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The 11th edition of the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR) with the title Nature of Hope will take place from 29 June to 13 October 2024 and will include <a href="https://iabr.nl/en/nature-of-hope/exhibition">an exhibition</a> at the Nieuwe Instituut, a <a href="https://iabr.nl/en/nature-of-hope/public-program">public program</a> and <a href="https://iabr.nl/en/nature-of-hope/botanical-monuments">Botanical Monuments</a>, green places in Rotterdam. The theme of this edition, Nature of Hope, focuses on how architecture can restore ecological balance by taking biodiversity and nature as a starting point.<a href="https://iabr.nl/en/nature-of-hope/visit">Plan your visit</a>In addition to the exhibition at the Nieuwe Instituut, it includes an extensive Public Program and a green network through Rotterdam to visit its so-called Botanical Monuments. Through a series of events, lectures, workshops, excursions and other activities, Nature of Hope’s Public Program of connects to various forms of existing knowledge and the practices that are transforming the very nature of the design disciplines. Some of these will take place in the Practice Place, where we invite the architectural community in the broadest sense to come together around transforming practice. Keep an eye on the agenda for <a href="https://iabr.nl/en/nature-of-hope/public-program">the full program</a>.Nature of Hope will focus on a combination of hope and nature. This choice stems from the recognition that everything begins with the Earth and that our exploitation – or rather, depletion – of the Earth, each other, and the living world is leading to multiple ecological and social crises. As humans, we can no longer place ourselves above or at a distance from nature and nor do we wish to. How can we put the knowledge and practices of spatial design at the service of the planet and all the creatures that live on it?

This year’s biennale edition, themed Nature of Hope, is put forward by IABR Director Saskia van Stein and curated by the IABR 2024: Nature of Hope Curator Team. The team consists of architect and researcher Janna Bystrykh, architect-researcher and philosopher Catherine Koekoek, researcher and writer Hani Salih, spatial designer and researcher Alina Paias, and designer and writer Noortje Weenink. The curator team, whose members come from different backgrounds but share a common basis in spatial design, manifests the change that is already underway.

Nature of Hope 2024. The 11th edition of the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR) with the title Nature of Hope will take place from 29 June to 13 October 2024 and will include an exhibition at the Nieuwe Instituut, a public program and Botanical Monuments, green places in Rotterdam. The theme of this edition, Nature of Hope, focuses on how architecture can restore ecological balance by taking biodiversity and nature as a starting point.<a href="https://iabr.nl/en/nature-of-hope/visit">Plan your visit</a>In addition to the exhibition at the Nieuwe Instituut, it includes an extensive Public Program and a green network through Rotterdam to visit its so-called Botanical Monuments. Through a series of events, lectures, workshops, excursions and other activities, Nature of Hope’s Public Program of connects to various forms of existing knowledge and the practices that are transforming the very nature of the design disciplines. Some of these will take place in the Practice Place, where we invite the architectural community in the broadest sense to come together around transforming practice. Keep an eye on the agenda for <a href="https://iabr.nl/en/nature-of-hope/public-program">the full program</a>.Nature of Hope will focus on a combination of hope and nature. This choice stems from the recognition that everything begins with the Earth and that our exploitation – or rather, depletion – of the Earth, each other, and the living world is leading to multiple ecological and social crises. As humans, we can no longer place ourselves above or at a distance from nature and nor do we wish to. How can we put the knowledge and practices of spatial design at the service of the planet and all the creatures that live on it?<h2>Curator Team</h2>This year’s biennale edition, themed Nature of Hope, is put forward by IABR Director Saskia van Stein and curated by the IABR 2024: Nature of Hope Curator Team. The team consists of architect and researcher Janna Bystrykh, architect-researcher and philosopher Catherine Koekoek, researcher and writer Hani Salih, spatial designer and researcher Alina Paias, and designer and writer Noortje Weenink. The curator team, whose members come from different backgrounds but share a common basis in spatial design, manifests the change that is already underway.

Nature of Hope 2024

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 <a href="https://www.opensystemslab.io/jobs" target="_blank">Open Systems Lab</a> 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.<h2>Rethinking the discipline</h2>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.&nbsp;<h2>The behind-the-scenes of architecture </h2>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 <a href="https://www.opensystemslab.io/jobs">Open Systems Lab</a>. “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."<h2>Reflection on this year’s theme </h2>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.&nbsp;<h2>The process behind</h2>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.&nbsp;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."<h2>Looking back to move forward</h2>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."&nbsp;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.”<h2>How change happens </h2>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".&nbsp;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.

