In the transition toward a more sustainable global society, the decarbonization of the construction sector represents one of the greatest challenges, as it is both one of the sectors with the greatest environmental impact and one of the most tradition-bound, with a very low level of innovation. The sustainability of construction is conventionally linked solely to reducing the energy consumption of buildings; however, if we are to trigger a genuine process of sustainable transformation in the construction sector, structural engineering must begin to play a key role. It is structural engineers who enable the development of sustainable construction solutions throughout their entire life cycle, using, for example, low-impact materials and techniques that ensure dismantling and reuse at the end of a building’s life. Furthermore, it is structural engineers who ensure that the building stock is safe and resilient against catastrophic events such as earthquakes or hurricanes, preventing collapses that would be disastrous from an environmental standpoint and, above all, from a social and human perspective.

The founding partners of Erreditre are structural engineers who have decided to put their expertise to work to facilitate the transition toward a safe, sustainable, and resilient society.

Our mission is to leverage the experience we have gained in both professional and academic settings in the design of structures, the renovation of modern and historic/monumental buildings and infrastructure, and the development of sustainable building systems inspired by the principles of Life Cycle Thinking.

The Principles

The principles underlying our work are sustainability, safety, and the resilience of built structures, and we pursue these by introducing a Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) perspective and an integrated, incremental approach to the construction industry—and, more specifically, to structural engineering.

Sustainability

The construction sector is responsible for 35% of CO₂ emissions, 30% of energy consumption, and 40% of the consumption of extracted raw materials in Europe. To meet global sustainability and emissions reduction targets, this sector must undergo a profound transformation by reevaluating every decision through the lens of sustainability. Erreditre is committed every day to putting innovation at the service of sustainability. We develop building systems for the construction or reinforcement of existing structures and propose business models for management and maintenance that minimize the environmental impact of structures and infrastructure, always taking a holistic approach (structural, energy, architectural, acoustic, etc.).

Security and Resilience

As structural engineers, we believe that sustainability is impossible without safety. Our region is characterized by significant risks, such as seismic and hydrogeological hazards, and has recently been affected by natural events linked to climate change; we believe that much can be done to mitigate the consequences of such events. The core areas of expertise of Erreditre’s partners include structural design, seismic safety, and the retrofitting of existing buildings using both traditional and innovative reinforcement techniques. They were among the first researchers globally to propose the integrated restoration of post-World War II buildings using exoskeletons and were the first in Italy to apply this technique to actual buildings. They are also internationally recognized experts in the rehabilitation of historic and monumental buildings and in structural monitoring.

Life Cycle Thinking

Integrating sustainability, safety, and resilience requires adopting a Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) approach—that is, one aimed at reducing the impacts of a structure or infrastructure throughout its entire life cycle, from its construction (or retrofitting), through its use and maintenance, to the end of its life. Sometimes, a few simple measures—such as the choice of materials, the standardization of components, or the use of easily dismantled techniques—are sufficient to significantly reduce the impacts of a construction method. At Erreditre, every proposed solution is therefore in line with LCT principles, in order to maximize the sustainability of every project.

Integrated Redevelopment

Existing structures often have a multitude of shortcomings in terms of both safety and user comfort. These shortcomings are usually addressed individually, often resulting in a waste of resources due to a failure to optimize or prioritize interventions—one need only think of the multitude of solar panels found in the rubble following the earthquakes in central Italy. The partners at Erreditre were among the first researchers in the world to propose integrated retrofitting solutions for the building stock, suggesting techniques that would simultaneously improve the structural, energy, and architectural performance of obsolete buildings. The Erreditre team therefore draws on experts from various fields to design and carry out audits, restoration projects, or integrated maintenance plans.

Incremental Approach

To ensure that the restoration and maintenance of a structure are sustainable from both an environmental and economic standpoint, at Erreditre we use an incremental approach to design. What we offer is the option to carry out renovation or maintenance work on existing structures in multiple phases, leveraging synergies between compatible solutions and establishing priorities for the work. Through our consulting services, it is therefore possible to develop solutions that optimize resources and costs over the entire life cycle (Life Cycle Costs).

The charter of values

Erreditre is a company based on an innovative transgenerational model, in which the partners, on an equal footing, make their human capital available in order to pursue the shared mission. For this reason, at the time of its establishment each partner undertook to sign a jointly agreed charter of values.

“The Members of Erreditre mutually undertake to pursue, in the exercise of their professional activity, the following values:

• scientific research, understood as an instrument for advancing knowledge and enhancing professional practices;
• commitment to maintaining a constant link between the world of research and that of professional practice;
• environmental and social sustainability, extended to the entire life cycle of works;
• quality working conditions and attention to the psychosocial well-being of Members and collaborators;
• commitment and contribution to the personal and professional growth of Members and collaborators;
• ongoing training for Members and collaborators;
• open and equal dialogue, shared responsibility in decision-making;
• intellectual honesty and transparency;
• high standards in the work carried out and consistency with the values declared;
• consistency of outward messages and fairness towards clients, collaborators, and institutions.”