How do we integrate nature into our cities? Andreja Kutnar discusses the role of the New European Bauhaus in reshaping the built environment with sustainable materials. She explains how timber construction can contribute to climate change mitigation and why we need to rethink our approach to urban planning, housing, and resource use to create healthier living spaces.
New European Bauhaus Sustainability Building materials and techniques Environmental conservation Circular economy Digitalization and innovationDavor Meersman, chair of the Futurecraft Foundation, discusses how digital tools, automation, and open-source architecture can transform the way we build. He explains how the construction industry lags behind in innovation, why interoperability is crucial for sustainable urban development, and how open digital platforms can make housing more affordable and accessible.
Sustainability Technology integration Building materials and techniques Digitalization and innovation Environmental conservation Knowledge sharing and disseminationHow can AI help us build better cities? Davor Meersman explains how digital twins, LiDAR scanning, and neural networks can improve urban planning by preserving natural environments while optimising housing and infrastructure. He explores the challenges of balancing high-tech solutions with real-world urban complexity.
Sustainability Technology integration Building materials and techniques Digitalization and innovation Environmental conservation Knowledge sharing and disseminationOpen Source, AI, and Community Design What if anyone could help design their own neighbourhood? Davor Meersman lays out his vision for a future where open-source architecture, AI-assisted design, and participatory urban planning empower communities to shape their own environments. He discusses how new digital tools can make urban development more democratic and responsive to real human needs.
Architectural education and practice Urban design and development Technology integration Digitalization and innovation Co-creation and participatory design InclusionFrank van der Hoeven, research director at TU Delft Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment and coordinator of the DigiNEB project, discusses how digital tools are shaping the future of architecture and urban planning. He reflects on the origins of the New European Bauhaus initiative, its role in uniting sustainability, cultural identity, and social equity, and the challenges of integrating digital technologies into the traditionally hands-on field of design.
New European Bauhaus Sustainability Cultural heritage and diversity Social renewal and societal change Architectural education and practice Digitalization and innovationShould everyday citizens have a say in urban planning? Frank van der Hoeven challenges the idea that only architects and planners are the experts, arguing that those who live in a place are, in many ways, more knowledgeable than those designing it. He also explores how AI is changing architectural design, the rise of co-creation, and his own experience working on the iconic Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam.
Community engagement AI and digital tools Co-creation and participatory design Architectural education and practice Digitalization and innovation Human-centered designShould non-experts help design cities? Jan Bunge explores how real-time interactive tools are changing public consultation, allowing communities to shape their environments in ways never before possible. From game-engine-driven urban planning to AI-assisted design, he discusses the delicate balance between expert knowledge and democratic participation in shaping the future of our cities.
Co-creation and participatory design AI and digital tools Community engagement Urban design and development Resource management and efficiency Digitalization and innovationHow do we make people care? Markus Reymann reflects on the challenges of capturing public attention in the digital age, where constant scrolling erodes deep engagement. He shares how his Venice-based project Ocean Space uses public programming, participatory art, and unconventional approaches to spark a deeper connection with the marine environment.
Environmental conservation Accessibility Ecosystem approach Climate change and adaptation Digitalization and innovation Policy-making and evaluationCan we learn to love ugly buildings? Matti Kuittinen redefines aesthetics in the context of sustainability, arguing that the most climate-friendly buildings might not always be the most beautiful by traditional standards. He explores how we can rethink materials, reuse existing structures, and create a built environment that aligns with the planet’s limits while remaining desirable.
Sustainability Climate change and adaptation Lifecycle thinking and long-term planning Circular economy Interdisciplinary approach New European BauhausMia Roth-Čerina, architect and professor at the University of Zagreb, discusses the evolving role of architectural education in addressing climate change, circularity, and inclusivity. She explores how the New European Bauhaus provides a framework for redefining design practice, particularly in South European contexts, and how architectural pedagogy must adapt to a rapidly changing world.
Architectural education and practice Sustainability Inclusion Local and regional solutions Nature-based solutions Cultural heritage and diversityRoberto Cavallo, associate professor at TU Delft, reflects on his journey from Italy to the Netherlands and the cultural differences in architecture and education across Europe. He explores how national identity shapes architectural practice, the evolution of European design thinking, and the growing interconnectedness of the profession.
Architectural education and practice European collaboration and policy Social renewal and societal change Interdisciplinary approach Digitalization and innovation Education innovationThe DigiNEB project is mapping digital tools for architects and designers, but what happens next? Roberto Cavallo explores the role of technology in design, the challenges of accessibility and affordability, and the potential for digital tools to connect professionals across Europe. He also reflects on the balance between digital efficiency and the need for hands-on design thinking.
Accessibility Inclusion Community engagement Interdisciplinary approach Co-creation and participatory design Digitalization and innovationFrom parametric modelling to virtual collaboration, digital tools are transforming architecture—but at what cost? Selma Harrington delves into the challenges and opportunities of digitalisation in architectural practice. She examines the economic pressures on small firms, the benefits of digital modelling, and the evolving role of technology in shaping how architects work and collaborate.
AI and digital tools Architectural education and practice European collaboration and policy Technology integration Digitalization and innovation Interdisciplinary approachWhat does it mean to build for survival? Sheela Patel explores how extreme weather, poverty, and exclusion are forcing communities to innovate with whatever materials they have. She discusses the Roof Over Our Heads initiative, the role of digital tools in community learning, and how grassroots knowledge can shape more inclusive housing solutions.
Urban design and development Community engagement Digitalization and innovation Climate change and adaptation Local and regional solutions Co-creation and participatory design