Topic: European collaboration and policy
Davor Meersman pt 4 – Carbon Sequestration, Sustainable Materials, and Open Source Design
Can the way we build houses help fight climate change? Davor Meersman discusses how wood construction can act as a carbon sink, the financial incentives behind carbon sequestration, and how open-source architecture can accelerate the shift to sustainable building practices. He also unpacks the economic models that could make nature-based materials the default choice in construction.
Sustainability Urban design and development European collaboration and policy Technology integration Climate change and adaptation Co-creation and participatory designFrank van der Hoeven pt 2 – Open Science, Architecture, and Public Engagement
How can architectural research be made more accessible? Frank van der Hoeven traces his journey from urban design to European research coordination, explaining how open science can connect architects, researchers, and the public. He discusses why architecture shouldn't hide behind paywalls, the importance of publishing in language people actually read, and how transparency in design benefits society.
Architectural education and practice Education innovation European collaboration and policy Knowledge sharing and dissemination Interdisciplinary approach Community engagementMarkus 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 5 – Digital Technologies, Data Sovereignty, and European Alternatives
How can we rethink our relationship with technology? Markus Reymann explores Europe's distinct approach to digital sovereignty and sustainability, contrasting it with Silicon Valley’s extractive model. He discusses the role of digital tools in mapping, storytelling, and ecological planning, while questioning whether technology should lead or follow human thought.
AI and digital tools Human-centered design Data-driven decision making Nature-based solutions European collaboration and policy Art and culture AestheticsMatti Kuittinen pt 2 – Resilient Cities, Climate Change, and the Lessons of Disaster
How do we design for an unpredictable future? Matti Kuittinen shares insights from his work in disaster-prone regions, including Haiti and Japan, to explore how architecture can build resilience. He examines the role of city planning in mitigating climate-related risks and the political challenges of long-term thinking in an era of short-term governance.
Architectural education and practice Climate change and adaptation European collaboration and policy Resource management and efficiency AI and digital tools Lifecycle thinking and long-term planningMatti 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 conservationMatti Kuittinen pt 4 – Beyond Borders: The New European Bauhaus and a Global Perspective
Is the New European Bauhaus a uniquely European movement? Matti Kuittinen challenges the idea of national boundaries in design, arguing that the initiative must address planetary-scale challenges. He considers how the movement can influence global construction culture, how European policies compare with international efforts, and what role architecture might play in the far future—even beyond Earth.
Sustainability Resource management and efficiency Lifecycle thinking and long-term planning European collaboration and policy New European Bauhaus Human-centered designRoberto Cavallo pt 1 – Architecture, Education, and the European Perspective
Roberto 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 innovationRoberto Cavallo pt 2 – Learning from Place: Local Knowledge and Global Perspectives
Should architecture education be standardised across Europe? Roberto Cavallo argues for a balance between universal design principles and the unique characteristics of local environments. He discusses the strength of European diversity in placemaking, the importance of mobility in education, and how young designers can position themselves in an evolving profession.
European collaboration and policy Local and regional solutions Knowledge sharing and dissemination Cultural heritage and diversity Education innovation Interdisciplinary approachRoberto Cavallo pt 3 – The New European Bauhaus: Connecting People, Places, and Professions
How can architecture address not just sustainability, but also aesthetics and inclusion? Roberto Cavallo breaks down the principles of the New European Bauhaus and how they shape the built environment. He discusses how designers must navigate economic realities, policymaking, and community engagement to create meaningful change.
New European Bauhaus Sustainability Inclusion Local and regional solutions Art and culture Aesthetics European collaboration and policySelma Harrington pt 4 – Digital Tools and the Future of Architecture
From 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 approachSheela Patel pt 3 – The New European Bauhaus and the Global South
Why is a community organiser from Mumbai advising the EU on architecture and design? Sheela Patel discusses her role on the New European Bauhaus high-level roundtable and how European policies influence—and sometimes harm—communities in the Global South. She challenges Europe to rethink its sustainability goals in a way that accounts for global responsibility rather than just local impact.
Sustainability New European Bauhaus Urban design and development Inclusion Lifecycle thinking and long-term planning European collaboration and policySheela Patel pt 5 – Jugaad, Waste, and Lessons for Europe from the Global South
What can European cities learn from the resourcefulness of informal settlements? Sheela Patel explains Jugaad—the Indian concept of frugal innovation—and how it applies to housing, infrastructure, and urban resilience. She challenges the Western obsession with high-tech solutions and argues for a shift in mindset towards making better use of what we already have.
Inclusion Cultural heritage and diversity Social renewal and societal change Sustainability European collaboration and policy Knowledge sharing and dissemination