Do You Know About the New European Bauhaus Initiative?
To build a sustainable, collaborative and inclusive building culture for the future, Europe is looking back at Bauhaus
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, has announced the New European Bauhaus initiative to promote a more sustainable and affordable architectural future in the EU. At a two-day conference, influential thinkers in politics, culture, architecture and design discussed approaches and challenges for the future of the construction industry. According to the organisers, 6000 participants from 58 countries took part in the virtual event. Houzz was there – here we bring you an overview of what was discussed.
“The new European Bauhaus can create the space to think together about how a new lifestyle can be put in place creatively in a healthier, more digital and more sustainable Europe,” von der Leyen says. “The initiative can make the green transition tangible and bring it within reach.”
It is also meant to address current problems like affordable housing, equal rights and inclusion.
The President of the European parliament, David Sassoli, explains: “We need new ways of planning space, which take the challenges of the climate crisis into consideration. City and country must therefore be transformed from that point of view.” Sassoli also sees construction initiatives as an economic driver for businesses and regions.
It is also meant to address current problems like affordable housing, equal rights and inclusion.
The President of the European parliament, David Sassoli, explains: “We need new ways of planning space, which take the challenges of the climate crisis into consideration. City and country must therefore be transformed from that point of view.” Sassoli also sees construction initiatives as an economic driver for businesses and regions.
What does the New European Bauhaus not want to be? A guideline handed down from Brussels. “We are creating a framework for the ideas and creativity of Europeans,” von der Leyen says. Thinkers from a variety of disciplines have taken part in the development of the concept right from the beginning. Culture, art and design are meant to drive change together.
Bauhaus in Dessau
Why is the historic Bauhaus being used as an example?
The Bauhaus art school was founded in 1919 in Weimar, Germany, at a time when the world was changing rapidly after World War I. Bauhaus was a driver of change. With a new Baukultur – or ‘culture of building’ – and aesthetic, the historic Bauhaus provided solutions for the challenges of that time. The Bauhaus schools in Weimar and Dessau influenced not only architecture, but also design and craft, art, music and theatre. Bauhaus ideas are continuing to have an influence today and are applauded worldwide.
Why is the historic Bauhaus being used as an example?
The Bauhaus art school was founded in 1919 in Weimar, Germany, at a time when the world was changing rapidly after World War I. Bauhaus was a driver of change. With a new Baukultur – or ‘culture of building’ – and aesthetic, the historic Bauhaus provided solutions for the challenges of that time. The Bauhaus schools in Weimar and Dessau influenced not only architecture, but also design and craft, art, music and theatre. Bauhaus ideas are continuing to have an influence today and are applauded worldwide.
The Haus am Horn in Weimar was the first Bauhaus structure ever built
“The original Bauhaus movement was innovative and avant-garde in the sense that it created this interdisciplinary environment combining sciences, industry, craft and the arts to address the main challenges of the time. It is exactly this kind of interdisciplinary thinking that we need to let our built environment respond to climate change,” says Danish architect Bjarke Ingels. “We know the scientific facts of climate change. Now it is about technology. The arts and design can contribute to what this will look like.”
The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration was noted by many. “The initiative is eager to listen to everyone, especially the unusual suspects. This counts for disciplines as well,” says Finnish designer Päivi Tahkokallio.
“The original Bauhaus movement was innovative and avant-garde in the sense that it created this interdisciplinary environment combining sciences, industry, craft and the arts to address the main challenges of the time. It is exactly this kind of interdisciplinary thinking that we need to let our built environment respond to climate change,” says Danish architect Bjarke Ingels. “We know the scientific facts of climate change. Now it is about technology. The arts and design can contribute to what this will look like.”
The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration was noted by many. “The initiative is eager to listen to everyone, especially the unusual suspects. This counts for disciplines as well,” says Finnish designer Päivi Tahkokallio.
The Grand Parc project from Lacaton and Vassal in Bordeaux, France
What will the new Bauhaus Look Like?
