CAA3 Seminars and coffee mornings

SEMINAR: Regenerative architecture

March 5th, 13.00-16:20
📍Kultuurikatel Traforoom, Kursi 3

PROGRAM:

Aveliina Helm – Scientific Advisor to the Minister of Climate, Professor of Restoration Ecology at the University of Tartu
Aveliina Helm is an Estonian biologist and conservation scientist. She has been active in various international organizations, including serving as Chair of the European Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration. In 2023, Helm began working as the scientific advisor to the Minister of Climate, providing input on climate, nature conservation, and environmental policy, as well as on the development of the climate law. In addition to her academic work, Helm is committed to promoting “everyman’s nature conservation,” encouraging people to contribute to biodiversity in their own gardens and communities.

Giulia Celentano (online) – Regenerative Materials, ETH Zurich
The Regenerative Materials group at ETH Zurich conducts international continuing education programs focused on the use of regenerative materials in construction, such as earth, bio-based, and recycled materials. Their aim is to provide alternative solutions that support ecological and social transitions in the construction sector.
Dr. Giulia Celentano is a senior research associate at ETH Zurich’s Chair of Sustainable Construction, where she leads applied research in collaboration with various humanitarian organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations. After earning her PhD at the same chair, studying the regenerative potential of construction in informal settlements (based on case studies in Nairobi, Cape Town, and Bangkok), she continues working in the field of regenerative sustainability, focusing particularly on education and capacity-building programs in and for the Global South.

Marta H. Wisniewska (online) – Regenerative Architecture Lab, Cornell University
Marta H. Wisniewska is an architect and urban planner whose research and teaching focus on promoting alternative building materials and their application in local construction sectors in both developed and developing countries. She heads the Regenerative Architecture Lab (ReAL) at Cornell University, which investigates alternative building materials and explores their implementation in local contexts. The lab’s goal is to promote carbon-neutral, healthy, recyclable, resilient, and affordable materials that help address global challenges such as housing shortages, resource depletion, and environmental degradation. ReAL also contributes to Cornell’s growing AAP Materials Library, providing resources for teaching, practice, and demonstration, and collaborates with manufacturers, stakeholders, and clients in the construction industry.

Thoughts from the seminar:

At the opening seminar of the third semester of the Circular Architecture Accelerator, discussions addressed the impact of architecture and spatial design not only on the human environment but also on other species whose habitats are closely linked with human activity. Our buildings and landscapes are part of a larger living web, where every change can affect thousands of small and large creatures.

Regenerative architecture requires an integrated and systemic approach, where spatial design considers not only human-centered needs but also the improvement of living conditions for other species and ecosystems.

𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱:

Regenerative materials – In choosing building materials, local origin and contextual sensitivity are becoming increasingly important, not just widespread availability or aesthetic diversity. Regenerative materials can be both bio-based and recycled, helping reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry.

Habitat restoration and biodiversity support – Urban and building planning should consider that altering even a square meter of landscape can impact thousands of species. For example, a decaying building may not just be a deteriorated structure but can provide important habitat for various organisms.

Green meters and ecosystem evaluation – What factors determine whether man-made structures foster or hinder biodiversity? Using various indicators, one can assess the impact of the built environment on non-human species and adapt spatial solutions to their needs.

Problems as opportunities – Wetlands or decaying urban spaces shouldn’t just be seen as problems but as potential new types of ecosystems that support biodiversity and provide solutions under climate change conditions.

Among the many interesting topics and projects presented was the work of Cornell University’s Regenerative Architecture Lab (ReAL), which explores the use of alternative and renewable building materials to reduce the ecological footprint of construction. One example of applying this approach is the ETH Future Pavilion – a temporary installation that demonstrated how waste can be used as a construction material. The pavilion’s structure was based on panels made from recycled beverage cartons, and all of its components were designed for reuse after disassembly.

By taking such conscious steps, we can help restore biodiversity even in urban spaces and ensure that architecture serves not just humans but all living beings with whom we share our environment.

SEMINAR: Wood – Prefabrication, Disassembly, and Reuse

March 19th 2025, 13.00-16:30
📍Kultuurikatel Traforoom, Kursi 3

The seminar focuses on the possibilities of prefabricated wooden buildings, modular and circular economy-based solutions, and extending the life cycle of wood through smart material use. Our speakers will present cutting-edge projects and research that open new perspectives on the efficient use of wood materials in both urban environments and the construction sector.

PROGRAM:

Sille Pihlak ja Siim Tuksam – practicing architects at PART and researchers at the Wood Architecture Research Center PAKK.

Estonian architects Dr. Sille Pihlak and Dr. Siim Tuksam are an internationally recognized duo who lead PART Architects and the architecture faculty at EKA. Their work has been nominated for the 2024 Mies van der Rohe Award, and they have received the Estonian Association of Architects Award (2020), the Estonian Construction Association Infrastructure Award (2020), and the Young Architect Award (2017).
PART Architects focus on infrastructure, timber architecture, and digital tools. They have expanded the role of architects in the field of infrastructure, designing internationally acclaimed high-voltage pylons, tunnels, and bridges.
Pihlak and Tuksam are founders of the PAKK wood architecture research center at EKA, linking Estonian timber house producers with innovation. Their research has reached top global universities (MIT, Bartlett UCL, AA, ETH Zurich) and international symposia such as Holzbau Europe, and the Venice and Tallinn Architecture Biennales.
Their latest research project, Slender Facade – a mass-customizable volumetric façade system – develops design strategies for renovating Soviet-era panel housing, aiming to create more community-centered, context-sensitive, and socially intelligent reconstruction solutions.

