Dr Luciano Cardellicchio

Dr Luciano Cardellicchio

Senior Lecturer
  • BEng in Building Engineering (First Class), Rome, Italy
  • MSc in Building Engineering and Architecture (First Class), Rome, Italy
  • PhD in Architecture and Construction, Rome, Italy
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE), University of Kent, United Kingdom
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Fire Engineering, Home Office, Italy
Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA)
School of Built Environment

I am a researcher and educator trained as a building engineer and designer, currently serving as Deputy Director of Architecture and Senior Lecturer in Architectural Construction at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). My research interests include ageing patterns and conservation issues in contemporary architecture, circular economy principles in the built environment, and construction history. I actively supervise PhD candidates in these areas.

 At UNSW, I coordinate the Bachelor of Architectural Studies and teach courses in architectural technology and construction. My teaching expertise focuses on helping students embrace construction detailing as a way to expand their design thinking, with an emphasis on sustainability in the built environment. Additionally, I have international recruitment experience in the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia.

 My accomplishments include winning architectural competitions and awards, such as the 2024 National Trust Award and the 2022 Best Paper Award from Frontiers of Architectural Research for a co-led project on the contractor’s contribution to the making of the Sydney Opera House. Previously, I was a Senior Lecturer in Technology and Environment at the Kent School of Architecture and Planning in the UK, where I was awarded the Leverhulme Research Fellowship for my research on conservation issues in contemporary architecture in Rome, focusing on the premature decay of structures designed by Richard Meier and Zaha Hadid.

I earned my practice-based PhD in Architecture and Construction from the University of Rome in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Art History. I am also a reviewer for journals such as Buildings and Building Research and Information, and a member of the Construction History Society (UK).

