19–22 October 2026 | Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The CARING NATURE project will participate in the Green Design Biennale 2026, taking place from 19 to 22 October in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Under the theme “Design for Transformation”, this international event will bring together experts, researchers, policymakers, architects and industry representatives to explore innovative solutions for a more sustainable and circular built environment.

Founded in 2015 by CARING NATURE project partner Dr. Elma Durmišević (4D Architects Amsterdam), the Green Design Biennale promotes collaboration between science, design and industry to address major environmental challenges. This year’s edition will feature 17 expert lecturers from 16 countries, alongside exhibitions, interactive workshops and discussions highlighting innovative approaches to green architecture, circular construction and sustainable urban development.

Exploring circular design and sustainable healthcare

The 2026 programme will address a wide range of topics, including resource and energy efficiency, circular construction materials, digital material passports, reversible building systems and the role of digital technologies in supporting sustainable transformation.

Particular attention will also be given to the future of sustainable healthcare infrastructure, with presentations exploring circular hospital concepts, sustainable hospital buildings and innovative approaches to reducing the environmental footprint of healthcare facilities.

The Biennale will showcase inspiring European initiatives and practical examples, including circular construction projects from the Netherlands, innovative reversible building systems and the development of transformable architectural solutions.

The event will also engage the next generation of professionals, with 40 master’s students from six European universities participating in a collaborative workshop dedicated to designing reversible and circular building structures.

CARING NATURE at the Green EU Session

On 20 October at 18:15, CARING NATURE will be presented during the Biennale’s Green EU Session by Pasquale Mari from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC), the project’s coordinator.

The presentation will offer an opportunity to introduce CARING NATURE’s objectives and its contribution to accelerating the environmental transition of the European healthcare sector.

Funded under Horizon Europe, CARING NATURE brings together healthcare providers, research organisations and innovation stakeholders to develop and demonstrate solutions aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of healthcare services.,Through its activities, the project addresses key sustainability challenges in healthcare, including energy efficiency, waste management, circular economy practices, sustainable mobility and the engagement of healthcare professionals in the green transition.

The Biennale provides a valuable opportunity to share the project’s approach with a wider community of experts working on sustainable buildings, circular design and environmental innovation, while exploring potential synergies between sustainable healthcare practices and the transformation of the built environment.

Connecting innovation, circularity and sustainability

CARING NATURE’s participation reflects the importance of cross-sector collaboration in accelerating the transition towards more environmentally sustainable healthcare systems.

By connecting expertise from architecture, engineering, research and healthcare, the Green Design Biennale provides an international platform for exchanging knowledge, showcasing innovative solutions and fostering new collaborations.

We look forward to contributing to these discussions and sharing CARING NATURE’s vision for a greener and more resource-efficient healthcare sector!

Event details

  • Event: Green Design Biennale 2026 – Design for Transformation
  • Dates: 19–22 October 2026
  • Location: Hrvatski Dom Herceg Stjepan Kosača, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • CARING NATURE presentation: 20 October, 18:15 – Green EU Session
  • Speaker: Pasquale Mari, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC)
  • More information: https://www.gtb-lab.com/single-post/mostar-green-design-biennale-2026