New European Bauhaus

Reflections from the Nordic co-design beautiful I sustainable I together

1 Reflections from the Nordic co-design Table of contents

1. Foreword 3

2. Executive summary 4

3. Description of the co-design process 5

4. Summary of the results 8

5. Detailed results from the co-design workshops 11

6. Conclusions 25

Attachments 29

2 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 1. Foreword

To some extent, Nordic countries are at the forefront of climate policies. They joint Nordic events have been instrumental to bring the region together, are targeting carbon neutrality well before 2050, which is the goal for the EU. sharing enthusiasm, building motivation and preparing the ground, suggesting As a result, Nordic ministers have made an ambitious joint declaration on low how we might design our way out of our global challenges. carbon construction and circular principles in the construction sector, which will have a significant influence across Nordic architecture and design of the We hope that this report does justice to the many voices that contributed built and living environment. to the Nordic co-design events. We are looking forward to the development of the New European Bauhaus movement. Working with the inspirational Nordic authorities have already established an active collaboration for potential of design and culture, we are determined to find a sustainable preparing effective and practical policies for sustainable construction. Regular balance in the European built and living environments. activities include Nordic stakeholder meetings and Nordic Climate Forum for Construction, held every year. Sustainability and climate action are also well Kirsi Martinkauppi embedded into the architectural policies of the Nordic countries. Senior Ministerial Adviser, Head of Unit Ministry of the Environment of Finland Because of this strong ambition towards sustainable built and living environment as well as the rich and diverse Nordic architecture and design Matti Kuittinen traditions, the Nordic countries strongly support the emergence of the Senior Specialist, Ministry of the Environment of Finland New European Bauhaus. European built and living environments, and their Professor of resource-efficient construction, Aalto University, Department of development, are pivotal for reaching the climate goals, as well as for Architecture addressing the social and demographic challenges that are ahead of our continent.

In order to provide the New European Bauhaus initiative with Nordic ideas, examples and views, we organized a round of joint co-design events, delivered online due to the Covid19 restrictions. This report summarises the outcomes of these events.

The Nordic co-design activities have been organized and facilitated by Finland, the current president of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2021. In collaboration with other Nordic partners, we have reached thousands of Nordic stakeholders. In addition to numerous local and national events, these

3 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 2. Executive summary

The Nordic co-design webinar workshops have gathered over 1 600 participants from over 20 countries by the end of May 2021. The intention of the workshops has been to present the New European Bauhaus initiative of the European Commission and to gather joint Nordic ideas, challenges and examples for the development of the initiative. In addition to the co-design webinars, multiple national and regional events have been organized.

The outcomes from the workshops were documented, analysed and grouped. As a result, 22 different thematic groups were identified. The importance of equality, participation, nature and various sustainable building solutions were repeatedly documented among these groups. In addition, weak signals that touched upon the importance of adjusting our societies and values according to planetary boundaries.

All comments from the workshops were further listed and compared to UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Most seemed to represent Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), but goals 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), 10 (Reduced inequalities) and 4 (Quality education) showed up in the number of ideas presented as well.

The outcomes of the Nordic co-design workshops will be reported to European Commission during summer 2021.

4 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 3. Description of the co-design process

The Nordic Ministers’ declaration on low carbon construction and circular principles resonates very well with the New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative. The same might be said about the Nordic ambition of becoming the world’s first carbon neutral welfare region. As Finland holds the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers currently, it has brought together these 1678 5700 perspectives and facilitated a series of joint Nordic webinars and workshops. Amount of registered participants Number of hours invested in the events by the participants In these events, the NEB initiative has been presented and Nordic ideas for its co-design have been gathered.

Altogether eight different joint Nordic events have been held or will be held during the year. In addition to these, there have been several national and Table 1. Nordic co-design events and their participants regional NEB events. Date Event Registered Main organisers participants Over 1650 participants have taken part in creating Nordic perspectives for the 23.4.2021 Nordic co-design kick-off 833 Ministry of the Environment FI NEB by the end of May 2021 (Table 1). 28.4.2021 Sustainable Aesthetics 249 Ministry of Education and Culture FI, In the five events arranged so far, three have been highly participative co- Ministry of the Environment FI design workshops. In the other two, the material was gathered from the 5.5.2021 Beyond sustainability-as-usual: 290 Aalto University event chat discussions and talks. The findings of this report are concluded co-creating transformative from almost 400 virtual post-it notes, multiple chat comments, surveys and change in sustainable living conversation notes. 6.5.2021 Carbon-smart urban 164 Aalto University landscape 19.5.2021 Wood Architecture and 142 Ministry of the Environment FI Design in Bauhaus Total 1678

5 Reflections from the Nordic co-design Table 2. Forthcoming Nordic Bauhaus events Date Event Main organisers 2.6.2021 What should designers and city Aalto University planners know about biochar? Summer 2021 Arctic views to Bauhaus Ministry of the Environment FI September 2021 Designs for a Cooler Planet Aalto University October 2021 Bauhaus goes digital Ministry of the Environment FI, Building Information Foundation

In the series of Nordic events, participants have discussed themes such as • circular economy & climate • digital innovation & smart communities • ecosystems & biodiversity • children & youth • knowledge & education • equality & well-being • change & creative, collaborative practices • sustainable aesthetics • wood architecture & design • carbon-smart urban landscapes.

These themes, and more, were examined within the context of the built and living environment, and in the framework of the New European Bauhaus’s triangle of virtue; inclusion, sustainability and aesthetics.

The discussions were framed around questions of best Nordic examples and ideas: What are the Nordic innovations that should be a part of the NEB? What should a successful NEB initiative focus on? What should it aim for? How should it function? How might we get there? Who should be involved?

The participants were from all the Nordic countries and beyond and represented e.g. the creative and construction industry, scientists, students and authorities.

6 Reflections from the Nordic co-design The events were organized by • Ministry of the Environment, Finland • Aalto University • Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland in collaboration with • Nordic Council of Ministers • National Board of Housing, Building and Planning Boverket, Sweden • Council for Sustainable Cities, Sweden • Innovation Agency Vinnova, Sweden • Archinfo Finland • Design and Architecture Norway • Danish Design Centre • Iceland Design and Architecture • Nordic Historic Wooden Towns’ Network

7 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 4. Summary of the results

In this section, we present the summary of the views and comments that the participants of the co-design events expressed. In section 5, the underlying comments are presented in relation to the three aspects of the NEB: aesthetics, inclusion and sustainability.

In the first Nordic event, the participants were asked what should be the main goals for the New European Bauhaus. The answers emphasized the sustainable aspect of the initiative, since addressing the climate crisis and accelerating innovation towards circular economies were voted the top two goals for the initiative. Balancing this, the theme for the second Nordic gathering was voted upon by the participants to be “aesthetics”.

All aspects of the initiative – sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics - were touched upon in various discussions across events. The Nordic perspective to the New European Bauhaus is a broad one: It does not focus on any one of the three pillars, but rather has a kaleidoscopic view on the issues represented in the NEB: Sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics are intertwined in a complementary manner, recognising that they are fundamentally interconnected.

The theme for the second Nordic co-design event was chosen by the participants

8 Reflections from the Nordic co-design In my opinion, the most important goals for In my opinion, the most important goals for the New European Bauhaus the New European Bauhaus initiative would be to initiative would be to

41 % Building networks and innovation hubs of 37 % professionals and academia 33 % 34 % 30 % Supporting local grass-root initiatives and bottom-up processes 23 % 28 % 20 % Providing funding for research 19 % 19 % and pilot projects 18 % Collecting ideas and examples to communicate to the wider 16 % public and educate decision-makers 18 % 14 % Establishing new Bauhaus design schools 13 % around Europe 5 % 9 % 9 % Other 2 % 6 % 2 %

Multiple choice question: Three options choice. N 481 Multiple choice question: One option choice. N 162

9 Reflections from the Nordic co-design Both strong and weak signals emerged from the discussion across different completely reframe our language and values around the natural environment events and thematic workshops. These discussions explored what the Nordic and biodiversity. Nature was seen as something that needs to be embedded in perspective for the New European Bauhaus could and should be. the built environment, not only for the benefit of humans, but for other living creatures as well. Nature, including wilderness, was considered as a source of All results could be categorized into 22 different groups as follows: health and well-being that everyone should have access to, and be involved with and engaged by. 1. Aesthetics and narratives to support change 2. Nature-bound aesthetics rethought Nature was also seen as something to learn from. The participants suggested 3. Strong relationship with nature that the natural environment could be a source of inspiration, unlocking 4. Urban green and biodiversity in cities yet more sustainable building techniques, design innovations, and cultural 5. Smart density interactions. In many cases, the workshops provoked a deeper discussion 6. Local and traditional methods and materials about humbleness towards nature and more-than-human-centred design 7. Urban qualities of traditional wooden towns approaches. 8. Building with sustainable and organic materials 9. Circular economy The participants pointed out that the Nordic Arctic nature is in rapid and 10. Zero-waste material use inevitable change, brought upon us by the warming climate. They suggested 11. Stop to demolition, yes to retrofitting that this change in nature can also influence change in Nordic aesthetics, 12. Quality over cost which has traditionally been strongly connected to Nordic nature, with its 13. Innovating, prototyping and research sense of space, vivid seasonality, and the diversity of its land- and sea-scape. 14. The new architect: A Nordic Academy 15. Contemporary Nordic design principles Sustainable solutions for the built environment were stated to be crucial. 16. Young architects want to do something The participants called for a stop for the demolition of our building stock, 17. Cooperation across sectors and borders and strong focus on retrofitting, renewal and regeneration. They expressed a 18. Environments that promote health and well-being strong demand for transitioning to a circular economy, especially regarding 19. Connecting urban and rural building materials. Wood architecture and nature-based solutions were 20. Life-long learning brought up as an important part of fighting climate change in the built 21. Digital solutions to enhance design and participation environment. The Nordic region has particularly strong capabilities here, but 22. Participation & co-creation participants also suggested we have a long way to go.

Participation and equality were emphasized in nearly all discussions. The In addition, weak signals from the discussions could be identified. They strong Nordic tradition and values concerning equality was seen as a design could be described as a need for our societies to make progress in a way premise: It was said that Nordic art, design, and architecture have played a that is healthy for the planet; a need to shift into circular instead of linear role in creating and further developing the Nordic welfare society and should understanding or “progress”; as a need to see nature as a resource for well- still continue to do so. Architects, designers, artists and other actors in the being and learning instead of a source of raw materials. Furthermore, there creative field were seen as a force to drive the changes towards the best were weak signals about the importance of fostering the value of collective possible futures by for example facilitating co-operations. intelligence and expertise. Thus, these weak signals could be translated into an understanding of “us” as an important, immaterial resource that can partially Nature was discussed throughout. Many were aware of the need to replace the material resources.

