The event will bring some of the most innovative and inspiring ideas, projects and initiatives that are currently carried on to address global emerging challenges following an approach that makes use of low to high tech solutions to reconcile humans with all living species.

A panel discussing innovations in Materials and Systems as a part of Nature-Based Generations by UAE Modern in partnership with MAS Paints.

The 17 SDGS (Sustainable Development Goals) that were set within the framework of the 2030 agenda called nations, institutions, communities, industries and financial players for unprecedented actions at all levels. Innovation in materials, production processes and systems, seen as a path towards a circular economy, can be highly influential for their achievement: they can contribute to create new businesses and job opportunities, to empower communities, to improve the quality of interior and outdoor spaces, give access to healthier and more affordable nutrition, and to the overall target of decarbonization. The panel, triggered by short videos offering to the audience a panoramic view on the topic, potential research directions and case studies, will revolve on the perspective of a new bond between technology and natural processes for the achievement of a new setting where humans redraw their relationship with all other living species.

Panelists:

•Kevin Badni, Dean of the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, Zayed University
•Gionata Gatto, Assistant Professor, Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation
•Anna Barbara, Associate Professor of Interior and Spatial Design Politecnico di Milano

Moderated by Massimo Imparato, Curator, UAE Modern

*Free to attend and no registration required.

About Kevin Badni

Kevin Badni is the Dean of the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University. Kevin has been an invited speaker and panel member and has acted as an expert technical witness in patent cases. Kevin is also a practicing artist and designer in Britain’s creative industry, working with numerous clients ranging from small entrepreneurs through to blue-chip clients. He has managed large government and European research grants and had the privilege of running the UK’s first commercial Virtual Reality center. His work has been exhibited in Sydney, Chicago, Bogotá, Venice, Sharjah and Dubai as well as numerous art spaces in London and the rest of the UK.

About Gionata Gatto

Gionata Gatto is an Italian designer living and working between Rotterdam and London. After a Bachelor degree in Industrial Design from the IUAV University of Venice (IT), he continued his studies with a Master at the Design Academy Eindhoven (NL), graduating in 2009 and opening his own studio. In 2019 he completed his PhD in Design at Loughborough University (UK).A continuous research on materials and production processes, mediated by the use of emerging technologies, are fundamental aspects related to the development of his forward looking and interdisciplinary projects. The studio’s works have been exhibited globally on the occasion of several events, hosted from Triennale di Milano, Spazio Rossana Orlandi, Sotheby’s, and Maison & Objet.

About Ingrid Paoletti

Ingrid Paoletti is Associate Professor of Architectural Technology at the Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Department (ABC) at Politecnico di Milano. Ingrid has a PhD in Building Technology @Politecnico di Milano, and has been a research associate at MIT during her PhD studies on the topic of Innovative Building Envelopes. She is an experienced researcher on Innovative Technologies and Emergent Material Systems, with experimental works and theoretical studies on material culture and digital design in Architecture, Engineering and Construction. She specializes in cutting edge customized industrial researches, public and private, some of which are patented. She has written books and articles on international journals on her research topics.

About Anna Barbara

Anna Barbara is an Associate Professor in Interior and Spatial Design at Politecnico di Milano. She has been a visiting professor at Kookmin University in the Architecture, Design and Interior Design faculties and professor at the Techno Brain Master 21 at Seoul (South Korea). In 2000, she won the Canon Foundation Fellowship for research at Hosei University Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning in Tokyo (Japan). Her research about the relationships between senses, time and spaces are published in various prolific educational and professional works. The most known publications are: Sensefulness. New paradigms of Spatial Design, (2018) Stories of architecture through the senses, (2000, 2012), Invisible Architectures. Experiencing places through the senses of smell (2006) and Senses, time and architecture, (2012).

About MAS Paints
MAS Paints is a leading Italian brand of high-quality paints, wood lacquers and decorative paints that encapsulate elegance, style and a splash of creativity with the power to transform walls into works of art. Learn more about MAS Paints.

About UAE Modern
UAE Modern is a Dubai based multi-disciplinary nexus established in 2017, gathering scholars, researchers, practitioners, private and public institutions and the industry to share experiences to exchange knowledge on design innovation for sustainable environments. For the third time consecutively UAE Modern brings to the Dubai Design Week events, workshops and installations for engaging with scholars, practitioners and the community at large on the emerging challenges of our future. Learn more about UAE Modern.