Opening symposium: Building Ecologies: Nature in the City

Opening symposium. Image: Sabine van der Vooren

This edition of the 11th International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR), titled Nature of Hope celebrates the collective, planetary effort for positive environmental and social change in and related to architecture. On Sunday 30 June, the Nature of Hope parallel program kicks off with the public symposium Building Ecologies – Nature in the City, highlighting urban, architectural, social, ecological and geological aspects of designing and building ecologies in cities. 

Part 1: Nature of Hope with Jeremy Till 

In the first part of Building Ecologies – Nature in the City, IABR director Saskia van Stein and Nature of Hope curators Janna Bystrykh, Catherine Koekoek, Alina Paias, Hani Salih and Noortje Weenink will give a brief introduction to the Nature of Hope theme.  

Following this British architect, educator and writer Jeremy Till (MOULD) will give a keynote lecture followed by a conversation with architect and researcher Baerbel Mueller ([APPLIED] FOREIGN AFFAIRS) and Bogotá based architect Pedro Aparicio-Llorente (APLO). In this conversation some of the historical, geological, and social aspects will be explored of how architecture plays a role in contributing to biodiversity, local ecologies and social connectivity. And what is needed for a more hopeful, regenerative spatial design practices.  

Part 2: Re-Storying the Nature of Hope with Emmanuel Pratt 

In the second part urban designer Emmanuel Pratt will talk about the work of the Sweet Water Foundation; a community-rooted, nonprofit organization that practices Regenerative Neighborhood Development (RND). Emmanuel's talk offers a critical examination of how cities utilize resources, labor, land, and materials to address societal and climate crisis in response to the future of the built environment. The talk invites us to imagine: "What if...?” What if development took place on a human and eco-logical scale, fueled by critical connections that cultivate the relationships and collective commitment to do the work necessary to re-story a new vision for a future rooted in nature and hope.  

Program  

  • 12:30 – 13:00 Walk-in / welcome at the foyer. 

  • 13.00 – 15.00 BLOCK 1 Nature of Hope Presented by IABR 

    • Introduction by IABR Director Saskia van Stein + Nature of Hope curators Janna Bystrykh, Catherine Koekoek, Alina Paias, Hani Salih and Noortje Weenink – Keynote lecture by Jeremy Till, British architect, educator and writer from research collective MOULD 

    • followed by a conversation with Baerbel Mueller ([APPLIED] FOREIGN AFFAIRS) and Pedro Aparicio (APLO), moderated by Nature of Hope co-curator Hani Salih 

  • 15.00 – 15.30 BREAK  

  • 15.30 – 17.00 BLOCK 2 Presented by IABR, NI, RAM 

    • Word of welcome by Aric Chen, general and artistic director Nieuwe Instituut   

    • Keynote lecture by Emmanuel Pratt, co-founder and executive director Sweet Water Foundation. 

    • Emmanuel Pratt in conversation with Najah Aouaki and spatial practitioners.  

    • Q and A with everyone present.  

  • 17.00  - 18:00 Drinks  

Building Ecologies – Nature in the City is part of the closing event of Rotterdam Architecture Month and the opening event of IABR in collaboration with the Nieuwe Instituut. With tours, workshops and lectures, this progam highlights urban, architectural, social, ecological and geological aspects of designing and building ecologies in cities. 

The visit of Emmanuel Pratt is made possible by the International Visitors Programme of the Nieuwe Instituut with support from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs – along with support from Rotterdam Architecture Month and International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam. 

Nature of Hope. Image: Sabine van der Vooren