10 Reflections from the Nordic co-design aesthetics 5. Detailed results from the co- Aesthetics and narratives to support change design workshops Nature-bound aesthetics Quality over costs

The material from the events was analysed and organised into thematic entities. The themes are presented in the New European Bauhaus ‘triangle of virtue’ and described in further detail through the practical, creative and critical lenses of examples, ideas and challenges. The following text is a shortened and compiled summary of a larger quantity of comments, which are available as an attachment. The new architect: A Nordic Academy

Cooperation across sectors and borders Urban qualities of tradi- tional wooden towns Contemporary Nordic Local and traditional methods Environments that promote health design principles and materials and well-being Innovation, prototyping & research Building with sustainable Young architects want to and organic materials Life-long learning do something Urban green and biodi- versity in cities Smart density

Digital solutions to encance Strong relationship design and participation with nature Zero-waste material use

Participation & Circular economy Connecting urban and rural Stop to demolition, yes co-creation to retrofitting inclusion sustainability

11 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 1. Aesthetics and narratives 2. Nature-bound to support change aesthetics rethought

Challenge: There’s a resistance to change. How to ease the adaptation to the Challenge: The Nordic and arctic landscapes are changing due to global changes needed to make in facing the effects of the climate crisis? warming and biodiversity degradation. Therefore, our iconic nature-bound inspirations for Nordic aesthetics need to be rethought. Idea: The conceptions of aesthetics are culture related and political. Could the change in aesthetics inspire a change in culture and politics? And vice versa? Idea: Let’s rethink aesthetics drawing inspiration from indigenous approaches Could art, culture and the aesthetic side of architecture and design help us of the Sámi people, re-thinking nature, space and environmental conditions: accept the coming changes that the climate crisis will bring? Could aesthetics Our natural spaces are not empty, but full of life — they are already in use as ease us to give up old harmful habits? Can we decouple happiness from the they are. People should try to avoid leaving signs of their presence in nature. The participants of the event on April 28th were materia and rather accustom us to immaterial sources of happiness? We need to embrace wilderness, darkness, silence and space. The aesthetics asked to write down keywords regarding Nordic of changing seasons is important. sustainable and inclusive aesthetics and NEB. Aesthetics can be an expression of our most meaningful values and ideas. Architects and designers often have the means of imagining and visualizing We should learn how to imitate nature in order to break our harmful patterns, positive futures. We need support for aesthetic innovations alongside creating new sustainable adaptations, based on nature-inspired solutions. For innovations of materials, structures, construction and other technical matters. example, we plan cities which are static, even though nature is continuously Could new aesthetics be created through participatory processes? evolving, and this natural flexibility is also something a city should adapt to.

Idea: Could a deeper, more sensitive understanding of indigenous cultures help us understand people as part of nature, responding to patterns of movement, and thus also better understanding and prepare for the ground for climate-based international migration?

12 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 3. Quality 4. Strong relationship over costs with nature

Challenge: How can we ensure that quality, value, and more intangible forms Challenge: The New European Bauhaus needs a more-than-human-centered of meaningful impact are stronger evaluation criteria of developing the approach to design; a planet-centered one, recognising that we are part of built environment? How might we insert the aesthetic component into the nature, not separate to it. development processes? More-than-human-centered Idea: Nordic people have a strong relationship to and understanding of Idea: We need structures that ensure the aesthetics and quality of our living nature; what we call nature is never far away. But let’s learn from indigenous approach to design; a plan- environments. Let’s form public procurement legislation, and associated cultures, which tend not to have words for ‘environment’ and ‘nature’, et-centered one. capabilities and skillsets, for quality of living and wellbeing, for art and recognising that they are not separate to us, not some kind of ‘other’. Let’s aesthetics, complementing the current perspectives that value safety, risk, and rewrite the complex relationship between human, nature and the built technical competence. and living environments, considering flora and fauna as participants and stakeholders in planning and design. What could be the role of artists in Example: There is a peer-review process as a supplement to measurement challenging the nature versus human divide? and evaluation of quality and sustainability in the official Danish sustainability certification for buildings (DGNB Denmark). The projects are externally Example: The everyman’s right runs across the Nordic region, enshrining the reviewed/evaluated concerning architectural quality during design stage and right to access public or privately owned land, lakes, and rivers for recreation post construction. and exercise. The right is sometimes called the right of public access to the wilderness or the “right to roam”. How might this be extended, with a richer idea of ‘more-than-human-centred’ design, with landscape and nature also ‘roaming’ into our towns and cities?

Structures that ensure the aesthetics and quality of our living environments.

13 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 5. Urban green and biodiversity in cities

Challenge: Our cities need to become greener on a larger scale. How to Idea: What if there was a minimum area access for each individual as a right ensure that future towns and cities contain enough biodiverse green space? including green areas? Or a minimum distance to meaningful greenery for everyone? Could the “Percentage for art” funding mechanism be copied to Idea: Urban green has to be given fundamental and pivotal positioning as part “Percentage to biodiversity” in every urban plan? of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. We need to think of the whole landscape as part of design and better understand the potential of Idea: We need more research to provide knowledge that feeds into practice nature-based infrastructures. We need rich, complex and diverse meadows for faster. How do urban greening projects affect housing prices and value? insects, plants, small gardens and woodlands even in our densest urban areas. How does it affect health and wellbeing? What new aesthetics might emerge New green or nature-based technologies could be designed, maintained and from these more complex conditions? How urban greening projects affect owned at a community level, producing multiple forms of value. We also need housing prices and value? The potential of urban green to mitigate climate to preserve and maintain existing valuable spaces around the cities, such as through carbon sequestration and storage has not yet been fully harnessed ancient forests. in urban planning and more research is needed on the importance of carbon sequestration and e.g. life cycle assessment of green infrastructure. Urban The participants of the event on May 6th were We should appreciate the urban green as a provider of a richer, more diverse, nature and climate are different from natural and wild environments; more asked how national politics could support carbon- healthier living environment and as a supporter of sustainable lifestyles. research on urban conditions is needed. smart landscapes. Let’s ensure open spaces and immediate connection to nature for everyone. Reworking local amenities, and peoples’ everyday needs, around local Idea: Artificial light in the night has a negative effect on animals and insects. neighbourhoods means that we can reduce transportation emissions and In the cities, there’s a need for smart public illumination and warmly dimmed unnecessary travel, bringing natural experiences closer to urban areas. How street lights in the night: Light pollution has a strong impact on insect and to support different size and income level municipalities to deal with greening bird diversity; even just a little light can change their migration and breeding their cities? schedules.

14 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 6. Smart density 7. Local and traditional

Challenge: Economic interests are often main drivers for densifying, yet they methods and materials can also be justified by sustainability and conviviality. Dense urban structure may promote active transport like biking and walking, but in itself, it does not Challenge: There is a lack of respect for local features and of acknowledging support sustainable lifestyles (high consumption patterns can counteract the traditional building techniques. Design needs to be empowered from the this). Often, not enough space is left for green infrastructure, which can identity of the area and its resources. be seen as a trade-off rather than an opportunity to integrate. How might changes in lifestyles (home office, online retail, local food production, four-day Idea: Let’s implement local materials and indigenous methods to create workweek, etc.) change the discussion on urban living and density? sustainable practices and aesthetics: Especially in the Nordics we should build with wood and learn from tradition and professionals who know the Idea: Let’s rethink the city, recreating the urban landscape and the concept material well, for example craftsmen. For ideals, tradition and the scarce use of smart density. Given changes in technology and culture, what new patterns of materials we should look both to the post-war generation and further, to of urban development might emerge? We may need to challenge current pre-industrial times. A question to future development is finding the good concepts of densification, whilst also addressing perennial issues of low combination of using newest technologies and relying on the old building density. Densification needs to be done with quality and sensitivity. tradition.

Example: The city of Pudasjärvi, Finland, has made a municipal decision to have all public buildings in local massive wood and in a high level of architecture. The city of Växjö in Sweden, aims to be Europe’s first modern wood city (‘Trästad’). From 2020, 50% of all new buildings will be made in wood.

15 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 8. Urban qualities of traditional wooden towns

Challenge: Could the new way of urban planning be inspired by old Nordic wooden towns?

Idea: Nordic wood tradition is a lot more than just using wood as material. Dense wooden settlements are part of the historic landscape. The use of space, scale and dimension in between the private and public are unique in Nordic wooden towns. Should the new way of planning be inspired by the past? By building new places relatable to traditional wood towns, we also get new kinds of urban qualities to the environment. For example, traditional wooden towns have a unique way of dealing with indoor-outdoor relation and recreational outdoor spaces. Cities are complex systems, where choosing of materials has an influence on the quality of the environment.

Example: In Nordic historical wooden towns trees and greenery are everywhere, because trees had a technical function to prevent fire from spreading. In addition, the greenery in the old wooden town’s cityscape has been used to funnel the wind and cool down the environment. Trees give shade to the buildings and thus reduce the need for additional cooling. In the future, when cities are increasingly heating up, these kinds of nature-based and traditional smart solutions should be researched and used. The participants of the event on May 19th were asked keywords about Nordic wood architecture and design.

16 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 9. Building with sustainable 10. Circular economy and organic materials Challenge: We need to move from the linear economy to the circular; from new building part production to relying on the existing buildings as a material Challenge: When building new, we need to focus on using sustainable, bank. What kind of obstacles do we have on standards and regulations healthy materials regarding reuse? What are the material requirements for reuse in the future?

Idea: Let’s reinterpret “less is more”, and recognize the potential of timber Idea: Changes in legislation that create incentives and support different and the value reuse adds to both the economy and the environment. Less aspects of circular economy are needed. We need adjustments into several developed low-tech materials are easier to re-use, and in this the timber crosscutting fields of legislation. Let’s look at forming a tax model for the industry has an unrevealed potential. As an organic material, wood has the circular economy and the life cycle perspective as a design assignment. We ability to release heat from the water it absorbs more than any other organic should consider material buy-back agreements as the new state of affairs material. This quality also affects indoor air quality in a positive way. Using in construction projects. There is also a demand for community-based straw as insulation in a wooden frame is a good example of using materials in a neighborhoods, built around circular practices and sharing economy in ‘new old way’. Wood is healthy both for the users and the environment. everyday life. Could we somehow pull back from throwaway consumer culture into a culture of making, doing, sharing and repairing? Idea: A controversial question was raised: Could start to build from living trees instead of dead ones? There have been studies on this. Building bridges Form follows availability. Could there be marketing support or a platform for on living trees is a tradition in India. This would feed our poetic sense of smaller companies that have skills to maintain current buildings? We need a improving cities in a biophilic sense, since living close to living nature has been common service for sources for reuse, e.g. accessible databases for reusable evidenced to have a lot of (co-)benefits. timber products led by municipalities, for example.

Example: Nordic minimalism rethought: The design principle of using as little as possible in as simple as possible way in the context of circularity and reuse of materials, as Danish Lendager Group’s projects using upcycled materials. There are also good examples of recycled buildings in Norway, where components of a new building are recycled from old ones, including railings, stairs and fire doors.

17 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 11. Zero-waste 12. Stop to demolition, material use yes to retrofitting

Challenge: One of the challenges in the use of wood is how to utilize leftover Challenge: We need to make do with our existing building stock. The carbon parts. emissions produced by the construction of new buildings are unbearable. How could we learn to appreciate the less cared for neighbourhoods, if we refrain Idea: How could the left-overs from wood element building (CLT) be used from building new ones? to produce zero waste? For example, when the windows are cut out from the elements, the left-over parts could be used as furniture. This needs rethinking Idea: We have to make demolition accountable through tracing, taxing and of the processes of making wood elements. We should start the design and transparency. Let’s focus on the re-use, rehabilitation & repair of also the planning process keeping in mind also the reusability of materials. How to not-so-highly evaluated 60s–90s building stock. Let’s encourage hybrid make it possible to reuse different kinds of parts and pieces (building parts, programming of spaces to facilitate retrofitting of existing built fabric. furniture, objects etc.)? In the building process, packaging also has a lot of Prioritize place making and restoration. potential and possibilities to increase recycling. Seeing the value of all existing built environments is of essence for decision- makers and professionals, but also to the wider public. People need to be proud of their own living environments, want to protect and take care of them. Should we broaden the concept of cultural heritage? Nature-based solutions are one concept, which could be further developed for improving environments and cities.

Example: There are good Nordic examples of programmes that bring heritage and energy retrofit together, e.g. “Spara och Bevara” [save and preserve] in Sweden.

