Honoured to Speak at the Postgraduate Studies Program “Environmental Architectural and Urban Design” – Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

This week, I had the pleasure of presenting “Finding the balance between decarbonization, restoration and quality of life” to the postgraduate students of the PSP Environmental Architectural and Urban Design at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

The program’s multidisciplinary focus—combining architectural and urban design studios, environmental design, and environmental technologies—creates a unique academic environment that prepares future architects to respond meaningfully to today’s climate challenges.

During the presentation, we explored:

Decarbonization — operational and embodied carbon, passive strategies, and the impact of material choices.

Restoration — EU nature restoration targets and regenerative principles.

Quality of Life — resilience, biophilic design, daylighting, acoustics, healthy materials, and the 15‑minute city.

Tools of the profession — LEED v5 frameworks, LCA, EPDs, and low‑carbon construction pathways.

Design beyond compliance — how architects can lead change through informed decisions and early integration of sustainable strategies.

What truly stood out was the attentiveness, curiosity, and thoughtful participation of the students. Their questions sparked meaningful discussions—from building‑scale carbon assessments to urban‑scale resilience—showcasing a generation of designers ready to think critically and act responsibly.

A warm thank you to the faculty for the invitation and to all the students for your engagement, collaboration, and enthusiasm. It is inspiring to see such dedication to designing a built environment that is not only sustainable but future‑fit.

Let’s continue working together to reverse climate change through decarbonization, restoration, while improving human well‑being.