Francesco SIMONI

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References

References - Professors of Department of Technology of Architecture and Design "Pierluigi Spadolini"

Professional experience references

Training references

Languages and other skills references

PORTFOLIO PROJECTS

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References - Professors of Department of Technology of Architecture and Design

"Pierluigi Spadolini"

University of Florence

Faculty of Architecture

TaeD - “Pierluigi Spadolini” Technology of Architecture and Design Department

 

RESEARCH DOCTORATE IN TECHNOLOGY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

 

CYCLE - XXV - 2010/2012 TRIENNIUM

 

Coordinator: Prof. Antonio Lauria

 

Doctoral candidate:  Francesco Simoni

 

Thesis title:   Costs of innovative components and systems for residential      construction. Estimation process for the determination of costs of     components and systems lacking of a determined price on the market 1

 

Tutor:    Prof. Marco Sala

Co-tutor:   Prof. Marco Jodice

 

 

JUDGEMENT OF THE QUALIFIER COMMITTEE FOR THE FINAL EXAM

 

- Faculty meeting, 4th Dec. 2012 -

 

1.  Candidate personality and training and scientific activity during the triennium

 

The candidate has demonstrated analytical skills and accuracy in the research on problems, developing a profitable relation with his tutor and co-tutor and showing willingness to receive recommendations and suggestions for his research work, which he received also from the faculty.

He has always demonstrated real interest in the investigated issues, taking advantage of all the opportunities to increase his competences even outside of University, as he did in the work for Arezzo Casa, through the analysis of the most interesting interventions.

He carried out didactic and scientific activities within the TAeD Department, taking active part to the publishing of its research bulletin and to different events, conferences, seminars and workshops, including some lessons and training activities of the ABITA Master, aiming at improving his technical skills and knowledge for his training.

The scientific activities related to his doctoral thesis were actively supported by Prof. Marco Jodice who was the co-tutor for this work and with whom the candidate developed an intense collaboration.

Part of the issues treated in the thesis were included in a report  and were the object of a lesson given by the candidate within the ABITA Master. The preparation of the seminar entitled “Living Changes” promoted by the doctoral candidates of the XXV Cycle in the second year of their course, permitted him to establish an important relation with Prof. Fabio Iraldo, who offered a significant contribution to his research orientation.

His participation to the Osdotta Seminars contributed to his training and gave him the possibility to learn important information for the development of his thesis through his active participation to workshops and conferences, the presentation of a paper and the engagement in discussions with his colleagues.

Particularly, the paper he presented for the VII Osdotta summer Seminar (Ascoli, September 2012) - selected by double blind review - was presented to colleagues and other lecturers during a study meeting held at the seminar.

The candidate also carried out scientific activities which were not directly related to the thesis, even if they were to be considered coherent with his doctoral research, such as the activities related to the “Abitare Mediterraneo” research, with the participation to the work for the development of the Documentation Centre of Building Systems in Lucense, interacting with many companies involved in the project.

 

2. Scientific framework of the doctoral thesis

 

 The field of investigation of Francesco Simoni is on the threshold between technology and  estimation, the determination of costs in the building sector is in fact developed through an   articulated system of estimation and accountancy methods which is widely represented in  literature and in consolidated methods of practice in the professional field. Starting from the  potential of these methods, the candidate identifies those innovations which, keeping in  consideration the execution of construction works, permit a quick cost related control over  the technology alternatives which can include new systems and components.

For its structure and objectives, the investigation faces the issue of costs in residential  building, necessarily on the side of estimation, and in particular of building expenses.

The research is, furthermore, restricted to the field of technologies for the development of  new residential buildings, in reference with the methods adopted nationally and with the   context of the region of Tuscany.

The investigation identifies those relations which could promote innovative technologies for  construction, through the determination of estimation processes which can be parallel to the  planning of technical designs and building sites.

