Two people stand in front of a wall with many cylindrical protrusions

Natalia Piórecka with her project partner Rita Morais at the award ceremony in Brussels

Natalia Piórecka wins New Euro­pean Bauhaus Prize

Natalia Piórecka, Senior Scientist at Integrative Design / Extremes at the Institute of Experimental Architecture at the University of Innsbruck, has been awarded the prestigious New European Bauhaus Prize for her project UrbanMYCOskin.

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The New European Bauhaus Prizes, awarded by the European Commission, celebrates projects that embody the principles of sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity in the field of architecture and design. UrbanMYCOskin stood out among a competitive field of entries, showcasing the transformative potential of biomaterials in creating sustainable urban environments. Developed by Natalia Piórecka, Rita Morais and Jennifer Levy at the Bio-integrated Design Lab at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London UCL, UrbanMYCOskin has been recognized for its exceptional contributions to shaping a Circular Industrial Ecosystem and Supporting Life-Cycle Thinking.

Expressing her gratitude for the Prize, Natalia Piorecka remarked: "Receiving the New European Bauhaus Prize 2024 was truly an honor and a powerful validation of our efforts. It boosts our motivation to advance the UrbanMYCOskin project and expand our research. We're excited to see the growing recognition of biomaterials and their potential, which opens up significant opportunities for the future of sustainable architecture and urban planning." UrbanMYCOskin marks a pioneering advance in sustainable urban development, utilizing nature-inspired design to forge a more resilient and harmonious built environment. Natalia Piorecka's leadership highlights the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative thinking in tackling today's ecological and architectural challenges.

Building on this foundation, Natalia will further her research on mycelium and biomaterials through the upcoming MUSE research project. Funded by the Tiroler Wissenschaftsfond this project is led by the Integrative Design | EXTREMES research group based at the Department of Experimental Architecture in collaboration with CTM – Campus Tirol Motorsport, the Transfer Office at the University of Innsbruck and the Mushroom Research Center Austria (MRCA). The project aims to deepen the integration of sustainable biomaterials within our surrounding, enhancing environmental resilience and sustainability.

PEAK – Spotlight on Climate, Biodiversity and Sustainability

The human-induced climate crisis is already having a massive impact today, which will continue to intensify in the future. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlights clear consequences and possible actions. Numerous experts at the University of Innsbruck are working on climate and sustainability.

With the project PEAK (Perspectives on Engagement, Accountability and Knowledge), the communication team at the University of Innsbruck is pooling this expertise and presenting the minds behind the research.

Sustainable Development Goals

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The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer a new political framework worldwide to end poverty of all kinds, inequality to combat and counteract climate change.

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