How Change Happens: Alastair Parvin reflecting on the 11th IABR biennale

‘I’m the Secretary of Time Travel, what are you the secretary of?’ This is how Meta Knol likes to introduce herself at Place Councils. Following the Practice Place meetings at Het Nieuwe Instituut, we’re organizing three meetings in collaboration with the Ministry of the Future to explore the future of specific places in the context of bioregional building. On 18 September, we visited Architectuurcentrum Rondeel in Deventer.Among us were the Secretaries of Fringes, Development, Not-Knowing, Temporal Optimism, and Good Vibes – people who, in their everyday lives, work for local authorities, design firms, Building Balance, or Staatsbosbeheer. Together, we traveled three generations back and three generations forward in time to explore what it means to build with what already exists. There’s a lot already happening in the region known as the Urban Triangle, which links Apeldoorn, Zutphen, and Deventer. For example, a fragment of the hempcrete façade of Voorst town hall in Twello, designed by De Twee Snoeken, can be seen in the Nature of Hope exhibition. In addition, with the support of Building Balance, farmers are growing hemp for insulation on around 160 hectares. However, we discovered that this hemp is processed in Oude Pekela (130 km away) and then transported to southern Bavaria (another 850 km away) to a factory now owned by Kingspan.What if every building project included planting the trees needed to eventually replace the structure, as used to be the case on farms? Or if every street had an extra row of trees for urban harvesting? But then again, will the IJssel River still flow where it does today in 30 years’ time? And what about the beech forests on the north side of the Veluwe – will they still exist, or will they have dried up? Despite this workshop on future thinking, we still don’t have a clear picture of the future. However, it’s becoming clearer which actions can help create a hopeful future. We’re learning what to do (bike, walk, plant trees, don’t be afraid), what not to do (build in floodplains), and what to change (learn to appreciate what we already have).Throughout the biennale, nearly 200 people from different design practices gathered in the Practice Place – a space for dialogue and active hope – to create a multivocal narrative for a hopeful future. In addition, we organized local Place Councils to explore bioregional building in Deventer, Veldstation Saeftinghe in Zeeuws Vlaanderen, and Arnhem. On 10 October, we will present the results of these meetings during a festive event in the auditorium of Het Nieuwe Instituut. Please register <a href="https://iabr.nl/en/nature-of-hope/public-program#a-new-narrative-for-architecture-urbanism" target="_blank">here</a> to attend.

Practice Place: lokaal plekberaad Deventer

Nature of Hope approaches architecture as an ecological practice. People are not separate from nature, but an integral part of it. But the binary thinking in which nature is everything that is not human or made by people has a long and dominant history. To introduce the exhibition, IABR therefore asked researchers, philosophers, historians and writers to reflect on how we look at nature. Every week we share one of the contributions, which can also be seen in the exhibition.Clemens Driessen writes about Maria Sibylla Merian, who early on saw the importance of the relationships between plants and animals – but whose knowledge is also a product of colonialism.Maria Sibylla Merian has been called the first ecologist. Through her lifelong fascination with the metamorphosis of insects, she pioneered the representation of the relationships between animals and plants. Her images did not just flatly depict dead specimens collected in popular cabinets of curiosity. In lively compositions, individual insects are shown in symbiosis with the host plants that provide food and shelter in their distinct life stages: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and then butterfly.   While many scholars still believed that insects could emerge spontaneously from dead matter, her systematic investigation into the development of insects such as butterflies and moths was groundbreaking. With her book on caterpillars an artistic and scholarly success, and intrigued by the incredible collections of insects arriving in Amsterdam through the colonial trade, Merian embarked on a research trip to Surinam in 1699.   The plantation owners who hosted Merian mocked her attention to the diversity of nature. She complained that they were only interested in sugar. In her accounts of fieldwork in search of insects, Merian drew on the knowledge of Indigenous and enslaved people. While she had them cut paths and bring new species, they shared descriptions of the behaviors of animals and functions of plants. In the book she compiled after her return, Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium, Merian recounts how they used certain plants to treat illness and others to abort pregnancies so that their children would not have to endure the cruel treatment of the Dutch plantation owners.  Even though her unique combination of descriptions and images was taken seriously by later systematizers such as Linnaeus, who named many species after her, Merian’s approach of paying close attention to behavior and symbiosis was largely traded in again for the mere ordering of specimens and their anatomy. After the modern separation of art and science, the vivid understanding of the complex relationships between plants and animals mostly turned into efforts to control pests in ever larger monocultures.   Merian's work representing ecological relationships can again be crucial if we are to learn to live with biodiversity and appreciate the complex connections between plants, animals, and, as in her work on Suriname, people. But her images are also a reminder of how scientific advances can be the product of a system of colonial violence and the commercial appropriation of local knowledge.

