Niccolò Aste graduated cum laude in Architecture, Politecnico di Milano, 1994. Since 1995, he has been actively engaged in R&D activities in the fields of sustainable architecture, energy efficiency of the built environment, and building integration of renewable energy sources, both at the urban and territorial levels. He received a doctorate in Technological Innovation and Architectural Design from Politecnico di Milano in 2000. Since 2002, he has been working as an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and then as a Full Professor at Politecnico di Milano. Among other positions, he currently also serves as Delegate of the Rector for International Relationships with Africa. He leads the Energy and Built Environment Research Group within the Department of Architecture, Built Environment, and Construction Engineering, and has participated in several national and international R&D programs. His research interests include sustainability, renewable energy, and smart buildings.