prof. dr. ŽIVA DEU
assoc. prof. ALEKSANDER SAŠA OSTAN
assoc. prof. dr. LUKA SKANSI
dr. BRANISLAV FOLIĆ
dr. CEREN SEZER
prof. dr. SONJA IFKO
prof. dr. ŽIVA DEU
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Architecture, Ljubljana, Slovenia
E-mail: ziva.deu@guest.arnes.si
An architect and doctor of architectural sciences, a full professor at the University of Ljubljana, where she was employed for many years at the Faculty of Architecture. She is known to the professional and general public primarily as a great and exceptionally persistent advocate for the developmental preservation of Slovenian built heritage, especially heritage in rural areas. All her appearances at scientific and professional conferences, leadership of numerous interdisciplinary workshops with exemplary upgrades of existing structures, educational lectures, and scientific, professional, and popular articles in journals and publications are directed towards achieving this goal. All her monographs also speak to the value, meaning and methods of developmental preservation of Slovenian built culture. Related to the topic of discussion – the identity of the Slovenian countryside – we highlight the monographs: Architecture of the Slovenian Countryside (2001), Renovation of Residential Buildings in the Slovenian Countryside (2004), Rural Houses in Slovenia (2006), Renovation of Residential Buildings (2019), The Most Beautiful Slovenian Renovated Houses I and II (2010; 2012), and Houses for a Better Life, Old and New, with Heritage, Environmentally Friendly and Healthy (2024).
Keynote Speech: CULTURAL LANDSCAPES: THEN AND NOW
Cultural landscapes, shaped by human activity, are defined by the sum of natural land, agricultural areas and settlement spaces. Because Slovenian territory is characterized by exceptional climatic and geomorphological diversity, its cultural landscapes are noticeably and significantly different from one another. All components of these attractively diverse cultural landscapes have been thoroughly researched and presented in a multitude of professional and popular materials. Among them are also settlement spaces – settlements and buildings, an important mirror of the gradual development of Slovenian living culture.
This presentation will illuminate the latest upgrade of existing analyses and evaluations of settlement and architectural diversity, which was prepared twenty or more years ago. This work was done with the aim of establishing a sufficiently good and precise guideline for the developmental preservation of inherited settlement and architectural achievements. Thus, for each in the palette of cultural landscapes, settlement and architectural components are presented as an invaluable source of inspiration for creating new things by considering and not erasing the past. Especially because the unifying characteristics of settlement and building design are an indispensable and irreplaceable indicator of gradual experiential adaptation to the building space, perfect adaptation to human needs, and invaluable proof of achieved local masterful skills, with which builders combined foreign influences and artistic aspirations of their place of work into original beauty.
By considering the common components of the inherited highlighted in the research, the shaping of new, modern and time-adapted settlement and architectural development would preserve not only the exceptional settlement and architectural diversity but also the diversity and beauty of cultural landscapes. Furthermore, a reasonable upgrade of the revealed achievements of past builders would represent a path to the desired environmentally friendly, healthy and pleasant living.
Unfortunately, the research did not flourish or materialize, and what few, mostly foreign observers predicted, happened. Slovenia has become a haphazardly arranged global village that you can drive across on a highway in a mere three hours, without any memorable architecture. To confirm this statement, see for yourself!
assoc. prof. ALEKSANDER SAŠA OSTAN
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Architecture, Ljubljana, Slovenia
E-mail: aleksander.ostan@fa.uni-lj.si
Aleksander Saša Ostan is an architect, urban planner, publicist and professor at the Faculty of Architecture in Ljubljana. He is a member of ZAPS, DAL, DAP, DUPPS, and was formerly part of the informal group Odprti krog and the Sestava association. Together with Nataša Pavlin, he leads the architectural and urban planning studio Atelje Ostan Pavlin, where they comprehensively address living and architectural culture, sustainable development, and research, also in light of paradigmatic changes in space and time. Ostan is actively involved in various ways both domestically and abroad. He advocates for a holistic, sustainable approach to spatial planning and building construction. The studio's projects range from large to small scale, encompassing culture and nature, theory and practice, tradition and invention, global and local, renovations and new constructions. He also leads professional workshops and excursions, lectures at symposiums, writes, draws, juries, designs exhibitions and photographs. He is also the author of numerous discussions and articles in professional journals and the recipient of many international and national professional awards for realised architectural works.
Keynote Speech: THE MEANING OF SPACE, ARCHITECTURE, AND URBANISM IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD: SEEKING BALANCE BETWEEN TRADITION AND INVENTION
1. General: The Complex Global Crisis and Its Manifestations in Space The space-time of the contemporary world is today threatened not only by climate change, pollution, wars, genocides and ethnocides, fundamentalisms and terrorism, dictatorships and alienated politics, artificial intelligence and robots, the absence of ethical standards and responsibility and more, but also by the increasingly intense and indiscriminate, uncontrolled (sub)urbanization of planetary territories. Through this, the construction sector produces almost half of the world's waste, consumes almost half of the world's energy, and annually builds over incredible areas of undeveloped land. A progressive mindset is still dominant in construction (linked to questionable policies and real estate and land speculation), while broader awareness of the consequences of such actions remains very weak.
