A Sustainable Design School Aiming to Change the Culture of Education, Research, and Practice
Based in Bologna, Italy, SOS – School of Sustainability, is an initiative by Mario Cucinella focused on training emerging professionals in the field of sustainability. The school is open to recent graduates and industry partners to develop innovative projects with a positive impact on society, the economy and the environment through a revolutionary model of integrated education, practice and research. It is a creative laboratory born in close collaboration with Mario Cucinella Architects (MC A), in which training is inspired by active projects and expertise in a professional practice setting.
“Let us imagine a future where … the intelligent investment of our profession positions us as global experts, leaders and stewards of the environment; design delivers outstanding quality that is responsive and sustainable; all stakeholders are involved from the initiation of the project; decisions are performance-based and value-driven; all communications throughout the design and building process are clear, concise, open, transparent and trusting; and where outcomes are innovative and visionary.”
The school is founded on a mission to provide the highest quality practice-based experience and opportunities for talented young professionals. Sustainable design which uses the most advanced technologies is both the focus of teaching and practicing, and the core value of the program. SOS seeks to transform recent graduates and emerging professionals into the next generation of leaders in broader and higher impact roles.
The structure of SOS works by embracing global challenges at a local scale through co-design and public participation. The program works at the intersection of government, industry, practice, professional organizations and research institutions. An expanded curriculum also positions SOS at the forefront of practice-based, use-inspired research for the built environment industry and the profession.
The SOS 2017 / 2018 program offers three key tracks related to sustainable architecture and design
- Architecture as a Social Business, to regenerate the urban environment.
- Post Carbon Architecture, to design the next generation of buildings .
- The Right to (Quality) Shelter, to sustain human development and build resilience
Beginning on 2 October 2017, SOS will launch a Consortium for Practice and Research which is comprised of a wide range of firms in architecture, development, engineering, landscape, urbanism, and more, as well as governments, industry partners and organizations throughout Italy and Europe. The Consortium serves a critical function in the SOS mission, which is to be a nexus and platform for the exchange of advanced professional practice knowledge and experience with a particular focus on sustainability.
