The European Commission’s New European Bauhaus (NEB) project is a multidisciplinary forum and meeting place that brings together architects, designers, artists, engineers, researchers, students, citizens and European decision-makers.
The NEB aims to accelerate the green transition by bringing its solutions closer to citizens’ daily lives. One of NEB’s core ideas is to help imagine a sustainable, better future and thus normalise the promotion of it.
The second New European Bauhaus festival opened on 9 April 2024 in Brussels. In her opening speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised how the NEB, which started as a small project three years ago, has grown into a huge movement involving 750 non-profit organisations and hundreds of government agencies, touching millions of people.
“In 2021, we planted a seed that has now grown into a forest. We had a vision of a more sustainable, beautiful and inclusive future, created together. We in the EU can provide the tools to make it happen, but at the heart of it all are you, the people living in Europe’s towns and cities. The NEB is for you and you will lead it,” said Ursula von der Leyen in her speech.
From the left: Iliana Ivanova, Alexander De Croo, Ursula von der Leyen, Elisa Ferreira and Thomas Dermine. Photo: New European Bauhaus Festival
Iliana Ivanova, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, was impressed by NEB projects across Europe. Among the festival’s inspiring events, she highlighted Aalto University’s Time Out! Rethinking Construction exhibition.
“We have seen inspiring projects, such as Aalto University’s Rethinking construction, which draws on nature and ancient techniques but in a completely new and innovative way.”
Also Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo was impressed by Aalto Doctoral researcher, architect Jaakko Torvinen’s pillar prototypes made of misfit wood.
“New technology is helping to revive old technology, for example so called ‘misfit wood’. To me, the combination of technologies of today bringing back ancient techniques into use is really energizing.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Iliana Ivanova, EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reform Elisa Ferreira, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Belgian State Secretary Thomas Dermine visited the Aalto University exhibition prior to the opening ceremony.
Time out! We need to change our approach to construction
Globally, half of the world’s raw materials are used for construction on an annual basis. The world’s population is growing, urban areas are increasing — all of this is totally unsustainable for the planet. A change of direction is urgently needed, and this is exactly what the Time Out! exhibition is all about.
The volumes of construction are so huge that even small changes can make big, environmentally significant impact. We need to stop and think about what materials to build with, how to give buildings the longest and most adaptable life cycle possible, and how to recycle materials at the end of their lifecycle.
At the same time, we need to ask difficult questions such as: could we postpone new construction and focus on the alternate use of existing spaces and the renovation of old buildings?
The exhibition showcases more sustainable alternatives to concrete and steel, new ways to add value to wood, and a mini-house concept based on circular economy and carbon neutrality principles. The academic curator of the exhibition is Professor Matti Kuittinen.