Opening of World Habitat Days 2025
6 October 2025 – Faculty of Design, Ljubljana
Today marked the official opening of Urban October 2025, the traditional Month of Design through which the Faculty of Design annually connects education, research, and creativity across the fields of architecture, design, art, and sustainable development. This year’s edition is held under the overarching theme “The Future, with a Scent of Wood”, which highlights wood as the material of the future and a symbol of responsible spatial and environmental planning.
The opening ceremony took place in the Lab for Creative Industries at the Faculty of Design. The event began with an address by Prof. Nada Rožmanec Matičič, Acting Dean, who spoke on “WHD – United Nations @Habitat, for a Better Urban Future.”
This was followed by honourable speeches from Prof. Jasna Hrovatin, PhD, Vice Dean for Science and Research, who introduced the central theme “The Future, with a Scent of Wood”, and Asst. Prof. Mojca Perše, Vice Dean for Artistic Activities, who opened the student exhibition dedicated to wood.
Special remarks were also delivered by Radovan Arnold, industrial designer and President of the Board of the Brumen Foundation, along with the mentors of the student projects on display.
The exhibition “Student Wood Projects” presented conceptual spatial designs, models, and products created by students, showcasing the expressive and sustainable potential of wood in architecture, interior design, and product design.
The afternoon continued with the Design Talk: From the Concept to Design Management, moderated by Assoc. Arch. Takehiko Iseki (Zaha Hadid Architects, London), Emeritus Prof. Peter Gabrijelčič (Faculty of Architecture, University of Ljubljana), and Prof. Nada Rožmanec Matičič (Faculty of Design, Ljubljana).
The discussion brought together professors of architecture and design, as well as students, to explore the relationship between conceptual thinking and design management. The session also featured an interview by Aleš Čakš, editor-in-chief of Goodlife Magazine, with guest architect Takehiko Iseki.
Later in the day, Assoc. Arch. Takehiko Iseki held a lecture titled “Collective Imagination: Digital Technologies for Design and Innovation”, organised for Design Management Slovenia and students of the Competence Centre for Design Management 4.0.
Students had a remarkable opportunity to engage directly with an architect from one of the world’s most renowned architectural studios. The discussion was dynamic and interactive, with many thought-provoking questions from students, creating an inspiring exchange of ideas.
Throughout the day, the atmosphere at the Faculty was vibrant, creative, and full of positive energy. Participants connected, exchanged ideas, and forged new collaborations – a true reflection of the spirit of Urban October and World Habitat Days.
Programme for Students Only
In addition to the shared events, selected lectures were organised exclusively for students of the Faculty of Design:
- Prof. Jovanka Mladenović (Faculty of Contemporary Arts, Serbia) delivered the lecture “Chlorophyll Resistance: Urban Herbariums Through the Lens of Visual Arts”,
- and Prof. Dušanka Komnenić, also from the Faculty of Contemporary Arts in Belgrade, led the workshop “The Shape of Words: Illustrate It Without Pictures.”
Both sessions explored the intersections of art, design, and conceptual thinking, encouraging students to develop new creative approaches and ways of visual expression.
The first day of World Habitat Days 2025 thus provided an excellent introduction to a week that will continue to connect academia, industry, and the broader public in exploring sustainable and innovative solutions for the future.
See the highligts!
Photo: Faculty of Design