Phone
+61-2-9385 6274
Location
School of Built Environment, Anita B. Lawrence Centre (West Wing), Room 2007, Level 2 UNSW Kensington NSW 2052 AUSTRALIA
  • Books | 2024
    Pernice R; Chen B; Cardellicchio L, 2024, Introduction, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003414186-1
    Books | 2023
    Tombesi P; Cardellicchio L; Stracchi P, 2023, Sails, Octopuses and Beds: Collective Creativity at the Sydney Opera House, Archipress & Associes, https://www.archipress-editions.fr/en/products/hs-45-opera-sydney
    Books | 2015
    Cardellicchio L, 2015, La nuova bibliotheca Hertziana. L'architettura e la sua costruzione (The new Hertziana Library. The architectural proposal and its construction)
  • Book Chapters | 2024
    Pernice R; Chen B; Cardellicchio L, 2024, 'Introduction', in Australia and China Perspectives on Urban Regeneration and Rural Revitalization, Routledge, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003414186-1
    Book Chapters | 2023
    Tombesi P; Cardellicchio L; Stracchi P, 2023, 'Sails, Octopuses and Beds: Collective Creativity at the Sydney Opera House', in Opéra de Sydney / Sydney Opera House, Archipress & Associes, pp. 8 - 63, https://www.archipress-editions.fr/en/products/hs-45-opera-sydney
    Book Chapters | 2022
    2022, 'The forgotten columns at the Sydney Opera House', in Structures and Architecture A Viable Urban Perspective?, CRC Press, pp. 1333 - 1340, http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/9781003023555-159
    Book Chapters | 2021
    Cardellicchio L; Stracchi P; Tombesi P, 2021, 'Danish spheres and Australian falsework: Casting the Sydney Opera House', in Mascarenhas-Mateus J; Pires AP; Caiado MM; Veiga I (ed.), History of Construction Cultures, Taylor & Francis Group, London, pp. 786 - 793, http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/9781003173359-103
    Book Chapters | 2020
    Cardellicchio L, 2020, 'Sophisticated craftsmanship. The new Hertziana Library in Rome by Juan Navarro Baldeweg', in Paolo B; Claudia C; Vittorio G (ed.), Quando la storia incontra il progetto, Aracne, Ariccia, Rome, pp. 27 - 39, http://dx.doi.org/10.4399/97888255311143
    Book Chapters | 2015
    2015, 'Edilizia (Building construction)', in Gregory T (ed.),
    Book Chapters | 2012
    Cardellicchio L, 2012, 'Architettura e assemblaggio. "La logica del dettaglio" nell'esperienza di Piombino. (Architecture and assemblage. The logic of the contruction detailing in the housing project in Piombino)', in De Matteis F; Todaro B (ed.), Il secondo progetto. Interventi sull'abitare pubblico. Linee guida per la riqualificazione dei quartieri innovativi nell'Italia centromeridionale (Interventions on existing public housing. Guidelines for the requalification of innovative urban area in the central-southern Italy), pp. 416 - 427
    Book Chapters | 2011
    Cardellicchio L, 2011, 'Il Cantiere della Nuvola (The construction of the 'Nuvola' congress centre)', in Andriani C (ed.), Le Forme Del Cemento 3. (The shapes of concrete), Gangemi Editore, Rome, pp. 132 - 135, https://www.gangemieditore.com/dettaglio/le-forme-cemento-3/1982/2
    Book Chapters | 2010
    Cardellicchio L; Conforti C, 2010, 'Industria delle Construzioni (Construction Industry)', in Sacchi L (ed.), Enciclopedia Italiana, XXI Secolo. Gli spazi e le arti. (The Italian Encyclopedia, 21st century. The spaces and the arts), Enciclopedia Treccani, pp. 327 - 335, http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/industria-delle-costruzioni_(XXI-Secolo)/
    Book Chapters | 2009
    Cardellicchio L, 2009, 'Cemento scenografico. I primi passi per la costruzione del Betile di Zaha Hadid. (Scenographic concrete. First steps towards the construction of the Betile museum by Zaha Hadid)', in Andriani C (ed.), Le Forme del Cemento 2. (The shapes of concrete), Gangemi Editore, Rome, pp. 148 - 151, https://www.gangemieditore.com/dettaglio/le-forme-cemento-2/1441/2
    Book Chapters | 2009
    Cardellicchio L, 2009, 'Ingranaggi Lapidei: la chiesa San Pio da Pietralcina di Renzo Piano. (Stone gears: the San Pio church by Renzo Piano)', in Stracchi P (ed.), Piccoli luoghi di culto (Small worship places), Aracne Editrice, Ariccia, pp. 69 - 73, http://www.aracneeditrice.it/aracneweb/index.php/pubblicazione.html?item=9788854827653
    Book Chapters | 2007
    Cardellicchio L, 2007, 'The Neighbourhood Laboratories', in Irace F (ed.), Renzo Piano Building Workshop: Visible Cities., Electa Mondadori, Milan, pp. 107 - 111, https://www.electa.it/en/product/renzo-piano-visible-cities/
    Book Chapters | 2006
    Cardellicchio L, 2006, 'Le Rotonde sul Mare: architetture tra l'utile e l'ozio. (The round terraces over the sea: architectures for pleasure)', in Conforti C (ed.), Una Rotonda sul Mare (A round terrace over the sea), Argos, Rome, pp. 186 - 217, https://www.amazon.it/Senigallia-Una-rotonda-sul-mare/dp/8888690050
    Book Chapters | 2004
    Cardellicchio L, 2004, 'Alle origini dell'immaginario spaziale di Soleri: la fabbrica Solimene a Vietri sul Mare. (At the beginning of Soleri's narrative: the Solimene Ceramic Factory in Vietri sul Mare)', in Lima I (ed.), Ri-Pensare Soleri (Re-thinking Soleri), Jaca Book, Milan, pp. 33 - 42, https://www.amazon.com/Ri-pensare-Soleri/dp/8816406550
  • Journal articles | 2024
    Cardellicchio L; Stracchi P; Globa A, 2024, 'Digital heritage construction: Testing the heritage value of construction documentation and building processes through Virtual Reality', Frontiers of Architectural Research, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2024.02.012
    Journal articles | 2023