18 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 13. Innovating, prototyping 14. The new architect: and research A Nordic Academy

Challenge: We need more support for innovations in reusable construction Challenge: The world is changing and the architects’ and designers’ products, smart buildings systems, new and old materials, services and profession along it. More and more, architects need to act as facilitators who solutions like repair cultures, wood and hybrid construction and for bring different focuses and expertise together, working as integrators and Towards multidisciplinary redeveloping the circular and sharing economy. translators. The professional training of architects and designers should be steered towards multidisciplinary approaches and systems thinking. approaches and systems Idea: Good examples are a usual way to create followers in the building thinking. sector. Let’s accelerate the innovation of construction systems that are highly Idea: Let’s create a Nordic Academy: Universities and institutes should work flexible and adaptable to future social and technological evolutions. We need a more closely together in assessing and handling complexity and uncertainties foundation that would support prototyping of new urban experiments in both from a systems perspective. Alongside the fields of architecture, urban design physical and digital building. Prototyping should cover all scales from small and landscape architecture professional training should include aspects of e.g. details to scenarios for resource efficiency and sustainability. public health, environmental psychology, social sciences, biological diversity, mobility, cultural geography and political studies. There should be a focus also Example: There are good Nordic examples of facilitating innovation and on creativity, expression and emotions. The agenda of the New Bauhaus could research, e.g. Spark; a needs-driven regional innovation programme in Norway become the background of a study program. for smart and sustainable local development that uses design thinking, collaboration models and the SDGs as tools.

19 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 15. Contemporary Nordic 16. Young architects design principles want to do something

Challenge: How to enforce empathy as a design principle? How to design Challenge: Politics are slow to change, but solutions and change are needed things that easily enable the choice of living sustainably? How can aesthetics urgently. What can architects and planners do? How to reach politics and and art provoke, prototype and promote newly diverse Nordic cultures? decision makers? How to make the change happen? Especially the young professionals need to be empowered and encouraged. Idea: Design should aim to support opportunities for different needs and backgrounds. Environments should respond to the needs of diversity. We Idea: The young architects feel that design (urban – architectural – need new design principles and house rules: Let’s embrace change as a way landscape) is not about shape or cool designs, it is about creating social to live and use flexibility as a tool for equality. Let’s make design processes and cultural change. Therefore, let´s include issues concerning e.g. urban more collaborative and become aware of different needs. Form follows green infrastructure and social justice into national visions and strategies, understanding. Form follows curiosity. Form follows culture. perhaps through EU legislation linked to national policy. How might we rethink ownership and wealth. How might we connect new configurations Let’s bring the Nordic minimalistic design principles; simplicity, reliability, of landscape architects, architects, planners, decision makers, politicians, creativity to solutions for participation, including digital tools for participation. especially of the young generations? Let’s create a change from designing with new resources to repurposing and redesign. Let’s address issues through networks and share best practices. Design things that age beautifully, that are adaptive and can be reconfigured to changing life situations.

Nordic minimalistic design principles; simplicity, reliability.

20 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 17. Cooperation across 18. Environments sectors and borders that promote health

Challenge: There are many barriers that prevent architecture and design and well-being ideas and ideals becoming a reality. Challenge: How to create beautiful, kind and engaging environments that Idea: We need a more cross-disciplinary approach to decision-making by enable us to encourage, stimulate and reflect upon good habits, inspiring and involving different stakeholders; construction industry, designers, thinkers creating change? and the end-users. How to spread the power over what is designed? How can we build literacy for design, art, and architecture into decision-makers Idea: We need environments that promote health and well-being for all; and public servants? Let’s recognize and involve the gatekeepers who can safe places that trigger productive social interactions and intergenerational help facilitate the change from making a successful pilot after another to encounters, stimulating places, spaces and social infrastructures that support sustainable implementation and practice. There are a lot of aspirations for the and encourage cultural diversity; environments that support active lifestyles New European Bauhaus to facilitate collaboration across borders and fields of and out-doors sports for all ages. Designers and planning professionals expertise. need to cooperate more with professionals from the fields of e.g. public health, sociology and environmental psychology. Public participation and Cross-sectional interaction and multidisciplinary approach should be at the understanding of place are also key in making places more equal. heart of the professional training of architects and designers. Taking education outside academia, as well as within, could also introduce the agencies of Example: Third spaces and social infrastructures, from libraries to streets, different actors. markets to playgrounds, provide encounters and improve social cohesion. The Nordic region has a strong tradition here, but equally we have a lot to learn.

Example 2: Sensory gardens in Denmark are a green oasis for people with special needs that offer carefully designed sense stimulation.

Example 3: The Generations block in Helsinki, Finland unites people of all ages in a multigenerational housing block.

21 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 19. Connecting 20. Life-long urban and rural learning

Challenge: How can urban and rural areas be thought interconnected, not Challenge: We need active citizenship; citizens who care, show interest only in terms of mobility and regional planning, but also concerning cultural and want to participate in the development of the built environment and practices? How do changes in technology and culture open up the possibility sustainable lifestyles of reimagining small towns and villages? Idea: We should cultivate creativity and design thinking in children starting Idea: Let’s strengthen the dialogue and collaboration between big cities from their earliest days of school. Empower and enable participation through and small municipalities for mutual learning and building bridges. We need strengthening collaboration with schools and professionals. There are many designers, architects, programmers with experience from outside of urban good examples of architecture and design education for children and youth lifestyles. Could the rural areas act as testbeds for smart communities? What that enhances participation. Equally, given our ageing populations, how do new forms of sustainable mobility might be required in these more dispersed ensure the elderly are continually and meaningfully engaged in questions of areas? How might the traditional Nordic summer cottage become sustainable the built and living environments? Built environment education (BEE) is strong and social? There is a potential to build smaller scale and affordable housing or in the Nordics. Nordic forest cities with ecosystem services in the rural areas. How could we all learn to be appreciative of our environments? Let’s provide architecture and design education for all ages with the help of digital tools. Could life-long learning of architecture and art help us enjoy our cultural heritage and build identities related to our living spaces?

22 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 21. Digital solutions to enhance design and participation

Challenge: ICT as well as multidisciplinary tech and design expertise is There is a need for data literacy skills. We need to make environmental data traditionally strong in the Nordics, but these have often played out in areas more understandable and accessible to people. Art-based methods, digital disconnected to the built and living environments. boot camps and festivals could inspire people with different skill sets and backgrounds to learn data literacy. ICT programs in schools could focus on Idea: Let’s render creative placemaking and distributed decision making cultivating creativity and design thinking as well as data literacy skills. Digital based on inclusive technology possible. Digital tools and metadata should be platforms could be used as tools for facilitating conversations and networking. used to make the silent voices heard. Tools, such as geographic information system (GIS), building information modelling (BIM) and digital twins have the Example: Digital placemaking tools for decentralized organisations and potential to help professionals plan, design, construct, and manage our built citizens initiatives in Sweden by Plato project. Plato helps to gather ideas, environment efficiently. Let’s consider our cities, buildings and spaces as a take decisions, map needs, budgets and areas of responsibility and provide a service. Could digitalization also help us move from human-centric to planet- socially focused digital meeting place for the participants. centric design? Let’s use the world class human-centred design skills found in Nordic video game and tech sectors to help transform our built and living environment sectors. Creative placemaking and distributed decision making based on inclusive technology.

23 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 22. Participation & co-creation

Challenge: The residents, citizens and future end-users are to be more We need equal access and safe space to participate in planning for everyone, involved in developing their habitats. The design processes need to be overall especially policies or structures that involve child participation. Children more inclusive. We have to make sure that the co-creation approaches, and young people should not be treated as a mass, or individuals as a methods and techniques do not only echo the voices of the active, but representative of their age, but as a heterogeneous group with different needs represent the voices of everyone in the society. and means to participate. Should we create a reward sticker: “This is designed in cooperation with children and the young”? We should have a children’s and Idea: We have to make sure that the ones worst affected by climate crises young’s own Bauhaus initiative. and other environmental crises are included in design, technology, policy and decision making generally. We need a framework for participatory design that Example: There are many good examples of methods and processes from happens together with the planning professionals and officials or even before the Nordics in regards to participating children and young people in planning the official planning process starts. Participation needs to be meaningful and processes. inspiring. It is crucial to communicate to the participants what will be done with their feedback and ideas and how they affect the plans. Participatory planning through group modelling or analysis could be an efficient way to address complex planning issues.

24 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 6. Conclusions

Material in the light of Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

The Nordic countries are following their development in relation to the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Therefore, we analysed how the results from the Nordic NEB co-design events translate to SDGs. We paired the presented comments from the events with matching SDGs. In the following, the most often mentioned SDGs are presented with exemplary comments from the workshops.

The size of the SDG image represents the number of comments related to each goal.

25 Reflections from the Nordic co-design Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities material and the infrastructure for recollecting, marketing and distributing Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. these materials should be further developed and disseminated. We need strong support for innovations in the field of wood architecture and design Summary of presented views: and traditional wood building techniques. Cross-sectional & cross-border Beautiful and kind environments can inspire and create change. We need cooperation for innovations is key. more multi-use areas, green infrastructure, outdoor spaces for all seasons and weathers, but also unbuilt spaces and wilderness in urban areas. Landscape Digital innovations, such as BIM-based building databases and digital twins and nature are to be made more an integral part of design. can help tackle complex planning issues. Bringing user-centered digital tools to the design processes and opening data increases participation and We need to emphasize the appreciation of cultural heritage in our built inclusion. Artistic and design approaches to the digital shift might also bring environments. Demolition has to stop and instead we need to focus on digitalization closer to the public. retrofitting. Transforming from linear to circular economy has to happen fast. The contemporary quality of the living environments means aesthetics of Goal 10: Reduced inequalities repair. The new building stock needs to be made flexible and adaptable from Reduce inequality within and among countries. the get go. We need to build more with wood. Summary of presented views: Cities, buildings and spaces should be considered as a service. Our cities should We need to develop tools and processes of participation for everyone. There strive to build sustainable communities, that practise sharing economy. For must be equal access and safe spaces to take part in different kinds of design citizen empowerment we need digital placemaking tools and overgenarational and planning processes. and multicultural approaches to participation. Designers, architects and planners are to act as the facilitators and experts of co-design processes in different Children should be seen as citizens and understood as capable experts and scales. We need to keep in mind the rural alongside the urban. part of the community. Participatory processes should also be made inclusive so that the voices of all young citizens with different backgrounds are being Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure heard. There’s a need for a children’s and young’s own Bauhaus project or Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable movement. industrialization and foster innovation.

Summary of presented views: Architecture and design should be seen as a tool to manage resources in a sustainable way. Nordic innovations related to reusable construction

26 Reflections from the Nordic co-design Goal 4: Quality education Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, opportunities for all. provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Summary of presented views: Let’s inspire citizens of all ages to learn about the built environment through Summary of presented views: e.g digital tools. Children should be empowered and enabled to participate Nordic institutions lead change and foster trust. Governance should be open through built environment and architecture education, co-creation and to initiatives from civic society and facilitate change. Institutional support to learning active citizenship skills. circular economy and nature-based-solutions is of the utmost importance. We need political weight also behind the importance of the aesthetic qualities of Professional training needs to be developed into a more cross-sectional and the built environment. multidisciplinary direction. Should we form a Nordic Academy for Systems Thinking? The Nordics have good academic environments to build from. Goal 3: Health and well-being Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Goal 15: Life on land Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, Summary of presented views: sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land Environments should support health and well-being. We need to create and degradation and halt biodiversity loss. preserve places that are green, support social interactions and active lifestyles. Places that prevent loneliness, but also protect silence and leave room for Summary of presented views: imagination. Biodiversity is crucial in cities and planning. We need more green roofs and facades, city-gardens, trees, new green technologies, but also urban wilderness. Considering flora and fauna as one of the stakeholders of the built environments is a good starting point.

