Thematic Areas – VIBRArch

I Representation and quantification

Visual and physical representation tools are necessary to analyze, ideate, and represent architecture, encompassing the design of indoor spaces, outdoor environments, and the critical intermediate layers that connect them.

Recently, the integration of advanced digital tools has revolutionized how architects ideate, communicate and visualize their ideas. This evolution enhances the collaborative process, enabling clearer, more immersive representations of designs, particularly in detailing the seamless integration between the built form and its surrounding landscape.

This thematic area welcomes papers on: representation tools for architecture, focusing on interior, exterior, and transitional space design; Graphic means to understand, analyze, ideate, and communicate architecture across its different spatial scaless and layers; Traditional and innovative ways for architectural expression that highlight the relationship between the building and its environment; Virtual, augmented, and immersive reality for a better environment, particularly in simulating the experience of perceiving indoor and outdoor.

II City, territory and landscape

Contemporary urban discourse converges on fostering inclusive urban environments, exploring the intersection of territory and city planning, urban design, and architecture—focusing specifically on the critical role of the built form and its surrounding spaces—to prioritize the health and well-being of all inhabitants. Current initiatives emphasize integration of green infrastructure on all scales, equitable access to green spaces, promotion of active lifestyles and mitigation of environmental stressors through careful design of the thresholds between the interior and exterior environments. Urban planners, urban designers, and architects are adopting innovative solutions to enhance the quality of life, creating inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities where the indoor environment supports human health and the outdoor environment is accessible, restorative, and vibrant. Furthermore, the discourse extends beyond physical design to encompass social well-being through community engagement and cultural enrichment. The design and quality of shared public and transitional spaces - such as squares, courtyards and circulation areas - are fundamental to fostering social interaction. In this holistic framework, the integration of urban research, territory and city planning, as well as landscape design, mediated by thoughtful urban design and architectural intervention, is represented as a key strategy for shaping adaptive and inclusive urban ecosystems that benefit all residents.

III Innovative projects indoor & outdoor

Within the indoor-outdoor framework, innovation manifests itself in the study of spatial typologies, systems, and devices that blur, reinterpret, or reconfigure the boundaries between interior and exterior, promoting environmental, sensory, and functional continuity. This approach also considers the social, cultural, and territorial impact of architecture, valuing the adaptability, resilience, and capacity of spaces to respond to changing climatic, urban, and social contexts.
This thematic area encompasses practices, theories, and projects that critically rethink the relationship between built space, the environment, and the user, integrating new technologies, new architectural typologies, new design processes, and interdisciplinary approaches.
In recent years, a growing emphasis on cultural sensitivity and inclusion has become evident. Many architects are now striving to create spaces—from private interiors to public squares—that connect with diverse communities and can be enjoyed and experienced by all kinds of people, with varying abilities.
In this global context towards visionary architectural solutions that are also responsible to the environment and the people who inhabit them, the aim is to collect and disseminate innovative architectural experiences that consider the building and its surroundings as a unique and continuous spatial system, proposing new places designed by and for people.

IV Technology and materials

Interior design and exterior architecture have evolved into interconnected disciplines shaped profoundly by advances in technology and innovative construction materials. The spaces we inhabit—both inside and out—reflect our cultural identity, lifestyle needs, and the material and technological possibilities of each era.
Exterior architecture has undergone a major transformation due to high-performance materials and smart systems. Modern façades are no longer static surfaces, they use innovative solutiones to control solar gain, reduce energy consumption, and enhance comfort. New ecological materials can contribute to structural performance while reducing environmental impact.
Interior design mirrors this evolution, focusing not only on aesthetics but also on wellbeing and adaptability. Smart lighting systems adjust color and intensity to support circadian rhythms, while acoustic and thermal comfort is enhanced through innovative textiles, recycled composites, and surface coatings with antimicrobial or self-healing properties. Digital fabrication has also enabled customized furniture and partitions that optimize compact spaces and promote flexible use.
The boundary between interior and exterior has become more fluid. Large-format glazing, durable indoor-outdoor flooring materials, and vertical gardens help connect occupants with their environment, supporting biophilic design principles. As artificial intelligence, smart materials, and renewable energy integration continue advancing, future buildings will become increasingly adaptive, sustainable, and materially intelligent.
Ultimately, technology and materials are not merely construction resources but drivers of innovation that redefine how we live, work, and interact with space. Their thoughtful integration remains essential to shaping the architecture and interior design of tomorrow.

