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Papers by Paola Menzardi

The contribution aims to shed light on the role of the design discipline in building or implement... more The contribution aims to shed light on the role of the design discipline in building or implementing development strategies for a territory. The text heads toward a practical case study carried out by a group of systemic design researchers of Politecnico di Torino who worked for a multi-layer action plan for Piedmont region, in northern Italy. For that occurrence design has been called to set up a series of guidelines, and then come out with outputs specifically addressed to improve or activate virtuous territorial policies. The points around which the study has been resolved were cultural and tourism promotion through the project of a diffused art exhibition, then developing participatory services, enhancement of local economies and strengthening the relations among districts. The paper turns this research activity providing the perspectives of an evolutionary process in design sphere with precise directions for new diffuse events.

PAD Pages on Arts & Design, 2019

Design for territories expands its gaze to the entire spatial experience, which acts and feels in... more Design for territories expands its gaze to the entire spatial experience, which
acts and feels in relation to a place. Here, space is a fluid and dynamic element “contaminated” by mutual interaction with human life. This interaction shapes both space and human experience, making them recipients and interlocutors
of a project at the same time. One design approach in territorial enhancement
is exploring the match between digital cartography and community mapping as tools for the promotion of territories starting from their local identities.
Visual narratives of the “active landscape” are thus probed to represent territories as places of submerged heritage worth discovering. Within this framework, the AtlasFor project is presented to create participatory storytelling of the territory, in order to stimulate interest in social capital and culture.

Proceedings of DRS Learn X Design 2019: Insider Knowledge, Nov 20, 2019

Historically, the design discipline has been strictly connected to the productive sector. For thi... more Historically, the design discipline has been strictly connected to the productive sector. For this reason, past design education was mainly related to the world of arts and crafts and technology. With such a vertical specialization, designers could not deeply grasp the potential repercussions of their design choices. Their commitment was largely tied in with mass-production and unconstrained technological innovation. Increased awareness of the complexity of the world has emerged in the last decades. Designers nowadays are requested to achieve new transversal skills and competencies, to cope with the incumbent metamorphoses of cultures, societies, economies, and natural environments. Thus, a linear mono- disciplinary outlook is not anymore adequate in design pedagogy. Educators need to embrace a holistic approach and to activate new collaborations, to train experts capable of configuring and managing complex design activities. This paper analyses the rise of systemic thinking and its reverberations on design studies, with an overview of geographical and temporal contributions. It invites to reflect on the role of present-day designers and on the importance of embedding humanistic and economic values in the design knowledge. Furthermore, it illustrates the directions for a systemic transdisciplinary education in Master’s degree programs and Ph.D. courses in Design, aimed at providing the necessary tools to a new and responsible generation of professionals. The awareness of their important and influential roles in society should be inspiring and lead to the creation of innovative entrepreneurial activities.

Cumulus Conference Proceedings Wuxi 2018 - Diffused Transition and Design Opportunities, 2018

Globalization has led to the creation of a complex worldwide network. Thus, understanding the imp... more Globalization has led to the creation of a complex worldwide network. Thus, understanding the impact of our actions on the natural environment is not immediate. Responding to threats with conscientious visions is even more challenging. On this basis, where are we and where will we go? In 1972 a group of researchers from MIT published a report for the Club of Rome, entitled " The Limits to Growth " aimed at gaining insights into the finiteness of our world system. The publication was a warning about the negative repercussions of our business as usual and a call to action on the necessity of a complete paradigm shift. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of present-day designers, in a moment in which we should address global problems with a deep ecological literacy. Socially responsible designers should use their skills and know-how to facilitate the transition towards environmentally, socially and economically viable futures. This can be achieved through the embracement of a systemic strategy, founded on qualitative relations. Transitions should no longer generate uncertainty, because through powerful design tools, we will be able to shape every step of the time ahead, for the sake of present and upcoming generations.

Proceedings of Relating Systems Thinking and Design (RSD7) 2018 Symposium, 2018

Linear agro-food production systems have led to a high social impact, translated into a growing s... more Linear agro-food production systems have led to a high social impact, translated into a growing spread of chronic diseases and prolonged health costs. This obvious disconnection between food networks and health systems has often led consumers to make unhealthy food choices. The problem, in its complexity, is currently mainly faced by exponents of the Integrative Medicine, without however reaching transversal dissemination. Through the analysis of representative projects aimed at managing and resizing the problem, the purpose of this article is to identify new fields of investigation and action for systemic designers, who deal with the re-planning of food and health experiences of the individuals who wish to protect their health. This happens through the creation of relationships, the mediation of different languages and the sharing of knowledge. Furthermore, the paper traces the foundations for the definition and development of future design solutions in the field of Food for the Healthcare.

