The First Day of the Academic Year and the First Day of Urban October 2026
We started the new academic year at the Faculty of Design in what seems to be the way we know best – creatively, energetically, and pretty much straight from 0 to 100.
On Thursday, 1 October, we welcomed a new generation of students to the Faculty of Design, opened the doors to a new academic year, and at the same time launched Urban October 2026 – our traditional month of design, which throughout October will bring together lectures, workshops, design talks, exhibitions, guest experts and many other activities.
The first day was therefore, above all, about saying welcome. To our first-year students, we wish that the Faculty soon begins to feel like a place of their own – a place where they can stay curious, ask questions, explore, experiment and, over the coming years, find their own path within design. A new chapter is beginning for them, and we are happy they are starting it with us.
And then we got straight to work …
For some of our students, the introduction to the new academic year was quite an intensive one, as the very first day also brought the first two activities of this year’s Urban October.
The morning programme, Wood, Stone and Sustainable Design Lab – OFFICE3000, opened a discussion about materials, space and the future of working environments. Through different professional perspectives, participants explored modularity and flexibility, the use of local materials, and the creation of healthy and sustainable interiors. The programme featured Prof. Nada Matičič, Sr. Lect. Petra Kocjančič, Igor Gregorčič from ARS-incolendi studio and Petra Marinko from Non Tox Uni Kum. Urban October Program 2026
In the afternoon, we continued with the Opening Event of the Month of Design – Urban October and the OFFICE3000 Project. At the centre of the event was a project presenting innovative furniture systems made from Slovenian oak and granite, accompanied by topics such as biophilia in working environments, the use of solid wood in interiors and Design Thinking methodology. Lucija Erjavec Primožič from Veduta Design also presented approaches to sustainable urban (re)development through biophilic and nature-inspired interventions. Urban October Program 2026
From the very first day, we were already connecting study, practice, materials, sustainability and hands-on creative work – which, in many ways, is exactly what Urban October is all about.
Maybe next year we should take the first day a little more “easy”? 🙂
We admit it: for the very first day of the academic year, we certainly got off to a strong start. Perhaps that is a little reminder for next year to leave some more time for meeting each other, socialising and easing into the new academic routine. Or perhaps jumping straight into the action is simply our way of doing things.
Either way, the first day of the new academic year and Urban October 2026 is successfully behind us, while an entire month of events, guests, new knowledge, experimentation and conversations about design still lies ahead.
Once again, a very warm welcome to all our first-year students, and to all our students and colleagues, we wish you a wonderful, successful, curious and creative new academic year.
Urban October has only just begun.
The events within the programme are also supported by SPIRIT Slovenia within the promotion of wood.
Photos: Faculty of design & Lucija E. Primožič.
