Why is optimism in architecture and urbanism important, and what role does it play in shaping design, discussions, and cities? 

On 23 January from 17:00 at the 4 Design Days event, founding partner and principal architect Winy Maas will discuss the power of optimism and the role it plays at MVRDV and The Why? Factory. At the invitation of ŁADNIE, an initiative born out of the need to improve public awareness of architecture and urban planning, Winy will elaborate on a range of projects, research, and themes, including the role of Eastern Europe, the need for innovation, and "Green", demonstrating how MVRDV's work in Albania and the country itself, (w)Ego, The Green Dip, biodiversity, and water can and do play a role in creating a future that is not only more sustainable but also realistic. 

The ‘M’ of MVRDV, Founding Partner and Principal Architect Winy Maas has received international acclaim for his broad range of urban planning and building projects, across all typologies and scales. These are often self-generated, innovative, experimental, and theoretical. Driven by this dedication to green, user-defined, sustainable cities and spaces, Maas’ leadership drives many of the office’s award-winning projects, amongst them Rotterdam’s Markthal, Crystal Houses, the Tianjin Binhai Library, Valley and the first publicly accessible art depot in the world, Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen. 

• Date & Time: 23 January, from 17:00 (CET)
• Location: International Congress Centre in Katowice, Plac Sławika i Antalla 1, 40-163 Katowice
• More information on the event can be found here