Cultivating Matter. Is the future alive?
The sixth International Circular Strategies Symposium addresses the theme of cultivating matter and poses the question of aliveness of future architecture.
International Circular Strategies Symposium 6
November 20-21 2025, Vienna Austria.
The sixth International Circular Strategies Symposium addresses the theme of cultivating matter and poses the question of aliveness of future architecture.
The global scale of destabilization of environments and rhythms calls for an urgent transformation of our strategies, also in architecture and building. Biology is the only other model we have to shape another future towards a more integrated world. The symposium “Cultivating Matter. Is the future alive?” serves as a platform for presenting and discussing approaches as well as case studies in architecture and design, that explore learnings from biology and the integration of organisms in materials and structures. Aliveness is based on processes that require stable patterns of flow of energy and matter, resilient and adaptable to changes. Cultivation is the design of an environment of existence, growth and stability for other living systems. Adopting aliveness in architecture implies long-term strategies of design and care, by developing new patterns of circularity and living together.
The symposium welcomes presentations in the following areas:
- Biomimetic/Bionic/Biomimicry materials and systems
- Biodesign biohybrid and biointegrated projects
- Design with organisms, co-design
- Biomaterials and biofabrication techniques
- Bioreceptive, bioresponsive, bioactive systems
- Regenerative and adaptive architecture
- Living architecture and living materials
- Self-X, self-healing and self-sustaining materials
- Redundancy and resiliency strategies
- Care, repair and maintenance of materials and systems
- Cultivation and processing strategies
- Biodegradable and compostable architecture
- Philosophical and ethical investigations
- Critical reflections on impacts
- New strategies, projects, emerging approaches
The event is organized by the Department of Building Construction, I oA, University of Applied Arts Vienna, Petra Gruber and Camille Breuil.
Submission format:
Abstract (maximum 350 words excluding references)
Representative image (max. 2)
Selected entries:
Potential contributors will be notified to either deliver a presentation or a poster, which will be published in a digital proceedings publication. At least one of the authors has to register and present in person. There is an option to deliver prototypes for an exhibition during the event.
Important dates:
Abstract submission: June 16 June 30 2025
Notification of abstract acceptance: July 28 2025 August 11 2025
Registration here: September 08 2025
Camera-ready submission (final abstracts + posters): September 30 2025
Exhibition: November 20-21 2025
Symposium: November 20-21 2025
Event location and format:
The Symposium will take place at the Auditorium of the University of Applied Arts Vienna Vordere Zollamtsstraße 7, 1030 Vienna Austria.
The event is free and open to the public. It will not be lived-streamed, but recorded and the videos will be available online with public access.
Scientific Comittee:
- Ebba Fransen-Waldhör (University of Applied Arts Vienna, Austria)
- Wolfgang Gindl (BOKU University Vienna, Austria)
- Petra Gruber (University of Applied Arts Vienna, Austria)
- Barbara Imhof (University of Innsbruck, Liqiufer Systems Group, Austria)
- Margarete Jahrmann (University of Applied Arts Vienna, Austria)
- Andreas Körner (University of Applied Arts Vienna, University of Innsbruck, Austria, University College London, UK)
- Helga Lichtenegger (BOKU University Vienna, Austria)
- Clemens Preisinger (University of Applied Arts Vienna, Austria)
- Layla van Ellen (University of Innsbruck, Austria)
Cooperation Partners:
BOKU University Vienna, University of Innsbruck
Contact: circularstrategies@uni-ak.ac.at