Homayoun Darmani’s Post

FLASHBACK - Exactly ten years ago today, the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences’s awarded the Swiss-academies transdisciplinary research award to our architectural research and teaching approach under the motto GREEN DENSITY. Supported by the Mercator Foundation, this award highlighted outstanding conceptual and substantive achievements in transdisciplinary research in various problem areas. Our approach focused in particular on developing ecological, mixed-use urban neighborhoods by experimenting with and assessing various urban forms. The project integrated student design studios and interdisciplinary expert contributions (including architects, urban designers, environmental scientists, sociologists, and economists) to create ecological visions for urban densification and a new multi-criteria method for evaluating urban transition at the neighborhood scale. The philosophy behind this pioneering approach continues today in our many activities. Laboratory of Architecture and Sustainable Technologies - EPFL EPFL EPFL ENAC EPFL Architecture Emmanuel REY Marilyne Andersen Emilie Nault Philippe Thalmann Michael R. Doyle Vincent Kaufmann Marie-Paule Thomas Martine Laprise Sophie Lufkin Nicolas Strambini Cyril Lecoultre Académies suisses des sciences Theres Paulsen #architecture #architecturaldesign #transition #urbanity #transformation #regeneration #mobility #lowcarbon #urban #neighborhood #slope #neuchâtel #epfl #enac #epflarchitecture #last #last_epfl https://lnkd.in/e7DYZReD

We are pleased to welcome Sevgim Pekdemir to the RACE for 2030 Industry PhD program. Sevgim’s project “Circular Urban Design Strategies for Net Zero Precincts”, bridges research with real-world impact by developing strategies to make urban living more resilient, collective, and environmentally sustainable. Working from QUT (Queensland University of Technology) Technology’s School of Architecture & Built Environment, Sevgim will be perfectly placed to translate Circular Urban Design theory into practice. With a master’s in architecture for sustainability from @Politecnico di Torino in Italy, and experience working as an Architectural Graduate in Brisbane, Sevgim’s research combines her academic and industry expertise. Sevgim is excited leverage industry partnerships as part of her research. The collaboration built into RACE’s PhD program provides an unparalleled opportunity to apply and refine her Circular Urban Design model with partners and contribute to the creation of more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive precincts. We are delighted to have Sevgim join our program and look forward to seeing how her research shapes the sustainable urban design of the future. Find out more about Sivgam and our PhD Program here: https://lnkd.in/grwEm8Ry #PhDStudent #Circulareconomy #Circulardesign #Sustainablearchitecture #Urbandesign #Scholarship #PhD

🏗️ Continuing my series on the "Repair and Revival Campus" project. After analyzing the context, our next step was to develop a master plan and a new urban vision for the Ex Depot Vittoria area. Our goal was to transform the underutilized site into a vibrant, green, and connected part of the neighborhood. Diagrams on our poster highlight the core of our proposal: creating porous, accessible public spaces that encourage community interaction and ecological health. Key features of our urban strategy include: Integrating new green corridors to enhance the local biophysical system. Improving pedestrian pathways and connectivity with the surrounding urban fabric. Strategically placing new functions to activate the site throughout the day. This meta-design sets the stage for the architectural interventions, ensuring our buildings are not just objects but integral parts of a revitalized urban ecosystem. Project with Sana Rezvani under the supervision of Prof. Paola Altamura at Sapienza University of Rome. #UrbanDesign #MasterPlanning #PublicSpace #GreenInfrastructure #LandscapeArchitecture #Rome #Sapienza #AdaptiveReuse

We are excited to introduce the 2026 Experimental Fellows at Bauhaus Earth, architects and researchers Ha Nguyen of arb Architects Vietnam and Hojung Kim, US-based professor, who have been selected to develop their project “Situated Regionalism” between Vietnam and Berlin. Their fellowship project, Situated Regionalism, investigates the potential of unfired brick construction across Vietnam’s seven ecological zones — engaging diverse geologies and Indigenous building traditions while confronting the ecological challenges posed by colonial-era infrastructure, war-related contamination, and rapid industrialization. Alongside the Fellowship, Ha Nguyen and Hojung Kim collaborate as co-founders of the Material Matters (MM) Research Lab, where they bridge computational tools with craft traditions to challenge architectural paradigms that have historically marginalized Indigenous practices. With the 2025–2026 Graham Foundation Award in parallel to the Fellowship, they will deepen and expand this material and cultural research. Stay tuned and find out more on our websites or on Social Media. Portrait © Le Lai Bauhaus Earth Chrissie Muhr Rosa Hanhausen Philipp Misselwitz Eda Özdemir #ExperimentalFellowship #Architecture #RegenerativePractice #Eartharchitecture #arbvietnam #bauhausearth

