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Very much looking forward to launching A+U 666 @barbicancentre next Tuesday 14th - hosted by @architecturefoundation. This will be a chance to deepen the conversations opened by the edition, via panel discussions from many of those featured.

Thanks to @elliswoodman for hosting us so generously, and @aabookshop for coming to stock us with magazines for sake.
It’s been hard work but a joy to be part of. My thanks to Amena Rahmen for the invitation to guest edit this edition and @marwaelm_bark for all her advice and dedication as my partner in this endeavour. Thanks to @jonathansergison Laura Evans, @bm_msoma and @biamah.ofosu for taking the time to write such insightful essays to frame the work.

Thanks also to the amazing team at @au_magazine for their care in producing the magazine to such a high quality. It’s always an honour to be associated with you.

I PRIMI PASSI -
Valerio Olgiati
27 March 2026. 13:00
Foyer Canavée

All welcome to join us for the fifth in our series of open conversations. This time I am joined by Valerio Olgiati @valerioolgiati

We will set our discussion about the time between university and practice.
We will about making up and making do
About figuring out and shaping up
About serendipities and collaborations
About mistakes and misunderstandings
About the road that is seen once travelled
About Ideas in formation
About Beginnings

All welcome! Agora Galfetti in Foyer Canavée 13:00. Bring your lunch!

I Primi Passi is part of a broader project to make the human stories of our subject more immediately and vitally part of the shared educational project of Accademia Architettura Mendrisio .

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In my second stint as guest editor for @au_magazine I thought we might focus on London. I brought in @marwaelm_bark and together we collected domestic work of all scales - from tiny adjustments to large social housing projects. It is here the cities architectural talents are incubated, grown and have maximal impact.

Framed by essays by @jonathansergison @biamah.ofosu Laura Evans and @bm_msoma the edition captures both what it’s like to live in London and how architects make a living there. Neither is particularly easy but there is a joy to the work, a lyrical care. My editorial seeks to capture this as a living tradition.

We will launch the edition at an event hosted by @architecturefoundation on 14th April. Keep an eye out for news of tickets etc!

We feature a single project by 23 architects - each one willreward a deeper engagement. There were so many others we could not find space for that will surely appear in future publications.

Featuring work by @n_v_b_l @pricegore @j______a______m @briscoloranarc @arrantindustries @saqqra_ @entropic.group @commonbond.architects @material_cultures @davidleecharch @takeshi_hayatsu @takeroshimazakiarchitects @hughstrangearchitects @sanchez_benton @31_44 @stephentaylorarchitects @dyvikkahlen @davidkohnarch @apparata_studio @berndschmutz @adamkhanarch @henleyhalebrown @marydugganarc @wwmarchitects

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Headed back to @architecture_tudublin this afternoon at the invitation of the students.

It’s where I started teaching years ago so it’s great to be back- talking about climate, conversation and life in architecture.

Very much looking forward to this symposium organised by Prof Muck Petzet in @usi_accademia.

It is based on his research project “From ‘Baukultur’ to ‘Umbaukultur’ – From a Culture of Demolition and Replacement to a Culture of Care and Repair” which aims to identify the subconscious cultural and behavioral attitudes that often determine and hinder the successful implementation of conversion projects.

I will be speaking as part of one session, and the event as a whole will explore the roots of the prevailing replacement and throwaway culture, its expression in economic fundamentals, legal frameworks, and standards, and we will evaluate the serious negative environmental consequences of this highly unsustainable culture.
The event set out to understand why we consistently fail to do the right thing and how to establish an alternative attitude of care and repair in the building sector.

Conceived as an integral part of the research project, the Umbaukultur Symposium 2026, will present a first overview of the findings developed by members of the international research team. The symposium will also provide a platform with invited guest speakers, researchers, and students.

Very much looking forward to this symposium organised by Prof Muck Petzet in @usi_accademia.

It is based on his research project “From ‘Baukultur’ to ‘Umbaukultur’ – From a Culture of Demolition and Replacement to a Culture of Care and Repair” which aims to identify the subconscious cultural and behavioral attitudes that often determine and hinder the successful implementation of conversion projects.

I will be speaking as part of one session, and the event as a whole will explore the roots of the prevailing replacement and throwaway culture, its expression in economic fundamentals, legal frameworks, and standards, and we will evaluate the serious negative environmental consequences of this highly unsustainable culture.
The event set out to understand why we consistently fail to do the right thing and how to establish an alternative attitude of care and repair in the building sector.

Conceived as an integral part of the research project, the Umbaukultur Symposium 2026, will present a first overview of the findings developed by members of the international research team. The symposium will also provide a platform with invited guest speakers, researchers, and students.