Program description

Contemplative architecture goes beyond functionality to inspire a deep sense of interconnectedness and harmony with the human spirit. It transforms everyday spaces into vehicles for transforming consciousness, blending ancient wisdom with modern design to enrich our human experience and deepen our understanding of our place in the cosmos.

In this presentation, we will explore various examples and definitions—contemplative, sacred, and profound—to refine our personal understanding of spaces that move us. Our aim is to integrate these insights into contemporary culture and shift our perspective on spaces often seen as separate from daily life.

Fashion touches nearly every aspect of our lives—from the clothes we wear to the carpets we walk on, the furnishings we sit on, and the bedding we sleep in. But what happens to these materials when we move or redecorate? In this talk, you'll uncover the hidden truths about these products and their environmental impact. Discover the toll of fast fashion on land and water, and learn how innovative young entrepreneurs are tackling these issues with modern, regenerative solutions. Sheyenne Sky Lacey will share her vision for a sustainable future, blending ancient wisdom with contemporary practices to create an interconnected world. Hear how she builds on traditional, symbiotic relationships between people, animals, and the land to reclaim harmony and forge a new path toward sustainability.

Creative corridors throughout urban areas are essential for a thriving economy: they foster innovation, attract talent, and inject creative energy. Our discussion highlights the critical role creative districts play in enhancing urban resilience, creating a culture that adapts to changing economic conditions and contributes to long-term sustainable development. By ensuring a robust system that supports artists, designers, and creative businesses in dedicated areas, these spaces stimulate a dynamic environment where new ideas naturally flourish and cross-disciplinary collaboration is the norm. This creative synergy not only enhances the cultural vibrancy of a city but also draws visitors and investments, revitalizing neighborhoods and raising local economies. Join this discussion that integrates different initiatives from visionary local artists and creatives. 

Green building has failed us in many ways: It's poorly defined, politically weighted, corrupted by greenwashing, and overly focused on energy efficiency instead of creating human joy. Natural building addresses these issues by revolutionizing the materials used in construction. Despite its potential, natural building has often been dismissed as a niche approach incapable of scaling. After two decades of working in both green and natural building sectors, we have developed a scalable solution known as Good Building—a framework for creating healthy, low-carbon, high-performance structures. Learn the development of the 5 Factors of Good Building and how this approach can drive the transformative change our industry urgently needs.

In modern development, the practice of honoring the creative process, land, place, and individuals has been overtaken by the emphasis on maximizing profit and square footage. Tuning into the land from the moment you walk upon it is an art; designing in harmony with both the land and its residents requires another level of skill beyond mainstream academic education. Discover how one visionary architect is revolutionizing this approach by integrating Mayonic Science and Technology into an already holistic design process. This innovative method harnesses the frequencies of sound and light within the quantum fields, creating designs that resonate with the natural environment and enhance human well-being. By blending these ancient teachings with contemporary practices, this approach offers a holistic blueprint for sustainable and harmonious development. Learn how architects and builders of this tradition are reshaping and rehabilitating communities across the world. 

Holistic community-based residential builds prioritize the well-being of both individuals and the collective, integrating sustainable practices with a deep respect for local context and culture. These projects are designed with a focus on creating harmonious living environments that support physical, emotional, and social health. They often feature collaborative design processes that involve expert facilitation that draw out the essence of community inputs. Emphasizing ecological balance, these builds use sustainable materials and energy-efficient technologies, while ensuring social connections through shared spaces and communal areas. The result is a vibrant, resilient community where people thrive in an environment that nurtures both their personal and collective well-being. Several communities around the world are already embracing holistic, community-based residential builds. Join the circle to bring your vision, wisdom, and lived experience to the collective.