WHAT

In the first Bauhaus that came into being in 1919, people from the most diverse directions of art, architecture, design and other fields came together to work on the social challenges of their time. In the face of intensifying multiple crises, the task nowadays is to shape the profound transformation of ways of life and production. At the same time the process wants to be as inclusive as possible and supported by effective, efficient and innovative communication. Art, architecture and design can contribute to this – in collaboration with other disciplines and with organizations or individuals from all sectors of society. As stated on the Commission‘s Website, the New European Bauhaus:

„makes the connection between the European ‘Green New Deal’ and our living spaces. … It is a call to all Europeans to work together to develop and realize visions of a sustainable and inclusive, aesthetically, intellectually and emotionally engaging future.” It “aims to reach out to artists, activists, designers, architects, students, scientists, engineers, creative minds of all disciplines, policy makers and all interested citizens “.

The NEB of the Mountains as change of mindset 

WHO

The Autonomous Province of Bozen/Bolzano

  • CasaClima Agency
  • Eurac Research 
  • Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

Those are the four pioneers who have given the kick-off to this new adventurous process on 8 July 2021 in Bozen-Bolzano. They have promoted a first meeting in order to start working together on the foundations and perspectives of a New European Bauhaus of the Mountain. The aim is to implement the New European Bauhaus initiative on a regional level. Special focus is given to the regional level, to South Tyrol, that includes above all the experience of a mountainous territory such as the Alps.

WHY

The initiative aims to reach out to everybody who feels the mountains in its heart and soul and wants to live in a harmonious way within this exciting setting: the mountains.  Artists, activists, designers, architects, students, scientists, engineers, creative minds from all disciplines, policy makers and all interested citizens. The NEB of the Mountains is a way of thinking, living, exploring – bringing together physically, but also virtually different stakeholders dealing with and mountain topics. The aim is to implement the New European Bauhaus initiative on a regional level, in South Tyrol.

WHEN

The process started officially on the 8th of July 2021 with the Kick-off event held at the NOI Techpark in Bozen-Bolzano. Despite the well-known hurdles imposed by the Corona-crisis it was possible to organize a hybrid event. Thanks to an enriching and brilliant brain storming among stakeholders with different backgrounds a lively debate has oriented the discussion towards the first seven flagship topics covered by the New European Bauhaus of the Mountains.

WHERE

The aim is to implement the New European Bauhaus initiative on a regional level. Our focus is The Alpine region South Tyrol that is nearly 100% a mountainous area. This is a special challenge and at the same time a unique richness. It is a mountainous area with an important economic potential. Furthermore, it is one of the three regions of the European Region Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino. At the same time, it lies in the hearth of the European Strategy for the Alpine Macro Region.

HOW

But how can we design a platform for experimentation and networking that fosters “cooperation between thinkers and facilitators who want to shape our future forms of coexistence” in order to develop “innovative solutions for complex social problems in a participatory process”. We have started developing the answers to this question in seven workshops led by CasaClima Agency, Eurac Research and the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. All topics are related to the Alpine region in an interconnected world: a diverse habitat of extreme conditions, rich in resources and life experiences, and at the same time fragile – exemplary for the relationship between man and environment as well as the relationship between local and global. These workshops have been the sparkling beginning of a dialogue and sharing of experience to which we would like to invite you! Here you can find the topics and related contact persons:

Sustainability and affordable housing

CasaClima Agency | Uwe Staffler

Creative Industries and inclusive society

Eurac research, Institute for Regional Development | Marzia Bona and Elisa Ravazzoli

Circular Design and Bio Economy

Free University of Bozen – Bolzano | Aart van Bezooijen and Nitzan Cohen

Digital transformation for the common good

Free University of Bozen – Bolzano | Secil Ugur Yavuz and Maria Menendez-Blanco

Valorisation of sustainable and beautiful built environment

Eurac Research, Institute for Renewable Energy | Giulia Paoletti, Alexandra Troi, Roberto Lollini, Diego Tamburrini and Francesca Avella

Design and Art of Education

Free University of Bozen – Bolzano | Gerda Videsott and Giorgio Camuffo

Design and Art of Democracy

Free University of Bozen – Bolzano | Jennifer Schubert and Kris Krois

 


HOW TO PARTICIPATE 

Take the opportunity to express your opinion and thus strengthen the idea of a New European Bauhaus with the mountain area in the forefront. The initial workshops have been the beginning of a dialogue and sharing of experience. If you would like to be part of this process to make South Tyrol attractive, sustainable and collaborative, you are cordially invited to join this initiative. 

If you would like to join that movement, please take action and contact us! If you would like to propose a new topic, you are most welcome! The New European Bauhaus of the Mountains is a huge living lab transforming the motto “beautiful.sustainable.together” into every day’s living reality!