Next in Nordic American Architecture: Resilience Meets Wellbeing

Reflecting on Nordic design’s pivotal role in Modernism in America during the 20th century, we turn again to the Nordic tradition for its resilient building strategies for climate action and wellbeing that offer tools for today and into the future. The four-part architecture series Nordic American Connections: Conversations on Architecture and Design engages contemporary Nordic and American architects and designers, highlighting their sustainable design approaches with an emphasis on award-winning projects that shape the American landscape.

The fourth panel of the series, marking Scandinavia House’s 25th Anniversary, will close the series with contemporary Nordic American architects focusing on the challenges they face as designers in a rapidly changing environment—AI and technology, economic volatility, climate vulnerability—and what’s next for future practice.

These design leaders will highlight their firms’ approaches to innovation, research and collaboration, and cross-cultural influences used in their work. They will share strategies embodied in Nordic design for resilience and wellbeing: use of mass timber and natural materials, alternative methods of construction, community building and ‘complete design’.

Participants include Daniel Baumann, Principal and Design Director at Henning Larsen; Bjarke Ingels, founder of BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group; and Ingalill Wahlroos-Ritter, Director of Architecture for Communities Los Angeles (ACLA). The program will be moderated by Susan Chin of DesignConnects.

The panel is organized by ASF with Susan Chin in collaboration with the American Institute of Architects New York, and American Institute of Architects Continental Europe.

AIANY Continuing Education Credits are approved for this session; attendees receive 1.5 Learning Units | 1.5 HSW credits. To receive the credits, please ask to sign the AIANY student form at check-in.