🌟 Partner Spotlight 🌟 | University of Florence 🔹 NATURGO Project Partner The Department of Architecture at the Università degli Studi di Firenze advances the integration of NbS into architecture, planning, and urban governance. From stormwater management and SuDS to green roofs, ecological corridors, and low-impact materials, UNIFI equips professionals with the expertise to design resilient urban environments. 🌱 UNIFI turns research and teaching into practice for greener, more resilient cities. For UNIFI, NBS are a fertile ground for innovation. They require an interdisciplinary approach that connects architecture and urban planning with ecology, hydrology, sociology, and economics. Teaching and researching NBS means equipping students to tackle climate impacts such as heatwaves, droughts, and extreme rainfall that also affect Florence. Through the #NATURGO project, UNIFI contributes with: 🔹 Strategy and guideline development for integrating NBS in Mediterranean landscapes and historic centers like Florence 🔹 Design of multifunctional green infrastructures and nature-based stormwater management systems 🔹 Context analysis and evaluation of environmental, social, and economic impacts 🔹 Methodological development for participatory approaches, GIS, and performance monitoring protocols 🔹 Participatory design workshops with citizens and stakeholders, and capacity-building activities (seminars, training, dissemination) 💬 “ Bringing real case studies, fresh data, and concrete challenges directly into our classrooms and design studios puts our students at the forefront of understanding and applying NBS and prepares them to become the innovative and responsible professionals the world needs.” – UNIFI 👥 Meet the UNIFI team: Valeria Lingua – Principal Investigator, Dept. of Architecture Silvia Sangriso – Urban regeneration specialist; temporary-reuse expert; Prof. Giuseppe De Luca – Department Director, Architecture Carlo Pisano – Associate Professor, Architecture Dr. Silvio Cristiano – Researcher, Architecture; civil/environmental engineer Lucrezia Gelichi – PhD candidate, Urban Future Studies; landscape architect 📣 Stay tuned for more from our #PartnerSpotlight series featuring all 12 organisations shaping the future of urban water governance with Nature-Based Solutions. #NATURGO #NBScommunity #NatureBasedSolutions #NBS #EUfunding #Nature #Architecture #DrivingUrbanTransitions #DUT #DUTPartnership #UrbanWater #WaterGovernance #WaterSystem #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #UrbanGreening #Sustainability #Cities #Research #UrbanResilience

🌱 “Architecture is a healthcare profession.” — Helena van Vliet RA Dipl.-Ing. AIA On this week’s Better Buildings for Humans, we’re joined by architect, researcher, and educator Helena Van Vliet, who makes the compelling case for biophilic design as a necessity—not a luxury. Helena explains how aligning architecture with human biology can reduce stress, enhance immunity, and restore well-being—all while supporting urban biodiversity. 🧠🌳 We also explore: • The science of awe in design • Why edge conditions matter • How to build for life—not just humans 🎧 Listen now at https://lnkd.in/gFuj-tDd #HealthyBuildings #BiophilicDesign #SustainableArchitecture #UrbanEcology #BetterBuildingsForHumans

🌱 “Architecture is a healthcare profession.” — Helena Van Vliet On this week’s Better Buildings for Humans, we’re joined by architect, researcher, and educator Helena van Vliet RA Dipl.-Ing. AIA who makes the compelling case for biophilic design as a necessity—not a luxury. Helena explains how aligning architecture with human biology can reduce stress, enhance immunity, and restore well-being—all while supporting urban biodiversity. 🧠🌳 We also explore: • The science of awe in design • Why edge conditions matter • How to build for life—not just humans 🎧 Listen now at https://lnkd.in/gFuj-tDd #HealthyBuildings #BiophilicDesign #SustainableArchitecture #UrbanEcology #BetterBuildingsForHumans

🌍✨ Launch of HARBE Research Group at SADA, NUST ✨🌍 We are pleased to announce the formation of the Heritage Adaptive Reuse & Built Environment (HARBE) Research Group at the School of Art, Design & Architecture (SADA), NUST. HARBE is envisioned as an interdisciplinary platform for advancing research and practice in: 🏛 Heritage conservation ♻ Adaptive reuse 🌿 Sustainable built environment Led by Dr. Naveed Iqbal (Principal Investigator) and Dr. Waqas Ahmed Mahar (Co-Principal Investigator), HARBE seeks to address pressing challenges of urban regeneration, climate adaptation, and cultural continuity through academic inquiry, dialogue, and practice-based projects. 🚀 We are open for collaboration! HARBE welcomes partnerships with scholars, professionals, institutions, and students who share an interest in heritage, sustainability, and innovative design approaches. Together, we aim to shape resilient and culturally rooted futures for our built environment. #HARBE #Heritage #AdaptiveReuse #Sustainability #Collaboration #BuiltEnvironment #ArchitectureResearch

LTU CoAD collaborated with Ordine Architetti Reggio Emilia to submit a proposal called RIGENERA - Plan B, which was awarded by the General Directorate of Contemporary Creativity of the Italian Ministry of Culture. Our proposal included organizing a workshop on AI and urban regeneration in April 2025, and bringing representatives of the RIGENERA project to Detroit to talk about the festival initiatives, including their international award for architecture regeneration projects. These projects, along with student work will be exhibited at CoAD. The workshop results were presented on April 12 during a dedicated conference, published in the official proceedings of the Festival in the journal Architettare, published by the Association of Architects of Reggio Emilia, and will be brought to LTU CoAD on Tuesday September 9, 2025 in the form of a panel discussion with Codarin’s italian counterparts and an exhibition. Watch this space or get on our mailing list to register. Video shows Concept #1. #AI #Architecture #rigenera

How have the shifting conceptualisations of ‘work’ and ‘home’ spatialised in the home, and what does this mean for the design of the home? These are the questions that Essi N., Sofie Pelsmakers, and Dalia Milián Bernal from Tampere University, discuss in their latest publication in Buildings & Cities entitled: The unfitness of dwellings: why spatial and conceptual boundaries matter. Visit https://lnkd.in/ds6j3t38 to read the full article. The study was conducted within the framework of the T-winning Spaces 2035 research project funded by the Research Council of Finland | Suomen Akatemia. Nisonen, E., Milián Bernal, D., & Pelsmakers, S. (2025). The unfitness of dwellings: why spatial and conceptual boundaries matter. Buildings & Cities, 6(1), 619–633. https://lnkd.in/ds6j3t38