    Incelli F; Cardellicchio L; Rossetti M, 2023, 'Circularity Indicators as a Design Tool for Design and Construction Strategies in Architecture', Buildings, 13, pp. 1706, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/buildings13071706
    Journal articles | 2023
    Julistiono EK; Oldfield P; Cardellicchio L, 2023, 'Up on the roof: a review of design, construction, and technology trends in vertical extensions', Architectural Science Review, 67, pp. 63 - 77, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00038628.2023.2240289
    Journal articles | 2023
    Julistiono EK; Oldfield P; Cardellicchio L, 2023, 'Vertical Extensions: Stakeholder Perspectives on Development Decisions and Construction Strategies', Journal of Architectural Engineering, 29, http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/JAEIED.AEENG-1474
    Journal articles | 2023
    Stracchi P; Cardellicchio L; Tombesi P, 2023, 'Dancing structures: The telescopic arches of the Sydney Opera House', L'Architecture d'Aujourd'hui, pp. 20 - 29, https://www.archipress-editions.fr/en/collections/revues/products/larchitecture-daujourdhui-456
    Journal articles | 2023
    Stracchi P; Cardellicchio L; Tombesi P, 2023, 'Structures Dansantes. Les Arches Télescopiques de l'Opéra de Sydney', L'Architecture d'Aujourd'hui, 456, https://www.archipress-editions.fr/en/products/larchitecture-daujourdhui-456
    Journal articles | 2023
    Tombesi P; Cardellicchio L; Stracchi P, 2023, 'Sails, Octopuses and Beds: Collective Creativity at the Sydney Opera House', Architecture d Aujourd Hui, Hors-serie 45, https://www.archipress-editions.fr/en/products/hs-45-opera-sydney
    Journal articles | 2023
    Tombesi P; Cardellicchio L; Stracchi P, 2023, 'Sydney Opera House. The Construction: An Australian Story', Casabella, pp. 80 - 109, https://casabellaweb.eu/2023/06/27/946-giugno-2023-june/
    Journal articles | 2023
    Tombesi P; Stracchi P; Cardellicchio L, 2023, 'Structural reality and architectural editing: the four invisible columns of the Sydney Opera House', arq: Architectural Research Quarterly, 27, pp. 49 - 60, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1359135523000052
    Journal articles | 2022
    Stracchi P; Cardellicchio L; Tombesi P, 2022, 'A piè di Opera. La fabbrica delle vele per la Sydney Opera House', Rassegna di Architettura e Urbanistica, pp. 31 - 43, http://www.rassegnadiarchitettura.it/168.html
    Journal articles | 2022
    Stracchi P; Cardellicchio L; Tombesi P, 2022, 'Not really an aftermath. The role of actual construction in the design process of the Sydney Opera House roof', Frontiers of Architectural Research, 12, pp. 242 - 265, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2022.10.005
    Journal articles | 2022
    Tombesi P; Stracchi P; Cardellicchio L, 2022, 'Structural shop drawings at the Sydney Opera House: An instructive model of information flow?', IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1101, pp. 092018, http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1101/9/092018
    Journal articles | 2021
    Cardellicchio L; Tombesi P, 2021, 'Learning from failures: Reflections on the role of project design and design management in the procurement of non-standard buildings', Buildings, 11, pp. 253, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/buildings11060253
    Journal articles | 2021
    Cardellicchio L, 2021, 'Building defects in new iconic structures: the technical challenge and the economic impact of restoring the Jubilee Church in Rome', Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 17, pp. 146 - 166, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17452007.2020.1738996
    Journal articles | 2021
    Incelli F; Cardellicchio L, 2021, 'Designing a steel connection with a high degree of disassembly: a practice-based experience', Techne : Journal of Technology for Architecture and Environment, 22, pp. 104 - 113, http://dx.doi.org/10.36253/techne-10574
    Journal articles | 2020
    2020, 'Innovation by design: Technological challenges and opportunities behind the Parramatta Powerhouse and Sydney Modern Project',
    Journal articles | 2019
    Cardellicchio L, 2019, 'Self-cleaning and colour-preserving efficiency of photocatalytic concrete: case study of the Jubilee Church in Rome', Building Research and Information, 48, pp. 160 - 179, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2019.1622405
    Journal articles | 2019
    2019, 'Book Review: Roma Aggrawal Costruire. Le storie nascoste dentro le architetture Bollati Boringhieri, 2019',
    Journal articles | 2018
    Cardellicchio L, 2018, 'On conservation issues of contemporary architecture: The technical design development and the ageing process of the Jubilee Church in Rome by Richard Meier', Frontiers of Architectural Research, 7, pp. 107 - 121, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2018.03.005
    Journal articles | 2017
    Cardellicchio L, 2017, 'Building organic architecture in Italy: The history of the construction of the Solimene Ceramics Factory by Paolo Soleri in Vietri sul mare (1952-1956)', Construction History, 32, pp. 83 - 104
    Journal articles | 2017
    Cardellicchio L, 2017, 'History and genesis of a digital revolution', Domus, 1015, pp. 29 - 36, https://www.domusweb.it/en.html
    Journal articles | 2016
    Cardellicchio L, 2016, 'The Whitney Museum of America Art', Industria delle costruzioni, 447, pp. 36 - 49, http://www.lindustriadellecostruzioni.it/
    Journal articles | 2012
    Cardellicchio L, 2012, 'Vestiti d’alta moda, ossature prêt-à-porter: trends strutturali per il grattacielo contemporaneo. (Haute Couture claddings, prêt-à-porter structures: new structural trends for contemporary skyscrapers)', Rassegna di Architettura e Urbanistica, 137/138, pp. 59 - 68, http://www.rassegnadiarchitettura.it/