V Theory, criticism, narrative and ethics

Indoor and outdoor architecture form a continuous dialogue that reflects cultural values, social expectations, and the evolving theoretical frameworks through which we interpret space. Architectural theory has long debated the relationship between interior life and exterior form, questioning whether a building should express its function outwardly or whether its façade serves as an independent narrative. Modern and postmodern criticism reveals how façades can become symbolic, telling stories about identity, power, or community aspirations, while interiors narrate lived experience, intimacy, and social interaction.
Outdoor architecture—plazas, public buildings, and urban landscapes—constructs collective narratives, shaping how communities gather and remember. These spaces are subject to ethical scrutiny: who is included or excluded? Are materials and forms chosen to represent democratic values or commercial interests? Meanwhile, indoor architecture focuses on personal and sensory experiences, yet it too raises ethical questions regarding accessibility, privacy, environmental impact, and emotional wellbeing. Theories of spatial justice highlight that the design of both public and private environments carries moral weight.
Narrative plays a connecting role. It is through narrative that architecture communicates meaning—not only through explicit symbols but also through movement, light, and sequence. A courtyard, a threshold, or a staircase becomes a narrative device shaping how users perceive and inhabit a space. The ethical challenge lies in ensuring that this narrative is inclusive and responsible, avoiding manipulation or exclusionary aesthetics.
Criticism remains vital to assess these issues and to challenge dominant paradigms that may overlook sustainability, cultural sensitivity, or social equity. As indoor and outdoor architecture increasingly merge in transparent façades, shared spaces, and fluid circulation, theory and ethics must remain central to guide how stories are told through design. Architecture is not only the creation of space but the crafting of narratives that shape how individuals coexist within a shared world.

VI Heritage, restoration, conservation and renovation

Indoor and outdoor architecture are integral expressions of cultural heritage, preserving the memory and identity of communities through their material legacy. Heritage buildings, whether grand civic monuments or humble vernacular structures, tell stories not only through their façades and public presence but also through their interiors, where daily life, craftsmanship, and tradition are most intimately revealed. The conservation of exterior architecture protects the urban or rural landscape, while restoring interior spaces safeguards the intangible values embedded in spatial organization, decorative elements, and the use of traditional materials.
Restoration practices seek to bring both indoor and outdoor architectural features closer to their original condition, respecting historic evidence and ensuring technical compatibility with existing materials. Exterior restoration may involve the recovery of stonework, roofing systems, or timber structures damaged by climate or time, while interior restoration focuses on finishes, furniture, frescos, and spatial layouts that reflect past ways of living. Renovation, however, introduces contemporary needs into heritage spaces, ensuring that they remain functional and relevant. The challenge lies in balancing new interventions—such as energy efficiency upgrades, accessibility, or structural reinforcement—with the authenticity and integrity of the original design.
Conservation philosophy increasingly acknowledges that heritage is not static. Indoor and outdoor architecture evolve as communities adapt their spaces. Reversible interventions, minimally invasive techniques, and documentation before and after works have become essential principles that respect future generations’ right to reinterpret heritage. Moreover, the integration of modern materials and technologies can enhance durability and safety without overshadowing historic character.
Ultimately, heritage conservation, whether applied to interior ambiance or exterior form, reinforces cultural continuity while allowing for responsible change. The thoughtful synergy of restoration and renovation ensures that architectural legacy remains a living resource, enriching both present experience and collective memory.

