ISSN 2256-0890/ e-ISSN 2592-9992 is published by RISEBA University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Architecture and Design, and Faculty of Media and Creative Technologies. ADAMARTS is a double-blind peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to architecture, design, and audiovisual media arts from the Baltic Sea region. ADAMARTS aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers, and scholars, as well as practitioners in the domain of interest. The journal is published annually. ADAMarts is OPEN ACCESS licensed under Creative Common Attribution 4.0 International License.
Architecture and Palliative Care: Designing an Urban Hospice for Riga’s Evolving Healthcare Landscape
The integration of hospice care within the urban fabric presents both architectural and societal challenges, particularly in Latvia, where dedicated hospice facilities are lacking. This article examines the evolution of hospice design and its application in the context of Riga, proposing an urban hospice by Māras Pond as a model for palliative care infrastructure. The site’s strategic location, combining urban accessibility with therapeutic natural surroundings, informs a design that balances medical functionality, historical sensitivity, and community engagement. Spatial strategies prioritize patient well-being through carefully integrated indoor and outdoor environments, fostering psychological comfort and social inclusion. This article highlights the critical need for dedicated hospice facilities in Latvia, advocating for a comprehensive approach that integrates evidence-based design principles, sustainability, policy support, and public awareness to transform the future of palliative care in Latvia.
THE SUBJECTIVITY OF LIGHT EXPERIENCE IN ARCHITECTURAL SPACES
Light experience in architectural spaces extends beyond measurable metrics and is deeply personal. This paper explores the various factors that influence individual light perception, including physiological, psychological, cultural, and emotional elements. While daylighting standards provide guidelines for safety and comfort, they fail to fully address the subjective nature of light experience. This study investigates how different demographic groups, cultural backgrounds, and psychological states shape light perception and proposes adaptable lighting strategies for more inclusive and responsive architectural design. The findings highlight the necessity of human-centered lighting approaches that balance technical precision with individual needs.
Copyright (c) 2025 Kristīne Zane Čible, Efe Duyan
DATA DRIVEN DESIGN: Methods in Architectural Concept Design
This article explores the role of DATA DRIVEN DESIGN Methods in Architectural Concept Design of underground cloud data centers, with a particular focus on the "Underground Cloud" project. As data centers continue to serve as critical nodes for global digital infrastructure, their energy consumption and environmental impact raise pressing challenges. Data-driven design, incorporating advanced computational tools, artificial intelligence (AI), and predictive analytics, offers a solution to optimize spatial layouts, improve energy efficiency, and minimize environmental footprint. This research examines the potential of underground environments, which provide natural thermal stability and enhanced physical security, to support sustainable data center operations. The study analyzes the integration of big data in architectural workflows, highlighting the transition from intuition-based design to data-driven strategies that leverage real-time data inputs (Figure 1). Through case studies of existing underground facilities, the article illustrates best practices in applying AI-driven simulations and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for optimizing environmental performance. The findings suggest that data-driven methodologies can significantly reduce energy consumption, streamline operations, and address spatial constraints while maintaining architectural integrity. Furthermore, the paper presents design recommendations for future underground data centers, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, adaptive design strategies, and ethical considerations in data usage. The study concludes that the intersection of data-driven design and underground data center architecture represents a promising avenue for addressing the growing demands of the digital era while promoting sustainability and operational resilience. Additionally, the research underscores the potential for underground cloud infrastructure to contribute to urban energy ecosystems by utilizing excess heat for district heating, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing resource efficiency. The study also explores potential challenges and future directions for integrating data-driven methods into architectural design, providing a comprehensive framework for future projects.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sergejs Kopils, Co-author D. Arch Efe Duyan
In an era of rapid urbanisation and global environmental crisis, architecture must move beyond sustainability to cultivate environments that regenerate ecological systems and nurture human well-being. Biophilic design, a field that promotes the integration of nature into the built environment, has gained prominence in addressing this challenge. Central to biophilic architecture is the role of natural light. However, despite its importance, the treatment of light in biophilic design remains superficial. Most biophilic frameworks reduce light to general references of “daylight” or “sunlight,” with little exploration of its qualitative, poetic, or phenomenological dimensions. This paper addresses this gap by developing a new theoretical and practical framework for biophilic light, grounded in the forest environment and expressed through a phenomenon known as shivelight. Coined by poet Gerard Manley Hopkins in 1888, the term shivelight refers to the narrow lances of sunlight that pierce through a forest canopy. Unlike generic notions of daylight, shivelight is highly specific, tactile, and emotionally charged - it is light that is felt as much as seen. In this paper, shivelight is presented as a spatial and sensory phenomenon that