On the 20th of September at 14:00, Sergio Davila from UAM in Mexico City and Riina Õun from EKA DiMa Lab will present their co-authored paper, “The Biophilic Creative Industry,” at the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA), room A-501.

The paper introduces a new vision for urban planning, inspired by natural ecosystems and driven by the Biophilic Creative Industry. It draws on adaptive networks found in forests and mycelium to propose "Cognitive Cities," which utilize sensory technologies to address environmental and social challenges, reflecting nature’s interconnectedness.

The paper advocates for biodesign and regenerative development, aiming to create cities that nurture harmonious relationships between humans and nature. Innovative applications like lichen-based wearable bio-garments and bioluminescence showcase practical biophilic solutions for urban living.

We are also pleased to announce that this paper, directly connected to Sergio's doctoral research and Riina's professional practice, has been accepted for presentation at the international conference “What’s Around Design?” in Portugal this October.

Sergio Davila (UAM, Mexico City)
Sergio Davila, a PhD candidate in Urban Studies, has over 20 years of experience in design research, 3D printing, biodesign, and social innovation. He holds a master’s from Aalto University and has showcased his work at Milan Furniture Fair, Dutch Design Week, and the Mexican Design Biennale. Sergio has lectured at events like Seattle Design in Public and Tallinn Design Fest and has coordinated academic programs at UAM. Recently, he has consulted on Neurourbanism and Biodesign projects for developments in Saudi Arabia.

Riina Õun (EKA DiMa Lab)
Riina Õun is an interdisciplinary designer and materials researcher known for her luxury leather gloves under her brand Riina O. Based between Tallinn and London, she was recently named a finalist for the England Maker of the Year Award. After shifting to Biodesign during her MA at Central Saint Martins, Riina has taught workshops globally and exhibited internationally, focusing on environmentally conscious design.

The presentation will be in English language and it will not be recorded, so we invite all interested parties to join us in person.