27 Reflections from the Nordic co-design Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production Goal 13: Climate action Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Summary of presented views: We need to move our premise from human- Summary of presented views: centered to planet-centric. Nordic minimalism in the contemporary context means circularity, reusage and reduction: It is the aesthetics of minimal material and energy consumption without forgetting quality.

28 Reflections from the Nordic co-design Quality over costs

Attachment It is easy to set up criteria for sustaina- Many cities wants to have a ecological, How to insert, legislate for, and argue for Aesthetics is about paying attention and bility, accessibility etc., but aesthetics & green brand. When do we see a city with the aesthetic component into systems learning to pay attention to diversities, beauty is a tricky subject. Do you have aesthetic brand? governed by capitalist realism where the in material, spatial, surface and form, in advice on what these criteria could be? concept of immaterial value “aesthetics” affordances and interactions, in human Unedited material from the Nordic co-design events is seen as a non-rational extra cost that engagements from the micro to the Quality should be in the center. diminishes investor/developer profit? makro, from the variations of rhythms, Virtual post-it notes, chat comments and conversation notes. Quality over costs, this is what good Systems that also avoid, negate or invali- scales, patterns and forms, the harmonies, design and architecture are doing. date the value of public or non-specialist variances and contrasts in combinations Challenge / establish new ways of measu- discourse and involvement. of seeing, feeling, hearing and being in ring value and impact that work on a the world that is not an over designed European legislation perhaps needed, The size of the comment indicates the amount of ”likes” given. public, labour and individual level monotonous hyper rationalised nowhere. implement regulations to maintain the Peer-review process (as alternative to European cityscape instead of capitalistic architectural competitions and prizes) as high-rises, enabling more green spaces, a supplement to hard fact measurement stronger regulations are needed for the Public procurement law where and evaluation of quality and sustainability Political support to quality European region quality always goes before in the official Danish sustainability certi- and aesthetics of the built price (like in Switzerland) would fication for buildings (DGNB Denmark). change the mind set of the Projects externally reviewed/evaluated environment: Tools for concerning architectural quality during measuring etc. building economy. design stage and post construction. (DGNB Diamant) Our wish for beauty is something that is Legistlation (quality of not necessarily innate, it has to be taught living, on top of current to the child, and learned from an early This social (etc.) homogeneity is behind building safety point of many of the traditionally valued aesthetic age. qualities of the Nordic living environme- view) I think the biggest potential is always in nts. However, this is also becoming an children. They need tools to analyse their No, maybe not the same aesthetic views increasingly clear point of concern from environment and they should be part of in the Nordic - but, I believe we share the perspective of intergenerational/sus- "aesthetic transformation". some of the same values. tainable aesthetics.

The conceptions of aesthetics are culture Aesthetics are always departing from a The aesthetic component is subjective, it Perhaps beauty is not the key aesthetic related and political. human point of view, it is interrelational. depends on the era in which it is made, on concept. Perhaps the aesthetic emerges the place (Genius Loci) and on the suc- at the intersection of understanding and cession of human generations! E.g. What practice (or as a marker of understanding C generation wants as aesthetics? of practice)...and so as a vehicle for the expression of values and ideas.

Aesthetics and narratives to Could we make the aesthetic component Wooden architecture and design pro- support change less subjective? ducts is a central Nordic intersection Nature-bound aesthetics rethought between aesthetics/architecture and The normative facets of aesthetics might sustainability precisely derive from e.g. sustainability. However, instead of "objectivity", I would Architects have the means of imagining We need aesthetic innovations. We have a strive for a better understanding and ack- Landscapes are changing due to global Deep understanding of Sami-culture Is darkness a part of Nordic aesthetics? Have to stay positive: Climate change can Sustainability, overpopulation = sus- and visualizing varied future prospects. lot of support for innovation of materials, nowledgment of aesthetic diversity. warming, so iconic nature-bound inspira- Climate change can take away the snow, take away the snow, but luckily not the tainable aesthetic is the aesthetic of The ability to see the possibilities of structures, construction and other techni- tions for nordic aesthetics are changing which gives us even more time to enjoy darkness! Indigenous approach to nature and space: adaptation change is important. Architects as the cal matters. What could be the innova- too. darkness... The natural spaces are full and already in visualizers of positive futures. tions of aesthetics in practice? We must refer to the great masters of use as they are. People should try to avoid In small dozes darkness can also be It's not just darkness that is nordic, but Aesthetics should be the second demand architecture! Wilderness, silence and space leaving any signs of their presence in the comforting and help us to turn inwards, also the amazing amount of light during after the carbon zero emission demands And look at Nordic form and function nature. summer. Even if climate change takes that will have to be applied in the large Could art and culture, the aesthetic side The current hyper-production of wind reflect on what´s essential - and enjoy And follow the first rule of arch. composi- Relationship to nature is much more than away the snow, the differences in light scale. of architecture and design help us accept turbine parks in Norwegian nature shows candles and glögg! tion, which is expressed in the concept of how it is 'physically' interpreted in the conditions will still create some kinds of The flattening of seasons as a result of Or could aesthetics be the means to get the coming changes that the climate crisis that respect for the landscape doesn't the "architectural Unity" NEB. It is a way to live. seasons in the nordics. anthropogenic environmental change to zero emission? brings among us? Couls aesthetics ease us resist the colonialist power of capital Nature has a direct voice. We are part of Snow is absolutely a part of the Nordic is an alarming thing also experientially. to give up old harmful habits? ...make the oxymoron contradiction of nature, not different from it – this is more esthetics. Snow and darkness together is However, this type of flattening has been "sustainable development" obvious of an ethical discourse than an aesthetic a part of nature The Nordic model of equality in society Doesn't the Nordic value of shared Snow makes any environment look cute... The western societies tend to draw a one produced also on purpose through e.g. (basically the welfare state model) is in resources depend on a culture of social clear border between urban and natural I guess it’s the same effect with sunshine heating streets to prevent snow and ice itself worth 'exporting' in NEB. Art, design, Snow is part of the environment! When in the South. I think our ability to connect environmen- homogeneity? environment. We might have personal Interspecies and animal aesthetics, also (e.g. Aleksanterinkatu in Helsinki). and architecture have for decades played mud season arrives our opportunities tal impact to values that people truly care relationships with “nature”, like our biomimicry? a role in creating and further developing Human wellbeing include shrink with our access to the landscape! about (beauty, social inclusion, physical The narratives we tell are extremely summer cottages or the piece of forest Just to add on light and dark in Nordic the Nordic model, alas NEB as such with wellbeing etc., ex: "save our winters”), as the material aspects as important we (mostly finns?) inherited, but we don’t Mentioning Bajrke Ingels and nature countries. I live at the 69 plus northern Nordic winter or rainy season demands its intention to encourage work across well as facilitating new ways of meaning tolerate nature in our urban environment. is rather contradictory, he talks about latitude and the polar night between 1st more consideration of natural light, viz disciplines is nothing new. well as nonmaterial - one And with darkness, the meaning of other making such that new sustainability narra- exactly as Dan pointed out, nature is hedonistic sustainability, meaning, let's Dec and mid-Jan is full of colours cont- permitting the sun to reach also street senses than sight which often dominates. tives can emerge is crucial. Which means of the main goals of the Nordics don't share the same aesthetic messy - even if another species would find keep on building like mad and expect to rary to what people think more to the levels. This naturally links to the idea of silence. rethinking roles, stakes, values, impact. views, but are likely to be ready to discuss a way to live among us, we’re very quick be sustainable along with it! south. Definitely part of aesthetics here Bauhaus. Suggestion: The feeling of coldness as a part of The industrial society – not nature – has which are the basis for a good environ- to clean them out. Like bats living at our but to a strong degree in all Nordics. made us think of fast lifecycles, produc- people to participate ment and city surrounding. attics or spiders under the windowsill. Nordic aesthetics or at least experience? tion and consumption. We live such a in creation of aesthe- Embodied, engaged experiences are fun- Plant library objects are utilised to model comfortable life in the Nordics that we Wind farms are an interesting example damentally aesthetic. the urban green and living plants in a don’t really see the problems even though of how aesthetic values change from one tics process, to find out In wood construction we imitate concrete more detailed way than algorithmic we see alarming news from the Amazon generation to another. I often discuss what is their attitude of construction - why? We should imitate models can. Therefore, understanding them with students and they always bring "Empty spaces" - depending much on or animal production. It seems that crisis the 'beauty' (not only nature, not the present towns or cities nature as part of modern urban reality is needed before we see and are willing up how their parents think of them as their "borders" / "limiting edges" - that in order to break the pattern and create can help to better understand those many to do things differently. What will push us ugly whereas the students themselves formed by designers and would/might define if they are "loud" or something new based on new, natu- good qualities of the green environment. find them quite beautiful, even sublime in over to artistic and intellectual discus- architect) not...in short, nothing is so "absolute" re-inspired solutions. For example, we A radical change in this is, also, needed, sion? various landscapes. plan cities which are static, even if nature to understand the benefits of nature in is continuously evolving, and this flexibility architecture and to increasingly utilise Aesthetics are heterogenous, otherwise it is also something a city should adapt to. them in the environmental design. is just 'style' 29 Reflections from the Nordic co-design From human-centered to planet-centered Strong relationship with nature Urban green and biodiversity in cities