embodies the layered, filtered, and dynamic qualities of light found in forest ecosystems. Through an interdisciplinary theoretical framework drawing on poetry, ecology, phenomenology, and Japanese philosophy, the study proposes 'forest light' as a distinct typology of biophilic light - a mode of lighting design capable of producing immersive, restorative, and spiritually resonant indoor environments. The paper is structured around three interconnected theoretical pillars. The first draws from poetic and cultural framings of forest light, particularly shivelight and the Japanese term komorebi, which describes the dappled light filtering through leaves. These linguistic and metaphorical constructs offer a way of thinking about light that foregrounds its emotional and aesthetic power. The second pillar is the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, or forest bathing, a therapeutic immersion in forest atmospheres that has been shown to reduce stress, boost immunity, and improve mood. The third pillar is phenomenology, which emphasises the role of embodied perception in architectural experience. From this perspective, light is not merely visual but tactile, temporal, and atmospheric; it reveals space, evokes memory, and invites contemplation. Together, these theories form the foundation of biophilic phenomenology, a conceptual model introduced in this paper. Biophilic phenomenology proposes that the restorative qualities of nature are not only biological or evolutionary, but also deeply sensory, embodied, and affective. It argues that architecture must engage light not simply as a technical resource, but as a medium through which nature is felt, remembered, and reimagined. The paper develops a practical design methodology titled the Shivelight Pattern Language. This design toolkit identifies key typologies of forest light - shivelight (beams), komorebi (dappled patterns), ambient glow, and deep shadow - and offers spatial and tectonic strategies for emulating them indoors through two primary approaches: forming light, which uses elements such as skylights, brise soleils, and pinhole openings to sculpt light patterns; and filtering light, which employs vegetation, diffusers, and layered materials to scatter and soften illumination. These methods are rooted in ecological biomimicry and phenomenological spatial design, aiming to replicate the rhythm, complexity, and emotional impact of forest light. The research is supported by a critical review of existing biophilic design frameworks (Kellert 2008, 2018; Browning & Ryan 2020; Zong et al. 2022), which reveals a lack of nuance and implementation strategies for lighting. While these models recognise natural light as important, none address how it might be shaped to evoke specific ecological atmospheres. Finally, the paper presents illustrative case studies across typologies to demonstrate how shivelight principles can be integrated into real-world design. These examples highlight the potential for light to serve as both a poetic and pragmatic strategy for regenerative architecture. In dense urban contexts where access to nature is limited, Shivelight Spaces offer a way to bring the forest indoors - not as metaphor, but as atmosphere. Ultimately, this research positions forest light as a central agent in biophilic architectural design. By translating its ephemeral qualities into spatial language, Shivelight Space becomes a tool for sensory reconnection - to place, to memory, and to the more-than-human world.
The Still Point: Architectural Perspectives on Euthanasia Clinics
Abstract Euthanasia remains a contentious and complex issue globally, yet architecture offers an opportunity to shape end-of-life experiences with dignity and compassion. This article, based on Madara Žeikare's master's thesis, provides an in-depth exploration of how architectural design can support euthanasia clinics by emphasizing patient autonomy, privacy, and emotional comfort. The thesis discusses the historical evolution of healthcare architecture, highlighting the transition from sterile medical environments to spaces that prioritize well-being, dignity, and holistic care. It delves into the architectural challenges of end-of-life facilities, including the need for privacy, integration of natural elements, and culturally sensitive design. Drawing from extensive sections of the thesis, including theoretical frameworks, design concepts, and case studies from Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Canada, this article highlights best practices such as flexible spatial organization, biophilic elements, and inclusive design solutions. The architectural framework proposed aims to foster ethical discourse and provide humane end-of-life care environments, particularly in regions like Latvia where euthanasia is not yet legal. The research underscores the importance of integrating positive distractions like art, music, and nature, ensuring privacy through soundproofing and thoughtful layouts, and promoting sustainability through eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems. Furthermore, the thesis explores the potential of architecture to serve as a catalyst for societal dialogue, bridging legal and cultural gaps, while offering spaces that respect and support the emotional well-being of patients and their families. This comprehensive perspective demonstrates how architecture can address emotional, ethical, and practical needs in end-of-life care, contributing significantly to academic discourse, design innovation, and practical applications in healthcare architecture. Keywords: Euthanasia clinics, healthcare architecture, patient autonomy, end-of-life care, architectural design, cultural sensitivity, ethical discourse, biophilic design. Introduction Euthanasia, the deliberate ending of life to alleviate suffering, evokes profound ethical, legal, and emotional debates. The architecture of euthanasia clinics is not merely about functionality but also about creating spaces that provide solace, respect, and dignity to individuals facing the end of life. Madara Žeikare's master's thesis, The Still Point: Where Choice Meets Serenity, provides a comprehensive exploration of how architectural design can address the unique needs of patients, families, and