Leila Behjat and Petra Marinko: We Are What We Build- Material Ecology and Belonging

Описание: A vibrant community is grown, crafted, and nurtured by and with all of its components.
As we at Healthy Materials Lab examine materials at the ingredient level, asking "What is it made of?", we observe our ecosystems and cultures similarly. Our material assessment mirrors how we must approach community. Indigenous teachings remind us that the natural world is as integral to the community as the people. Nature has deep significance, across the USA, Europe and globally.
“In many societies, the cultural and spiritual significance of nature is part of broader value systems and worldviews that also generate unique ethics of living. The inspiration and spiritual empowerment that connectedness with nature creates can support broader sets of values, such as respect for the cultural and biological diversity of the planet, and ethical care for sustainability and planetary future”, says the International Union for Conservation of Nature. By prioritizing non-toxic, biogenic materials, we can transform how we design spaces to foster inclusivity — for both people and the natural world. In this session, we’ll present research and together with our Project Partner Petra Marinko from Slovenia show how material choices shape health and vitality in communities and examine the role of craftsmanship and collective knowledge. From building products to entire neighborhoods, we must ask: How do we design thriving communities with nature, rather than in spite of it?
Join us in reimagining material health as community health — because vibrant spaces are made of more than just people; they are made of everything around us.
Leila D. Behjat is a Dipl. Ing Architect and brings expertise in material ecology and renovation using healthier building materials to architecture and design projects globally. As Director of Material Ecology at Parsons Healthy Materials Lab, she curates collections of healthier, regenerative, low-embodied construction products and design methods to achieve regenerative, and toxic-free spaces that will serve coming generations and the planet well. Leila heads the Lab’s partnership with the New European Bauhaus and is Co-Founder of Healthy Materials Lab EU gGmbH with seat in Germany. Leila believes that creating healthy spaces and communities is a cultural endeavor. Solutions must be considered in context of the oneness of humankind and in reverence to the Earth.
Petra Marinko is an architect and founder of Non Tox Uni Kum, an initiative transforming the construction and design industry by advancing non-toxic materials and sustainable practices. After creating several award-winning brands in wellness and hospitality, she expanded her mission—applying her knowledge to architecture to develop healthier living and working environments. As a New European Bauhaus Advisor and Friend, she weaves sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion into every layer of her life. She is reshaping the way we think about building design and materials—ensuring that spaces enhance, not harm, while prioritizing human health and environmental sustainability. www.nontoxunikum.com