2. Specific: The Meaning and Roles of Spatial Culture, Architecture, and Urbanism The state of affairs in the world's spaces could be summarized as the increasingly difficult-to-read presence of traditional, indigenous cultures and their manifestations on one hand, and the increasingly loud, aggressive spread of generic, globalized, universalist (sub)urban landscapes on the other. The rift between traditional and progressive values, between old and new layers in space, between respect for settlement heritage and its ignorance, between deeper cultural awareness and the pursuit of quick profits also runs in the field between sensitized architects and urban planners on one hand, and opportunistic planners, designers and builders on the other. How to establish a meaningful bridge and balance between inherited "identity" and the establishment of "modernity," between tradition and invention, old and new, are in fact the key dilemmas and challenges of contemporary spatial professions. For this mission, architecture, as a broad, interdisciplinary and inclusive discipline, must regain its original cultural, artistic and technical mission, with which it has always fulfilled the dedicated role of building a better and more beautiful world!
In this lecture, I will (generally) present a critical state of affairs through a series of illustrative images, to demonstrate with inspiring examples (specifically) from the world and Slovenia (including our projects) where the power of architecture and urbanism lies today.
assoc. prof. dr. LUKA SKANSI
Politecnico di Milano – DAStU, Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Italia
E-mail:
Luka Skansi is an architectural historian, associate professor at Politecnico di Milano (DAStU – Dipartimento di Architettura e Studi Urbani). His research ranges across different geographical and temporal contexts of the 20th century, and focuses on the themes of spatiality in architecture, construction or its relationship with geopolitics.
Keynote Speech: BORDERING REGIONALITIES. NATIONAL RHETORICS IN CONTESTED TERRITORIES
dr. BRANISLAV FOLIĆ
Department of Architectural Sciences, Faculty of Engeneering and Architectural Sciences, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario
E-mail: bfolic@torontomu.ca
Branislav Folic is an architect and researcher specializing in education, practice, and heritage projects. He studied architecture in the U.S. and Serbia, earning his PhD from the University of Belgrade in 2015. Early in his career, he gained international experience at Pollard Thomas and Edwards Architects in London, working on residential and heritage regeneration projects. In 2008, Branislav co-founded Folic Architects, leading residential and commercial developments and heritage restorations in Belgrade. His academic contributions include teaching architectural design methodology and overseeing two design studios. He has participated in study visits across Europe and researches sustainability, resilience, and architectural education. He authored New School of Architecture in Belgrade in 2017 and has contributed to international scientific boards. Now based in Ontario, Branislav applies his European experience to missing middle housing challenges and serves as a sessional lecturer at TMU’s Department of Architecture.
Keynote Speech: INTEGRATING INDIGENOUS ARCHITECTURAL PRINCIPLES INTO SUSTAINABLE DESIGN: A CASE FOR REGIONAL RESILIENCE IN CANADA
Authors: dr. Branislav Folić, Ivan Martinović, prof. dr. Saja Kosanović
This study examines the integration of Indigenous architectural principles into modern sustainable design in Canada. Indigenous communities have long developed climate-responsive, resource-efficient building methods that align with environmental and cultural sustainability. By analyzing key concepts such as material selection, passive design, and spatial adaptation, this research explores their relevance to contemporary architecture and urban development.
A preliminary case study reviews existing Indigenous-based practices alongside conventional methodologies, assessing how architects interpret their cultural influences and integrate Indigenous principles into their projects. The study highlights the importance of working with local materials, respecting the environment, and engaging the community, demonstrating how these timeless concepts contribute to resilient, sustainable architecture.
With Canada moving towards incorporating Indigenous knowledge into mainstream practice, this research examines the role of architects in fostering a more sustainable, culturally aware built environment. It discusses material efficiency, longevity, and the disassembly of buildings at the end of their lifecycle, arguing that regionalism may offer more effective solutions for urban resilience than purely technological advancements.
By bridging Indigenous wisdom with contemporary architecture, this study encourages a re-evaluation of current trends and excessive projects. It presents Indigenous-informed principles as a foundation for sustainable development, advocating for a deeper connection to nature, site, and community in shaping the future of architecture.
dr. CEREN SEZER
Community Collaboration Laboratory for Just Transitions, Faculty of Architecture, RWTH Aachen University
E-mail:
Ceren Sezer is an architect, urbanist, and Research Group Leader at the Community Collaboration Laboratory for Just Transitions (CCLab) at RWTH Aachen University in Germany, located within the Institute for Urban Design and European Urbanism. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Urbanism from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, and a B.A. in Architecture from Istanbul Technical University. Ceren has held visiting research positions at MIT, Politecnico di Milano, and ETH Zürich, and contributes to the field through editorial board memberships and active engagement in international academic and civic networks.