healthcare providers in end-of-life care settings. The introduction in the thesis sets a detailed context by discussing the historical evolution of healthcare architecture, the ethical debates surrounding euthanasia, and the need for specialized facilities that cater to these sensitive circumstances. It emphasizes the importance of privacy, emotional support, and cultural sensitivity in designing euthanasia clinics. Žeikare also highlights the growing global discourse on euthanasia and the architectural challenges faced in creating spaces that honor patient autonomy while adhering to legal and ethical standards. This article distills key insights from the thesis, focusing on the necessity of specialized euthanasia clinics, their design principles, cultural and regional sensitivity, sustainability considerations, and the broader societal implications of integrating architectural design into end-of-life care. It also draws attention to the Latvian context, where euthanasia remains illegal, and explores how architectural design can foster ethical discussions and contribute to potential legal and healthcare advancements in the future. The Need for Specialized Euthanasia Clinics Traditional healthcare facilities often struggle to balance clinical efficiency with emotional support, particularly in end-of-life care. The master's thesis highlights that existing healthcare spaces, such as hospitals and hospices, often prioritize medical functionality over emotional well-being, leading to environments that may feel sterile and impersonal. Euthanasia clinics, as distinct entities, address this gap by prioritizing patient autonomy, privacy, and emotional well-being. Madara Žeikare’s work emphasizes that architectural design in euthanasia clinics must integrate thoughtful spatial organization, sensory comfort, and ethical considerations to provide a humane end-of-life experience. The thesis explores international examples where specialized clinics have successfully created environments that respect patient choices, offering design solutions such as separate circulation paths for patients and staff, nature-integrated spaces for reflection, and private rooms that allow personalization. The research also delves into the challenges posed by the absence of such facilities in regions like Latvia, where euthanasia is not legal, and suggests that architectural design can play a pivotal role in encouraging dialogue and advocating for humane end-of-life care. By analyzing case studies, the thesis illustrates how design elements like soundproof rooms, soothing color palettes, and flexible spaces contribute to a sense of peace and dignity. This article expands on the thesis by underscoring that architecture can foster environments where patients feel empowered in their choices, supported by spaces designed for tranquility, dignity, and ethical sensitivity. Design Principles for Euthanasia Clinics The design principles for euthanasia clinics outlined in Madara Žeikare's thesis emphasize creating spaces that provide comfort, dignity, and emotional support during the end-of-life journey. Patient-Centered Design: Architectural layouts must prioritize patient autonomy, with private rooms that offer personalization opportunities such as bringing personal belongings, artwork, and photographs. Seamless movement flows are essential to minimize stress, ensuring that patients experience minimal disruptions. The thesis details the importance of spacious rooms with natural views, soundproof walls for privacy, and ergonomic furnishings that enhance physical comfort. Incorporation of Nature: Biophilic design elements, such as botanical gardens, natural light, and water features, are essential for creating calming environments. The thesis describes how connecting patients with nature through large windows, indoor greenery, and sensory gardens contributes to psychological well-being. Nature-inspired textures, materials, and color palettes further enhance the therapeutic atmosphere. Cultural Sensitivity: Facilities should accommodate diverse cultural and spiritual practices, providing spaces like prayer rooms and incorporating regional architectural influences. Žeikare’s work highlights the need for flexible spaces that can be adapted for different rituals, cultural ceremonies, and spiritual counseling, ensuring inclusivity and respect for all beliefs. Positive Distractions: Integrating art, music, and sensory stimuli helps alleviate anxiety, offering patients and families moments of peace. The thesis emphasizes the use of visual art installations, ambient music systems, aromatherapy, and tactile elements like soft fabrics and interactive features. These distractions provide emotional respite, helping patients and their families navigate the challenging end-of-life process with greater ease. Patient-Centered Design: Architectural layouts must prioritize patient autonomy, with private rooms, personalized spaces, and seamless movement flows that minimize stress. International Case Studies: Best Practices in Design The master's thesis by Madara Žeikare offers a detailed examination of international euthanasia clinics, showcasing best practices in architectural design that balance legal, ethical, and emotional considerations. Switzerland (Dignitas): Emphasizes patient autonomy with flexible spaces that adapt to individual needs. The Dignitas facility integrates minimalist design with natural elements such as open spaces, wooden textures, and large windows offering views of nature, creating a serene atmosphere. The thesis highlights how Dignitas offers patients control over their environment, including room personalization and choice of surroundings, reinforcing their autonomy and dignity. Separate spaces for counseling, reflection, and final moments ensure privacy and comfort, while legal and ethical safeguards are embedded in the architectural design. The Netherlands (End of Life Clinic): Balances functionality with emotional support, offering private consultation spaces, family meeting rooms, and areas for reflection. The thesis details how the clinic incorporates nature through interior gardens, water features, and natural lighting, reducing stress for patients and families. Flexibility in room design allows for different cultural