The research project ‘From “Baukultur” to “Umbaukultur”, From a culture of demolition and replacement to a culture of care and repair’ aims to identify the unconscious cultural and behavioural attitudes that often determine and hinder the successful implementation of conversion projects. «We will explore the roots of the prevailing replacement and throwaway culture, its expression in economic fundamentals, legal frameworks and standards, and we will evaluate the serious negative environmental consequences of this highly unsustainable culture. We want to understand why we consistently fail to do the right thing and how to establish an alternative attitude of care and repair in the building sector.»

To explore possible alternatives, the project analyses how current financial and legal constraints reinforce the replacement culture and how modifying these constraints could open up new future scenarios. The work is structured into work packages (WPs), organized into three sections that investigate “Baukultur” and “Umbaukultur” across different time periods – Past, Present, and Future – and in three national contexts: Switzerland, Italy, and Germany.

The 2026 Symposium, conceived as an integral part of the research project, will offer an opportunity to present the first results of the investigations carried out by the different members of the project team. It will also provide a platform to discuss these findings with guest speakers, researchers, and students.

The symposium will take place in presence at the Accademia di architettura USI in Mendrisio, and it will be accessible online for those who cannot attend onsite.

More information (soon) on nfp81.ch >

More information (soon) on arc.usi.ch >