In March 2021, ACO and AIT-Dialog successfully launched a virtual tour through the seven continents of the world - inviting architects, urban planners, engineers and landscape architects to become part of "beyond.aco | architecture across continents". Now the journey continues: join them at their next live event on 15 November 2023 at 5 p.m. (CET) for a set of inspiring lectures. The focus is on responsible architecture in times of global change and climate challenges. Renowned architects and experts from different parts of the world will discuss various topics and examine the issue from ecological, social, societal and economic perspectives.
With almost 6,000 registrants from 95 countries and 6 continents so far, the event series "beyond.aco - architecture across continents" has reached a large international audience. This year, the series spans from Italy via the Netherlands to China. Architects Mario Cucinella of mca (Mario Cucinella Architects) in Milan and Binke Lenhardt of Crossboundaries in Beijing will present some of their pioneering building projects. Furthermore, a building project in the Dutch city of Raalte will be presented, where thanks to blue-green infrastructure a successful and innovative transformation into a climate-resilient, sustainable and liveable urban space has taken place.
Mario Cucinella, mca | IT-Bologna/Milan
Mario Cucinella is the founder and creative director of MCA - Mario Cucinella Architects, an international design firm based in Bologna and Milan, specializing in research focused on environmental issues. The impact and importance of Cucinella’s work, both from an environmental and social point of view –and as an architect and educator– has been recognized with the Honorary Fellowship of the American Institute of Architects (2017) and with the International Fellowship of the Royal Institute of British Architects (2016). In his lecture, Mario Cucinella will explore sustainability as an empathetic way to approach the design, regeneration and renewal of our towns and cities.
Binke Lenhardt, Crossboundaries | CN-Beijing
Binke Lenhardt is co-founder and partner of Crossboundaries, established in 2005 in Beijing. She graduated from architecture in Germany and the United States and worked in both countries, before moving to China in 2002. She is a registered architect in Germany and appointed member of the BDA (Association of German Architects) and AIA Associated Member. She has taught as a guest professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) and at Tsinghua University and frequently lectures at universities as well as at public forums and events. Binke Lenhardt has been practicing for about two decades working on diverse projects in Germany, Holland, the US, and mainly China.
ACO On Site: Blue-Green Transformation
ACO On Site is dedicated to a topic that is becoming increasingly important in view of the effects of climate change: blue-green infrastructure. According to current climate research, current weather extremes are expected to increase in the future. This poses a challenge of growing importance in the fields of planning and construction because adapting urban structures consistently and uncompromisingly to the impacts of climate change is a significant contribution to maintaining the quality of life in cities. Using the example of the Dutch city of Raalte, the successful and innovative transformation into a climate-resilient, sustainable and liveable urban space through blue-green infrastructure is described. In collaboration with IAA Architecten and experts, as well as with the involvement of the municipality and civil society, ACO has developed a smart irrigation system that ensures efficient, demand-driven and sustainable watering of urban trees. The Raalte project serves as an exemplary and forward-looking contribution to the adaptation of cities, municipalities and their districts and neighborhoods to climate change on different scales.
Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Dickhaut of HafenCity University will give a short insight into his field of expertise in environmental urban and infrastructure planning, which aims to develop sustainable strategies for climate protection and adaptation and to implement environmental planning knowledge effectively and innovatively.
Register here and join the live event on 15 November to take a virtual journey into the world of architecture. The event will be held in English, with a German audio channel also available. The livestream will be recognized as an advanced training event by various architectural associations. For more information, visit the beyond.aco website.
