On Sunday afternoon, the sold-out opening symposium of the 11th International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR) took place. It was a gathering of experts who delved deeply into the theme Building Ecologies - Nature in the City: Jeremy Till, Baerbel Mueller, Pedro Aparicio-Llorente, and Emmanuel Pratt.
Jeremy Till from the collective MOULD opened with a keynote on the relationship between architecture and climate, advocating for a fundamental revision of architectural practices. His lecture included enriching interludes with poetic readings from his colleagues in the audience. Baerbel Mueller discussed the "Tamale Old Airfield" project in Ghana, highlighting the necessity of experimental approaches in architecture. Pedro Aparicio-Llorente’s presentation took the audience to the coast of São Paulo, where he spoke about designing to the rhythm of the tides and collaborating with local communities.
The concluding panel discussion, led by Najah Aouaki, brought together the diverse themes of the afternoon. The speakers debated the language of architecture and the need for a new, hopeful approach to integrating ecological practices. Emmanuel Pratt from Chicago concluded with his vision of regenerative urban planning, illustrating how communities can be built through sustainable and human-scale projects.