Nordics have a strong relationship to and We have very much green around us More-than human-centred design understanding of nature. This differen- in the North, but in fact it is mostly a approach, i.e. planet-centric tiates the Nordics from Central Euro- storage of timber. Be able to combine forests for More trees and plants planted % to art idea could be peans. There is this idea of the 15 minute-cities wood industry and preserve/ after building (housing, infra) copied to % to biodiver- in which nature is just found a leap away. develop biodiversity. How to interpret woodlands into urban Public engagement and support to (and This is not applicable in the mega cities, sity in every plot, every environments? Architecture in nature is connecting and visualising) local projects which is why they will be so vulnerable Our cities need to become greener on an ‘aha experience’, how to bring nature that promoted environmental and social housing area when the most difficult climate changes Every man`s right - a larger scale, it does not hold to plant into urban spaces as an ‘aha experience’, sustainability during the Oslo miljøho- will occur, such as shortage of water and any trees here and there. Still many gray too? vedstad 2019 recreation without Tree planting city policies: food. places, transforming these into green boundaries. Open oases, people need it for their health bring one down - plant one (or Immigrants in Finland often don't have spaces and fast connec- two). My experience from living in urban areas Nordics have a strong relationship to and access to Mökki, which is an iconic biocul- is that I was rarely reminded about natural understanding of nature. This differen- tion with nature tural experience. Can we have public-sha- Flower meadows for insects elements in the city. Now, living on the tiates the Nordics from Central Euro- The new European Biodiversity Strategy red means of accessing this resource? How to interpret woodlands into urban countryside, I get reminded everyday, peans. Nature has a direct voice. We are - it already exists but in small 2030 aims at protecting 30 % of land environments? Architecture in nature is I feel more connected and related and part of nature, not different from it – this scale, mow grass by segments and inland water ecosystems and sea an ‘aha experience’, how to bring nature responsible for acting sustainably. is more of an ethical discourse than an in the area and not all at once ecosystems. into urban spaces as an ‘aha experience’, Animals as Stakeholders = Swedish aesthetic one too? Transform bad buildings or places for the scholar Jonathan Metzger Relationship between human, nature and Landscape as part of design better, for the greener built environment Urban gardening Adding biodiversity into cities. Green I think the whole professional cohort Tree alleys in streets for microclimate, roofs, city-gardens, trees should more directly deal with the dete- Transit-Mobility = Much travel occurs in Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, Stockholm, rioration of our precious earth, not only Planting a tree in order to access green experiences. We harmony of nature, culture and aesthe- esthetics for living, home for birds, insects Let all the flowers bloom. stay at the surface and evaluate projects buildings and streets is can reduce travel and CO2 emissions if tics: https://www.waldemarsudde.se/ from the utter layers! we can bring green experiences closer to In the Nordics we have the 4 season in not an answer for healthy Bioart Society and Mustarinda in Finland urban centers. Naturum, Vänerskärgården, https://visit- totality. This allows us to really enjoy each green environment. It sweden.com/where-to-go/southern-swe- https://bioartsociety.fi/about https:// season intensely. In other countries they How the wild should entail the unexpe- www.mustarinda.fi/info cted brought to us in the city is still to den/vastsverige/naturum-vanerskargar- do not have this looks like counting the How to systematically bring biodiversity den-victoriahuset-and-lacko-castle/ developed, through art, through creativity into city planning and cities? Bringing bio- and through people's own hands small aquariums as a part The fox in our neighborhood are suffering According to the inhibitor of Sapmi we diversity helps us to minimize the impacts deep health problems due to territorial have 8 seasons of ocean. of climate change. pressure. We have two seasons in Iceland - winter The taiga / boreal forest is a rich environ- Smart public illumination and the hopeless belief that there will be ment! New green technologies summer How to introduce small (warm dimmed street Discussing the LIGHT in the Nordic applied at community level Region(s) - has/should maintain in mind How to empower people to redevelop gardens into cities? lights in the night) - arti- Nature-based solution is one concept (such as urban greenary): the basis of the various QUALITIES of their connection to soil and growing food ficial light in the night the Light in the Nordic, as these are the which could be further developed for in urban areas? Could for example schools efficient microorganisms (EM) Unique and Different from other regions different environments and cities. Green have their own gardens and greenhouses? Preserve existing values in cities and have negative effect on and places in Europe and the Globe. infra and buildings could be more in inte- around them, such as ancient forests, fine grated in planning and design. parks, be aware of what we have animals/insects. Species-targeted stewardship groups like How can different size (and income level) Is the public illumination topic in biodi- What should be the inspiring new prin- Smart density HPK, Verho, Longinoja, which perform versity protection? I heard about it, but of municipalities deal with greening their Let our big cities become so green that ciples of aesthetics? Cities should be built actions based on restoring a species very little and it seems that it's very new cities? you do not have to travel out/long to valuing nature, not destroying it. We have (in this case Trout), that has knock-on thing? And very interesting and seems More research is needed to provide kno- What is smart density? How to achieve Rethinking the city, recreating the urban enjoy nature, this also generates less removed the one thing that brings well- benefits important! being to our human inner needs, nature wledge which should feed into practice carbon neutrality in cities? landscape – what is smart density? traffic and the natural world. better and faster. Densification needs limits; how dense Tomas Björkman, Ekskäret Foundation, Urban nature and climate are different How do you get space for green in dense is too dense? At what point of density Woodlands. Pieces of forests used as city http://www.ekskaretfoundation.com/ Yes! Light pollution has a huge impact from natural and wild environment, more cities? Economic interests are often does the value of a property start to go parks, cemeteries. Famous ex Skogskyrko- on insect and bird diversity, even just a research on urban conditions is needed down? Courage is needed to challenge the little bit can change their migration and main drivers for densifying, although it is gården in Stockholm. Rain harvesting in urban gardening. Lack of research on the many perspec- justified by sustainability. Space for green current concept of densification. breeding schedules tives of the benefits of urban green and areas and possibilities for diverse urban the many ways how UGI contributes green have, thus, become limited in cities. to wellbeing/climate mitigation/climate Densification needs to be done with adaptation. Much evidence exists already, quality: Sensitized densification. but research implications and knowledge need to be put into practice. Although dense urban structure may How urban greening projects effect promote biking and walking, does not Urban green has to be given significance housing prices and value? Eg. Sankt Kjeld’s support sustainable lifestyles, but instead, and it needs to be valued as part of square in CPH increases consuming and traveling. In climate change mitigation and adapta- addition, in big cities, dense structure tion; urban biodiversity; urban wellbeing; adds car dependency (distances between and as a provider of quality/better and Strict national legislation and local guideli- areas grow larger). In addition, not healthier living environment as well as a nes for planning and urban development. enough space is left for green infrastruc- supporter of sustainable lifestyles. Also, New development should be directed ture, such as growing material / space for urban nature is experienced by people on away from green areas. What if there was soil, for instance, for trees. their everyday lives – it matters. a minimum sqm area access for each indi- vidual as a right including green areas? How to create economic value for urban green? Nature-based solutions & renovating existing building stock How changes in lifestyles (home office, local food production, 4-day work week, etc.) change discussion on urban living? More research on renovating solutions is needed 30 Reflections from the Nordic co-design Urban qualities of traditional wooden towns

In traditional wooden towns, entrance The contradiction between preserving Urbanisation in Europe: Nordic wood tradition is also a lot more How we currently build on wood seems to the apartments is from the yard site, and developing: How to keep the old Bauhaus der Erde is an initiative leading than only the material itself, including to be that we build similar (high-rise) buil- which turns their backs to the city - this wooden cities lively, active (and cared climate research (just mentioned). Wood aspects of scale and space, among others. dings than from concrete, but only with a is something Jan Gehl wouldn't approve. for)? If we say yes to densification, should construction is also related to rapid urba- Cities are complex systems, where choo- timber facade. What we need to consider Kimmo raised a question on features, there be applicable rules, that the densi- nisation and population growth, when it sing of materials has an influence on the is the urban quality of urban spaces which we don´t want to adapt from old fication doesn’t destroy the old wooden can be asked if wood construction can quality of the environment. By building related to different facade materials, wooden towns anymore. Related to this, towns? be an answer to bring these becoming new places relatable to traditional wood and to renew our thinking on building parking lots/system was mentioned, which people to cities. cities, we also get new kinds of urban on wood. The current public discussion qualities to the environment. For example, totally lacks from the historical towns. Example: In composing a wood building is mainly about high-rise building and Regarding wood construction, there is traditional wooden cities have a unique Less developed (low-tech) materials strategy for the town of Hamina in south chemicals (CLT), not about changing the a crucial need for political changes to way of dealing with indoor-outdoor Prefabricated construction elements: Noll-CO2 certification being developed are easier to re-use, and in this, timber eastern Finland (Hamina, or Fredricks- pattern of thinking. Also landscaping and start this new paradigm in Europe, which relation and recreational outdoor spaces. Possibility to prefabricate is one of the in Sweden, could be a tool for Europe. Building with sustainable and organic industry has an unrevealed potential. In hamn in Swedish), an important aspect urban nature exist in speech but don't enables us to give knowledge to the rest Also, public space is even more important. great qualities of using wood elements https://www.sgbc.se/utveckling/utve- this, “less is more” gets a new interpreta- Also the greenery is different, since in of the strategy is preserving the old town, come into reality. of the world, where climate change (and in construction. It is a great advantage ckling-av-nollco2/ materials tion, when re-use adds value to both the historical towns trees and greenery are and possibly even expanding it. also urbanisation) is happening and, also, especially in urban areas, when it is easy economy and the environment. We need everywhere. (A specific type of ) trees, Hamina is a historical town with a round A response to this was given from archi- decided. to choose, in which order the elements Should we stop using wood as new discoveries for low-tech initiatives, on the other hand, have been used to city plan built inside a star-shaped tectural history - the big change is often An example of a new area built by new are delivered to the building site. This material and more like complex and this needs new regulation from the prevent fire from spreading, thus having fortress. Historical wooden city center recognised only afterwards, then unders- Example: We are advanced in Nordic Honkasuo plan: requiring Dense wooden settlements are part of technology (CLT and multi-storey buil- means there is a need for a smaller area in top-down approach. How much “super- a technical function. Also the greenery in is a valuable asset for us in terms of the tanding how some phenomenon started and brilliant systems? wood industry where it comes to techni- the European historic landscape. dings) but by traditional wood town prin- the site (and also a denser environment), wood as primary construction processing” do we need, and whose the cityscape and the urban fabric that brand, marketing and so on. and how it came out with. It is possible cal adoption ciples is Linnanpirtti (?) in Turku. It has when the elements don't need to be material. wellbeing it benefits? The wellbeing of the funnels the wind cools down the environ- In wood architecture, the environment wood construction is in similar position, Make multistory wood buildings easy been influenced by a nearby Port Arthur stored in the building site. Also, the delive- citizens is, of course, a priority. A question ment in traditional cities, when trees give Is a wooden town as dynamic as others? needs to be seen as a whole, through a when in 100 years or so historians can to achieve and make the entrepreneurs Maybe we need tax relif or other method (?) historical town. It has an association rance of the elements can be decided in a to future development is, therefore, if we shadow to the buildings. This takes away a A question was raided if a townscape or concept of planning dense and low-rise give a name to this change. choose these over concrete even if the to make NBS more desirable and used. If Promote building in wood. to old towns by its yards and the urban short timespan. build by need for additional cooling. In the future, tone of a city is changing in our minds, price is similar...sometimes even a bit it is only optional, it won´t be used. Smaller in scale. Outside city when cities are increasingly heating up, structure, which is formed in closed newest technologies or rely on the old when thinking about a modern wooden urban quarters. higher center. Example: Garden City building tradition. these kinds of (nature-based) solutions town. Do we miss a mental idea of a It appears we should take steps to a Reform in use of building materials: Movement (Trädgårdsstad), should increasingly be researched and wooden city ? When we think about a direction of unknown (biophilic) waters A provocative question: How much We could start to build from living trees Egnahemrörelsen. used. city, we see a concrete facade and neon and to consider, to whom the wellbeing we can develop cities top-down - for instead of dead ones. There have been Not to ignore the carbon Timber used to be a very valuable lights. What we need is a vision on how of cities is targeted. Aesthetics of wooden example, when the Swedish king told the studies on this. Building bridges on living footprint that is produced material. Today, many cheap materials people to build on brick (to prevent fire fixus trees is a tradition in India. This are used, but the externalities of the an archetype of a modern wooden city materials can act to promote the (envi- outside of Europe in order to In wood construction we imitate concrete (should) look like. This helps us to conc- ronmental) value of cities. Also, we need from spreading), people still continued to would feed our poetic sense of improving construction - why? We should imitate cheap materials are usually not taken produce the goods that are retise their qualities, aesthetics of the new to consider the components a city wants build on wood, because they were used cities in a biophilic sense, since living close nature, not the present towns or cities into consideration: for ‘cheap’ aluminum, materials and those new features for the to be built on. to it. Nowadays, the national authorities to living nature has been evidenced to consumed in Europe. in order to break the pattern and create cheap labour, energy and global prices new generation of urban inhabitants. promote building on timber, but a lot have a lot of (co-)benefits. something new based on new, natu- are needed. When using cheap materials, of construction still comprises pre- We will have to put pressure on Brazil to re-inspired solutions. we are not really paying the real cost, the In wood construction we imitate concrete constructed sandwich elements. In this, preserve the jungle in order not to lose impact of cheap energy and materials. construction - why? We should imitate an urban fabric can be seen comparable Most of the practices are still ‘business as Sustainable building materials, LCA, EPD, the Amazonas in the meantime, because Conscious and aesthetically appealing nature, not the present towns or cities to a healthy diet - as long as a person usual’. Smart Design. Smart community living. nature is all ours, globally, also our Nordic environment through responsible mate- in order to break the pattern and create doesn't eat only sausages or only pota- Woods! rial solutions something new based on new, natu- toes, the person (and an environment) is Also, there is a need to think and use re-inspired solutions. For example, we healthy and rich. Understanding of the possibilities of the Learning about the products their bene- materials in a ‘new old way’, such as using plan cities which are static, even if nature Improve transport methods of Nordic material. The price is recalculated when fits and take part in making building more straw as insulation in a wooden frame. is continuously evolving, and this flexibility benefits of wood are acknowledged (buil- wood products to Europe and overseas in ecological: Finding general framework for is also something a city should adapt to. Could we start to build from living trees order to minimize the carbon footprint of Local and traditional instead of dead ones? There have been ding schedule, health…) the approach the transport. Wood has the ability to release heat from studies on this. Building bridges on living methods and materials the water it absorbs. All organic materials fixus trees is a tradition in India. This Database focused on wood: Knowledge Different aspects of the wood building Existing examples: Metsä Wood, Think act the same way, but wood absorbs and would feed our poetic sense of improving process: Packaging, possibilities to recycle. Wood desorbs heat the most. This also affects Implementing local / indigenous materials As a willderness guide we use cedar One thing I have been interested in is how cities in a biophilic sense, since living close Wood is beautiful! Transporting elements in right size, too canvas canoes and tump lines to carry artworks are tacitly designed to capture big is difficult to use. Compatibility of dif- indoor air quality in a positive way. and methods to create sustainable prac- to living nature has been evidenced to Should be enhanced on European level: portages. These tools and methods are and direct attention as a means to express ferent elements. Visible components are What about moisture build up? Not tices and aesthetics have a lot of (co-)benefits. Wood is: Sustainable: There are wooden Branding, spreading though ad campaigns borrowed from the first nations people ideas. Buildings can be more explicitly buildings from the late 16th century: The easier to maintain, more aesthetical to worry. Our houses in the north are Architectural histories that are more who first developed the routes we travel. utilized in this regard because they direct definition of sustainability actually too dry, especially in the winter. inclusive (example: Anne Bethel Spencer, The materials seem fragile at first but our physical engagement with spaces, Wood is: Healthy: Both for the users and The water that flows is the problem, not the warm wet air in the bathrooms. gardener), reexamine past choices folks discover that they are sturdy, quieter they engage us cognitively and practically. the environment Different wood products have different Small amount of wood in a bathroom Obviously the structure needs to be air (example: garden city) and look at sustai- than modern materials, and sustainable I would think that the use of natural local Wood is: Beautiful: Wood also needs qualities: CLT buildings can be built fast, could help save energy, even though the tight in order for it to work, but otherwise nable lifestyles of ancients. (and can be repaired easily with locally materials and design strategies that make ambassadors of beauty large and fire-safe: Problem is that there’s wooden ceiling is generally considered there is no problem. Same way as in a available materials in the woods). We int- familiar historical references, engage not too much experience. Quality is to be more expensive than a Gyproc for sauna, there’s plenty of hot, wet air, but roduce our environmental ideas and the normative practices, and direct attention not as high as in timber? The trees we example. (lower temperature by heating, value of sustainability through the active to the way we are embedded in a natural no damage to the paneling. Improvement of building from local mate- use are too young. We have to use old but ends up in the same temperature engagement with these practices. I would environment that puts pressure on us as rials (wood) trees, 90-80 years old trees have better because of the hygrothermal effect) imagine that this method would transfer we put pressure on it would be a way to qualities. readily to architecture and design and express ideas of environmental sustaina- Learn from Japanese carpenter that there are many many examples. bility. techniques of re-building wood buildings in order to provide an indefinite life span. Promote local creative individuals, Respect of local features, acknowledging promote local culture the cultural and economical diversity of We should build with wood of course, and people and cultures in the area. Being remember to listen those who know the Self-building and involvement empowered from the identity of the area. material well, carpenters. Quantity and of local community to care quality! about reuse, recycle Aesthetics are a result of mentality and Implementing local / indigenous materials Resources: wood; possibility to create location. We should clarify the question of and methods to create sustainable prac- something similarly to the post-war aesthetics before we give out a solution tices and aesthetics generation did “out of our sleeves”. The city of Pudasjärvi, Oulu Region, a Scarcity of resources might be more municipal decision to have all public buil- We need to learn from the past: We obvious in Denmark than in the rest of dings in local massive wood and in a high should present options and concrete the Nordics level of architecture. examples from the past and try to find the balance between ready-made wood ele- A question to future development is, if we ments and handmade wood building. Are build by newest technologies or rely on the principles of building in the traditional the old building tradition. way idealistic principles? Is using no glue for example a reality? 31 Reflections from the Nordic co-design Infrastructure for recollecting Funding Lendager-type pilot Change the way we talk about What are the material requirements for and distributing/marketing projects aiming to upcycle reusing building parts – not reuse? Standards and regulations regar- reused (building) materials – as used building materials. seeing them as waste but as ding reuse. Acknowledging risks.Structural building materials or for other valuable material. Taking down issues.Packaging issues. Designing new applications. obstacles for reuse from the buildings in the way that they could be system. more easily reusable: Components Circular economy Reuse of materials

