How can we generate new collective thinking practices to imagine cities that are not only livable but conceived as inclusive ecosystems?
How can we rethink urban design by approaching the city as an interconnected ecosystem, where human and ecological needs are balanced?
How can performative actions engage local energies, raise ecological awareness, and foster critical reflection on contemporary social and environmental challenges?
Inspired by the thought of Henri Lefebvre, architecture can become a tool to support the right to the city—a collective right that goes beyond access to urban resources and extends to the ability to transform urban space into an environment that responds not only to human needs but also to ecological, animal, and natural ones.
This calls for a focus on peripheral urban areas, often marked by marginality and overlooked when it comes to ecological and social inclusion. In this context, performative architecture becomes a critical and transformative tool that, through the active involvement of local communities and the coexistence of diverse forms of life, can redefine urban dynamics. The goal is to generate spaces that not only meet human desires and needs, but also recognize and include the presence and rights of other forms of intelligence—animal and plant—through a lens of ecological justice and anti-speciesism.
This residency invites architects, designers, and creatives to explore how performative architecture—possibly incorporating innovative technological solutions—can help imagine a more-than-human city, where public spaces become places of coexistence and interaction between humans, nature, technology, and ecosystems. A city that fosters new urban imaginaries rooted in sustainability, inclusivity, and biodiversity.
THE CALL
As part of Performing Architecture, a project in collaboration with DOPO?, ZKU Berlin, Concéntrico Festival, and dpr Barcelona, and supported by the Italian Ministry of Culture, BASE Milano launches an open call for Italian architects, designers, creatives, and researchers working at the intersection of public space, performance, and architecture.
The residency is conceived as an experimental lab for those who see the city not just as a place to live in, but as a space to be collectively reimagined—developing practices that reshape the way we inhabit it.
The residency will take place in Berlin for a one-month period at ZKU Berlin, offering a context of international exchange and immersion in the city’s cultural scene.
ZKU Berlin is an interdisciplinary cultural center dedicated to exploring urban phenomena through artistic practice, architecture, and research—a place for dialogue among artists, urbanists, and scholars from around the world.
During the residency, the selected applicant will be able to join the ZKU program, which includes a presentation of their work during the weekly community dinner, as well as the opportunity to book a Studio Visit with professionals and associates from ZKU’s international network. The selected applicant will also gain visibility on the ZKU Berlin website and Instagram page.
PARTICIPATION TERMS
The selected project will receive:
→ A one-month residency at ZKU Berlin
→ A fee of €2,500 (excluding VAT and before taxes), covering:
– Studio access and accommodation at ZKU
– Production costs, transport, and per diem
– Coverage of any accessibility-related expenses if needed
TIMELINE
Applications are open until May 3, 2025.
Selected participants will be notified by May 15, 2025.
The residency will take place from August 1 to 30, 2025.
HOW TO APPLY
Send your application to residenze@base.milano.it including:
→ A detailed project proposal, outlining objectives and methodology, and how the project addresses the themes of the call
→ A short bio and portfolio of previous works