Robert Schmitz – architect, White Arkitekter (Sweden)

Robert Schmitz is an award-winning architect and partner at White Arkitekter. He has led several of the firm’s major projects, including the Sara Cultural Centre in Skellefteå and Spelbomskan – a new wooden office building in central Stockholm.
His work focuses on sustainability and innovative design, earning him multiple awards including the International Award for Wood Architecture (2022) and the Holcim Bronze Award for Europe (2021).
Schmitz is often invited to judge international architectural competitions, reflecting his expertise and influence in the field. At the seminar, he will present the Sara Kulturhus project, one of the world’s tallest timber buildings (75 m) located in Skellefteå, Sweden. The building, which houses a theatre, art gallery, library, and hotel, is built from cross-laminated and glued laminated timber, embodying circular and carbon-neutral solutions. The project demonstrates the potential of wood as a structural core material for large public buildings.

Erik Zanetti – timber construction expert, TerraTimber / DDF-KIT (Germany)

Erik Zanetti is a researcher at the Digital Design and Fabrication (DDF) chair at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany. His work focuses on circular construction systems and materials, using digital techniques to develop new material and construction solutions. Zanetti presents the TerraTimber project, which utilizes digital reuse to transform waste wood into a sustainable construction element.
TerraTimber’s workflow includes material digitization, computational design, and physical production, supporting the construction sector’s shift from a linear to a circular economy. This approach demonstrates how demolition wood and industrial offcuts can become valuable resources, promoting more sustainable building practices. The digital workflow incorporates material digitization, computational design, and fabrication, paving the way toward a circular economy and more sustainable future in construction.

Thoughts from the seminar:

Our seminar “Wood: Prefabrication, Disassembly, and Reuse” brought together various specialists with innovative approaches to discuss how the use of wood – as a renewable resource – can contribute to making the construction industry more sustainable. Speakers included Erik Zanetti, Robert Schmitz, Sille Pihlak, and Siim Tuksam.

The focus was on the possibilities of prefabricated wooden buildings, modular and circular economy solutions, and extending the life cycle of wood through intelligent material use. Speakers showcased top-level projects and research that offered new perspectives on the effective use of wood in both urban environments and construction..

The seminar discussed the application of circular economy principles in construction, including the use of bio-based and recycled materials. Innovative ways were presented for combining various materials with timber structures to create sustainable and adaptable building systems.

Special attention was given to the potential of reused wood, exploring how digital tools like photogrammetry and computational design help manage the complexity of non-standard materials. The modularity and disassemblability of timber buildings were also explored, highlighting how these features enable easier renovation and reuse, including the implementation of metal-free wooden joints and hybrid construction techniques.

Additionally, the design of factory-produced and smartly designed timber buildings was discussed, examining how computational design and automated production enable the creation of flexible, efficient, and durable architectural solutions. The seminar emphasized that using wood in architecture and construction goes beyond traditional methods – thanks to innovative digital solutions, sustainable materials, and circular reuse, it is possible to create more resilient, resource-efficient, and environmentally friendly buildings.

SEMINAR: Innovative Biomaterials

May 14th, 2025, 13.00-17:00
📍Kultuurikatel Traforoom, Kursi 3

Future materials are no longer just about technological advancement—they are also about awareness of our ecological footprint. This seminar is where design, science, and environmental consciousness meet. Four speakers share their experiences and research in the creation and application of bio-based and environmentally sustainable materials—from the development of natural composites to innovative building panels and waste-based concrete. The seminar brings together practitioners whose work revolves around the central question: How can we create and build in a world that needs healing, not just progress?

PROGRAM:

Mikk Luht / EESTI MAAEHITUS (Estonian Rural Building) Eesti Maaehitus is dedicated to the revival of natural and traditional building materials and knowledge. Mikk Luht will discuss the use of natural construction techniques as well as representing the international manufacturer Ecococon in Estonia. Ecococon’s prefabricated straw panels offer exceptional thermal insulation, a low CO₂ footprint, and quick installation—providing a holistic and sustainable solution for contemporary timber-frame construction.

Maria Luiga / ATELIER LUMA – Atelier LUMA is a design laboratory based in Arles, France, focused on sustainable and site-specific material development. It creates novel bio-based materials using local resources such as algae, salt, sunflower fibers, and rice structures. In collaboration with local artisans and producers, the studio develops environmentally friendly design solutions that fuse traditional craftsmanship with modern research. At the heart of the studio’s work is the question: How can we make material creation an ethical as well as aesthetic process?

Sander Nevejans / SEASTEX (online) – Seastex Ltd is a start-up based in Glasgow, Scotland, founded by Belgian designer Sander Nevejans. The company specializes in repurposing byssus—commonly known as the “mussel beard,” a byproduct of the mussel industry. Working closely with Scottish mussel farming cooperatives, Seastex collects approximately three tons of byssus weekly. They convert this waste material into an innovative bio-based product called Seawool, which is used in the production of acoustic panels and insulation materials.

Thoughts from the seminar:

In the latest seminar, three speakers shared their research and hands-on experiences in the development and application of bio-based and environmentally conscious materials. Their work spans a wide range—from natural composites to innovative surface panels.

The central question of all presentations was: How can we create and build in a world that needs healing, not just progress?

Future materials are no longer just about technological innovation—they reflect a growing awareness of ecological impact. The seminar highlighted the role of architects and interior designers in shaping ethical, bioregionally appropriate material choices. It was repeatedly emphasized that an ethical relationship with materials also influences aesthetics—valuing environmentally friendly and natural solutions manifests in the quality of spatial environments.

The main conclusion of the seminar was clear: creativity, scientific grounding, and a sensory understanding of materials are essential preconditions for developing more environmentally responsible building practices.