Dr. Andreja Kutnar, acting department chair of InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM, shared her views on regenerative sustainability, engineered living materials and the future of wood construction in a newly released interview.

In the interview, Dr. Kutnar outlined the growing opportunities at the intersection of material science and biology, noting that the construction sector is shifting towards regenerative sustainability, where buildings can positively impact the environment throughout their lifespan. She highlighted the potential of engineered living materials in enabling this transition.

She also presented key research collaborations, including work with the Slovenian company Ledinek on using a new wood species for advanced timber construction, as well as insights from the ARCHI-SKIN and the REMEDY projects, both focusing on biologically responsive and innovative materials for wooden architecture.

Dr. Kutnar addressed common misconceptions about wood, for example  fire safety and durability, and emphasized the role of the NEB Academy in supporting the goals of the European Green Deal.

You can watch the interview here.