DesignTalks talks - What now? Episode 3: Let’s talk about nature
DesignTalks addresses the challenges the world is facing and highlights the importance of design and architecture in societal and global change. The creative thinking of the present could be the solution to the problems of the future.
In this third episode of DesignTalks talks podcast series called What now? we ask: What is design and architecture’s role when it comes to climate change, people’s wellbeing and health?
Left with the repercussions of the pandemic with many of us weaker and more lonely, but also with deeper insights into what really matters. How can we create more healing environments and urban landscapes where nature plays a key role? What sort of solutions can landscape design provide for the global climate crisis? What’s the importance of bringing nature into our cities? How can we create surroundings that induce a more sustainable lifestyle? What's the importance of nature on our well being?
In this episode the host Anna Gyða Sigurgísladóttir, sits down with Peter Veenstra, landscape architect and co-founder of LOLA Landscape Architects, Arnhildur Pálmadóttir, the architect behind s. ap architects, an architectural firm that works on the boundaries of design, technology and science and Sigrún Thorlacius, product designer and biologist, who cares for society of men, all communities of nature and the welfare of the earth.
DesignTalks talks is a podcast based on the annual international conference DesignTalks in Reykjavík. The What now? series is inspired by the conference 2023 and supported by Nordic Talks. Hlín Helga Guðlaugsdóttir, designer is the curator of DesignTalks.
About:
Peter Veenstra, landscape architect and co-founder of LOLA Landscape Architects.
Peter is based in Rotterdam, Holland and Shenzhen, China. LOLA is an acronym for Lost Landscapes, which is born out of a fascination for the adventurous fringe, poetic leftover space and spontaneous nature. The growth of the office has led to large projects like the Adidas HQ Campus and Shenzhen Bay Park. With self-initiated design research and curatorial work, Peter keeps on working on topics that deserve more attention in the field of (landscape) architecture. Recent research focused on post-disaster landscapes, carbon positive land use, afforestation and climate adaptation in the urban environment. In 2013 he received the Rotterdam Maaskant Prize for Young Architects and the TOPOS landscape award in 2014. Last year, Peter co-curated the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam, titled ‘It’s About Time – The Architecture of Change’. Peter co-wrote LOLA’s first monograph, ‘Lost Landscapes’, and the second, ‘In Search of Sharawadgi’. In Search of Sharawadgi, was written in collaboration with the renowned garden designer Piet Oudlof, who’s previous design includes the New York High Line and Oudolf Garden in Detroit. The book introduces the reader to Oudolf’s and LOLA's ultimate vision for the future: a global forest against the warming of the earth, a dream that can start in anyone’s garden, however big or small.
Arnhildur Pálmadóttir, architect.
Arnhildur is the architect behind s. ap arkitektar, an architectural firm that works on the boundaries of design, technology and science. The firm's projects are both traditional architecture and design projects, but also experimental research projects that bypass current systems and look at future technologies with the aim of developing new methods related to construction and counteracting its effects on climate change.
Sigrún Thorlacius, product designer and biologist, who cares for society of men, all communities of nature and the welfare of the earth.
She’s fascinated by the ideology of slow design, methods used in biomimicry and strengthening local production. Sigrún has, among other things, been focusing on cultivating carefully chosen species of fungi in contaminated areas in order to convert toxic land into viable ecosystems.
Moderator:
Anna Gyða Sigurgísladóttir, Icelandic, Radio host and producer from Reykjavík.
After graduating from law in 2015, with a final essay in the field of jurisprudence about the rights of witches in 17th century Iceland, Anna Gyða co-created Lestin - a daily cultural program on Radio 1, National Broadcasting Service of Iceland (RÚV). She has since been hosting, producing and editing various podcasts and documentary series for radio and TV as well as shooting documentaries of her own and writing non-fiction essays. Most recently she edited and produced the podcast series Björk: Sonic Symbolism (Mailchimp and Talkhouse production)
