On 2 July, the Civil Society Organisations’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) opened the photo exhibition Giving form to the future at the Danish Society of Engineers (IDA) as part of its conference ‘Building green and inclusive – Making our communities future-proof’. 

The Civil Society Organisations’ Group organised this exhibition in partnership with IDA and the Danish architecture firm BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, which, over the past 20 years, has grown from its founding to a company of 700 employees, with offices in Copenhagen, London, Barcelona, New York, Shanghai, Los Angeles, Zurich and Oslo.

The exhibition focuses on sustainability in construction and presents nine projects coordinated by BIG - in Copenhagen, Seville, Gelephu and beyond, ranging from a container terminal and an industrial building to a museum and affordable housing. The exhibition consists of a series of panels and animations and was on display at IDA from 2 to 8 July.

With its annual cultural event, the Civil Society Organisations’ Group aims to raise awareness for future-relevant issues. This year’s initiative complemented and supported its work on promoting inclusive and equitable societies, decent, sustainable and affordable housing and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Séamus Boland, President of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group, opened the exhibition together with representatives of the two partner organisations, Juliane Marie Neiiendam, Member of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group, Chair of IDA Copenhagen and Chair of IDA’s Self-Employed Members, and Kai-Uwe Bergmann, partner at BIG.

More than 100 participants attended the opening event, expressing enthusiasm for the initiative and being impressed by the projects on display.

Mr Boland said: ‘The works on display demonstrate that the Golden Ratio is no longer the benchmark for architects. Architects and construction professionals are already incorporating the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals’.

The Group organised this exhibition to highlight the need for sustainable construction and to showcase good practices. ‘Sustainable construction is an efficient tool for building inclusive, climate-resilient communities and advancing the SDGs,’ Mr Boland concluded. (jk)