Elena Petruzzi

Elena Petruzzi is a Ph.D. student in the Architectural Science program at CASE. Her research focuses on alternative design strategies that integrate building components and thermal control through the tunability of hemp as a biocomposite material. Since the mediation between the built and natural environment is crucial today to lessen the harmful effects of climate change, her research aims to improve energy efficiency and enhance renewable materials applications in buildings.

Elena recently obtained a Master's degree in Advanced Architecture from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia - IAAC (Barcelona, Spain), where she obtained two academic Awards. Her research focused on seaweed-based biocomposites and additive manufacturing technologies. She also holds a Master's degree with honors in Architecture from the University of Trieste (Italy). During her studies, she attended the Erasmus+ program as an exchange student at Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio - UAX in Villanueva de la Cañada (Madrid, Spain). She did a design internship at Soriano & Asociados Arquitectos studio in Madrid (Spain). She also has worked for Meninno Architects S.r.l. in Gorizia (Italy), an architectural and engineering company of integrated design that focuses on interior and urban design.