Let's Talk Architecture

Canadian artist and author Douglas Coupland's slogans for the 21st century take on a new relevance in the era of COVID-19. Just before the virus paused large gatherings, DAC invited Coupland and Danish architect Bjarke Ingels to Copenhagen for an evening public conversation. The two observe daily life and bring into focus those things that may be just outside our peripheral vision. Generous funding is provided by Realdania and the Danish Industry Foundation which also support BLOX Talks, DAC's lecture series.

"I think we are stuck with permanent acceleration fatigue." Canadian author and artist Douglas Coupland joined DAC's CEO Kent Martinussen for a thoughtful conversation about life in this age of the selfie, the rapid pace of change, and living in a permanent present-future. Coupland also speaks about Extreme Self - his newest book and related exhibition. Generous funding is provided by Realdania and the Danish Industry Foundation which also support BLOX Talks, DAC's lecture series which featured Coupland.

What will our world look like in 2075? How will we solve our planet's biggest energy, waste, climate change, water, demographic, urbanization, or poverty challenges? In a lively conversation about the future and our understanding of world citizenship, Chris Luebkeman, Global Foresight Leader at the engineering, architecture, and planning firm of Arup, shared his thoughts with DAC's Jen Masengarb.

Indian architect Anupamu Kundoo's buildings often use very traditional and sustainable materials but used in surprising and experimental ways. Kundoo sat down with DAC's Jen Masengarb to discuss the planet's rapid urbanization and how as a contemporary designer she is working to help build a more equitable and sustainable economy for skilled local craftsmen.

How do you finish one of the world's most famous unfinished buildings? Without a set of original plans, a group of engineers and craftsmen are using new technologies and adapting historic techniques to finish Sagrada Familia by 2026. Arup engineer Tristram Carfrae sat down with DAC's Jen Masengarb to discuss the project and what he'd like to ask Antoni Gaudi if the architect were alive today.

"Everything we are doing right now, we don't know how to do. That's the magical thing about design." Designer Bruce Mau joined DAC's Jen Masengarb to discuss Massive Change Network's current projects and his ground-breaking collaborations with leading architects, museums, and companies. Mau speaks about caring for our planet and argues this is the best time in human history to be alive.

For OMA partner architect Ellen van Loon, a building's spatial form and the relationship between interior and exterior has always been of great fascination. She joined DAC's Jen Masengarb to discuss the design process for the BLOX building in Copenhagen – the mixed-building that is also home to DAC – and what happens when she returns to 'spy' on the users of spaces she has designed.

Bjarke Ingels Group has been working with the Dubai Future Foundation to imagine a 2117 city on Mars. BIG Partner Jakob Lange and popular science author Tor Nørretranders sat down with DAC's Jen Masengarb. What is the role of architects in creating a sustainable Martian environment? And what could this exploration teach us about Earth? Generous funding is provided by Realdania and the Danish Industry Foundation which also support BLOX Talks, DAC's evening lecture series with Lange and Nørretranders.

Sheela Søgaard, Partner and CEO at Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) isn't an architect, but her leadership has been critical to the firm's rapid global growth. In a candid conversation with DAC's Jen Masengarb, Søgaard shares her insight on the business of architecture and how the firm works to close gender and pay gaps. Generous funding is provided by Realdania and the Danish Industry Foundation which also support BLOX Talks, DAC's lecture series which featured Søggard.

Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, the founding partner of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has been disrupting the architecture world for the past 20 years. As part of BIG's FORMGIVING exhibition at DAC, Ingels sat down with DAC's Jen Masengarb in a lively chat on a range of topics – from philosophy to technology to the architect from history he'd most like to meet. Generous funding is provided by Realdania and the Danish Industry Foundation which also support BLOX Talks, DAC's lecture series which featured Ingels.