H.S.H. Prince Frei attended a conference on the New European Bauhaus at the Röhsska Museum in Gothenburg. After the conference, visits were made to Angered Travel Center, Gothenburg Freeport marine allotments for community farming of seaweed and oysters, and a concluding presentation at RISE (Research Institute Sweden) – Lindholmen on innovative ways to work with solar panels. Two master’s students from HDK-Valand activated the conference by presenting parts of their ongoing projects.
The EU’s “New European Bauhaus” initiative combines sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion in architecture and design. Inspired by the influential Bauhaus movement of the early 20th century, the initiative aims to address pressing societal and environmental challenges while fostering creativity and innovation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen launched the initiative in 2020, aiming to reshape living environments in a way that promotes sustainability, accessibility, and cultural expression. The initiative serves as a platform for collaboration among architects, designers, artists, engineers, and citizens to collectively create solutions that are both functional and beautiful.
At its core, the initiative focuses on three main principles: sustainability, inclusion, and aesthetics. Sustainability involves integrating eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient technologies, and nature-based solutions into architectural and design practices. Inclusion emphasizes the importance of accessibility and social cohesion, ensuring that the built environment is welcoming and accessible to people of all backgrounds and abilities. Aesthetics celebrates the beauty of design and its ability to inspire and uplift communities.
The New European Bauhaus encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-sector partnerships to drive innovation and action. Through competitions, workshops, and networking events, it provides a platform for exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and showcasing innovative projects that embody the principles of the initiative.