and spiritual practices, with designated spaces for rituals and farewells. Architectural elements like soundproofing and comfortable furnishings ensure a supportive atmosphere, while legal requirements for patient consent and medical assessments are seamlessly integrated into the spatial organization. Canada (MAID Facilities): Highlights adaptability, privacy, and inclusivity, ensuring that spaces are accessible and emotionally supportive. The thesis explores Canadian clinics' use of modular design, allowing spaces to be adapted for different patient needs. Accessibility features include barrier-free entrances, wide corridors, and adjustable lighting. Emotional support is provided through art therapy rooms, music installations, and sensory gardens. Canadian facilities also prioritize cultural sensitivity, offering spaces for diverse spiritual practices and counseling services, ensuring that every patient’s journey is respected and supported through thoughtful architectural design. Architectural Concept and Design Decisions Madara Žeikare’s master's thesis presents a detailed conceptual design for a euthanasia clinic in Latvia, weaving natural forms, cultural sensitivity, and sustainability into every aspect of the facility. The architectural concept is built around the philosophy of providing patients with a serene, respectful environment for end-of-life care while addressing the complex emotional, legal, and ethical dimensions of euthanasia. Botanical Garden: Central to the design, the botanical garden serves as both a physical and symbolic anchor. It symbolizes growth, serenity, and the cycle of life, providing patients and families with a peaceful environment for reflection. The garden includes carefully selected flora such as lavender for relaxation, olive trees for peace, and flowing water features for tranquility. Pathways and seating areas are strategically placed to encourage quiet contemplation and emotional healing. Patient Rooms: Designed to offer maximum comfort and privacy, patient rooms are oriented towards the west to capture calming sunset views, symbolizing the transition and uniqueness of each life. Large windows flood the rooms with natural light, while soft materials, warm tones, and personalized decor options provide a home-like atmosphere. Each room includes a private terrace, allowing patients to connect with nature. Positive Distractions: The clinic integrates a variety of positive distractions, including Zen gardens with raked sand patterns for mindfulness, aquariums with koi fish symbolizing perseverance, and rotating art installations that inspire and comfort. Sensory elements like soft lighting, calming scents, and ambient music further enhance emotional well-being. Privacy Measures: Architectural solutions prioritize privacy and security through separate entrances for patients, families, and staff, soundproofed walls for confidential conversations, and visual barriers like landscaped screens and frosted glass. These measures ensure that patients and families experience the highest level of comfort, dignity, and peace during their time at the clinic. The thesis also emphasizes sustainability, with energy-efficient materials, natural ventilation, and solar panels integrated into the design. Cultural sensitivity is reflected in the choice of materials, architectural forms, and the inclusion of spaces for diverse spiritual practices, ensuring that the clinic aligns with Latvia’s cultural context while fostering a supportive and dignified environment. Conclusions and Proposals Madara Žeikare’s master's thesis offers a thorough exploration of architecture's potential to influence ethical discourse on euthanasia, particularly in regions like Latvia, where legal and cultural hesitations persist. The research highlights that architecture is not just a physical framework but a medium through which compassionate care, dignity, and autonomy can be expressed. The thesis proposes developing adaptable spaces that cater to diverse patient needs, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs. It delves into the importance of flexible architectural designs that can accommodate various end-of-life preferences, including spaces for family gatherings, private reflections, and spiritual rituals. The thesis emphasizes modular designs that allow easy customization, ensuring patients from different cultural and religious backgrounds feel supported and respected. Public dialogue can be encouraged through architectural exhibitions, workshops, and public consultations where design concepts for euthanasia clinics are showcased. The thesis suggests that these forums can engage policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the general public, fostering awareness, empathy, and understanding. Architectural visualizations and models can serve as powerful tools to demonstrate how thoughtfully designed spaces can transform the end-of-life experience. Integration of advanced technologies is highlighted as a key proposal in the thesis. AI-based patient monitoring systems can ensure continuous care, while virtual reality can offer therapeutic experiences, such as serene landscapes or familiar settings, to comfort patients. Smart building management systems, including automated lighting, climate control, and energy management, contribute to operational efficiency and sustainability. Sustainability is a cornerstone of the thesis’s architectural proposals. It advocates for the use of eco-friendly materials, renewable energy sources like solar panels, natural ventilation systems, and rainwater harvesting. The design also emphasizes biophilic elements such as indoor gardens, green walls, and natural lighting, which not only reduce the environmental impact but also promote healing and emotional well-being. The thesis reinforces the vision of architectural design as a transformative tool in end-of-life care, advocating for spaces that honor dignity, autonomy, and emotional well-being while addressing complex ethical considerations. It calls for interdisciplinary collaboration among architects, healthcare providers, ethicists, and policymakers to create humane, supportive environments for patients facing the end of life, offering a blueprint for future development in this sensitive area.
