Giulia Piacente and Giulia Toscano, both graduates in Architecture, are the winners of the first edition of the ‘Fermeglia Prize’ for the best Master's thesis on the topics of energy, transport and the environment.

The €1,000 prize was presented by Professor Sabrina Pricl on behalf of the family of Maurizio Fermeglia, former Rector of the University of Trieste, who passed away prematurely in 2024.

The thesis ‘From Waterscape to Nautopia: Scenarios of Global Warming and Stories of Architecture, Spaces and Radical Habitats’ (Advisor prof. Thomas Bisiani) presents an imaginative and futuristic vision of cities on water.

Starting from a reflection on global warming and the consequent rise in sea levels, the two students conceived Nautopia, a floating village for 2,000 people. Partially submerged, it is designed to submerge further in bad weather and is surrounded by an artificial atoll to mitigate the impact of waves.

On the underwater level, a dedicated distribution grid allows for horizontal movement, is modular to expand or reduce spaces and includes a connection system linking the market, the commercial building and the cultural centre. The surface level is left open to allow navigation.

Movement between levels is made possible by lifting platforms, which enable vertical transport and the provision of energy, water and waste management systems.

Nautopia is self-sufficient in terms of food, water, energy and waste disposal, following a ‘zero waste’ approach in alignment with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.

The ceremony was attended by Rector Roberto Di Lenarda and Alessandro Massi Pavan, Coordinator of the Giacomo Ciamician Interdepartmental Centre, which was involved in selecting the winning thesis project.