable Planning towards a quality-oriented architecture, shaped both on people’s real needs and functional capacities and on microclimatic data and environmental performance targets.
SUMs stands for Sustainability, Universal Design and Mathematics set. The summation symbol appears in our logo as we believe in Mathematics as a means to manage data complexity, and because we believe in the use of participatory methodologies, in multidisciplinary and team work and in the importance of sharing ideas and professional experiences in order to achieve both social and environmental challenges.
CURRICULA FABRIZIO BONATTI Architect, works on parametric modeling and computational design; he is one of the founding members of the Formulas Interdisciplinary Laboratory with which he manages to combine his interests in mathematics and architecture participating to numerous editions of the Festival della Scienza in Genova and to numerous teaching and training experiences. He has been Lead Architect, computational designer and information systems manager at Insula Architettura e Ingegne-
ria (from 2006 to 2009) and at King Roselli Architetti (from 2009 to 2011); at present, he is part of the Research and Development team at MCA Mario Cucinella Architects as a Lead Architect and Manager of computer-aided design/manufacturing technologies (parametric modeling, BIM, 3d printing, optimization of planning and management processes and activities, generative algorithms, script-language and flow charts). He has been lecturer at numerous conferences on the topic.
FABRIZIO MEZZALANA Architect, works on inclusive and universal planning applied to private and public spaces, buildings, products and services. Since 1998 he is the architect responsible at “Centro per l’Autonomia”, for the adaptation design strategies of living, working and study spaces of people with disabilities, finalised to enhance their autonomy. Author of different guidelines and regulations for inclusive planning on behalf of associations for people with di-
sabilities and in collaboration with: FISH; INRES-COOP; ARPA Lazio, Parco Appia Antica; Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del Fuoco; UNI Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione. Architect and construction works supervisor for house adaptation projects, home automation (domotics) system design for people with severe disabilities, rehabilitation and healthcare facilities, care homes for elderly people, inclusive and accessible urban playgrounds.
GIULIA PENTELLA Architect, works on sustainable planning and bioclimatic architecture. She worked at Reinberg ZT GmbH and Fontana Atelier and from 2009 to 2015 she was an advisor for sustainability within the Research and Development team at MCA Mario Cucinella Architects. She was the executive director of the BGF Building Green Futures association (from 2013 to 2015) for which she edited the Guidelines Sustainable Solutions for Expo Milano 2015 and was the Lead Architect of the
Green School project in Gaza, for which she also managed the capacity building activities. In 2015, she was the Program Chair of the 31st edition of the international conference on Passive Low Energy Architecture (PLEA). She participates as a lecturer to numerous conferences on the subject of sustainable planning, to juries and post-graduate courses in Italy and abroad. She has published several articles with the Franco Angeli as a member of the InCreaSe research group.
OUR TARGET
We have worked with: Mario Cucinella Architects, King Roselli Architetti, Building Green Futures, FISH onlus, Insula architettura e ingegneria, RicciSpaini Architetti, EXPO Milano 2015, Francesco Cellini, Laboratorio Formulas, Architekturbüro Reinberg, Gruppo UNIFER, Enelcuore, Università degli Studi Roma Tre, Arcò Architettura & Cooperazione.
www.sumsarchitects.it sums@sumsarchitects.it BOLOGNA 04, via Cristoforo da Bologna, I-40129 tel +39 3206466173 / +39 3477834298 ROMA 20, via Gian Leonardo Ceruso, I-00147 tel +39 3487273987