This was discussed extensively during the conference. There are already examples of the new Baukultur – and endless inspiration.
Von der Leyen brings up the example of the contemporary approach of French architecture duo Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal. The 2021 Pritzker Prize winners emphasise the renovation of existing buildings with a view to sustainability.
What will the new Bauhaus Look Like?
This was discussed extensively during the conference. There are already examples of the new Baukultur – and endless inspiration.
Von der Leyen brings up the example of the contemporary approach of French architecture duo Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal. The 2021 Pritzker Prize winners emphasise the renovation of existing buildings with a view to sustainability.
The Highline in New York City
“We have way more exciting forms of use for the space between buildings that can be opened up for social life, and even plant life and even animal life, for that matter,” Ingels says. One example is the Highline in New York, where existing architecture and old railway infrastructure was bound together to create something new.
Indian activist Sheela Patel, founding director of the Society for the Promotion of Area Resource Centres and a founder of Slum Dwellers International, noted that the poorer regions in the global south will have to pay for the climate crisis most of all. “Design is a very powerful process in designing development, in designing institutions, in designing social justice processes, in communication. These are all objects of design.”
“We have way more exciting forms of use for the space between buildings that can be opened up for social life, and even plant life and even animal life, for that matter,” Ingels says. One example is the Highline in New York, where existing architecture and old railway infrastructure was bound together to create something new.
Indian activist Sheela Patel, founding director of the Society for the Promotion of Area Resource Centres and a founder of Slum Dwellers International, noted that the poorer regions in the global south will have to pay for the climate crisis most of all. “Design is a very powerful process in designing development, in designing institutions, in designing social justice processes, in communication. These are all objects of design.”
This is why climate activist Gina Gylver would like to redefine the term ‘beauty’. “Beauty is connected to the emotions it awakens. In our time, where lots of people strive with climate anxiety, sustainable architecture can be soothing and healing to people living there. Sustainability, that is the new beauty.”
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you come to the informal settlements, it might look shabby, but if you look at the power of that culture, there is beauty in that,” Patel says. “We have to look at beauty, culture, sustainability in a localised way. And I think global projects of aesthetics, which is what I don’t want the European Bauhaus to be, will destroy the locally evolving celebration of beauty.”
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you come to the informal settlements, it might look shabby, but if you look at the power of that culture, there is beauty in that,” Patel says. “We have to look at beauty, culture, sustainability in a localised way. And I think global projects of aesthetics, which is what I don’t want the European Bauhaus to be, will destroy the locally evolving celebration of beauty.”
A 3D-printed house in Austin, Texas
Japanese architect and Pritzker Prize winner Shigeru Ban thinks about materials first of all: “We have to drastically shift to renewable materials. We have to reduce our use of steel and concrete. To make buildings affordable, we have to use locally available materials.” Ban sees a chance in history. “During the war, in Japan we didn’t have enough steel, so we used bamboo to reinforce concrete. We can go back through the history of building systems and materials, [to look] for materials that were economical, ecological and sustainable.”
Japanese architect and Pritzker Prize winner Shigeru Ban thinks about materials first of all: “We have to drastically shift to renewable materials. We have to reduce our use of steel and concrete. To make buildings affordable, we have to use locally available materials.” Ban sees a chance in history. “During the war, in Japan we didn’t have enough steel, so we used bamboo to reinforce concrete. We can go back through the history of building systems and materials, [to look] for materials that were economical, ecological and sustainable.”
A passive building in Portland, Oregon
Bjarke Ingels agrees that some old knowledge has been lost. He also proposes the concept of ‘return of emissions’, like return on investment, structured like a mortgage on a house which must be paid off before the house can generate value. “On the day you build a building it already has a certain amount of embodied carbon. But then you can make it energy positive in the way you design it. It can be very efficient. And you can make it so that over the next 30 years, every year the building in its operation is carbon negative. Then after 30 years you have achieved full return of emissions.”
