NEB Concepts

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...

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 Eart...

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. Hosted on Acas...

Sheela Patel, founder of SPARC and a leading voice on urban informality, shares how decades of work with migrant communities in Mumbai shaped her understanding of survival, resilience, and the structural barriers facing the urban poor. She discusses the politics of displacement, the failures of city planning, and why informal settlements should be seen as solutions rather than problems. Hosted on...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...

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. Hosted...

What 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...

Francesca Rizzo, professor at Politecnico di Milano, explores the role of design in the New European Bauhaus. She discusses how participatory methods can empower citizens to shape their environments, why sustainability must be both functional and aesthetically appealing, and how designers can bridge the gap between policy and everyday life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acas...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...

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. Hosted on Acast. S...

How do we make sustainability the preferred choice? Aase Højlund Nielsen discusses the role of aesthetics in urban transformation, the power of art in community building, and the different approaches taken across Europe to integrate beauty and function into sustainable development. She explores how design can create spaces people actively want to engage with rather than feel obligated to support....

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.