Join the Cumulus Working Groups meetings at the Cumulus Athens 2026 conference!
Roots/Routes in Design Cumulus Athens 2026
Conference website at https://cumulusathens2026.uniwa.gr/.
Time: May 5-9, 2026, Athens, Greece
On-site: University of West Attica
All times are local (EEST) Athens, Greece – (UTC+3)
CWGs are communities of practice created by and for our members to share expertise and engage on a diversity of topics that matter to our disciplines.
WEDNESDAY 6 MAY 2026
Time: 11.30-13.30
Contact person:
Dolly Daou
Eija Salmi
Roots of the universe
What is the root of the universe? This session explores the presence of extraterrestrial documented activities, narratives, and missions on our planet. By examining roots and uproots, the session invites participants to reflect on how to design our roots as terrestrial beings while imagining and designing life in extraterrestrial space. This session will further explore the terrestrial existence influence our perception of the universe, and whether our cosmic imagination is shaping our space odyssey?
Key questions include:
– How do extraterrestrial visions influence design, culture, and identity on Earth?
– What drives the human intention to colonise other planets?
– What influences do individuals and societies who return from extraterrestrial exploration bring back to earth conceptually, culturally, or physically?
How do these extraterrestrial imaginaries are already influencing terrestrial design, culture, and identity?
By examining both roots and uproots, this session asks whether our terrestrial conditioning is the origin of our cosmic imagination, and how does this exploration influence our sense of belonging to earth and to our cosmo?