Sustainability expert Maria Atkinson, chairperson of the board of the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction in Australia, adds, “I see the flows of money becoming more sophisticated in factoring in the costs of carbon, the issues related to unsustainable practices.”
Bjarke Ingels agrees that some old knowledge has been lost. He also proposes the concept of ‘return of emissions’, like return on investment, structured like a mortgage on a house which must be paid off before the house can generate value. “On the day you build a building it already has a certain amount of embodied carbon. But then you can make it energy positive in the way you design it. It can be very efficient. And you can make it so that over the next 30 years, every year the building in its operation is carbon negative. Then after 30 years you have achieved full return of emissions.”
Sustainability expert Maria Atkinson, chairperson of the board of the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction in Australia, adds, “I see the flows of money becoming more sophisticated in factoring in the costs of carbon, the issues related to unsustainable practices.”
“It is also about education,” says Ban. “In the original Bauhaus, students came together to study.”
Parliament president Sassoli agrees. “Education must play an important role. Creativity must stand at the centre of learning. Art and engineering schools should network. This is another way of creating new spaces – new spaces for thinking.”
“It is not only about buildings. It is also on all scales, from furniture, to our houses, our buildings, but also our neighbourhoods, also our cities, our big urban areas, but also rural areas,” says Marcos Ros Sempere, Member of European Parliament for Spain. “Especially in these post-pandemic times, in which we we have all suffered for the lack of public space, we have to be able to use our public space to provide for everyone.”
Parliament president Sassoli agrees. “Education must play an important role. Creativity must stand at the centre of learning. Art and engineering schools should network. This is another way of creating new spaces – new spaces for thinking.”
“It is not only about buildings. It is also on all scales, from furniture, to our houses, our buildings, but also our neighbourhoods, also our cities, our big urban areas, but also rural areas,” says Marcos Ros Sempere, Member of European Parliament for Spain. “Especially in these post-pandemic times, in which we we have all suffered for the lack of public space, we have to be able to use our public space to provide for everyone.”
How can you participate?
At the moment, anyone can submit ideas, projects and studies on the New European Bauhaus website. They seek not only ideas for sustainable buildings, but also for circular design or practical products.
“[We are asking] everybody in the world, not only in Europe, what can we learn from each other? How can we join together in this journey?” Says Elisa Ferreira, EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms.
At the moment, anyone can submit ideas, projects and studies on the New European Bauhaus website. They seek not only ideas for sustainable buildings, but also for circular design or practical products.
“[We are asking] everybody in the world, not only in Europe, what can we learn from each other? How can we join together in this journey?” Says Elisa Ferreira, EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms.
According to von der Leyen, the first European Bauhaus buildings will be funded and built by 2022 at the latest. To fuel the fount of ideas, the European Commission has also announced the New European Bauhaus Prize competition. The prize will be given out in ten categories, both to established professionals and to rising talents. Winners of the New European Bauhaus Awards will receive a 30,000 euro prize, while winners of the Rising Stars competition will receive 15,000 euros. Submissions will be accepted until May 31, 2021.
House designed by Frank Ghery for families who became homeless due to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Are There Points of Criticism?
Yes, primarily on two points. First: Some worry that the New European Bauhaus will be an exclusive and elite movement. Secondly, there are doubts about how sustainability is supposed to succeed alongside our growth-oriented capitalist system.
Alexandra Mitsotaki, co-founder and president of the World Human Forum, says, “The notion of Bauhaus is a notion that is by definition quite elitist. We should go a step further … We must understand that in this we are all together. Whether we live in New York City, or in a slum in India, the truth is that if the climate catastrophe happens, we will all be the victims. Some more than others – poor people clearly more so.”
Are There Points of Criticism?
Yes, primarily on two points. First: Some worry that the New European Bauhaus will be an exclusive and elite movement. Secondly, there are doubts about how sustainability is supposed to succeed alongside our growth-oriented capitalist system.
