• Blended Learning & Flipped Classroom

The Global Classroom is a joint course provided at a distance by Drexel University in Philadelphia (USA) and Politecnico di Milano where the two professors teach together and coordinate the design activities of the students, who work in mixed groups. 

The didactic typology is that of "virtual exchange" - also known as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), Globally Networked Learning, or Telecollaboration - which expands the intercultural and transnational learning opportunities of university students. Through teaching modules developed and delivered in collaboration between the two universities, the virtual exchange supports the training of professionals of the twenty-first century and promotes the comparison between teaching methodologies of different contexts.

The annual course is organized in two modules of 3 ECTS each, divided on the two semesters of the Politecnico di Milano in correspondence with the Fall Term and the Spring Term of Drexel University respectively.

Module A - Responsive Urban Environments (September-December)
The course addresses the strategies to be adopted at the building scale to contribute to the sustainability of the urban environment. The attention to the issues of climate change mitigation strategies is in fact a crucial element of the policies promoted by the city of Milan and Philadelphia.
The course is structured in frontal lectures, invited lectures by experts from different countries, discussions and a design exercise on the development of solutions to be applied to buildings so that they can generate positive impacts on the cities in which they are located and improve their ability to respond to a changing context and climate.

Module B - Bio-inspired design (April-June)
The course aims to explain to students why designers, architects and engineers must consider in their work the relationship between the built environment and nature, providing the scientific and medical reasons behind the effects of the natural environment on health and well-being. 
The introduction of bio-informed sciences into design is providing a new paradigm for creating environments that promote the health and well-being of building occupants.
The course is structured in theoretical lessons, discussions and a design exercise related to the development of "bio-inspired" building strategies and/or components that demonstrate the optimization of resource use and positive impacts on the environment and people.

Module A - Responsive Urban Environments      

To understand connections between technological solutions applied to a single building and their impact at the urban scale; To discover architectural engineering at the intersection of theory and practice, design and technology; To acknowledge the effects of materials and methods of construction on long-term sustainability of cities;

To understand the fundamental design drivers, the basic principles and appropriate application and performance of nature-based technological solutions in a urban context; to acquire the ability to analyse and compare different design options both quantitatively and qualitatively;

To develop the ability to assess, select, and conceptually integrate building envelope systems and building service systems into a wider urban strategy.

Module B - Bio-inspired design

To understand connections between technology and nature, art and science;

To become a self-reflective designer/engineer/practitioner;

To discover techniques to incorporate the natural environment into the design of the built environment and translate this knowledge into new knowledge, inventions and design strategies.

At the end of both modules, students will be able to communicate original thought critically and articulately through writing and drawings and to engage critically with other colleagues with different backgrounds in the design process.

Module A - Responsive Urban Environments

Climate Change and Cities/Urban Resilience

Regenerative Cities/Biophilic Cities

Nature-based solutions for sustainable urban enviroments

Green, Grey and Blue Infrastructures

Urban Ecology and Biodiversity

City of Philadelphia Sustainability Measures

City of Milan Sustainability Measures

Megacities and Strategies for Sustainability

Urban Heat Island Effect

Module B - Bio-inspired design

Detailed information about the course calendar, the topics and the bibliographic references will be provided at the beginning of each module.

Keywords:

SDG 11 - sustainable cities and communities (smart cities, sustainable design)

SDG 3 - Good health and well-being (well-being, indoor air pollution)

SDG 12 - Responsible consumption and production (sustainable resource management, circular economy, waste management)

SDG 13 - Climate Action (climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation)

SDG 17 - Partnership for the goals (Sustainable Development Goals, international cooperation)

No pre-requisites are fixed for this course. Nevertheless, students are encouraged to select this course at the second year of their studyplan.