Emilia Maria Garda

Emilia Maria Garda is a Full Professor at the Department of Structural, Building and Geotechnical Engineering (DISEG) at the Polytechnic University of Turin. She is also a member of the Interdepartmental Center R3C - Responsible Risk Resilience Center. Her work spans technical architecture, restoration, and the architectural heritage of the Modern Movement.

Research Interests:

• Industrial archaeology
• Gender equality in architecture
• Modern Movement architecture
• Prefabrication
• Modern interior restoration
• Heritage conservation
• Sustainable cities and communities

Her recent publications reflect a consistent focus on gender in architecture, industrial heritage, cultural landscapes, and sustainable reuse. The articles highlight interdisciplinary research connecting architecture, civil engineering, and social equity, often with a focus on historical analysis and contemporary applications in urban regeneration.

Scientific Awards:

• Premio Europeo di Architettura 'Luigi Cosenza' for a residential building in Verbania province
• Premio C.RI.S.I.S alla ricerca scientifica tecnico–scientifica for the monograph 'Il Buxus. Storia di un materiale autarchico fra arte e tecnologia'

She advises PhD students, including Giuliana Di Mari, and has served on doctoral committees at both the Polytechnic University of Turin and Sapienza University of Rome. Garda has held leadership roles in AIDIA (Italian Association of Women Engineers and Architects), including President of the Turin section, and is a member of AIPAI and Do.Co.Mo.Mo. She also contributes to editorial boards such as WOMEN'S CREATIVITY and TEMA. Her research projects include the EU-funded MoMoWo and the PNRR-supported WAA (Women Atlas Archive), both dedicated to documenting women’s contributions to architecture and engineering.

Labs and Teams:

• Interdepartmental Center R3C - Responsible Risk Resilience Center
• Scientific Director and President of the MoMoWo project (2014–2018)
• Founder and member of Extensa Ratio, a cultural association dedicated to modern architecture