Conference Presentations by Paola Menzardi

EURAU18 Alicante: Retroactive Research: Congress Proceedings, 2018

The contribution aims to shed light on the role of the design discipline in building or implement... more The contribution aims to shed light on the role of the design discipline in building or implementing development strategies for a territory. The text heads toward a practical case study carried out by a group of systemic design researchers of Politecnico di Torino who worked for a multi-layer action plan for Piedmont region, in northern Italy. For that occurrence design has been called to set up a series of guidelines, and then come out with outputs specifically addressed to improve or activate virtuous territorial policies. The points around which the study has been resolved were cultural and tourism promotion through the project of a diffused art exhibition, then developing participatory services, enhancement of local economies and strengthening the relations among districts. The paper turns this research activity providing the perspectives of an evolutionary process in design sphere with precise directions for new diffuse events.

Books by Paola Menzardi

Eurau Alicante. Retroactive research in architecture, 2020

Design for territories considers lands not only as a spatial context but also as a design object ... more Design for territories considers lands not only as a spatial context but also as a design object that has to be approached with definite strategies. The use of design methodologies for territorial purposes could lead to innovative products, services, policies, and structures, with the aim to stimulate new activities and local relations. This contribution sheds light on the role of design discipline in building and implementing methods to support the development of a territory. The paper presents an actual case study carried out by a group of systemic design researchers from Politecnico di Torino, who worked on a multi-layered action plan for the Piedmont Region, in the north of Italy. For this plan, the designers were required to set up a series of guidelines to improve or activate well founded territorial policies. The research was carried out in the areas of culture, local economy, and tourism promotion through the project of a diffused art exhibition entitled Il Rinascimento di Gaudenzio Ferrari. The exhibition also resulted in the development of participatory services, the enhancement of local economies, and the strengthening of the relations between districts. The paper analyses the supportive role of design, with investigations on emerging design, design for territories, and systemic design. It describes the main phases of the project, underlining its outcomes, the positive impacts on local communities, its limits, and possible future developments. It further suggests possible perspectives for an evolutionary process in the design sphere, with distinct guidelines for creating new diffused events.

The contribution aims to shed light on the role of the design discipline in building or implement... more The contribution aims to shed light on the role of the design discipline in building or implementing development strategies for a territory. The text heads toward a practical case study carried out by a group of systemic design researchers of Politecnico di Torino who worked for a multi-layer action plan for Piedmont region, in northern Italy. For that occurrence design has been called to set up a series of guidelines, and then come out with outputs specifically addressed to improve or activate virtuous territorial policies. The points around which the study has been resolved were cultural and tourism promotion through the project of a diffused art exhibition, then developing participatory services, enhancement of local economies and strengthening the relations among districts. The paper turns this research activity providing the perspectives of an evolutionary process in design sphere with precise directions for new diffuse events.

PAD Pages on Arts & Design, 2019

Design for territories expands its gaze to the entire spatial experience, which acts and feels in... more Design for territories expands its gaze to the entire spatial experience, which
acts and feels in relation to a place. Here, space is a fluid and dynamic element “contaminated” by mutual interaction with human life. This interaction shapes both space and human experience, making them recipients and interlocutors
of a project at the same time. One design approach in territorial enhancement
is exploring the match between digital cartography and community mapping as tools for the promotion of territories starting from their local identities.
Visual narratives of the “active landscape” are thus probed to represent territories as places of submerged heritage worth discovering. Within this framework, the AtlasFor project is presented to create participatory storytelling of the territory, in order to stimulate interest in social capital and culture.

Proceedings of DRS Learn X Design 2019: Insider Knowledge, Nov 20, 2019

Historically, the design discipline has been strictly connected to the productive sector. For thi... more Historically, the design discipline has been strictly connected to the productive sector. For this reason, past design education was mainly related to the world of arts and crafts and technology. With such a vertical specialization, designers could not deeply grasp the potential repercussions of their design choices. Their commitment was largely tied in with mass-production and unconstrained technological innovation. Increased awareness of the complexity of the world has emerged in the last decades. Designers nowadays are requested to achieve new transversal skills and competencies, to cope with the incumbent metamorphoses of cultures, societies, economies, and natural environments. Thus, a linear mono- disciplinary outlook is not anymore adequate in design pedagogy. Educators need to embrace a holistic approach and to activate new collaborations, to train experts capable of configuring and managing complex design activities. This paper analyses the rise of systemic thinking and its reverberations on design studies, with an overview of geographical and temporal contributions. It invites to reflect on the role of present-day designers and on the importance of embedding humanistic and economic values in the design knowledge. Furthermore, it illustrates the directions for a systemic transdisciplinary education in Master’s degree programs and Ph.D. courses in Design, aimed at providing the necessary tools to a new and responsible generation of professionals. The awareness of their important and influential roles in society should be inspiring and lead to the creation of innovative entrepreneurial activities.

