Topic: Environmental conservation
Andreja Kutnar pt 1 – Wood Science, Sustainable Construction, and the Future of Materials
Andreja Kutnar, wood scientist and professor at the University of Primorska, shares her journey from growing up in a carpentry workshop to leading cutting-edge research on renewable materials. She explores the science behind wood as a construction material, its advantages over steel and concrete, and why understanding its properties is essential for architects and engineers.
Sustainability Building materials and techniques Interdisciplinary approach Nature-based solutions Architectural education and practice Environmental conservationAndreja Kutnar pt 2 – The New European Bauhaus and Rebuilding with Nature
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 pt 1 – Open Source Housing and the Future of Construction
Davor 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 disseminationDavor Meersman pt 3 – Smart Cities, Digital Twins, and the Role of AI in Urban Design
How 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 disseminationDavor Meersman pt 5 – Should We Stop Building? A Debate on the Future of Urban Development
Do we actually need more buildings? Davor Meersman responds to the argument that we should stop new construction altogether and instead retrofit existing spaces. He examines the environmental costs of traditional materials like concrete and steel, the risks of toxic building materials, and why he believes sustainable new construction must be part of the solution.
Sustainability Building materials and techniques Climate change and adaptation Environmental conservation Resource management and efficiency Lifecycle thinking and long-term planningMarkus Reymann pt 1 – Art, Advocacy, and the Ocean
Markus Reymann, co-director of TBA21, shares his journey from theatre to contemporary art and marine conservation. He discusses the transformative power of art, the role of storytelling in advocacy, and how his organisation integrates science, policy, and artistic practice to engage with pressing environmental issues.
Art and culture Aesthetics Accessibility Environmental conservation Human-centered design Data-driven decision making Social renewal and societal changeMarkus Reymann pt 2 – Knowledge, Community, and the Role of Experts
Whose knowledge matters? Markus Reymann challenges the traditional hierarchy of expertise, advocating for the inclusion of local and indigenous knowledge in environmental decision-making. He explores how meaningful community engagement differs from box-ticking exercises and how art can bridge different ways of knowing.
Community engagement Interdisciplinary approach Art and culture Aesthetics Local and regional solutions Inclusion Environmental conservationMarkus Reymann pt 3 – Cultural Diplomacy, the Cold War, and the Birth of an Art Academy
Can art shape international politics? Markus Reymann traces the origins of TBA21 to Cold War-era cultural exchanges, where art was used as a diplomatic tool. He explains how these early ideas of cultural diplomacy evolved into a contemporary art foundation with a radical commitment to environmental and social change.
Cultural heritage and diversity Environmental conservation European collaboration and policy Art and culture Aesthetics Community engagement SustainabilityMarkus Reymann pt 6 – Art, Empathy, and Engaging with the Ocean
How 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 evaluationMatti Kuittinen pt 3 – The Future of Architecture: Values, Optimism, and the Built Environment
Can architecture help shift society’s values? Matti Kuittinen argues that to address the climate crisis, we need more than just new materials and policies—we need a fundamental change in how we view our relationship with the planet. He discusses posthumanism, biocentrism, and the role of architecture in creating a fairer, more sustainable future.
Climate change and adaptation New European Bauhaus European collaboration and policy Cultural heritage and diversity Art and culture Aesthetics Environmental conservationMia Roth-Čerina pt 3 – Coexistence, Speculative Design, and the Future of Architecture
Can architecture exist without the compulsion to build? Mia Roth-Čerina discusses the themes of her book Designing and Coexistence, which challenges the drive for constant newness in architecture. She explores ideas of mutualism, the importance of repurposing rather than replacing, and how speculative design can help reimagine the future of urban and rural spaces.
Sustainability Interdisciplinary approach Ecosystem approach Education innovation Environmental conservation Adaptability