Aase Højlund Nielsen pt 2 – Technology, Inclusion, and the Power of Place

How do digital tools support community engagement? Aase Højlund Nielsen explains the role of technology in urban planning, the importance of adapting strategies for different cultures, and how Copenhagen’s unique context influences innovation. She also reflects on the limitations of replicating solutions across different regions and the need for meaningful, localised approaches.

Andreja 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.

Andreja 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.

Andreja Kutnar pt 5 – Inclusion, Policy, and the Role of Wood in a Circular Economy

What role should policy play in promoting sustainable materials? Andreja Kutnar highlights the importance of education, regulation, and public awareness in shifting construction towards more sustainable practices. She explores the potential for material banks, circularity in timber buildings, and the policies that can help ensure that renewable resources are used responsibly.

Davor 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.

Davor Meersman pt 2 – Wicked Problems: Migration, Housing, and Climate Change

What do affordable housing, migration, and climate change have in common? Davor Meersman explores how these interlinked crises require systemic solutions rather than isolated fixes. He shares insights from his research into urbanisation and global inequality, explaining why technological innovation alone isn’t enough—and how cities must rethink how they grow and develop.

Davor 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.

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.

Davor Meersman pt 6 – The Next Generation of City Building:

Open Source, AI, and Community Design

Mia 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.

Mia Roth-Čerina pt 5 – Technology, AI, and the Role of Data in Design

Is the digital transformation of architecture making cities smarter or dumber? Mia Roth-Čerina discusses the role of AI, big data, and digital tools in urban planning, questioning whether an overreliance on quantifiable metrics risks erasing lived experience. She also explores the balance between technological innovation and the fundamental principles of good design.

Selma 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.

Selma 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.

Sheela Patel pt 2 – Collective Power, Feminism, and Changing the Rules

What does real empowerment look like? Sheela Patel explains how grassroots women’s networks have transformed not only their own communities but also the way governments and institutions engage with the urban poor. She reflects on how solidarity, rather than charity, leads to lasting change and how redefining leadership can challenge entrenched power structures.