International Conference Wood for a Green Future

World Habitat Days 2025 were marked by the outstanding international conference “Wood for a Green Future”, which brought together experts, academics, architects, and designers from around the world. The event, held at Center Rog in Ljubljana, was the central feature of this year’s Urban October, organized by the Faculty of Design.

The conference was moderated by Dr. Blažka Müller. In her opening speech  Urban Crises Response, prof. Nada Rožmanec Matičič, dean of the Faculty of Design, highlighted  the essential role of design and architecture in addressing contemporary urban challenges.

A key contribution that rounded off the introductory part of the conference was the presentation of the DRWO 4.0 project by mag. Veronika Gruden Bole, which showcased innovative approaches to digital and sustainable transformation in the wood-based industries of the Danube region.

The opening session continued with keynote addresses by:

• Bernarda Likar, representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Wood Cluster,

• Prof. Emer. Peter Gabrijelčič, Faculty of Architecture, University of Ljubljana,

• Prof. Dr. Gjoko Muratovski, Chief Innovation Officer, ICONA Design Group / AIAT, Australia,

• and Takehiko Iseki from Zaha Hadid Architects, London, whose insights into innovation and interdisciplinarity captivated the audience.

The morning programme featured contributions from experts from Slovenia, Romania, North Macedonia, Spain, and Italy, offering diverse perspectives on the role of wood in architecture, design, and culture.

In the afternoon, two Design Talk panels encouraged further discussion on connecting science, art, and practice.
The session Between Science and Art in the Field of Creative Industries included Prof. Nada Rožmanec Matičič, Prof. Dr. Gjoko Muratovski, Doc. Arbresha Ibrahimi, Takehiko Iseki, Prof. Dr. Dragan Ćalović, Prof. Dr. Dušanka Komnenić, Barbara Gunčar, and Prof. Peter Gabrijelčič.
The second discussion, Back to Basics?, led by Steiner Valade-Amland (Three Point Zero, Denmark), brought together experts from Slovenia and Belgium for an inspiring debate on the future of creative education and design practice.

The conference fostered new connections, international exchanges, and ideas for future projects and was concluded in vibrat, collaborative and professional atmosphere. Participants left with inspiration, new knowledge, and the shared understanding that wood is an essential material that deeply connects us with the past and also with the future.