    Journal articles | 2009
    Cardellicchio L, 2009, 'La Luce e la mano: Juan Navarro baldeweg e il progetto della Nuova Bibliotheca Hertziana. (The light and the hand: Juan Navarro Baldeweg and the project for the new Hertziana Library.)', EdA Esempi di Architettura, 6, pp. 62 - 65
    Journal articles | 2009
    Cardellicchio L, 2009, 'Luce e Gravita', anteprima della nuova Bibliotheca Hertziana. (Light and gravity: the New Hertziana Library. A preview)', Progetti, 9, pp. 18 - 20, https://www.rivistaprogetti.com/juan-navarro-baldeweg-luce-e-gravita
    Journal articles | 2008
    Cardellicchio L, 2008, 'Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Il Vulcano Buono. (RPBW: The good vulcano)', D'Architettura
    Journal articles | 2007
    Cardellicchio L, 2007, 'Metodo per un'archeologia contemporanea: la nuova Bibliotheca Hertziana. (Method for contemporary archaeology: the New Bibliotheca Hertziana)', D'Architettura, 33, pp. 66 - 78
    Journal articles | 2006
    Cardellicchio L, 2006, 'Frammenti di Architettura (Architectural Fragments)', D'Architettura, 31, pp. 152 - 157
    Journal articles | 2006
    Cardellicchio L, 2006, 'Un ponte nel sottosuolo di Roma: la nuova Biblioteca Hertziana. (A new underground bridge in Rome: the new Hertziana Library)', Metamorfosi, 59, pp. 30 - 35, https://www.studio-metamorph.it/it/rivista/
    Journal articles | 2004
    Cardellicchio L, 2004, 'Monumental hyper-flexibility: the restoration of the Centre Pompidou', D'Architettura, 24, pp. 148 - 153
  • Curatorial Outputs | 2023
    Cardellicchio L; Stracchi P, 2023, Digital Heritage Construction, Virtual Reality Exhibition, exhibited at: , 05 September 2023 - 09 March 2024
    Conference Papers | 2022
    Tombesi P; Stracchi P; Cardellicchio L, 2022, 'Structural shop drawings at the Sydney Opera House: An instructive model of information flow?', in Proceedings of the CIB World Building Congress 2022: Building Our Future, Melbourne, Australia, presented at International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB) World Building Congress (WBC 2022), Melbourne, Australia, 27 June 2022 - 22 June 2022, http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1101/9/092018
    Conference Papers | 2022
    Tombesi P; Stracchi P; Cardellicchio L, 2022, 'The forgotten columns at the Sydney Opera House', CRC Press, pp. 1333 - 1340, http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/9781003023555-159
    Conference Papers | 2021
    Cardellicchio L; Stracchi P; Tombesi P, 2021, 'Beyond the spherical solution: The contractor’s contribution to the roof of the sydney opera house', in fib Symposium, The International Federation for Structural Concrete, pp. 387 - 394, presented at International fib Symposium - Conceptual Design of Structures 2021, http://dx.doi.org/10.35789/fib.PROC.0055.2021.CDSymp.P046
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Cardellicchio L, 2018, 'OUR FUTURE HERITAGE. AGEING PATTERNS OF CONTEMPORARY CONCRETE: THE CASE STUDY OF THE JUBILEE CHURCH BY RICHARD MEIER IN ROME', in Cassinello P (ed.), Architecture, engineering, concrete, Madrid, presented at International Conference on Construction Research, Madrid, 21 November 2018 - 23 November 2018
    Conference Papers | 2018
    Cardellicchio L, 2018, 'The Italian engineering contribution in the technical development of the new Hertziana Library by Juan Navarro Baldeweg', in Campbell J (ed.), Studies in the History of Services and Construction: the Proceedings of the Fifth Conference of the Construction History Society, Cambridge Press, Cambridge, pp. 525 - 534, presented at 5th Conference of Contruction History, Cambridge, 06 April 2018, http://www.constructionhistory.co.uk/publications/books/
    Designs / Architecture | 2017
    2017, Kent School of Architecture Roof Extension. A feasibility study with a high degree of flexibility and disassembly, publication category: Designs / Architecture
    Conference Papers | 2014
    Cardellicchio L, 2014, 'Pier Luigi Nervi vs Fazlur Khan: the developing of the outrigger system for skyscrapers', in Campbell J (ed.), First National Conference of the Construction History Society, Cambridge Press, Cambridge, presented at First National Conference of the Construction History Society, Cambridge, 11 April 2014 - 12 April 2014
    Conference Presentations | 2014
    Cardellicchio L, 2014, 'The Italian Job’: The construction industry in Italy between standardisation and craft approach', presented at Industries of Architecture, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, 13 November 2014 - 15 November 2014, https://industriesofarchitecture.org/
    Conference Presentations | 2013
    Cardellicchio L, 2013, 'A Method for Contemporary Archaeology: The New Hertziana Library by Juan Navarro Baldeweg', presented at Third Annual International Conference on Architecture - ATINER, Athens, 10 June 2013 - 13 June 2013, https://www.atiner.gr/2013Conferences.htm
    Conference Papers | 2011
    Cardellicchio L, 2011, 'La Costruzione Contemporanea: architettura e costruzione nel complesso formale. (Contemporary constructions methods for complex geometries)', in D'Amato C (ed.), Architectural Design Between Teaching and Research, POLIBAPRESS, Bari, pp. 1851 - 1863, presented at Italian Interuniversity Network of Architectural Design, Bari, 02 May 2011 - 05 May 2011
    Conference Presentations | 2002
    Cardellicchio L; Conforti C, 2002, 'La fabbrica di ceramiche Solimene a Vietri: una migrazione autoriflessa', presented at Third International Summer Seminar “Migration”, Bibliothek Werner Oechslin, Einsiedeln, 18 July 2002 - 19 July 2002

