Design and New Technologies for Construction and Architecture: the Intervention of Enrico Favaro
On October 28, Palermo hosted a training event by Infoprogetto® – “Design and New Technologies for Construction and Architecture” – dedicated to the evolution of projects in the digital age and the growing role of technological innovation in the construction supply chain.
In recent years, digital transformation has changed the way architectural and engineering projects are conceived, developed, and managed. Tools such as augmented reality and energy simulation systems have made design more integrated, accurate, and sustainable, improving resource management.
The event offered an opportunity for dialogue among professionals, design firms, and companies leading this transition toward more efficient and conscious construction.
Among the speakers was also Enrico Favaro, Sales Director of Favaro1, who emphasized the need to rethink urban infrastructures with a regenerative and sustainable approach.
Sustainability and Innovation: The Favaro1 Vision
After being one of the first Italian companies in the sector to adopt CAM criteria and decarbonization policies, Favaro1 continues to support a production model oriented toward environmental respect and social responsibility. A path that demonstrates consistency between vision and practice, translated into solutions capable of effectively responding to climate change.
During his speech, Enrico Favaro presented the results of research conducted in collaboration with IUAV University of Venice and illustrated in a video by professor and researcher Vittore Negretto. The study starts from an analysis of climatic variations recorded in Veneto over recent decades: “Compared to the 1980s, average temperatures have increased between 1.5 and 2 °C, while rainfall has undergone significant changes, with more extreme events and prolonged droughts.” These phenomena highlight the growing vulnerability of the territory, worsened by extensive land consumption and the consequent impermeabilization of urban surfaces.
In this context, permeable pavements represent a concrete solution to restore the soil’s natural functions. With porosity levels between 15% and 20%, they allow the passage of air and water, facilitating rainfall infiltration even during extreme events and maintaining lower surface temperatures during summer, improving thermal exchange and moisture evaporation.
Recycle®: The Pavement that Interacts with the Soil
“The important thing is to understand that the structures of our cities are not adequate to absorb all the water, especially now that enormous amounts of rain can fall in a few minutes,” stressed Enrico Favaro.
From this premise comes Recycle®, one of Favaro1’s flagship solutions.
Highly permeable – with a permeability coefficient (k) at 10 °C of 4.77 × 10⁻³ m/sec (equal to 17,172 mm/h) according to UNI CEN ISO/TS 17892-11 – it promotes water infiltration into the underlying layers, restoring part of the soil’s natural draining capacity.
Its porous structure enables the passage of air and water, reducing the urban heat island effect with surfaces up to 5–10 °C cooler than traditional materials. It also reduces aquaplaning risks and contributes to more efficient stormwater management. Additionally, Recycle® helps optimize time and costs, reducing or eliminating the need for catch basins, channels, and storage tanks.
From the first experimental site built in Milan in 2012, Recycle® has shown long-term performance stability: after more than ten years, its filtering capacity has remained virtually unchanged. Among notable projects is Camping Marina di Venezia, the largest in Italy, where Recycle® permanently solved drainage issues during extreme rain events.
Recycle 2.0®, an evolution with a more elegant and refined aesthetic, allows the pavement to adapt to a wider range of urban and landscape contexts.
Technologies that Improve the Environment and Increase Product Durability
During his presentation, Enrico Favaro also illustrated other innovations, such as the Quartz ColorSystem, a patented system that enhances pavement performance and simplifies cleaning, including motor oil removal.
Among these is the Green Carpet Nest, a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional grids, designed with enlarged cells to counteract the "oven effect" typical of concrete and promote grass growth. The inclusion of BIOTANIO – now integrated into most light-colored Favaro1 pavements – ensures higher durability, preventing greying caused by moisture and weather exposure.
The new urban furniture line also aligns with the company’s sustainable philosophy, introducing increasingly innovative solutions united by one goal: rethinking the urban landscape through an ecological approach, enhancing the dialogue between material, technology, and nature.
Building More Resilient Cities
“The interest was remarkable,” said Enrico Favaro at the end of the event. “It is clear that issues related to water control and management are becoming central throughout Italy. Sicily, in particular, has experienced a critical drought situation for years: solutions such as Recycle® can offer a concrete and sustainable response, thanks to their ability to store and release water intelligently.”
Favaro1’s participation in Palermo reaffirmed that transitioning toward more conscious construction requires responsible resource use and a shared vision for the future of urban spaces.
Innovation, research, and sustainability remain the key elements of Favaro1’s ongoing commitment, transforming design into an act of care for the environment and the community.