Bioregional Approach for Regenerating Urban Space
Bioregional approach in architecture, rooted in the principles of place-based design and ecological resilience, proposes a holistic framework for regenerating urban spaces. This approach integrates local natural systems, cultural heritage, and regional material supply chains to create urban environments that are not only sustainable but also regenerative, actively restoring ecological balance and enhancing biodiversity. Today, it's not enough to provide sustainable design, which at best achieves a form of neutrality in which all negative impacts have been mitigated. It is now time to excel in regenerative design, where our approach to design needs to better factor in externalities and wider impacts that arise through supply chains and building processes in order to address the biodiversity crisis and ecosystem impacts of our industry. The aim of this article is to understand the principles of regenerative design and how it differs from sustainable design. To research “bioregionalism” as a regenerative design approach and introduce practical bioregional examples. Based on that, to understand how such an approach can help to regenerate urban space, what are the benefits of such an approach, and how does it add benefits?
Copyright (c) 2025 Niklāvs Krievs, Sabīne Skudra
A Restorative Wellness and Hospitality: Designing Spaces for Tourism in Natural Contexts
Introduction In an era shaped by rapid urbanization, ecological challenges, and an increasing demand for meaningful connections with nature, tourism is evolving to prioritize wellness and sustainability. This thesis, Restorative Wellness and Hospitality: Designing Spaces for Tourism in Natural Contexts, explores how architectural design can create restorative environments that promote well-being, environmental consciousness, and immersive hospitality experiences. By integrating restorative design principles, biophilic architecture, and sustainable development strategies, the research aims to establish a framework for wellness tourism spaces that balance personal renewal with ecological responsibility. Relevance and Objectives Positioned at the intersection of wellness design, biophilic architecture, and sustainable development, the research addresses a critical gap in the literature: the lack of integrative frameworks that unite spatial design, environmental ethics, and tourism strategy. As wellness tourism evolves, there is an urgent need for architectural approaches that transcend luxury aesthetics and focus instead on healing, adaptability, and environmental sensitivity. Key Research Questions How can architecture create inclusive and adaptable restorative environments in wellness retreats? What spatial, sensory, and material elements best support tranquility and connection in natural settings? How can wellness retreats operate sustainably while enhancing guest experience? Methodology This study employs a mixed-method, interdisciplinary research design structured around four core methods: Literature Review – Investigates foundational and contemporary theories in restorative environments, biophilic design, environmental psychology, and sustainable tourism architecture. Case Study Analysis – Evaluates exemplary wellness retreats to identify successful design strategies and operational models that foster restorativeness and sustainability. Semi-Structured Interviews – Engages with architects, hospitality professionals, and wellness practitioners to understand user needs and practical applications of design principles. Site-Specific Design Proposal – Develops a conceptual retreat grounded in natural context, applying findings to create a holistic and scalable model for off-grid or eco-sensitive wellness architecture. Findings and Contributions The research anticipates that restorative wellness spaces, when designed with attention to both user experience and sustainability, can serve as transformative environments—supporting human renewal while respecting planetary boundaries. Key contributions include: Identification of spatial and sensory qualities that foster tranquility and well-being; Integration of sustainable development practices in retreat design; A holistic architectural model that aligns ecological sensitivity, guest experience, and economic viability. Conclusion This thesis underscores architecture’s evolving role in shaping restorative wellness tourism, redefining how hospitality spaces can promote healing, relaxation, and sustainability. By integrating wellness-focused design with eco-conscious development, these retreats present a forward-thinking model for sustainable tourism that aligns business profitability with ecological responsibility. Ultimately, the research envisions wellness spaces as transformative environments that bridge the gap between hospitality, personal renewal, and environmental harmony, offering solutions that cater to both modern travelers and long-term sustainability goals.
Space moves with the body in the flow of time, becomes open to new possibilities, transforms and belongs to each other. The daily life of the city provides the environment in which this relationship is most obvious and diverse. The body can create space through cause and effect, but it can also completely break the connection inbetween. The unpredictability of the body is the most important factor in this. Merce Cunningham's dance choreographies have been identified as a valuable basis for discussing the random spaces created by the body. Integrating elements of randomness, Cunningham often used dice rolls to determine the sequence and structure of movements, decoupling dance from traditional musical and spatial constraints. In this context the research question of the study is: “Which forms of relationship between body and space can be explored in the context of randomness through Merce Cunningham's dance?”. The study aims to investigate the variables within the randomly created space. A total of 204 dances were examined on the official website of ‘Merce Cunningham Trust’, where Cunningham's dances were listed, of which 43 contained a random relationship. The extraction of detailed data about the space proved impossible, resulting in the elimination of 15 of them. The examination of 28 dances revealed a relationship between randomness and the spatial approach, leading to the identification of four distinct categories: Polytemporal spatialities, disjunctive simultaneities, autonomous co-presence and relational choreoscapes. These forms of relationship are also expected to provide insight into random spatial formations in daily life.
