Nils Erik Wickberg Lectures 2022: Architecture, Society and Circular Economy

Our planet faces increasing, tangible consequences of climate emergence, mass extinction and depletion of natural resources. Circular Economy (CE) has gained a growing foothold in policymaking, academic research, and practical projects in all parts of society from consumer goods to energy systems. In the built environment, the concept aims at narrowing, slowing, and closing resource loops by avoiding new construction, prolonging the life cycle of buildings, and reusing building materials. 

In architecture, the new circular design paradigm, to gain a larger foothold, is dependent on a larger change in culture and values, not only technology and calculations. Climate change has been compared to the industrial revolution in its power to affect society. On the other hand, the design practice and research may situate themselves at the forefront, to catalyse change. In the course of history, architecture has symbolized current regimes while predicting forthcoming change.

In Nils Erik Wickberg Lectures 2022, circularity will be approached from the viewpoints of architectural history, theory and future practices. Critical views will be shed on the connections of modern and contemporary architecture to consumption, novelty and waste. Pioneers and future makers of circular architecture will open how the new practice differs from how we understand architectural design and its aesthetics today.

Read more and see the programme through this link.