In general, current legislation is not The society is built on a linear model, and Construction sector does not change Community based neighbor- without laws and regulations. We need valid in a new type of recycling society. hoods which practice circular every part of that, may it be taxes, laws Stop to demolition, yes to retrofitting Different aspects of circular economy etc needs to be adjusted for a circular changes in law that create incentives are indeed sometimes challenging to fit economy in the daily life. economy. towards circular economy. There is a project built in Helsinki into the existing legislative framework. but we need to develop more of them Adjustments are typically not requi- https://solwers.fi/en/solwers-starts-de- Relying on the existing red into just one law, but into several How do you use the tax system, veloping-a-circular-economy-residen- Before you build something new, make cross-cutting fields of legislation (e.g. so that it supports the circular buildings as a material Idea: Encourage hybrid pro- Focus on the re-use, rehabi- tial-and-office-project-in-helsinki/ sure that what is being built makes the gramming of spaces to faci- nature protection, construction, chemi- production? Designing a tax bank that mostly subst- place after better for sustainability litation & repair of the not-so- litate retrofitting existing built cals, health & safety, etc.). model for life cycle perspec- itutes new building part fabric, buildings that are a highly evaluated 60s–90s Make more efficient and tive - research wanted. Look at it as a design assignment - a production. SPARA och BEVARA. product of other production building stock instead of demo- inclusive use of circular pragmatic approach. Swedish programme to bring methods and economies. lishing it and creating new but Nordic Platform for reuseable wood knowledge brought to Europe Using new materials like https://www. material betolar.com/about-us heritage and energy retrofit and the nordics from different Make use of existing buildings. If demo- material intensive wow-house together regions where ressources are Regulatory environment solving complex lishing, reuse the materials. Create foot- stock. Common page for sources for reuse issues? Considering material buy-back agree- print of demolition. > Recognise the values and build upon them, let For example reuse of timber more scarce. ments as the new status quo in public Repair-caffee - also for buildings people be proud! Database for reuse is needed construction projects. Could be led by municipality Standards and regulations regarding reuse Certification shemes can be used as tools/ We have experience in retrofit and drivers for future regulation and present Sustainable renovation, gentle, preserve renovation projects in general where we action There are good examples of fully recycled Potential in old structures and Understanding of sustainable construc- products, affordable "mini" or "zero" include many stakeholders and many Currently the reuse happens mostly buildings, such as in Norway, where in a tion, also for new build - prepare for a renovation applied by Swedish housing different indicators. Dialog and commu- buildings, transform into new through local contacts. Spreading the To enhance circulation in an endless new building all components are recycled, circular life and design for reconstruction. companies nication uses. And value the beauty and knowledge out though contractors. cycle is a challenge, for example in cases for example donated from other buil- the quality. Sharing on database when wood-based materials are conne- dings, including railings, stairs and even Example: Revisit hybrid programming of Idea: Make demolition Wood construction starts from a forest cted to other materials, such as mine- firedoors. spaces merging with existing built fabric. and ends to a constructed building. An ral-based materials. Reuse and repurpose and Diversifying use of space with retrofitting accountable - through important reform in all the construction Reuse looking at the value of existing is the transformation from using only new tracing, taxing, transpa- As an example of fast lifecycles, wooden resources but to utilise existing mate- places is of essence parts of buildings, such as windows rency. AIM to encourage rials. Regarding wood construction, the Inspire with example: best – rather than the lineare or doors, are allowed to be replaced timber also needs to be given back to the practice shared in a visual way, retrofitting, discourage new build of city areas and even when they have already lasted for circulation. To enhance circulation in an buildings. Give place-making decades. Also, parquet floors are not to browse through (e.g. like in demolishing. endless cycle is a challenge, for example sanded anymore, but replaced, which has HiBERatlas - Historic Building and restoration a priority more in cases when wood-based materials are lead to thinner lamelling, which can’t even Retrofit Atlas) for architects and https://www.talli.fi/en/projects/karviais- than today. connected to other materials, such as be sanded, but require replacing buildings owner. [was tested tie-12-housing-renewal mineral-based materials. also as toll in teaching] We need to take care of our heritage, it is now a question of post war architecture What if the ownership prevents cities to that we need to protect.... Zero-waste material use I would like to ad how important utilise derelict buildings on their areas? it is to talk about cultural Should there be financial, tax or other heritage, art and maintenance incentives? How could we learn to "tolerate" also A challenge in wood element buil- One of the big challenges in the use of while discussing Bauhaus ugly neighbourhoods, if we refrain from ding (CLT) is, how the waste from the wood is how to utilise leftovers – the low- Do we still need new buildings? New buil- building new ones (due to need to cut construction can be used, for example quality, low-value parts of wood. Wood material-dependency in construction)? Cultural Environment as Resource in dings should be seen as the last option, if when the windows are cut out from the waste is burned in the Nordic countries to Maybe making the surroundings nicer, Climate Change Mitigation and Adapta- refurbishment, repair or sharing of spaces elements, in a high building there is, then, produce heat and power. Using bio-based greener, livable. Empowering people to tion (2014) http://norden.diva-portal.org/ don´t work. something like 600 window-size pieces materials for energy production means adopt a caring attitude towards their own smash/get/diva2:756802/FULLTEXT01.pdf of CLT. These could be used as furniture, lesser use of fossil fuels. If wood waste place? What should be the inspiring new prin- for example, but they can't always be can’t be burned, it will be sent to i.e. ciples of aesthetics? Designing things that used. Minna Riska mentioned how they Poland to be used as board material for are trying to create a system to leave Ikea. age beautifully, that are adaptive and can Need for "klimatdeclaration" be reconfigured to changing life situa- spaces to the holes during the production and to calculate carbon process in the first place, so there would tions. In the UK, where wood resources are footprint. not be need to take them off. scarce, small timber is used in a very dif- Good example of resilience, ferent way from the Nordic countries, in which wood is seen as the new concrete. social architecture, doing as What kinds of parts and pieces (building little as possible, reuse and parts, furniture, objects etc.) could be respect for built heritage: Anne made out of the leftover wood so that the Lacaton & Jean-Philippe Vassal new pieces could last for decades or cen- winners of Pritzker Prize 2021: turies? How to invent ways and ‘islands’, in which things would be made differently?

