Call For Contributions for Aura Machines (Conference + Workshop)
The event aims to investigate how the aura of a place can be sensed, described, mapped, interpreted, and integrated into architectural thinking and design.
The program is structured in two parts: First part (October 13-14, 2026), Second part (December 1, 2026)
Deadline: July 15, 2026
Notification of acceptance: July 31, 2026
Calling for contributions for “Aura Machines,”an international conference and research workshop on atmospheres in architecture,organized within the framework of the EU-funded AURA project.
The event aims to investigate how the aura of a place can be sensed, described, mapped, interpreted, and integrated into architectural thinking and design. Bringing together architects, artists, and scholars from different disciplinary backgrounds, the conference will focus on a shared site in Genoa, which will serve as common ground for fieldwork, reflection, and exchange.
The program is structured in two parts:
- The first part, hosted in Genoa on October 13-14, will includekeynote lectures, panels on imaging and designing atmospheres, visits to the case-study area, and field-based workshop sessions.The following speakers, among others, will be joining us: Viktorija Bogdanova (Aalto University), Camilla de Camilli (Università della Svizzera Italiana), Zakaria Djebbara (Aalborg University), Amanzio Farris (Politecnico di Milano), Ana Mombiedro (University of Alicante), Gaia Leandri (University of Genoa), Alberto Pérez-Gómez (McGill University), and Sarah Robinson (Aalborg University).
- The second part, held online on December 1, will feature presentations by participants selected through the call for contributions. Participants are invited to develop their proposals in response to the October activities in Genoa:contributions may engage with the concept of aura from different disciplinary perspectives, including theoretical, design-based, creative, and experimental approaches, using the Genoese site explored in October as the case study through which to articulate and apply their reflections.
Following the conference, a selection of presentations will be invited to expand their work into a peer-reviewed, open-access publication.
Submissions should be sent to: aura.project@unige.it
Submission deadline: July 15, 2026
Notification of acceptance: July 31, 2026