Cumulus Conference Proceedings Wuxi 2018 - Diffused Transition and Design Opportunities, 2018

Globalization has led to the creation of a complex worldwide network. Thus, understanding the imp... more Globalization has led to the creation of a complex worldwide network. Thus, understanding the impact of our actions on the natural environment is not immediate. Responding to threats with conscientious visions is even more challenging. On this basis, where are we and where will we go? In 1972 a group of researchers from MIT published a report for the Club of Rome, entitled " The Limits to Growth " aimed at gaining insights into the finiteness of our world system. The publication was a warning about the negative repercussions of our business as usual and a call to action on the necessity of a complete paradigm shift. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of present-day designers, in a moment in which we should address global problems with a deep ecological literacy. Socially responsible designers should use their skills and know-how to facilitate the transition towards environmentally, socially and economically viable futures. This can be achieved through the embracement of a systemic strategy, founded on qualitative relations. Transitions should no longer generate uncertainty, because through powerful design tools, we will be able to shape every step of the time ahead, for the sake of present and upcoming generations.

Proceedings of Relating Systems Thinking and Design (RSD7) 2018 Symposium, 2018

Linear agro-food production systems have led to a high social impact, translated into a growing s... more Linear agro-food production systems have led to a high social impact, translated into a growing spread of chronic diseases and prolonged health costs. This obvious disconnection between food networks and health systems has often led consumers to make unhealthy food choices. The problem, in its complexity, is currently mainly faced by exponents of the Integrative Medicine, without however reaching transversal dissemination. Through the analysis of representative projects aimed at managing and resizing the problem, the purpose of this article is to identify new fields of investigation and action for systemic designers, who deal with the re-planning of food and health experiences of the individuals who wish to protect their health. This happens through the creation of relationships, the mediation of different languages and the sharing of knowledge. Furthermore, the paper traces the foundations for the definition and development of future design solutions in the field of Food for the Healthcare.

EURAU18 Alicante: Retroactive Research: Congress Proceedings, 2018

The contribution aims to shed light on the role of the design discipline in building or implement... more The contribution aims to shed light on the role of the design discipline in building or implementing development strategies for a territory. The text heads toward a practical case study carried out by a group of systemic design researchers of Politecnico di Torino who worked for a multi-layer action plan for Piedmont region, in northern Italy. For that occurrence design has been called to set up a series of guidelines, and then come out with outputs specifically addressed to improve or activate virtuous territorial policies. The points around which the study has been resolved were cultural and tourism promotion through the project of a diffused art exhibition, then developing participatory services, enhancement of local economies and strengthening the relations among districts. The paper turns this research activity providing the perspectives of an evolutionary process in design sphere with precise directions for new diffuse events.

Eurau Alicante. Retroactive research in architecture, 2020

Design for territories considers lands not only as a spatial context but also as a design object ... more Design for territories considers lands not only as a spatial context but also as a design object that has to be approached with definite strategies. The use of design methodologies for territorial purposes could lead to innovative products, services, policies, and structures, with the aim to stimulate new activities and local relations. This contribution sheds light on the role of design discipline in building and implementing methods to support the development of a territory. The paper presents an actual case study carried out by a group of systemic design researchers from Politecnico di Torino, who worked on a multi-layered action plan for the Piedmont Region, in the north of Italy. For this plan, the designers were required to set up a series of guidelines to improve or activate well founded territorial policies. The research was carried out in the areas of culture, local economy, and tourism promotion through the project of a diffused art exhibition entitled Il Rinascimento di Gaudenzio Ferrari. The exhibition also resulted in the development of participatory services, the enhancement of local economies, and the strengthening of the relations between districts. The paper analyses the supportive role of design, with investigations on emerging design, design for territories, and systemic design. It describes the main phases of the project, underlining its outcomes, the positive impacts on local communities, its limits, and possible future developments. It further suggests possible perspectives for an evolutionary process in the design sphere, with distinct guidelines for creating new diffused events.