Topic: Sustainability
Aase Højlund Nielsen pt 1 – Sustainable Urbanisation and Citizen Engagement
Aase Højlund Nielsen, coordinator of the DESIRE project at Bloxhub in Copenhagen, discusses how citizen participation shapes sustainable urbanisation. She explores the role of public engagement in the green transition, the importance of matching expertise with lived experience, and the challenges of making systemic change feel relevant and accessible to communities.
Sustainability Community engagement Climate change and adaptation Systems thinking Interdisciplinary approach Knowledge sharing and disseminationAase Højlund Nielsen pt 4 – Conflict, Collaboration, and the Principles of Change
Can disagreements drive progress? Aase Højlund Nielsen shares how conflict within collaborative projects can be a powerful force for innovation. She reflects on the challenges of aligning different perspectives in the DESIRE project, the importance of open debate, and how artistic and ecological principles can be used as shared languages to shape the built environment.
Interdisciplinary approach Sustainability Community engagement Knowledge sharing and dissemination Adaptability Co-creation and participatory designAndreja 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 3 – Digital Twins, Smart Forestry, and the Data-Driven Future of Wood
Can forests have digital twins? Andreja Kutnar explores how technology is revolutionising forestry and timber construction, from tracking trees via satellite to embedding sensors in buildings. She explains how digital tools help ensure sustainable forest management, prevent illegal logging, and provide real-time data on material performance.
Digital twins and simulations Sustainability Interdisciplinary approach Education innovation Human-centered design Technology integrationAndreja Kutnar pt 4 – Fire, Water, and the Misconceptions About Timber Buildings
Are wooden buildings a fire risk? Andreja Kutnar challenges common myths about timber construction, explaining why fire resistance is actually one of wood’s strengths. She also discusses the real concern—water damage—and how digital monitoring, careful construction, and skilled labour are crucial to ensuring long-lasting, safe wooden structures.
Sustainability Building materials and techniques Education innovation Technology integration Interdisciplinary approach Architectural education and practiceFrancesca Rizzo pt 2 – Multidisciplinary Thinking and the Future of Urban Innovation
What happens when architecture, urban studies, and design come together? Francesca Rizzo reflects on her unconventional path from multimedia communication and electronics to design-driven urban transformation. She highlights the importance of breaking down silos between disciplines and how cities can benefit from a more systemic, collaborative approach.
Human-centered design Urban design and development Nature-based solutions Community engagement Cultural heritage and diversity Interdisciplinary approachFrancesca Rizzo pt 3 – Digital Twins, Public Space, and Citizen Engagement
Can digital twins help us plan better cities? Francesca Rizzo shares insights from projects that use technology to create digital models of urban spaces, from historic fountains to entire neighbourhoods. She explains how these tools can improve maintenance, support policy decisions, and help citizens visualise the impact of urban development.
Digital twins and simulations Urban design and development Inclusion Policy-making and evaluation Interdisciplinary approach Quality of life and well-beingFrank 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 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 conservationMatti Kuittinen pt 5 – Aesthetics, Circularity, and the Case for Ugly Buildings
Can 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 pt 2 – Designing with Nature and the Built Environment
What does it mean to design for more than just humans? Mia Roth-Čerina explores how architecture can create spaces that respond to natural environments rather than dominate them. She discusses her work in the wetlands, the idea of "post-human" design, and how structures can serve both ecological and human needs while maintaining a delicate balance between presence and invisibility.
Sustainability Climate change and adaptation Interdisciplinary approach Human-centered design Nature-based solutions Ecosystem approachMia 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 AdaptabilityMia Roth-Čerina pt 4 – Architectural Education and the Changing Role of the Architect
What do architecture graduates actually do? Mia Roth-Čerina shares insights from her research into the shifting roles of architects in contemporary society. She examines how architectural education must move beyond rigid structures to foster adaptability, collaboration, and problem-solving, and considers what a truly forward-thinking curriculum might look like.
Architectural education and practice Education innovation Interdisciplinary approach Sustainability Technology integration Social renewal and societal changeRoberto 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 4 – Digital Tools, Access, and the Future of Design
The 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 innovationRoberto Cavallo pt 5 – Rethinking Architectural Education in the Digital Age
Education is no longer confined to the classroom. Roberto Cavallo discusses the shift towards participatory, learner-centred approaches in architecture, the rise of informal education through digital platforms, and the need for safe spaces where students can experiment and learn from failure. He also examines how institutions can open up to a broader audience through lifelong learning initiatives.
Education innovation Urban design and development Co-creation and participatory design Education innovation Accessibility Interdisciplinary approachRoberto Cavallo pt 6 – What Comes After DigiNEB? The Future of the NEB Academy
What happens when EU-funded projects come to an end? Roberto Cavallo considers the long-term impact of DigiNEB, the potential of the NEB Academy, and how digital knowledge-sharing can support the future of sustainable design. He also discusses how European initiatives can foster lasting collaborations and new ways of thinking about architecture and urbanism.
New European Bauhaus AI and digital tools Knowledge sharing and dissemination Education innovation Sustainability Interdisciplinary approachSelma Harrington pt 1 – Architecture, Advocacy, and Heritage
Selma Harrington, an architect and educator, discusses her career spanning architecture, design, and advocacy for sustainable built environments. She reflects on modernist heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the impact of post-war neglect on architecture, and her research into the transformation of the Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A fascinating look into the intersections of architecture, history, and European identity.
Architectural education and practice Sustainability Heritage preservation Art and culture Aesthetics Interdisciplinary approach Cultural heritage and diversitySelma Harrington pt 2 – European Architecture and the New Bauhaus
What makes architecture distinctly European? Selma Harrington explores the cultural and ideological underpinnings of European architecture, discussing modernism, internationalism, and the New European Bauhaus initiative. She highlights the role of collaboration, sustainability, and community engagement in shaping a built environment that is both functional and meaningful.
European collaboration and policy New European Bauhaus Sustainability Community engagement Interdisciplinary approach Heritage preservationSelma 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 approachSelma Harrington pt 5 – Who Designs Our Cities? Community Engagement & Urban Planning
Should non-experts have a say in urban planning? Selma Harrington unpacks the role of public engagement in shaping the built environment, discussing digital tools like urban modelling and digital twins. She shares case studies of how visualisation has changed urban development and highlights the power of collaborative design in avoiding disastrous planning mistakes.
Community engagement Urban design and development Co-creation and participatory design Interdisciplinary approach Architectural education and practice AI and digital toolsSelma Harrington pt 6 – AI, Digital Education, and the Role of Water in Urban Identity
How is AI reshaping architecture and design education? Selma Harrington reflects on digital learning, the balance between technology and creativity, and the continued relevance of hand-drawn sketches. She also explores the cultural and political significance of water in urban design, from Ottoman-era fountains to contemporary concerns about privatisation and sustainability.
Education innovation AI and digital tools Architectural education and practice Technology integration Interdisciplinary approach Water management and design