Keynotes
Keynote - Opening Lecture
Zero Energy Goal: The New Bovisa Campus of Politecnico di Milano
Mario Motta, Elisabetta Trezzani, and Paolo Cresci will present the project for the new Politecnico di Milano Campus in Bovisa. This ecosystem dedicated to innovation and research puts energy at its core, not only for the goal of a zero-energy campus, made possible by the large photovoltaic roof, but also for the advanced integration of modeling, energy optimization, and use of groundwater.
The project stands out for RPBW’s architectural language, which combines ecological transition and urban quality, enhancing the Goccia area in Bovisa and harmoniously integrating with the new urban forest that will surround the campus. At the center of the intervention are the future users, with particular attention to comfort and climate resilience.
Arch. Elisabetta Trezzani
Elisabetta Trezzani, a graduate of Politecnico di Milano, joined Renzo Piano Building Workshop in 1998 and quickly became a driving force behind some of its most iconic projects. From Sydney’s Aurora Place to the High Museum expansion in Atlanta, where she led the site office, her work reflects a deep commitment to beauty and innovation. She co-led the teams for the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and the Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, and shaped the vision for the SoHo residential tower. Elisabetta has also curated RPBW exhibitions worldwide. Today, she oversees major projects like the Campus Nord at Politecnico di Milano and the Prata Housing Complex in Lisbon. Appointed to the Board in 2014 and named its President in 2024, she continues to champion architecture as a force for culture and transformation.
Eng. Paolo Cresci
Paolo Cresci is a chartered building engineer and Associate Director at Arup Milan, where he leads Sustainable Development in Italy and serves as Urban Energy Leader for Arup’s Europe Region. With over twenty-five years of international experience, he has guided multidisciplinary teams in delivering projects with the highest sustainability ambitions. A passionate advocate for innovation, Paolo lectures at universities and speaks at major conferences to promote a greener future. Since 2017, he has collaborated with Domus magazine, curating Domus Green and Domus EcoWorld, highlighting the vital link between technology, people, and the UN Global Goals.
Prof. Mario Motta
Mario Motta is Full Professor of Building Physics and Building Energy Systems at Politecnico di Milano, where he also serves as the Rector’s Delegate for Energy Transition. With a background spanning from Politecnico di Milano to the University of Strathclyde and the University of Genova, and research experience at Fraunhofer ISE, he has devoted his career to building a sustainable energy future. His work explores decarbonization, energy use in cities, advanced HVAC systems, and solar technologies. Mario has led international initiatives within the IEA and contributed to Italy’s national strategies on energy transition. Today, he continues to inspire innovation as a researcher, advisor, and board member of a2a S.p.A., shaping the path toward a resilient, low-carbon society.
Keynote – Plenary Session on 5 June
Innovative Research and development of heat pump technologies and applications
Prof. WANG Ruzhu
A pioneer in the field of sustainable energy, Professor Ruzhu Wang has dedicated his life to advancing the science of heating, cooling, and energy systems. Born in December 1964, he earned his Ph.D. at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) in 1990 and, by 1994, had already become a full professor. For three decades, he has led the Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics at SJTU, shaping a generation of innovation. Author of 12 books, over 600 international papers, and holder of more than 150 patents, his research has left a profound global impact, reflected by an ISI H-index of 92 and more than 40,000 citations. Professor Wang's visionary work across heat pumps, solar energy, green buildings, and the energy-water-air nexus has earned him prestigious honors at home and abroad, including the Chinese National Research Awards, the Global Energy Prize, and major recognitions from the UK, Japan, and the IEA. As Editor-in-Chief of Energy and Vice President of the Chinese Association of Refrigeration, he continues to inspire and lead the global quest for a sustainable energy future.
Keynote – Plenary Session on 6 June
The Equipment, The Building, The Occupant, and The Neighborhood in Concert to Decarbonize Buildings
Prof. Srinivas Garimella
Dr. Srinivas Garimella is a visionary leader in sustainable energy systems, holding the Hightower Chair in Engineering at Georgia Tech. With a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University and a B.Tech from IIT Kanpur, his career bridges the worlds of research, innovation, and industry. At the forefront of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and low-carbon technologies, he pioneers advancements in heat pumps, microchannel exchangers, and renewable energy solutions. A Fellow of ASME and an award-winning researcher, Dr. Garimella’s work is widely recognized across the global scientific community. His innovations, captured in multiple U.S. patents, continue to shape the future of energy efficiency and sustainability across building, industrial, and transportation sectors.