This is an article focused on the first part of my Rixarch lecture, dedicated to appearance of modern low reflective solar control and low e glazing. It can appear dark or wonderful depending on other conditions that are outlined.
Thirdspace as Tool for Grounding at-risk Youth
This paper explores how Edward Soja’s theory of Thirdspace can be applied as a conceptual tool to rethink institutional environments for at-risk youth. While Firstspace views spaces solely as physical structures, such as walls and doors and Secondspace conceptualizes spaces through planning and design, Thirdspace emphasizes the way spaces are experienced, felt, and lived. Using the lens of Thirdspace theory, institutional environments are revealed as non-neutral spaces, shaped by lived experiences and power structures - often perceived by at-risk youth through control, trauma, and exclusion (Soja, 1996). By employing Thirdspace theory as a conceptual framework within institutional settings, such as detention centres for at-risk youth, it becomes possible to reimagine these environments not merely as sites of control, but rather as spaces fostering emotional safety, identity development, and social inclusion (Soja, 1996).
Copyright (c) 2025 Diana Medena, Ilze Paklone
Freedom of Form Manifesto: Reimagining Architecture in the Age of Computational Design and Digital Fabrication
The Freedom of Form Manifesto presents a radical rethinking of architecture in the age of computational design, robotic fabrication, and generative processes. Traditional architectural methodologies, constrained by modular standardization, Cartesian geometries, and prefabrication, have limited the expressive and functional potential of built environments. This article critiques the limitations of industrial-era construction paradigms and proposes a new framework where form is emergent, adaptive, and performative rather than predefined. Drawing from advances in parametric semiology, multi-agent simulations, and additive manufacturing techniques like Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), this manifesto advocates for an architecture that integrates generative intelligence, self-organizing material logic, and AI-driven spatial adaptation. It establishes six core principles, including the rejection of static typologies, the unification of generative design with fabrication, and the transition toward post-anthropocentric, multi-space environments. This study also addresses the challenges of implementing robotic construction at scale, including material constraints, regulatory barriers, and the need for economic viability. It calls for a paradigm shift in architectural practice and education, urging architects to embrace computational creativity, algorithmic workflows, and robotic precision to redefine the built environment. Ultimately, Freedom of Form envisions a future where architecture is no longer imposed but computationally generated, no longer static but continuously evolving, no longer constrained but truly free.
Copyright (c) 2025 Andrejs Kopils, Efe Duyan
Khoos: Crafting a Contemporary Material Language for the Arabian Mashrabiya
This paper investigates the potential for khoos, a freehand woven process indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), to reimagine the design and construction of the Arabian Mashrabiya. A culturally and climatically significant feature of domestic Islamic architecture, the mashrabiya is a latticed window screen that traditionally formed a threshold between private and public spaces and is part of a natural ventilation system. Historically the space of the disguised female gaze offering clandestine views of public life on the street, or guests in the courtyard, the mashrabiya provides privacy while allowing air flow and filtered light. A space in between two realms, carved by kinetic light and the hands of skilled craftspeople. The decline of the vernacular mashrabiya and its substitution within contemporary Arabian architecture and urban design has often reduced it to a superficial, two-dimensional motif pasted onto building façades devoid of purpose, cultural identity, and architectural experience. Beyond the degradation of Arab vernacular architecture, an equally pressing concern lies in the prevalence of contemporary construction across the region that relies on imported, culturally foreign, industrial materials and methods rather than processes of place and people. Originally made from local and imported woods, mashrabiya showcased skilled craftsmanship. The industrialization of regional architecture has displaced artisans from the building process, eroding locally rooted, culturally embedded, and ecologically attuned practices of construction. Khoos, a material practice native to the MENA region, is both environmentally sensitive and human-centered. Traditionally employed in basketry, its potential extends beyond the fabrication of artifacts to the construction of architectural space. Derived from the date palm tree, khoos is locally abundant and harvested during seasonal cycles of regeneration, making the craft a practice grounded in the use of natural, biodegradable byproducts. Using material investigations conducted with weavers in Upper Egypt and advanced through digital modeling, the paper studies architectural possibilities for reimagining the contemporary artisanal mashrabiya. The research leverages and builds on the knowledge of the weaver to propose a new architectural vernacular that explores the application of basket weaving techniques to architectural design. Through hybrid analogue-digital creative production, the paper will demonstrate the versatility and strength of freehand weaving as a technological process capable of creating robust, volumetric, structural form and surfaces that define spatial conditions. As a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional elements of Arab vernacular architecture, the “phygital” material experiments reinvent the wood screen in the woven language of khoos, a practice that respects the land, contributes to cultural heritage, and celebrates artistry of past and present.