32 Reflections from the Nordic co-design Having a transitional school before Working together with Innovation, prototyping & research 1. year arch school - holistic bauhaus summer school- To implement: either other specialities to school requirement or industry has to change people's view- Spark: A needs-driven regional innovation Solar companies, smart buildings systems, Architectural Democracy research / require. Diploma, your final work has to points on quality, aesthe- programme i Norway for smart and sus- wood, straw, clay, lime. Smart village matrix for tackling complexity be a report: ex: how does your final work tainable local development - using design systems. answer to these seven points? tics, culture. thinking, collaboration models and the SDGs as tools 5G infrastructure and a testbed for smart Portotyping can gather different stakhol- services and solutions in Kera, City of ders from law to desginers, producers to Arctic smart villages ’älykylä’. Holda group Espoo (Finland) https://www.espoo.fi/kera users. Create an inclusive process. The new architect: A Nordic Academy Solar technologies. NollaE. Possibility to invent reusable construction Open source innovation platform for products. sharing best designs, practices and con- Good examples are a usual way to create tacts around wood and hybrid construc- followers in the building sector. Develop construction systems that are tion www.opensourcewood.com highly flexible and adaptable to future Architects bringing different focuses and Example: How can built fabric that is a Problem: Lack of artistic Olof Kolte at LTH: Sustainability, crafted social and technological evolutions. experts together, act as facilitators product of previous social, economic and with natural materials, students have production landscapes be re-adapted? confidence. Program that to make. Provide themselves with tools Ideas: Create and Show the construction A foundation supporting prototyping of connects the psycolo- to survive by transforming the available of urban ecosystems, exemplifying Bli- new urban experiments - at several scales. We will have to reinvent cooling, produ- resources surrounding them, in the vande. A house and community that exists Both physical, digital and scenario building cing clouds and covering from the sun, as Architects should focus gical process of creating/ woods. Gives a scale of what design can both physically and digitally. Help others part of the design process. mean. develop that type of luminal spaces. IRL Beside the architects as professional expressing. knowledge on the inhabitant more, and Online. Merging human connectoin contributors, architecture as an academic around creativity w/ Prototyping and testing small to create towards co-design needs and our digital present and future. A school for governance and steering field needs to be involved in the proces- great changes as in Dan Hill’s presenta- towards effect! The Nordic model is ses, to study and support the processes, explicit focus on emotion. tion. Empowering architects, landscape archi- largely depending on trust in institutions assess the outcomes, empower voices of Ask people how they tects in Nordics to take the lead in the Arch students 4-5 year. workshop/course and representative democratic system, the unheard, and help build up knowledge development projects feel about academic where they have to think about beams Prototyping may cover the Re-develop the sharing but does not adopt to change very well. to support further development. We do and columns, make prototypes of bridges. Politicians and other decision makers need a lot of researchers from fields like problems/problems. scale from small scales to economy that existed before Goes parallel with a city that wants a scenarios/models for resource need to be educeted in new ways of Accessibility audits / asses- public health, environmental psycho- bridge. Design and build small prototypes mass-consumption. organising and advance to system change Iq+Eq > and nordic countries have good basis sments logy, social sciences, biological diversity, that take part in the competitions. efficiency/sustainability at instead of projects with single impact. mobility, cultural geography, political national or global levels. for this! Functionality - moving, doing, playing - studies and such – but let’s not forget the Need: A Nordic Academy for Systems [Italian guest speaking ;-)) research within the fields of architecture, Building 1:1, urban context and/or on researching the world with the eyes of a Thinking. You can't change/design a Open source sharing Pilots to test the knowledge of wood- urban design/urbanism and landscape campus (NTNU). 1.semester students. Facilitating Creative Industries child. system without understanding it. We have works architecture. good academic environments to build Expanded to Master courses and stu- dent-led activities (Live Studio) Requiring area plans to assess and limit Facilitating social innovations Aesthetics is never just perceptual. Or from. the carbon footprint caused by the soil better we are never passive perceivers. stabilisation and the built environment. Idea: Energy cooperatives in decentralized Perception is an adaptation for action. We are good at various univeristies and social communities: "virtual powersta- We perceive because we are embodied Edu at master: Common Give architects the mental tools to ask the institutes, assessing and handling comple- tions". in our lived environments. Aesthesis = agenda within courses. Unders- right questions. (example: what are you xity and uncertainties, from a systems sensuous knowledge, knowing through doing to improve the quality of everyday tanding about resources, percective, aim to strengthen the society perceiving as opposed to reasoning. Pair life?) Where to find solutions? Inspiration from sustainability, we cut the edu in this. Create an Nordic Academy. publications; Consulting colleagues; Lear- this to acting and add the notion that an in. moduls, easier. The agenda environment is always a niche, a relation ning from others; Improvisation; Pilots to of the new bauhaus could test the new knowledge between an agent and a world and we gh\ Taking education outside et a far more realistic and constructive become the background of a Designer tools can feed into other prac- notion of aesthetics. study program. tises. the academia would also introduce the agencies Multidisciplinary of different actors to this Design plays a critical role education curriculum Flexibility also a tool for Empathy as a design principle in the path to social transfor- multidisciplinary interac- equality? Giving opportu- mation, since we [architects tion etc.] are agents of change, nities for different needs I think it is necessary What kind of value can we find from the equipped with knowledge and and backgrounds. Contemporary Nordic design to teach/learn the role Promote female architects , artist and Nordic aesthetic? power. Development in the of each discipline in designers more in arch education. principles Practical Design for all - built environment that does not We have habits of living minimalistic. shaping our built envi- Better mobility in cities for Embrace change as a way to live. Adap- attitude. "Vackrare vardags- release the potential for sus- table soundings. Grow and improve. See it Close to nature. Nordic climate. vara" goes still strong and help tainability is unsustainable. In ronment and also being children and youth - play Art in infra, for example, squares are as a "start" not as a final solution widening accessibility to all the future boundaries between aware that like for an webs etc made for people to do move. Marks and levels and forms of daily life. ...if the aesthetic emerges from practice, “built” and “environment” will spots and lines to follow. Absolute reduction of material and energy orchestra a symphony from how we use spaces, rather than as a be blurred and urban ecology used in human communities. property of appearances, the subjectivity entangled with social structu- is not the sum of the Ideas: Make this efforts and places less Awareness of the different needs To change/design a system of taste seems a less pressing matter? res (queer ecology). Instead of different musicians Mystery and freedom - white. So many young people with other one needs to understand the being part of something bigger, backgrounds do not join initiatives due to Transformation of design playing: this is what I leave space for imagina- their representative whiteness. system. We need a Nordic we should be working with processes for more colla- Design of spaces that really believe is crucial in tion - don't over design - Academy for Systems Thinking. Rethinking Bureaucracy - an academy for intimacy. can easily be altered and being an architect ensure diversity while still We have good academic envi- borative and covering rethinking public sector practice - moving ronments to build upon. more diverse audience readapted to different from law to design driven models working within health and Create a change from uses safety standards designing from new resources to repurposing and redesign. Addressing migration Minimalism - the Nordic Why not use acoustic perception instead issues through networks of vision as a perception of an increase of Less is more Nordic Esthetic as a way to culture, the use of mini - the entropy - while sound is thermody- The new culture of planning between design with less environ mental footprint. and sharing best namics! different scales, audiences, cultures, mum, circularity, reuse. Nordic culture represents worldwide a populations practices on how to make Form follows understanding / Form maximum use of ressources and waste follows curiosity Architecture as a tool to use/manage more inclusive environ- production Copenhagen space 10; a research and resources in a sustainable way. ments. design lab on a mission to create a better everyday life for people and the planet. How to build and how to design things The principle of Nordic design: simple,- The tradition of 1950s industrial design that don't provide any more choice for realiable, creatice, applied to digital and (Wirkkala and others) applied to digital living unsustainably? urban networks solutions: simplicity, reliability + creativity 33 Reflections from the Nordic co-design Young architects want to DO something Cooperation across sectors and borders

Politics are slow to change, but solutions Include issues concerning urban green Rethink ownership and wealth – How to and change are needed urgently! What infrastructure to national visions and stra- give value to access to urban nature? The future - change in who is leading national craftsmanship in collaboration And is this the wrong conversation? What Construction industry must also Artistic practice and research need to be Collaborations in new com- can architects and planners do? How to tegies, perhaps through EU legislation? development planning and what expertise with architects, high diversity of details in is the institutional logic of the end-users be involved, not only architects, in the core of Nordic Bauhaus. There are binations within the Bauhaus reach politics and decision makers? How Connect: Landscape architects, architects, is used the build surroundings, and high quality of the built environment in question? already forms and institutions for this, designers, thinkers initiative to make the change happen? planners, decision makers, politicians also; intentionality of working together but those need to be more inclusive and Imbed Nature-based solutions to univer- Learning and knowing! when working on local is the core for open. Collaboration between How to spread this thinking beyond the sity curriculums of landscape architects quality; by industrial working we have lost The clients and building owners are people who are already interested in it? Design (urban – architectural – landscape) and architects, and effectively connect the fields. Architects it in the Nordic countries important too. How should we communicate about this is not about shape or cool design, it is latest research to teaching. Learning from Nokia failures don't create Cross-sectional interac- about creating change. bring multidisciplinarity silos, create co-operation to the society around us? in the projects, different tions of Small Visionary Taking into account actual needs and Mapping out barriers for smart cities and Who are the clients? An who are their Projects within Art, desires of residents/users -> working & focuses and experts co-creating/identifying solutions in the clients? Users.... Bringing together architects, construc- designing in an inclusive way, co-design, together, act as facilita- Nordics and internationally. What could be the role of artists (not only Technology and Design tion companies, artists and the public by sharing knowledge also, with decision makers & politicians? tors visual artists, architects and designers) in Agreed - there are many stakeholders at NAVET: https://www. challenging the urban/rural and nature/ involved and some of them with a lot Example: KreaNord was a great unifying human divides and triggering other ima- kth.se/navet/research/ force in the Nordics. How about resurrec- of power over what is designed, like the Share knowledge ginaries of the future? And how does that construction industry. need to involve small-visionary-projects Also. Collaboration is NOT the ting it, in the NEB context? materialize in the digital shift? the gatekeepers who can help facilitate There are similarities, but also differen- same as collective design. We moving from pilot to implementation. ces in thinking and practices, as well need to illustrate how collabora- Building strong collaboration Need to think how architects, planners what is stopping design ideas from beco- Problems are not completely separate, as complementary ideas in the Nordic ming reality? tion works, and not just say the networks with community and others responsible for built envi- commonalities can be further emphasized countries. There is a need to learn from ronment can work with designers of word. initiatives each other. It is important to carry on experiences, systems, services, digital, etc. the conversation – there is a need for Multidisciplinary approaches different perspectives on user centred Get clients and contractors on board thoughts that go beyond the 45 minutes Cross-disciplinary in decision-making is design of all disciplines and specia- of a workshop. key lized fields, not placing all the Tell about your projects emphasis on architecture In some cases, the builders have the ulti- Infrastructure is also digital. Organizatio- mate decision over the will of an architect nal. And tax system. How do we organize How to mediate the different for innovation and stimulate co-creation? Example: The Baltic states are very close institutional logics of the "artistic Multidisciplinary European pilot pro- to us, and any sustainable development architects" and "money building should include them as well. jects including several countries for We need to focus on different topics in industry" ? energy renovations in affordable housing our NEB dialogues and the built envi- (E2ReBuild) with sociologist, architects, ronment is definitely a relevant focus The focus of the New European Bauhaus engineers... but let's not forget that the scope of the should be broad enough to address also New European Bauhaus initiative is much areas of fashion, food, product design, more than the built environment, it is very packaging, technological advances etc much related to how we want/wish to practice not only built environment. We live our lives in Europe, and in the future have a dysfunctional relationship with our Environments that promote health and climate neutral Europe more specifically. materialities. In this context the issue of values is well-being absolutely important, a strength of Nordic societies.

