In many regions of the world, individuals, ethnic groups and entire societies are continuously exposed to disasters. Natural catastrophes, wars, epidemics, political repression and the resulting displacement, but also marginalisation and neglect cause deep physical and psychological traumas.

The symposium will examine the questions, what positive influence can the design of spaces and surroundings have on the recovery process of the people and societies affected and, in general, what can space-making contribute to a better and healthier living environment around the world? The dialogue and networking event will be accompanied by a presentation of the Healing Garden project in Chamchamal by Jiyan Foundation, ZRS Architekten Ingenieure, TU Berlin and BU Weimar.

PROGRAMME

1 – 2 pm

EXHIBITION & BRUNCH
Opening of the exhibition featuring the Chamchamal project, Kurdistan-Iraq, with drinks & snacks
Introduction: Eike Roswag-Klinge, ZRS Architekten Ingenieure, Berlin and Natural Building Lab, TU Berlin

SYMPOSIUM
2 – 2.10 pm
Welcome: Kristin Feireiss & Hans-Jürgen Commerell, Directors, ANCB The Aedes Metropolitan Laboratory, Berlin

2.10 – 2.40 pm
REFLECTIONS ON 10 YEARS ANCB
Dunya Bouchi & Miriam Mlecek, Curators, ANCB The Aedes Metropolitan Laboratory, Berlin
Ole von Uexküll, Executive Director, Right Livelihood Award Foundation, Stockholm:
There are Always Other Ways – Encourage the Alternative

2.40 – 3.20 pm  
PODIUM DISCUSSION The Healing Garden Project in Chamchamal, Kurdistan-Iraq
Introduction: Eike Roswag-Klinge, ZRS Architekten Ingenieure, Berlin and Natural Building Lab, TU Berlin
Panel:

• Leon Radeljic, ZRS Architekten Ingenieure, Berlin
• Salah Ahmad, Founder, Jiyan Foundation, Kurdistan-Iraq
• Moderator: Ralf Pasel, CODE, TU Berlin

3.50 – 5.10 pm
PRESENTATIONS: Recovery Spaces
Introduction: Almut Grüntuch-Ernst, Co-Director, Grüntuch-Ernst Architekten, Berlin; Professor, TU Braunschweig

Presentation 1: Recovery Spaces & Psychology
Vida Namdari, Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Science and Health, Koya University, Kurdistan-Iraq

Presentation 2: Recovery Spaces & Architecture
Lars Steffensen, Partner, Henning Larsen Architects, Copenhagen

Presentation 3: Recovery Spaces, Natural Landscapes & Civil Society
Sebastian Schmidt, Founder and Director, FINC Foundation, Greifswald

Presentation 4: Introducing a Care Perspective for Architecture
Angelika Fitz, Director, Austrian Architecture Museum, Vienna

5.10 – 5.40 pm
PODIUM DISCUSSION
Panel: Vida Namdari, Lars Steffensen, Sebastian Schmidt, Angelika Fitz and Eike Roswag-Klinge
Moderator: Almut Grüntuch-Ernst, Co-Director, Grüntuch-Ernst Architekten, Berlin; Professor, TU Braunschweig

followed by
RECEPTION

BACKGROUND: Since ANCB's inauguration, ten years ago in 2009, the social impact of architecture has always been one of ANCB's main concerns. In recent years, ANCB has addressed this issue in various projects such as the exhibitions Measure of Man – Measure of Architecture (2010), ArchiAid: Rethinking-Reconstruction in Japan (2013) and After Hurricane Sandy – Rebuild by Design (2014), the lectures by Shigeru Ban on his Works and Humanitarian Activities (2014) and Manuel Herz on City-Camps in Africa (2016) as well as the workshop-debate on Strategies for Reconstructing the Old City of Aleppo (2015).

Wars, oppression, violence and disasters inflict devastating traumas on the people, families and societies that are affected by them, causing global challenges that by far outreach their immediate impact. These require ingenuity and innovative responses to generate new approaches for post-crisis recovery. ANCB is fortunate to have been involved in the project in Chamchamal by Jiyan Foundation and ZRS Architekten Ingenieure for some time, and we appreciate particularly the timely establishment of the Natural Building Lab at TU Berlin. The Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights has been working with trauma therapies in the Iraqi Kurdistan region for more than 15 years. Since 2016, the Foundation is developing and building a Healing Garden in Chamchamal in cooperation with Technische Universität Berlin, Bauhaus Universität Weimar and ZRS Architekten Ingenieure. New methods such as animal based- or garden therapy are implemented here. A transformed traditional earth architecture, a new garden and landscape concepts offer a high potential for the success of therapies, as does the semi-public healing garden, which also provides a space for cultural practices for the neighbourhood to strengthen the community and help to overcome traumas.

This discourse immediately affects Berlin and other places in Germany; not only as part of the current 'migration-inclusion' debate. It is vital to trigger a discussion on the health-supporting effects of architecture. ANCB takes this symposium as a launch of this programme topic, which will be continued in autumn 2019 in collaboration with UNStudio, Amsterdam. For these reasons, it is a great pleasure to facilitate this discussion and networking event as part of ANCB’s 10th anniversary programme.
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