Dr. Lejla Akšamija, a professor at the University of Utah School of Architecture, recipient of the prestigious title Distinguished Chair for Resilient Places, and a member of BHAAAS, delivered a lecture titled "Innovation in Architecture: Design, Methods, and Technologies for Innovative Practice" at the Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Geodesy (AGGF) at the University of Banja Luka. The lecture, which brought together students, academics, and professionals from the fields of architecture and construction, was organized in collaboration with the Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences (BHAAAS) and AGGF, with the support of the USAID "Diaspora Invest" project.
In her presentation, Dr. Akšamija highlighted the importance of innovation in architecture, with a particular focus on the use of new materials, technologies, software tools, and design methodologies. One of the key points of the lecture was the impact of buildings on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, given that the construction sector globally accounts for over 40% of total energy consumption. Dr. Akšamija emphasized the need for sustainable and innovative practices to improve energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of the built environment.
Lejla Tahirović from BHAAAS pointed out that in the context of climate change, architecture plays a critical role in reducing the ecological footprint. "Innovations in design and technology enable greater energy savings and the creation of more environmentally friendly buildings," she added.
The lecture also included case studies and examples of integrating innovations into architectural projects, drawing on Dr. Akšamija's book "Integrating Innovation in Architecture: Design, Methods, and Technology for Progressive Research and Practice." Students and professionals had the opportunity to learn about key steps in implementing innovations, including the importance of creating spaces for development and research within companies in the architectural industry.
Dr. Akšamija concluded: "Companies that adopt innovations not only improve their productivity and quality but also secure their leading positions in the market. Innovation is the key to long-term success, not just from a technical, but also from a strategic perspective."
A special emphasis was placed on the development of companies that successfully integrate scientific research with practical projects, using long-term strategies and setting clear goals. Dr. Akšamija stressed the importance of understanding economic factors in the innovation implementation process, which helps reduce risks and enables sustainable growth.
"Our goal is to introduce the best practices and modern solutions in architectural development to local companies through a mentoring program. The collaboration between academia and industry is one of the key priorities of BHAAAS, and our work in partnership with USAID demonstrates that we have the expertise and will to bring change to Bosnia and Herzegovina," added Lejla Tahirović from BHAAAS.
This event marks another step towards improving architectural practice in our country, and BHAAAS continues to support the implementation of innovations that will shape the future of architecture and the construction industry.
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