The International Green Design Biennale is returning to Mostar this October. Under the headline theme “Design for Transformation,” this multidisciplinary event is organized by the Sarajevo Green Design Foundation, the City of Mostar, and the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Environmental Protection. Founded by Dr. Elma Durmisevic, the biennale bridges creativity and science to address critical 21st-century challenges across architecture, urban planning, engineering, and product design, focusing on creating a future-proof built environment.

Event Highlights & Key Features

  • Expert Insights: Features 17 expert lecturers from 16 countries (including Japan, Sweden, UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Slovenia, Ireland, Spain, Poland, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, US, Turkey, and Israel). They will explore green and circular design, alongside circular diagnostics using digital twins in the built environment.
  • The Netherlands Best Practices: The program highlights exemplary Dutch projects, including the Circular Office Building by contractor Habenu van de Kreeke and the reversible infill system by MOSA Maastricht.
  • Talent Incubator: Hosts 40 master’s students from six European universities in a collaborative workshop dedicated to building reversible, circular structures.
  • EU Project Showcases: Presents key breakthroughs from major European initiatives, including Horizon Caring Nature, Erasmus+ APLE project, and the Interreg Circular Building Converter.
  • Interactive Agenda: Includes a comprehensive line-up of exhibitions, keynote lectures, and town hall discussions to connect international experts, policymakers, and manufacturing professionals.

Sustainable extension transforms 1950s house
a possible example for many post-war homes in the Netherlands

Derksen | Windt architecten
4D Architects Amsterdam | E.Durmisevic, ‘The Beating Heart of Transformation’ provides future spaces with structural stability, natural light, a solar-chimney effect for passive ventilation, and integrated green elements

This year’s Green Design Biennale will be moderated by Maja Popovac. The keynote speakers will address critical industry themes ranging from future-proof design, standardization, and policies to energy efficiency, material/digital passports, sustainable construction, and reversible building systems. Additional topics will include green planning and the development of the circular hospital concept.

Honorable Speakers
The distinguished panel of speakers for this year’s Biennale includes:

– Elma Durmisevic, Tom Frantzen, Lisbeth Plingers, Adnan Pasic
– Sanela Klaric, Sayo Okada, Gilli Hobbs, Roberta Zarcone
– Pasquale Mari, Jan Boström, Mauro Lugaresi, Igor Kovac,
– Oscar Vandeberg , Erik de Lange, Ajla Cavkic,BirgulÇolakoglu,
– Tijana Tufek-Memisevic, Renata Androsevic, Gil Paled,
– Darinka Golubovic-Matic, Selma Harrington, Mike Burnard,
and Daniel Fügenschuh

Exhibition Highlights
The accompanying exhibition will highlight front-running architectural designs featuring biobased materials, circular, reversible architectural concepts, and sustainable urban transformations. Featured projects will showcase groundbreaking work from prominent architectural offices and practitioners, including:

– 4D Architects Amsterdam
– Derksen | Windt Architecten
– Architecto Dragan Jelicic Bojic
– Jasmin Sirco
– Ajla Cavkic