School of Thought

A new learning platform

In an era of growing ecological and social challenges, designers are taking on an increasingly broad social role. The challenges they tackle touch on economic systems, social structures, and ecological limits. This calls for a new way of learning, thinking, and acting, in which design is not only a spatial practice but also a social and systemic one.

The IABR School of Thought is a new learning pathway from the IABR that centers on these complex challenges. The School provides a space for in-depth study, reflection, and exchange, and responds to designers’ need for broader, interdisciplinary knowledge. Insights into economic logics, forms of ownership, governance, social processes, and ecological systems are necessary for designers to offer a practical perspective on the major transitions of our time.

The IABR School of Thought brings together designers, urban planners, policymakers, researchers, and other experts to address urgent themes that shape the future of our living environment. The topics align with the thematic focus of the biennial(s) and provide space for critical thinking, reflection, and redefining existing assumptions. Theory, exchange, and concrete, applicable tools are covered.

The first edition of the IABR School of Thought is Money Talks. It will launch in 2026 with an online masterclass during the biennial. Participants will explore how design, economics, and social value are intertwined. Special attention will be given to alternative financing models, cooperative structures, and new forms of value creation that can reshape cities, with an eye toward social and ecological values.

After the biennial, we will continue to expand the School. Together with the field, we will explore new themes, formats, and future editions. We will also bring an international focus to the initiative. In this way, the School of Thought will evolve into an ongoing learning environment where designers collaboratively develop new perspectives, knowledge, and approaches to action. The School utilizes online interaction and video material for knowledge transfer and exchange.