As the 11th edition of IABR comes to a close, the theme Nature of Hope continues to resonate as a call to rethink the future. Alastair Parvin, founder of Open Systems Lab and one of the most intriguing voices of this edition, is uniquely positioned to reflect. His work not only pushes the boundaries of traditional architecture but also raises critical questions about who will shape the future. In a candid conversation, Parvin shares his reflections on the 11th edition, highlighting the urgent need for radically new systems and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Rethinking the discipline
As we reflect on this year’s Biennale, Parvin raises an intriguing observation: for an event centered around architecture, there were surprisingly few projects focused on actual buildings. His own career, which began in 2006 after graduating in architecture at Sheffield University School of Architecture reflects this shift. "We thought we’d be designing green neighborhoods," he recalls, only to realize that many architects were being funneled into unsustainable projects with little room for innovation. While many of his peers grew disillusioned and left the field, Parvin took a different route. He began to learn about areas like finance, real estate, property legislation, and systems design, expanding his focus ever since.
It’s no wonder Parvin was glad to see that traditional views on architecture took a back seat at this year’s Biennale. As the CEO of a London-based non-profit that focuses on digital innovation in housing and the built environment, it just makes sense that architecture isn’t only about designing buildings: it’s about reimagining the whole system that shapes how we create spaces.
The behind-the-scenes of architecture
Although it feels like common sense to him now, Alastair still pauses to reflect on how much the role of an architect has evolved since he first began. Much of the work exhibited during Nature Of Hope isn’t what you’d traditionally call architecture—it’s about engaging with the systems behind the design. This shift comes to life through the Biennale’s interdisciplinary nature, focusing on the often unseen structures that quietly shape and govern how we live.
“This year’s Biennial reclaims things that aren’t usually seen as architecture,” Parvin explains. "It was paradoxical that there were so few buildings in it. Instead, the exhibition explored the underlying systems— mobility, planning, and governance.” The behind-the-scenes of our discipline, so to speak. Complex, often unglamorous topics that aren’t visually striking but are essential to understanding how we live today, Alastair notes. “And in doing so, it opens up a richer conversation about how we shape the world around us.”
And who needs to be part of that conversation? Parvin’s answer is simple: “Everyone. From software developers and engineers to organizers and researchers. They’re the ones designing our future environments.” This inclusive approach has been a guiding principle for Alastair, who, over the years, has built a diverse team at Open Systems Lab. “We’ve almost let go of the title ‘architect,’ yet here we are, invited to exhibit at the IABR,” he chuckles. "Alongside others who may not fit the mold of traditional architects either, but who are doing groundbreaking work to reshape our world."
Reflection on this year’s theme
Of course, this year’s theme of Nature Of Hope was naturally our central point for reflection. Parvin acknowledges both its abstract nature and the complexity it entails. "We’re constantly reminded that the systems around us are broken. Hope sounds appealing, but there’s a certain distance to it, as if it’s always just out of reach, somewhere in the future," he shares critically. This is why Parvin was particularly encouraged by the number of practical projects on display at the Biennale. "Rather than wishing for what needs to be changed, visitors were shown projects that asked, 'How are we going to achieve it?' That approach was refreshing," he notes.
Parvin is a strong advocate of practical optimism—a hands-on approach that gives hope real substance, a philosophy he applies within his own team but also saw back in the projects exhibited. Yet while the exhibition offered a sense of hope, Parvin believes it also confronted visitors with the enormity of the challenges ahead. "I think people left not only with hope but also with a sense of fear," he observes. "The problems we face sometimes feel terrifying. But at the same time, the biennale showed us that people are doing incredible work, tackling these issues directly," Parvin emphasizes.
The process behind
Building on the theme of how rather than what, we exchange thoughts on the process of setting up the Biennale. After all, how the event was created is just as important as what was exhibited. “The team curated an impressive range of works, from tailored experiences for diverse audiences throughout the city to over seventy featured projects at the Nieuwe Instituut. Nature Of Hope truly over-delivered - yet despite the abundance, it came together as a cumulative experience, rich with different perspectives and ideas. Most exhibitions I’ve seen don’t engage nearly as many disciplines or go into this level of depth,” Parvin remarked, highlighting the depth of research and context provided.
What really set this Biennale apart, Parvin noted, was the curatorial team's hands-on approach. “In most exhibitions, especially when budgets are tight, you usually drop off your work and move on. But this year’s IABR team was deeply involved throughout the process. They were right there with us, asking, ‘How would you exhibit this?’ They didn’t just handle the logistics—they were actively engaged, even co-creating some of the featured pieces alongside the designers."
Looking back to move forward
What now? The Biennale has ended, but the journey continues for all of us, we conclude. For visitors, creators, and professionals alike. "Nature of Hope isn’t a theme that suggests we’ve solved the problem. It’s an ongoing process", Parvin reflects, emphasizing the continuous nature of the work ahead. As we together speculate on how a potential future biennales could build upon the tone set by Nature of Hope, Parvin proposes approaching the theme from another angle—by looking back. "It might seem unusual at first, but it makes a lot of sense," he explains. "This Biennale gave us optimistic ideas for reshaping the future. But to understand how change happens—and to believe it’s possible—we need to look at the past."
History often focuses on the big stories, like kings, queens, and wars. But how did we really get here? And how do we move forward from where we are now? Parvin suggests that by exploring the history of our systems, we can better understand the forces that have shaped the present and how to redesign them. "Change can feel impossible sometimes, but when you study other societies, you realize big transformations have happened before.” He believes that looking at past shifts can help us find solutions to today’s challenges, particularly for younger generations growing up amid these issues. “It’s like fish trying to talk about water. Understanding invisible forces shaping our world is difficult. Yet, when you look at history, it makes you realize that these systems can be redesigned, and in fact, they are going to have to be.”
How change happens
As our conversation draws to a close, it becomes clear that Nature of Hope isn’t just about hoping for a better future, but also about understanding both the complexity and, as Parvin puts it, the simplicity of change. For him, it starts with “just doing.” Design is flexible and constantly adapts to the needs of the moment. You can take on many different roles, from artist to developer, building manager, gardener, or soil specialist, as we saw throughout the biennale.
“Nature of Hope showed us that architecture today goes far beyond designing beautiful forms,” says Parvin. "Given the urgency of the challenges we face, we have to start using the same sort of creativity we might have once used to design a building or a neighborhood to try to redesign the processes, systems and incentive-structures through which buildings, neighborhoods and cities are made".
Parvin is convinced that this 11th IABR edition has inspired professionals who feel stuck in outdated systems. "The quiet message of the Biennale was perhaps that the best way to spark change is simply to start—no matter where you are or what you're doing." With this powerful call to action, we conclude our reflection, serving as a reminder that real progress begins with the first step, no matter what form it takes.