The Role of Fusion Power and High-Tech Data Centers in the Sustainable Revitalization of Decommissioned Nuclear Sites
This article explores the potential of transforming decommissioned nuclear power plants into sustainable urban hubs through the integration of fusion power and high-tech data centers. Focused on the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) in Lithuania, it presents a unique opportunity to repurpose former industrial sites to address modern challenges in energy sustainability, technological innovation, and economic revitalization. By combining clean, virtually limitless fusion energy with the growing demand for digital infrastructure, this approach offers a dual solution for sustainable energy production and regional economic growth. Drawing from international case studies, the article outlines a comprehensive blueprint for repurposing nuclear sites as critical components of the future urban landscape, offering valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and industry leaders looking to drive both environmental and technological progress.
Gunnar Birkerts: The Work Speaks for Itself
Gunnar Birkerts was the last twentieth-century architect of international acclaim to have practiced out of the Detroit, Michigan region of the United States. This text was written as an introduction to my essays and building descriptions in the book, Gunnar Birkerts, Metaphoric Modernist, published in 2009 by Edition Axel Menges. These observations and descriptions of a few of Birkerts’ buildings, were deleted from the final book publication. Birkerts died in 2017. I have updated this essay to reflect the passage of time and the occasion of his centenary in January 2025.
Adaptive renovation of historical structures presents the dual challenge of preserving architectural heritage while accommodating contemporary urban needs. This research explores the transformation of spaces once designed for entirely different purposes, inhabited by different people, into relevant and functional parts of today’s cities. The study investigates adaptive reuse strategies that integrate spatial functionality with historical integrity, offering insight into resource-efficient architectural practices. The primary objective is to identify approaches that respect cultural and historical significance while addressing modern demands such as sustainability, aesthetics, and usability. The research also aims to bridge the gap between heritage conservation and contemporary architectural practice, reactivating neglected or abandoned structures. There are a strong theoretical references made before from architects, discussion on the aesthetics of atmosphere and the passage of time. Some of the concepts emphasizes the importance of spatial memory and historical layering, advocating for a design dialogue between old and new—where contemporary interventions amplify, rather than erase, the memories embedded in architectural space. The research addresses the following questions: Spiritual dimensions: What renovation strategies can honor collective memory? How does adaptive reuse impact the social and spatial dynamics of a neighborhood? Technical dimensions: What are the main challenges and considerations in renovating historical buildings? What are the most effective methods and techniques for preservation? Contextual dimensions: What local preservation regulations influence adaptive reuse to meet urban development needs? What factors determine the success of an adaptive reuse project? The study combines theoretical and practical approaches to merge historical aesthetics with modern architectural interventions. It includes case studies and comparative analysis, focusing on design tools and adaptive reuse strategies within broader urban contexts. The research methodology involves qualitative analysis of spatial and aesthetic principles, and quantitative assessments of efficiency, sustainability, and user satisfaction. Methods include literature review, case study research, fieldwork, design simulations, and data interpretation. The focal site of the study is located in the historic center of Kuldīga, Latvia, at Skolas Street 2. The ruins of a historical structure stand on this site, which holds significant spatial potential due to its central location. However, strict heritage regulations prohibit demolition, creating a design constraint that calls for creative and sensitive architectural intervention. This project serves as a case to explore how new design can activate abandoned heritage while initiating a meaningful dialogue between preservation and innovation. The following images 1,2,3 presents conceptual visualizations of potential renovation outcomes for the historical site at Skolas iela 2 in Kuldīga. Generated using AI (Stable Diffusion), these architectural renderings serve as speculative design studies that explore a range of adaptive reuse strategies. Each scenario reflects a different degree of intervention—ranging from minimal restoration to more expressive contemporary additions—based on key themes discussed in the research: spatial memory, material preservation, contextual integration, and atmosphere. These simulations are not final proposals but rather analytical tools to evaluate how different design approaches align with theoretical principles and heritage values. By visualizing the potential dialogue between historical remains and modern architectural elements, the study examines which interventions best respect the cultural layers of the site while meeting contemporary functional needs. The use of generative AI in this context enables the exploration of diverse possibilities and supports a comparative analysis grounded in architectural theory, user experience, and urban sensitivity. In this context, the research highlights how adaptive reuse can act as a strategic architectural response that not only conserves physical heritage but also engages with deeper layers of spatial memory, cultural continuity, and social relevance. The thesis demonstrates that successful interventions depend on more than technical skill, they require sensitivity to atmosphere, narrative, and place identity. The use of varied design strategies such as minimal intervention, contrast, and hybridization allows for different levels of engagement with the historical fabric, ranging from subtle enhancement to bold reinterpretation. Comparative case studies, including works by Scarpa, Bricolo & Falsarella, and the adaptive reuse of Nervi’s hangar, provide evidence of how layered design decisions can transform decaying or obsolete structures into active, meaningful parts of the city. The Riga Charter is used as a conceptual framework to underline the ethical responsibilities architects face when intervening in heritage contexts. Ultimately, the project suggests that adaptive reuse is not only about preservation—it is also about reactivating space for future use, fostering continuity while embracing transformation. By combining historical depth with contemporary relevance, adaptive reuse can offer a sustainable and poetic way forward for urban environments rooted in their own layered histories.
