New European Bauhaus
beautiful | sustainable | together
An initiative of the European Commission
The New European Bauhaus is an interdisciplinary European movement bringing citizens, experts, businesses and institutions together to imagine, discuss and build a sustainable, inclusive and beautiful future together. The initiative connects the European Green Deal to our living spaces. The aim is to make our living spaces more affordable and accessible by experimentation, connection and collaboration across thinkers and doers: both from the world of science and technology and the world of art and culture. Creative minds across disciplines are called to reimagine sustainable living in Europe and beyond. Co-creation and the change of perspective will lead to innovative solutions and a better quality of our living experience. It will highlight the value of simplicity, functionality, and circularity of materials without compromising the need for comfort and attractiveness in our daily lives. The New European Bauhaus aims to shape our thinking, behaviours, and markets around new ways of living and building, including by influencing public procurement.
The New European Bauhaus is a think-do tank. It wants to build a sustainable future through creativity, innovation and imagination and to enable experimental places and spaces for us to reimagine how to live better together after the pandemic. The initiative would like to facilitate the exchange of knowledge between people across Europe and to create an interdisciplinary project. The design movement which is entitled “form follows planet” is led by the three dimensions of sustainability (including circularity), quality of experience (including aesthetics) and inclusion (including affordability). It is showing that creativity is in finding affordable, inclusive and attractive solutions for our climate challenges. The New European Bauhaus as a transformational project aims to lead the thinking, inspire behaviours, attract the markets and influence public procurement to make new ways of living possible. The project should bring benefit to the whole of society, helping to revisit Europe’s cultural heritage and shaping its future.
The New European Bauhaus will unfold in the Design, Delivery and Dissemination phase.
In the Design phase, the aim is to connect to what is already out there to see where and how the New European Bauhaus can accelerate, concretise and materialise good ideas. A framework of pilots in different EU Member states where the new Bauhaus concept can be materialised, should be the outcome of this phase. In addition, some of the most advanced thinkers and practitioners will form the New European Bauhaus high-level roundtable: a compass and sounding board for the initiative.
The Delivery phase will begin by setting up at least five New European Bauhaus pilots. The movement will be complemented and spread by flanking initiatives identified in the design phase and digital networks and platforms. All the partners involved in the broader initiative should be able to learn and benefit from the first experiments towards good impact.
The Dissemination phase will be about networking and sharing knowledge between practitioners on the best available methods, solutions and prototypes. The ideas supported by the New European Bauhaus should be spread across cities, rural areas and localities, also beyond Europe, and inspire a new generation of architects and designers for their work. The initiative will support the emergence of lead markets for new ways of living in buildings that are in harmony with the natural environment and the climate.
