#22 UNStudio Celebrates Global Collaboration

In this very special episode, Machteld Kors, Director Strategic Development, is sitting down with UNStudio founder and principal architect, Ben van Berkel to discuss what has happened at the studio over this past year and what observations he has made regarding architecture and design and the profession in general.
Don't forget to follow UNStudio on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X and Pinterest.

#23 Looking Back on 2023: A Conversation with Ben van Berkel

To start off the new year we sat down with Frans van Vuure , a Director at UNStudio and Benjamin Davey, a researcher and consultant for the UNS Futures team. In this episode they discuss this missing layer of cognitive experience design in architecture projects, and future applications of this research - enjoy!

Host. Lucie Pressl
Filmed and Edited. Thomas Jones
Produced. Thomas Jones and Alexis Traussi

Follow us on:
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/unstudio/
Instagram - @unstudio_architecture
Facebook - facebook.com/UNStudioArchitecture/
Twitter - @UNStudio_Arch

#24 Cognitive Experience Design in Future Projects

Cristóbal Burgos (Architect) sits down with Arjan Dingsté (Partner / Senior Architect) to discuss UNStudio’s latest software development that's transforming the way our architects and designers approach their projects —the Carbon Builder. This tool allows our teams to analyse and compare numerous design options, guiding them towards choices that significantly minimise the carbon footprint of their projects.
As the urgency of addressing the climate crisis intensifies, the need for sustainable practices within the built environment has never been more crucial. The Carbon Builder was developed to offer a faster, more precise design solutions that architects and designers can utilitse in their projects.
Don't forget to follow UNStudio on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X and Pinterest.

#25 The Carbon Builder: Giving UNStudio Designers Full Control of Embodied Carbon Impacts

Host Liva Sadovska sits down with our colleagues Marianthi Tatari and Sugandha Gupta do discuss how they experience design in the world, from early on in the bid process to seeing a design become reality.
In this episode, they also get into how UNStudio takes a human-centric approach to its designs and the importance of representation in architecture.
To stay up-to-date with all of our work, be sure to follow UNStudio on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest and X.

#26 How Cultural Understanding Fosters a More Inclusive Built Environment

In this episode of UNS talks, we explore the innovative approaches UNStudio is bringing to architectural design in the hospitality sector. We have expanded the conversation to include experts from various fields who are transforming how we experience both familiar and unfamiliar cities.
Discover how travel and exploration, while exciting, also bring to light critical societal challenges such as urban housing shortages and increased environmental impact. Let's delve into these pressing issues and explore sustainable solutions together.


Guests:
Annemarie Van Doorn – Founder of the Social Value Foundation
Inge Kortekaas – Co-Founder of the Social Value Foundation and Sustainability and Innovation Manager at Annexum
Tim Wassenaar – Asset Manager of The July Hotel Company and also involved in the Social Value Foundation

#27 Establishing Social Value in Hospitality Design

As part of our campaign exploring some of the key factors that are enabling the hospitality industry to improve the guest experience, we sat down with our colleagues from Amsterdam, Austin, Dubai, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, Melbourne, and Shanghai to provide a broader perspective of what is changing globally in the world of hospitality – and what we expect in the future.


Guests:
Astrid Piber – Partner / Senior Architect
Susan Kaiser – Architect
Sander Versluis – Project Director – Australia
Garett Hwang – Director
Frans van Vuure – Director / Senior Architect
Arjan Pit – Managing Director MEA

#28 A Global Perspective: UNStudio on Designing for Hospitality

In this episode of UNS Talks, we dive into the transformative power of reimagining city spaces through greenery. Join us as Ruth van Dijken, Director of The Green Mile project and Co-founder of Blending Bricks, and Misja van Veen, Senior Project Director and Urban Designer at UNStudio, share insights on The Green Mile, an ambitious initiative to revitalize Amsterdam’s iconic Stadhouderskade with nature. Through real-time data, public engagement, and collaborative efforts, learn how they’re making environmental issues visible and inspiring sustainable change. 🌍
 