Alexandra Mitsotaki, co-founder and president of the World Human Forum, says, “The notion of Bauhaus is a notion that is by definition quite elitist. We should go a step further … We must understand that in this we are all together. Whether we live in New York City, or in a slum in India, the truth is that if the climate catastrophe happens, we will all be the victims. Some more than others – poor people clearly more so.”
EU Commissioner Ferreira is optimistic: “We are faced with massive exclusion of people from common wellbeing. We are dealing with so many differences – we have got to bridge them. This cannot be an elite kind of project just for the few.”
“We have forgotten how to sell or leverage true public value,” says artist Ólafur Elíasson. “I think a great public space … also offers the friction of sharing something with people you don’t agree with – being different and still working together. How do we live together in the future without necessarily having to be the same?”
For Elíasson, the market economy is necessary to guarantee a fair distribution of wealth and resources.
Find a designer from the Houzz directory for your next renovation project
“We have forgotten how to sell or leverage true public value,” says artist Ólafur Elíasson. “I think a great public space … also offers the friction of sharing something with people you don’t agree with – being different and still working together. How do we live together in the future without necessarily having to be the same?”
For Elíasson, the market economy is necessary to guarantee a fair distribution of wealth and resources.
Find a designer from the Houzz directory for your next renovation project
Mitsotaki sees an important role for technology. “Without technology, it won’t happen. We need a more humane technology, which is there for the public good, and for collective wellbeing.”
“Your model for inviting, for listening, engaging is key,” Atkinson says. “The New European Bauhaus is a global amplifier of the things that we need to do to deliver projects in the built environment at scale and we need to do them urgently. Do not underestimate the fact that it is also global. The world is watching and the world wants to participate.”
“Europe plays a very important role [in global development],” Patel says. “Look at the impact of your choices on the rest of the world and … Because whether you like it or not, your architecture, your design faults, your capital, your trade impacts the global south in ways that are not good for them.”
“Your model for inviting, for listening, engaging is key,” Atkinson says. “The New European Bauhaus is a global amplifier of the things that we need to do to deliver projects in the built environment at scale and we need to do them urgently. Do not underestimate the fact that it is also global. The world is watching and the world wants to participate.”
“Europe plays a very important role [in global development],” Patel says. “Look at the impact of your choices on the rest of the world and … Because whether you like it or not, your architecture, your design faults, your capital, your trade impacts the global south in ways that are not good for them.”
“When we are talking about public investment, I am worried about some things. We did research with our public and we see that 6% of architects and engineers that we talk to know how to read the climate before starting a project. 50% know a little bit, and the rest don’t know anything,” says Brazilian Architect Filipe Boni. “We need to shift from this university [system] where we learn to draw before reading the climate.”
“We have to work very hard to ensure that the youth in the global south also have a voice,” Patel says. “[Most] don’t know about the global movements of climate change. Design will make that difference, if we design a process so that those voices can be heard.”
“We have to work very hard to ensure that the youth in the global south also have a voice,” Patel says. “[Most] don’t know about the global movements of climate change. Design will make that difference, if we design a process so that those voices can be heard.”
Even when critics see in the New European Bauhaus as only a political campaign, it will be a starting point for change, building bridges between people and disciplines. As Ferreira puts it, it can bring forth ideas for a “more sustainable, more balanced and more inclusive future.” Design for people, not for markets.
Read more:
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Read more:
Iconic Architecture: The World’s First Bauhaus Building
5 Reasons Why German Kitchens Are Top-Notch
“It’s about hope, it’s about inspiration, it’s about new perspectives. And it’s about concrete actions against climate change,” von der Leyen said in her opening speech. In other words, how can the living spaces of tomorrow be affordable, sustainable and accessible for all?
In its EU Green Deal, the European Union has set itself the goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. It is also due to reduce emissions to 55 percent of 1990 levels by as early as 2030. The construction industry can make significant contributions to attaining these goals – after all, buildings produce 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. All agree that this cannot be allowed to continue.