Cities planned as preventing Place understanding and Generation living: Nordic countries has According to Marković (2012), the aesthe- loneliness Design - to create beautiful and lost the connection with other genera- tic experience is an exceptional state of tions, older generation aso. Build com- mind, which opposes everyday, pragmatic kind environments, nudge good Promote Sense of belonging munities with bigger houses for families, experience and “protects” the individual habits, can inspire and create smaller houses for elder people, to mix from the effects of oppressive reality change. IDEA: integrated health care system generations (Marković, 2012). among fastlege, hospitals, dentist and so on. Green development costs something but Aalto campus: Humaine architecture Activate the outdoor environment during it gives back as well in terms of well-being brought by materials, light, human-scale all seasons including the most harsh ones Multi-use areas are good and aesthetics spaces (winter).. Connecting urban and rural Residents in new neighbor- Green facades not only nice for climate Sensory gardens in Denmark Seeing humanity as part of the context: hoods have trouble taking Social/leisure activities are in relation to and insects, also aesthetically attractive human-centric. We design the context How can urban and rural areas be thought Focus on living in rural areas, "village exhi- ownership over new green the availability of natural resources of IDEA: smaller scale for us and me this health-promoting and the context shapes us! And what we interconnectedly not only in terms of bition 2030" (prestudy Region Kronoberg, spaces. Guerilla gardening Bertschi School Science Wing, Seattle, which the existence depends on a sustai- = integrate more green in our facades want to shape becomes the politics. mobility and regional planning, but also and affordable housing Sweden) https://www.regionkronoberg. WA nable living lifestyle - parks, snow/skies, and local control over plantin- in cities, use facades actively, get back concerning cultural practices? se/nyheter/pa-vag-mot-bymassa-i-krono- ice, wood/hiking/camping - garden cities, Nordic gs-maintenance could inspire a gardens in cities Generations Block, Helsinki berg-2030/ sense of belonging Environment responses to the forest cities, ecosystem More avdenture playgrounds/ Idea: Beyond the city, include rural areas. The first things to take into account when needs of diversity (ethnic, age, Smaller cities and areas as testbeds. services, building with bygglekar as base camps designing should be health both of the Co-working spaces outside of Cleaning the snow out of the walk-ways background) wood in the woods: for kids to voice their views, inhabitants and environment, considering Council of Oulu Region has for many cities - less commuting materials and nature. Then the aesthetics years had a project to develop public Designers, Architects, Pro- explore the RURAL vs. (less CO2), and more inclusive get involved and learn about meeting places in small towns in coopera- Mixed-use spaces and the "buffer zone" and desires of the surroundings. grammers with experience from (better solutions). climate and society Oodi library - third space where you do tion with Oulu University. between the public and the private are URBAN: adjusting the interesting places where social interaction un-urban lifestyles, knowledge, not have to consume, possibilities for production landscape; Is there a post-Covid renaissance for the can happen even more everydaylife = DESIGN Third spaces in different learning and exchange How does our embodied interaction with Built Wellbeing Project by finnish Heritage the culture of the rural wooden villages? Will we in the future a building/space influence our aesthetic Agency (for the time being only in Finnish: SCHOOLS in the rural What triggers productive live more spread out in smaller towns and places and scales (from engagement with that space and social https://www.museovirasto.fi/fi/kulttuuriym- landscape. Moving back habitats, where wooden building is easier? social interactions? How does libraries to the common engagement with the community within it paristo/rakennettu-kulttuuriymparisto/ Eco-villages: who are doing into the countryside. Desification with wood in cities is difficult, some spaces (third spaces, is embedded...ahh, Perhaps this question rakennettu-hyvinvointi ) real-world experimentation with Reuse and rehabilitate. but rural areas are easier to use wood. spaces in the buildings for example) trigger a certain is about to be engaged. alternative and sustainable providing encounters) to type of connection, while some settlement systems? Smart communities - improve social cohesion spaces does not? rural areas as testbeds Create politics that give way to What about Ergonomics? a better way of living Collaboration between big cities and small municipalities for Playfull and joyfull world would be the mutual learning and building best possible New European Bauhaus bridges. 34 Reflections from the Nordic co-design Participatory methods? How to involve residents and different target groups? Important also to comminicate Childrens inclusion in urban space and to the participants what will be the built environment through Bygglek/ Policies or structures that construction play. Can be used in diffe- done with the feedback and rent topics. Education, circular economy Vallastaden, Linköping - community living ideas involve children partici- etc. First step in participating in design/ with "human-scale buildings" and inte- Participatory planning through group construction/urban landscapes. grated environment modeling/analysis is an efficient way to pation address complex planning issues. We need a framework for participatory design Co-operation and genuine par- Involving good existing ticipation of children and youth. Participation in green area planning. that comes before OR practices from different Aarhaus convention tends to be defen- Participation & co-creation together with the archi- Nordic countries as there sive, not proactive about involving people seem to be many good in proposed land-use change. tects and designers. Citizen empowerment - citizens driving MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION: Participa- Finding ways of making urban development projects in collabora- tion for preparing the ground for laying ones enabling child parti- tion with cities/private actors. a claim, involving citizens in co-creation. kids voices heard that Participative workshops Equal access and safe space to participate Participation for improving quality rather connects to ALL children cipation in planning than a checkbox. during design processes - not only the ones who Participation model in Helsinki, Ask school children to partici- Digital solutions to encance design (example Oodi Library) Social housing of 2nd half 20th participatory budgeting and Challenge! Create results in engagement already have engaged for children within their grasp of time. 20 pate in local planning through, century: include peoples pers- Stadiluotsit and participation years later is a little far away... parents for example, participative Better Block but with kids and youth pective, value the qualities and budgeting systemically "allow" to be proud Co-creation methods and techniques Who are excluded from the discussions currently? The ones worst affected by How to make environmental data easier Enabling people using tools to enable Who needs to be included and conside- Co-design and co-creation processes in climate crises and other environmental to understand? How to support data Children to be able to connect others It should be obligatory to red in decisions of today? Non-human Hiedanranta area, Tampere. crises are least included in design, techno- literacy skills? and discuss about the future involve children in planning stakeholders and future generations who Metadata and community ownership, data parks and schools. Places they logy, policy and decision making generally. environment - platform? Is information for residents are impacted by our decisions today. commons A new reward sticker: use. Idea: Digital involvement in education available in different Whose voices are unheard? Citizens who - programs in schools (high schools) par- "This is designed in do not know about the European Bauhaus Collaborations with local architects and Invite young people in developing tools languages? 19 % of 7-16 year old children want to talk tnering one day with different organisa- Mydata.org Mydata operator model in Helsinki initiative, who are not architects or desig- municipalities asking children about their and strategies for crisis communication cooperation with children about built environment and share their tions. Both digitally and IRL. Connecting (instead of just complaining about their Digital twin for city (Helsinki) ners, who are not part of this practice and views on creating new city planning co-creation to local youth. NEB should be available for everyone, and and the young". ideas. behavior). In what ways do they want to needs to be guided by the needs of many academic circle, and even people who are be communicated with? How do we reach Sitra Data Economy programme different viewpoints and social classes. less interested in making a change and do For all children and youth! Diversity! We should update our view out to them in times o crisis? Which chan- Also Norway has some regulations on Why is it called Bauhaus? There is a need not demand a change at all. I think their Encourage open access for design docu- nels, messages etc, etc, etc. See the CoCo web accessibility. I think it's very good. for a solution in a crisis. of also the small children as opinions are important, and conversa- ments so everyone can learn from them research network, coco.mau.se Giving voice to children! capable tions can create changes in the perspecti- and develop them ves of all parties. Children as experts also Include residents more active when plan- ICT and tech innovation is strong in the ning parks, public buildings, housing ... Develop design software in such a way to People who are less well off financially Nordics. Tools can help to understand make it user friendly for people from dif- The role of children in the (e.g. jobless, single parents), not acade- problems and solutions, and involve Data flow between BIM and GIS ferent backgrounds, this would encourage Developing smart communities that community – overgenerational mically educated, and living outside of people. promote inclusion, offering support to Children's and young's capital areas. everyone to be designer BIM-based building national database = and multicultural approach individuals with different backgrounds, digital twin Bauhaus need own IDEA: can we have a data bank, everyone religions or disabilities. The facade opener project by Architec- can have a report on what kind of data it's project/movement, it How to numerize / parametrize archite- tural Democracy to open up the facades shared on different platforms and decide Creative placemaking based on cannot be just a decora- towithdraw data or share more data? cture? of buildings via open source photogram- inclusive technology metry Digital Citizenship tion in adult's frames Gamified Cohousing project in Gamification Re:bygg, hackathon circular buildings, as a Hyrsylän Koulu, Finland way to find new solutions (CRKKL project Ideas: Co-designing projects in urban http://blogg.regionkronoberg.se/cirkula- Idea: Creative digital bootcamps. Meet Example: Digital placemaking tools for spaces with participatory local software, rakronobergkalmarlan/event/rebygg-hac- across geographic and sector borders and decentralized organisations / citizens such as https://dreams.blivande.com > kathon-var-med-och-hitta-nya-losningar- collaborate intensively for a short period initiatives. https://www.platoproject.org discussion over plans and projects instead for-cirkulart-byggande/) (a day, a week, a month) (Vinnova partner) Life-long learning of direct impossition from above. Distri- Art-based methods to support urban data buted descionmaking and grant Empowering the silent voices. Technology literacy skills. distribution. The "Decision Machine" from ArcDem + The story of the building app (image, Design systems in Finnish public sector as a tool to reach out the ones who aren't Strengthen collaboration with schools Metsä + Accenture to be at the Venice and you'll get info about its architect, usually heard - using them as co-creators and activities that help kids understand Biennale materials etc.) of an urban area. nature even in urban environment. (More Challenge: Increasing digital demands - How to support household energy con- Ideas: Digital Festival, bringing all projects outdoor teaching in schools in relation increasing environmental footprint and sumption and waste management with together and inviting citizens to come to sustainability, climate change and their DOGA- Program teaching architecture to need for resources? smart technology? and explore together IRL, what others Idea: Digital Networking platforms for the Empowering and enabling community) Keywords: nature literacy, small kids. Alf Howlid. Norsk Form Oslo are creating digitally. Great city event and organization and participants of NEB, to children to participate through hands on practice, grow things in your networking opportunity be able to connect, trust and resource education (skills experiences, area (not just your own garden) Steinerschool Holistic and basis, every The paradigms of land use are Mobility as a Service (MaaS) from each other experiences. DECENTRA- etc.) in transition. How to govern the LILZED OF COURSE human has it's own entry into the world. Beautiful how they combine different Space as a Service (like parking lots, We need to question the role of techno- debates related to that? Architecture and design Built environment education, entry levels to the world. Bauhaus for streets, emply lots) logy in our decision making and policies education for all educating about active citizen- kids, and focus on nature School as a Service like in Otaniemi ship skills Idea: Invite people from local city develop- Active citizenship skills Green libarary: the public library as From mobility as a service to accessibility ment to hubs again digitally or personally. Need to support the identity building and urban sustainability learning center that as a service To foster trust and invitation to collabo- personal development of children The "Urban Dots" planning game with is open to everyone and closes that gap rate. Easier through the credibility of NEB legos + kinect for kids between academia/science an the public Green Deal must not forget ICT facilities! and EU Not only Design! What standard of living is enough? Can by become a multifunctional experience/ Cultivate creativity and design thinking in we teach or practice the feeling of being experiment/learning space children starting from their earliest days content? of school Co-creation should be about teaching Can we decouple happiness from the Sweden- primary school education on skills, hands on tactile skills, to understand materia - Accustom us for immaterial architecture quality in design. About materials and sources of happiness. craftsmanship History of the place -app 35 Reflections from the Nordic co-design 36 Reflections from the Nordic co-design