School of Thought

A new learning platform

The societal role of designers continues to expand. The challenges they work on concern not only space and design, but also economic systems, governance, social processes and ecological limits. This is why IABR is launching School of Thought: a new learning programme for professionals working in the built environment and spatial planning.

School of Thought brings together designers, urban planners, policymakers, researchers, thinkers and other experts around urgent themes that are shaping the future of the discipline and our living environment. Theory and critical reflection are combined with exchange and practical insights that can be applied in design and building practice.

Drawing on a range of disciplines, School of Thought explores the systems and structures that shape what design can achieve. At its core is the question of how much agency professionals themselves have: how can they critically question existing systems and contribute to change?

School of Thought as an ongoing learning programme

Following the biennale, IABR will continue to develop School of Thought. New themes and formats will be developed together with the field, while the programme will also take on an international focus. In this way, School of Thought will grow into an ongoing learning programme that brings together professionals from different disciplines to deepen their knowledge, exchange perspectives and develop new ways of acting within design practice.

The first edition of School of Thought is Money Talks

The first series within School of Thought is Money Talks, which focuses on the relationship between design, money and financial systems.

Many spatial decisions are shaped by economic models, investment and real estate logics, and short-term returns. At the same time, designers are expected to contribute to the creation of societal value and to ecological and energy transitions.

Money Talks therefore explores how societal value can be incorporated into investment decisions, which financing and organisational models can accelerate transitions, and what role designers themselves can play in this process.

The first online masterclass takes place on 7 October 2026 with architect, writer and property developer Nanne de Ru and economist Sandra Phlippen, moderated by architect and financial expert Elise van Herwaarden.