VII Participation, diversity and inclusiveness

Indoor and outdoor architecture shape the everyday experiences of individuals and communities, making participation, diversity, and inclusiveness essential considerations in contemporary design. Architecture that genuinely reflects its users must emerge from a participatory process, acknowledging that those who inhabit spaces bring lived knowledge that complements professional expertise. Community workshops, collaborative design platforms, and co-creation strategies are increasingly employed to ensure that both interiors—such as schools, homes, workplaces—and exteriors—such as public squares, transit nodes, and recreational areas—respond to real needs rather than abstract assumptions.
Diversity in architecture goes beyond aesthetic choices; it encompasses cultural differences, generational needs, and varied sensory, cognitive, and physical abilities. Indoor spaces require layouts and materials that consider not only comfort but also neurodiversity, acoustics, tactile orientation, and emotional wellbeing. Outdoor environments must accommodate people with different mobility patterns, cultural practices, and social habits, promoting coexistence and interaction rather than segregation. This broadened perspective challenges traditional design metrics and encourages flexible, modular spaces that adapt to evolving communities.
Inclusiveness is the tangible outcome of participation and diversity. It is demonstrated in barrier-free access, gender-neutral facilities, universal wayfinding systems, and the representation of multiple cultural identities in architectural expression. Inclusiveness also involves supporting informal uses of space—spontaneous gatherings, street vending, community gardening—acknowledging that not all practices fit neatly within predefined architectural programs.
By integrating participatory processes with a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness, architects and designers contribute to more equitable and socially resonant environments. Indoor and outdoor architecture become vehicles for shared identity, empowerment, and belonging. In a world marked by cultural plurality and rapid change, designing with and for diverse communities is not only an ethical imperative but a creative opportunity to reimagine space as an inclusive and dynamic collective resource.

VIII Sustainability and climate crisis

"Climate change has made us aware of the influence of buildings on the environment and their responsibility for a significant part of global energy consumption and, therefore, carbon emissions. Sustainability, once considered anecdotal or, at best, optional, has become one of the essential frameworks within which architects, urban planners, designers and any other professionals whose discipline is related to the cities we inhabit and the buildings we design carry out their work. From interior design to the urban scale, it is essential to seek strategies that increase the efficiency of processes and reduce energy consumption, thereby reducing the carbon footprint.
Architectural design is crucial to improving habitability through the correct definition of exterior envelopes or the creation of outdoor spaces that act as a line of defence against increasingly extreme weather conditions resulting from climate change. Interior interventions should prioritise energy efficiency, healthy materials and adaptable designs that respond to changing needs. Buildings with sustainable insulation, low-emission finishes and circular economy materials further contribute to reducing carbon emissions and improving well-being. Natural ventilation strategies, passive solar design and natural light optimisation reduce dependence on mechanical systems and promote healthier indoor environments. Green roofs and facades mitigate the effects of urban heat islands, improve stormwater retention, and increase biodiversity. Permeable pavements, shade canopies, and urban tree networks help cool public spaces and create resilient outdoor environments.
Sustainable design also includes taking into account the life cycle of a building, from its construction to its demolition, promoting reusable components and minimising waste.
The climate crisis requires us to rethink the boundary between indoor comfort and outdoor resilience. Buildings must interact productively with their ecosystems, generating energy, storing water for reuse, or incorporating smart systems that monitor environmental performance. Beyond technical solutions, the teaching and practice of architecture must adopt an ethic of sustainability that values long-term impacts over short-term gains.
Ultimately, urban planning, architecture and interior design must evolve towards regenerative design: not only reducing damage, but actively collaborating to restore the environment. By combining innovative materials, bioclimatic strategies and community participation, architecture must become a key instrument in addressing the climate emergency and shaping a more sustainable future for generations to come.