معرفی
Freek Persyn is a Full Professor of Architecture and Urban Transformation at ETH Zurich, where he has held the NEWROPE Professorship since 2019. He leads the Design in Dialogue Lab within the Department of Architecture, focusing on spatial design and social innovation. Persyn co-founded the spatial planning firm 51N4E in 1998, which specializes in urban and social transformation across Europe.
Persyn's research centers on the concept of 'Design in Dialogue,' which emphasizes transdisciplinary collaboration to address the complexity of contemporary urban challenges. His work explores innovative solutions for European urban spaces, aiming to rediscover Europe as a habitable terrain and shared living space. Key research areas include urban design, spatial planning, social transformation, and the intersection of architecture with social innovation. The NEWROPE initiative seeks to examine diverse urban practices that shape Europe, fostering radical openness and learning from various urban practitioners through transdisciplinary projects.
His scholarly output demonstrates a strong focus on reimagining urban spaces through dialogue-based approaches. Persyn's work examines European urban transformation, rural-urban connections, industrial heritage sites, and innovative design methodologies. Key themes across his publications include sustainable approaches to building, the social dimensions of space, and transformative design processes that challenge conventional architectural practices. His research often bridges theoretical frameworks with practical design applications, emphasizing participatory methods and material investigations.
Persyn delivered his inaugural lecture at ETH Zurich on October 20, 2021, titled 'Wouldn't it be nice if architects started dreaming about building less?' The lecture explored his professional background, inspiration, and future plans for the NEWROPE Chair. The event featured collective sensing exercises developed by students of Studio Seebach with theater and dance maker Manuela Runge, highlighting his commitment to experiential and collaborative approaches to architectural education and practice.
The Design in Dialogue Lab serves as a hub for exploring innovative approaches to urban transformation through projects across European cities including Brussels, Piraeus, Basel, and Plovdiv. Current initiatives examine topics such as urban spaces for more than human communities, collaborative processes, design approaches, and hybrid applications for European urban environments. Persyn's work consistently emphasizes transdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together spatial and strategic knowledge with other disciplines and urban practitioners to address complex contemporary challenges.