The CCLab is a transdisciplinary platform working at the intersection of participatory design, spatial justice, and sustainability. It aims to shape more equitable, climate-resilient, and inclusive environments by co-creating spatial visions and actionable plans with communities, municipalities, and university stakeholders. Its work spans diverse settings including, university campuses and neighborhoods, and is grounded in qualitative and quantitative tools that support decision-making, particularly in contexts where energy transitions intersect with social inequality. Public space is central to the lab’s approach, viewed as a vital arena for democratic engagement, cultural identity, and collective agency. By translating research into practice, the CCLab addresses local needs while contributing to broader transformations toward just and sustainable urban futures.
Keynote speech: CO-DESIGNING FOR BELONGING: IDENTITY, JUSTICE, AND PARTICIPATION IN SHAPING URBAN FUTURES
This lecture challenges conventional readings of ‘regional contextualisation’ by proposing a more inclusive, justice- and sustainability-oriented perspective on place and identity in architectural and urban transformation. Rather than relying on fixed typologies or nostalgic interpretations of regionalism, it explores how participatory, situated, and climate-conscious design practices can promote adaptive, equitable, and culturally grounded transformations of the built environment.
It argues for a critical reframing of architectural identity, not as the replication of historical forms, but as a dynamic negotiation of memory, meaning, and material conditions shaped by socio-environmental realities. This calls for design approaches that are flexible, reflexive, and responsive to both local knowledge and global challenges.
Crucially, the lecture reflects on the role of architectural education and universities as civic institutions and learning environments with the capacity to shape future design cultures. Universities have a responsibility to equip students with the skills to navigate complexity, collaborate across disciplines, and engage with diverse communities. By linking education, research, and practice, architectural schools can prepare emerging practitioners to design with care, for both people and the planet, and to contribute meaningfully to inclusive and sustainable urban futures. In this sense, the university becomes not just a site of knowledge production, but a living laboratory for transformative change.
prof. dr. SONJA IFKO
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Architecture, Ljubljana, Slovenia
E-mail: sonja.ifko@fa.uni-lj.si
Dr Sonja Ifko is an architect, a full professor at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Ljubljana. She is the head of the University of Ljubljana’s Interdisciplinary Institute for Sustainable Heritage. Her primary research areas include the preservation of 19th- and 20th-century architectural and urban heritage, urban regeneration, the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage sites, and the conservation and interpretative presentation of heritage sites. She complements her research with project work in the fields of preserving and interpreting cultural heritage. She has led several research projects and workshops focusing on industrial heritage and its sustainable revitalisation in Slovenia and abroad. Currently, she leads the national interdisciplinary basic research project Heritage for Inclusive Sustainable Transformation.
She is the president of the Slovenian National Committee of ICOMOS and the national representative of Slovenia in TICCIH. She is a member of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO and a member of the expert committee for world heritage at the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO.
Keynote speech: ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE – THE FOUNDATION OF IDENTITY AND THE SUSTAINABLE CAPITAL OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the European Architectural Heritage Year, which emphasised the significance of architectural heritage for the quality of life of Europeans under the motto A Future for our Past. The Declaration of Amsterdam, adopted at the Congress on the European Architectural Heritage in October 1975, highlighted the conservation of architectural heritage as one of the main objectives of urban and regional planning and introduced integral conservation as an approach that enables the holistic preservation of heritage and its active integration into contemporary life. These were just two of the most essential starting points, incorporated ten years later into the Granada Convention, a binding document also ratified by Slovenia. Five decades later, it is possible to say that, in principle, the conditions for the integral conservation in Slovenia are formally established. However, numerous challenges and obstacles remain evident in practice.
This contribution presents the interdisciplinary project titled “Heritage for Inclusive Sustainable Transformation”, which explores the multidimensional role of cultural heritage in the development of local communities. In the project, heritage is defined in accordance with contemporary conservation theory as a process of change and a resource for the sustainable development of local communities. It is regarded as a sustainable capital, encompassing cultural, social, economic, and environmental resources of local communities, which supports balanced and sustainable development if heritage revitalisation projects are managed inclusively and consider the real circumstances of the area’s development and economic conditions. The results of four RevitLab experimental laboratories will be presented, conducted in abandoned and underused immovable cultural heritage sites in small Slovenian municipalities. They represent the basis for the development of the toolkit Cultural Heritage 4.0 model, which will guide adaptive reuse projects to achieve balanced and inclusive approaches to revitalising architectural heritage and contextualising it in space and time, considering key sustainable development parameters.
I would like to thank the Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Research and Innovation for supporting the research, which is financed under the grant agreement J7-4641.