Copyright (c) 2025 Matīss Kļava, Rudolfs Dainis Šmits
Innovative Digital Tools for Landscape Design
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and parametric design in landscape architecture is redefining creativity, efficiency, and sustainability in design processes. This paper explores the impact of these digital tools, focusing on their role in concept development, visualization, workflow automation, and environmental analysis. AI-powered tools, such as MidJourney and PromeAI, enable rapid ideation and visualization but require critical evaluation to ensure their outputs align with real-world constraints. Parametric modeling, particularly through Grasshopper, enhances adaptability and efficiency in complex landscape designs, allowing for rapid modifications and data-driven decision-making. Additionally, the combination of parametric tools with Building Information Modeling (BIM) offers precise material calculations and performance simulations, supporting informed and sustainable design choices. Despite these advantages, digital tools present challenges, including steep learning curves, reliance on automation, and potential detachment from site-specific considerations. Effective implementation requires a balance between computational capabilities and human creativity, ensuring that technology enhances rather than dictates the design process. As digital innovations continue to evolve, landscape architects must critically engage with these tools, integrating them strategically to address urbanization, climate change, and resource management. This study underscores the need for a thoughtful, knowledge-driven approach to digital design methodologies, ensuring that technological advancements serve as facilitators rather than constraints in shaping the future of landscape architecture.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ingus Birznieks, Ilze Paklone
Toward a Reflective Pedagogy of AI-Aided Design: Insights from an Experimental Design Studio
This study explores a structured, semester-long integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into architectural design education through an experimental studio course at Abdullah Gül University. Rather than positioning AI as a mere tool for automation, the studio investigated its potential as a speculative design collaborator, embedded within a pedagogical framework centered on research-by-design. Students engaged in iterative processes of problem framing, concept development, and visual exploration, using AI systems both as generative aids and dialogic partners. The course emphasized critical authorship and interpretive reasoning, prompting students to interrogate AI outputs and incorporate them into evolving manual design practices. Through hybrid prompt strategies, students developed the ability to translate abstract spatial ideas into grounded proposals, navigating ambiguity and reconciling machine-driven outputs with contextual constraints. Findings suggest that AI, when scaffolded within reflective pedagogies, can expand students’ cognitive engagement, conceptual depth, and representational fluency without displacing human design agency. This research contributes an alternative model of AI-aided pedagogy—one that destabilizes deterministic workflows and instead fosters epistemic diversity, design literacy, and critical synthesis.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ömer Faruk Alp, Vacide Betül Kurtuluş
SHAPING URBAN SPACES FOR WINTER: ELEVATING LIVELINESS AND SOCIAL INTERACTION
In cities with harsh winters and a humid continental climate, such as Riga, public life significantly diminishes during the cold season. Low temperatures, reduced daylight, and snow create environmental and psychological barriers that discourage outdoor activity and social engagement. This article examines how urban design can counteract these seasonal effects and foster vibrant public life throughout the year. Building on Jan Gehl’s principles of human-scale urbanism, the paper analyses winter’s impact on human behaviour biologically, psychologically, and culturally, and the associated health consequences of inactivity. Through literature review and international case studies, it identifies three key design strategies: mobility, functionality, and aesthetics, which can elevate liveliness and social interaction in winter cities. The findings suggest that winter should not be viewed merely as a challenge but as a design opportunity. By integrating lighting, inclusive infrastructure, seasonal programming, and sensory engagement, cities can transform winter public spaces into active, healthy, and socially meaningful environments.
Copyright (c) 2025 Airita Bērziņa, Kristīne Dreija
It is the premise of this paper that the influence of daylight on the very conception of architectural space and form is as essential as the presence, in spaces, of daylight, itself. We may study daylight and measure it with remarkable accuracy and valuable consequences. However, the value of daylight to the inhabitant and the designer runs deeper than quantification, simple navigation, or assigned symbolism. Daylight instigates good design decisions and generates architecture, and the way daylight operates may be considered to have a metaphorical relationship with architecture.