Clemens Driessen - The Metamorphosis of the Insects of Suriname

Who builds towards a green future on a daily basis? To show how big ideas and visions find their way into reality, "Botanical Monuments" is part of this edition of the biennial: a collection of Rotterdams community initiatives around urban nature. They represent the ambition of the IABR to change the relationship between architecture and nature. But how does this ambition come to life in and around the city, who are the people behind big visions and what can we learn from them? Sabine and Jocelyn create the series "Hope Sowers" and engage with those taking steps towards an architecture that, in collaboration with nature, builds for future generations.Nestled within the bustling urban landscape of Rotterdam, Shared Grounds at the Gouwplein Biodiversity Garden emerges as a beacon of community, art, and environmental stewardship in the Oud Charlois neighborhood. Originally an underused public space, it has been transformed into a place where interactions can arise between both humans and non-humans. Shared Ground was founded by the collective vision of Rotterdam South artists Kate Price and Guillem S. Arquer, who found common ground in their passion for composting. Their collaboration, along with the efforts of Maziar Afrassiabi, founder and director of Rib—an experimental contemporary art institution nearby—has cultivated this once-neglected land into a garden with a strong, innovative vision on how to use space. In 2019, they seized the opportunity to rejuvenate this plot of land, integrating it into a broader network. The transformation of Shared Grounds didn't happen overnight—it required significant effort and dedication to turn what was once overlooked into a cherished community space. Kate details the hands-on steps that had to be taken to interact with the area: "We began by clearing away debris and then experimented with various biodiversity-aware practices, such as creating dry hedges to compost the organic materials we collected from the site. Additionally, we installed an insect hotel." Guillem further explains the unique challenges and intentions behind their work: "This space was virtually a non-place, with no defined purpose, which made it a compelling setting to observe how various users interact with it. We aimed to do more than just beautify; we aimed to create space for human and more-than-human neighbors, considering and respecting the species who were, temporarily or not, already using the space, being part of that ecosystem. Our project challenges traditional notions of park management and encourages a dialogue about coexistence and mutual respect between humans and ecological processes."The project has faced significant challenges, particularly in navigating municipal regulations and managing varying expectations within the community. Guillem reveals some of the difficulties they've encountered: "Despite being funded by the municipality of Rotterdam, there's a disconnect with its operational systems. Regrettably, the city’s maintenance teams have repeatedly destroyed the plants we've carefully nurtured—ironically, the very plants they've funded." The Shared Ground team has developed a strategic response to this ongoing issue. "We noticed that the maintenance teams spare certain plants they recognize as 'government plants'—the ones deemed 'good' by official standards. So, we adapted our strategy to group our recently planted species with the ones from the municipality—effectively blending our efforts with the existing municipal landscape. This approach has turned our garden into a kind of guerrilla garden, where we continuously adapt and innovate in response to these challenges. It's fascinating to immerse oneself in these complex dynamics."Guillem discusses their efforts to redefine this patch of land beyond the conventional label of a park, emphasizing the complex relationships that influence this urban space: "We aim to transcend traditional definitions and grasp the real-time, authentic dynamics that characterize this area. A park embodies multiple possibilities throughout a single day—used one way in the morning and quite differently at night. Labeling it as a 'park' or 'garden' is merely our way of interpreting it, but we've come to recognize that this is just our perspective. The animals, the homeless person who finds shelter here at night, or the child playing during the day, each interact with the space in unique ways, reflecting the true diversity of the community. Each use of the space adds a layer to its story: this understanding allows us to truly appreciate and enrich its contribution to the community," explains Guillem.The team behind the garden hopes their efforts will encourage other cities to rethink their approach to urban green spaces. Maziar expands on this vision: "Within the realm of urban architecture, we are often lumped together with the concept of ‘a park’, yet there are countless underutilized spaces that could serve the community—if only there was more support from municipal systems. Our focus isn't just on enhancing biodiversity and fostering community ties: we aim to transform an overlooked plot into a recognized and cherished local garden. By adopting such innovative practices, we shed light on pressing urban issues, bringing what was once invisible into the forefront of public awareness." Kate highlights the significance of each interaction within the garden, noting, "Every interaction, no matter how minor, is crucial to recognizing and valuing this space. These moments of engagement are just as important as the broader ecological changes we are striving to achieve."Curious about Shared Grounds? <a href="https://dev.content.iabr.nl/media/pages/nature-of-hope/botanical-monuments/babc90725f-1719488888/a3_map_def_en.pdf" target="_blank">Click here</a> for their spot on the Botanical Monuments route. Opening hours, activities, and more information can be found <a href="https://iabr.nl/en/nature-of-hope/botanical-monuments" target="_blank">here</a>.