From the mental and physical benefits of urban greenery to innovative approaches like “designing without design,” our guests show how blending nature into city streets opens up endless possibilities. Curious about urban greening, sustainable design, or the future of nature in our cities? Hit play and be part of the movement! 🌱
 
Timestamps:
⁠00:07⁠ - ⁠06:01⁠ - UNS Talks Intro
⁠06:05⁠ - ⁠01:01⁠ - Intro to episode
⁠01:01⁠ - ⁠02:05⁠ - Guest Introductions
⁠02:04⁠ - ⁠09:00⁠ - Reclaiming cities from cars for a greener, slower pace
⁠09:00⁠ - ⁠14:30⁠ - Origins of The Green Mile and collaborative approach
⁠14:30⁠ - ⁠16:37⁠ - Ambitions of collaborative design
⁠16:37⁠ - ⁠21:27⁠ - Green Mile’s long-term vision for nature and public spaces
⁠21:27⁠ - ⁠25:07⁠ - From vision to impact: managing stakeholder engagement
⁠25:07⁠ - ⁠27:23⁠ - Green Mile Tulip: a symbolic, interactive feature
⁠27:23⁠ - ⁠30:35⁠ - Resident input and agency within the project
⁠30:35⁠ - ⁠34:58⁠ - Making environmental issues visible with real-time data
⁠34:58⁠ - ⁠37:55⁠ - GAR: A new metric for green spaces in design
⁠37:55⁠ - ⁠40:06⁠ - Nature's positive effects on mental and physical health
⁠40:06⁠ - ⁠40:29⁠ - Allowing nature to flourish, naturally
⁠43:20⁠ - ⁠48:30⁠ - Recognizing nature as a stakeholder in planning
⁠48:30⁠ - ⁠53:57⁠ - Starting with open ambitions over fixed designs
⁠52:43⁠ - ⁠54:22⁠ - Final message: Stop, look, and observe
⁠54:22⁠ - ⁠54:49⁠ - Episode wrap-up
 
Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights on urban sustainability and join the conversation in the comments below!
 
⁠#UNStalks⁠ ⁠#TheGreenMile⁠ ⁠#UrbanDesign⁠ ⁠#Netherlands⁠ ⁠#Amsterdam⁠ ⁠#UrbanDesign⁠ ⁠#CityGreening⁠ ⁠#Sustainability

#29 Green Spaces, Open Minds

In this special episode, host Josine Hendriksen sits down with Ben van Berkel to reflect on an extraordinary year for UNStudio.  

From groundbreaking projects to exciting product launches, 2024 has been a year of milestones. Together, Josine and Ben discuss the highlights, including the competition win for the Kyklos building in Luxembourg, the unveiling of the Remode chair with Ahrend, and the completion of the Van B Residences in Munich. Each project showcases UNStudio’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and designing for the future. 
 
The conversation also touches on broader themes, such as the opening of UNStudio’s new office in Austin, Texas, and the studio’s growing presence in China, marked by the release of the Chinese edition ofKnowledge Matters*. Ben shares insights into the challenges and opportunities the architecture sector faced in 2024, from modular design to the integration of advanced technologies.  

Join us for this engaging discussion as we celebrate the achievements of 2024 and look ahead to the future of design and architecture.

#30 End of Year Conversation with Ben van Berkel

#31 Can designers anticipate our emotional needs?

UNS Talks is a podcast by the architectural design firm UNStudio. Founded in 1988 by Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos, UNStudio specializes in architecture, urban development, product design, interior design and infrastructural projects. Based in Amsterdam, Shanghai and Hong Kong, the office has produced a wide range of work ranging from public buildings, infrastructure, offices, residential buildings, products, to urban masterplans. Pivotal UNStudio projects include; the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Arnhem Central Station, Raffles City Hangzhou, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam.

#23 Looking Back on 2023: A Conversation with Ben van Berkel

UNS talks

Related tracks