  • Sustainable Reform Hub Grant; Amount $20,000.00 
  • UNSW Arts Design Architecture (ADA) Faculty Research Grant, ARC Near Miss Scheme; Amount $7,000.00 
  • UNSW School of Built Environment (BE) Research Grant, New Staff; Amount $10,000.00
  • Leverhulme Research Fellowship - 2018. Our Future Heritage: conservation issues of contemporary architecture in Rome; Funder: Leverhulme Trust; Capacity: PI; Amount: £55,000.00; Duration: 1 Year.
  • European Regional Development Fund - 2018; Dismountable pilot houses for elderly people; Funder: Veneto Region; in collaboration with IUAV Institute (Venice); Capacity: Co-Investigator; Amount: €44,000.00; Duration 1 Year.
  • Postdoctoral Scholarship - 2008. Recording and implementing the design and building process of the new Hertziana Library in Rome; Funder: Max-Planck Institute for Art History and Tor Vergata University of Rome; Amount: €42,000.00; Duration 3 Years.

  • 2024 National Trust Award for the research project Construction Heritage and the Missing Drawings of the Sydney Opera House. Winner in the Education & Interpretation category. 
  • Best Paper 2022, Frontiers of Architectural Research, awarded for 'Not really an aftermath. The role of actual construction in the design process of the Sydney Opera House roof', Frontiers of Architectural Researchhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2022.10.005
  • UNSW Built Environment Learning and Teaching Award 2020, Covid-19 Course Design.
  • Smart Specialisation Strategy, Sustainable Living Award 2019 for the Innovative Temporary Wooden Housing Units to accommodate elders (CI M.Rossetti, IUAV).
  • Awarded mention for the paper Ageing Pattern of Contemporary Concrete at the 8th International Conference in Construction Research, Eduardo Torroja Institute, Madrid.
  • Leverhulme Research Fellowship (UK) - 2018.
  • 2016 Teaching Award Nominee, University of Kent, UK
  • 2015 Teaching Award Nominee, University of Kent, UK

Luciano's research areas and interests are:

  • Ageing patterns and conservation issues of contemporary architecture;
  • Technical development and building process of non-standard buildings;
  • Circular Economy principles applied to office and educational buildings;
  • Construction culture.

My Research Supervision

  • Eunike Kristi Julistiono, Reducing Embodied Carbon of Vertical Residential Buildings in Asia
  • Louise O'Brian, How can Utzon's study of nature inspire contemporary and interdisciplinary practice for a low-carbon future?

My Teaching

Current Teaching Activities

  • Convenor, lecturer and tutor of Architectural Fabrication (ARCH1331, BArchSt)
  • Convenor, lecturer and tutor of Advanced Construction and Structures (ARCH7161, MArch)
  • Technology Tutor of Design Graduation Studio (ARCH7202, MArch)

Past Teaching Activities

  • Tutor of Integrated Design Studio (ARCH7161, MArch)
  • Convenor, lecturer and tutor of  Construction and Structures 2 (ARCH1261, BarchSt)
  • Convenor, lecturer and tutor of Integrated Building Design Case Studies (BEIL6009)