Elena Piera Montacchini

Elena Piera Montacchini is an Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD) of the Polytechnic University of Turin. Her work bridges technological innovation with environmental design, focusing on circular building products, living wall systems, and nature-based solutions. She actively participates in the Italian Society of Architectural Technology (SITdA) and the Green Building Council Italy's Circular Economy working group.

• Member of TESIS Interuniversity Research Center
• Co-founder of Growing Green srl spin-off
• Scientific Director for multiple EU-funded environmental projects

Her research emphasizes low-impact construction materials, building-integrated vegetation (BIV), and user-centered design that addresses psycho-emotional/social needs. She coordinates international Memoranda of Understanding with institutions like the Faculty of Interior Architecture in Bucharest and RiceHouse srl.

Recent projects include

• 2025: Development of educational living wall prototypes
• 2025: Circular material experiments in Langhe vineyards
• 2024: Digital climate mitigation frameworks

She mentors PhD candidates Carlotta Fasano and Jacopo Gasparotto in sustainable and circular systems research.

Scientific Recognition

• Recipient of 2013 Sustainable Development Award from Fondazione per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile
• Peer reviewer for leading architectural technology journals