 

2.a Disciplinary-scientific Area

 Area 08 - Civil Engineering and Architecture

 

 2.b Main disciplinary-scientific branch and related braches

 ICAR 12 Technology of Architecture (predominant)

 ICAR 22 Estimation

 

 2.c Key words

 - promotion of innovation

 - determination of numerous technology scenarios

 - cost estimation of the different scenarios

 - influence of technical reports on costs

 - identification of the costs for technical reports

 - effective possibility of choice

 

3.  Topic description and research methodology for the thesis

 

It’s possible to divide the research in three stages - investigation, analysis, proposal - which  are not necessarily sequential, but intertwined and interdependent.

 

 The basic bibliography was achieved and filtered according to a propositional hypothesis,  represented by the theoretic possibility of identifying and defining an instrument to allow, with  clear details on the cost of the work, to chose among alternative option of technology, within  the architectural planning process.

This scientific starting point permitted to analyse different examples of cost estimation  processes, particularly Bills of Quantity (BOQ), price analysis sheets, constituent elements  of these instruments, relations among the given options.

Based on the analysis and in relation to the need to verify the initial hypothesis, the  potentiality, roles and limits of current estimation processes were identified for the building  sector.

Finally, the starting hypothesis was verified (partly confirmed and partly changed) referring to  the benefits of an instrument to support technical choices during the planning process, with  an effective function on the level of costs and related to aspects directly tied to worksite  operations.

The main characteristics of this instrument were then identified from the point of view of  its  speed, cost representation (not necessarily precise, but allowing to make decisions, having  a plausible idea if the factors), conformity with the interdependence of the different  components and systems, possibilities of applying it and making estimates even supposing  the use of innovative technologies without set prices. It is necessary to specify that some key  features of the this instrument are the capability of giving answers to this group of requests  and its supplementary role, as it does not substitute the current estimation methods.

 

4. Originality and usability elements of the doctoral thesis

 

 The main result expected by this research activity, depending on the achievement of the  above mentioned general and specific objectives, is that of developing an instrument  (process, model) to make an economic evaluation and help in the choice of alternative  technologies during the initial stage of the project.

The development of such an instrument is connected to the disciplinary-scientific sectors  ICAR 12 and ICAR 22 and focuses on the establishment of the “cost of technological  reports” which is the influence of the combination of technical solutions with different  purposes on the general estimate of the costs of a residential building project.

This disciplinary interdependence represents the main element of scientific importance  together with the innovative character of the instrument.

Current estimation methods in the building sector can be divided into two great kinds -  concise estimating and analytical estimating - each one with its own instruments (single or  multi-parameter estimates, conventional production cost, bill of quantities, etc.). The  proposed instrument wants to be quick in the estimation of processes but also wants to offer  the detailed description given by analytical methods which can help to identify the cost of the  project in relation to the influences of different components or systems.

The benefit of this instrument (still not available) would be to provide the designer with an  effective and quick definition and description of alternative technologies for the same project,  so as to promote the use of innovative systems.

 

5. Final evaluation    

 

Based on what has been described above, the participation of Francesco Simoni to the  training activities of the Doctoral Course, is valued positively and his positive attitude towards  group work is given recognition, also his personal contribution and research skills are  considered satisfactory.

The contribution of the candidate to the different activities proposed during the doctorate was  always characterized by great proposal and dialectic skills, commitment, professionalism and  correctness towards Institutions and colleagues.

For the evaluation of the research work, the doctoral thesis is given recognition for its  remarkable scientific importance, and its innovative and useful features.

It is furthermore characterized by methodological coherence and interesting ideas to be  developed in future research.

 

In the light of the overall activity of the candidate during the triennium and of the doctoral research, the Faculty expresses its positive judgement for the admission of Francesco Simoni to the final exam.

 

Florence, DECEMBER 2012

 

 

For the Faculty

 

 

The Coordinator of the Research Doctorate                        The Tutor

in Technology of Architecture and Design

Prof. Antonio Lauria                                                                  Prof. Marco Sala

Research Doctorate – PhD in Technology of Architecture and Design

National Observatory of Research Doctorates in Technology of Architecture

2012 Annual Conference

School of Architecture and Design "Eduardo Vittoria"

University of Camerino

Research Doctorate in Technology of Architecture and Design

Doctorate in Technological Innovation for the Built Environment

EUROPEAN UNION - ERASMUS Socrates Programme

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