Abstract

The talk explores how a regenerative approach—moving beyond harm reduction towards active restoration—can transform the built environment. Drawing on New European Bauhaus principles, we examine how aesthetics, cultural expression, and resource stewardship are fundamental to wellbeing and sense of belonging. Key challenges include disciplinary silos, scaling from buildings to regions, and social inequities. We highlight pathways through nature-based solutions, circular resource flows, climate-responsive design, and participatory processes centred on local identity and everyday beauty.

Short Bio

Dionysia Kolokotsa is a Professor at the School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the Technical University of Crete, specializing in sustainability within the built environment, which encompasses both buildings and urban spaces. Her research has significantly advanced energy efficiency, focusing on integrated energy management systems, zero-energy buildings and communities, and strategies to mitigate urban overheating using nature-based solutions and reflective materials.

What is an AIAS Seminar?

The AIAS Seminar Series is a session of seminars held by the AIAS fellows, AIAS Visiting or Tandem Fellows or by other speakers proposed by the fellows. In each seminar, a fellow will present and discuss her/his current research and work-in-progress to an interdisciplinary audience for 30 minutes, closing off with 30 minutes for questions, comments and discussion.

All seminars are in-person and held in English. To attend online, please contact Cecilie Horshauge at cecilie@aias.au.dk by 9:00am on the day of the seminar as the latest to request a link.