Media architecture and digital urban development are here to stay, and there is no denying that this technology is becoming increasingly important. This is the starting point of media Architecture Biennale 2014, which is held in Aarhus next week.

Here, some of the greatest names within the fields of architecture, design, media and business get together to discuss the ways in which media architecture can help shape the cities of the future, be it with media facades, with screen in city spaces, or with building that, in one way or another, communicate, either with colourful LED lights, with blinking lamps, or with facades displaying digital drawings, made by the city´s inhabitants themselves.

Politicians, architects and urban planners constantly obtain new possibilities of using new technologies, such as dynamic light settings, screens and mobile surveillance, just like bricks, asphalt or roofing felt is used in our buildings and public spaces.  

Therefore, it is essential that we discuss the ways in which these technologies are put to use, so that we do not mess up our good cities and public spaces, and end up with something that looks like a mixture of Las Vegas and DDR´, says Martin Brynskov, chairman of the biennale. He is doing research in interaction technologies, smart cities and mobile services at Aarhus University, which, together with media Architecture Institute, is hosting this year´s Biennale.

In the area of tension between technology, city and society

The Biennale is both a conference, an exhibition, a prize-giving and a line of workshops. But first and foremost, it provides useful insight into how media architecture can help people shape their own environment, be it in Aarhus, Berlin, Sao Paulo or Beijing.

Some of the people getting together to exchange ideas, and outline the media architecture of tomorrow, across professional and geographical boundaries, are some of the spearheads of this area, such as, for example, Daan Roosegaarde,  Snøhetta, realities: united, Gehl Architects og Adam Greenfield. They are representatives of some of the world´s cities, working with the democratic, business related and cultural potentials of media architecture. Others are architects, designers, researchers and artists, getting together with each other, as well as with some of the major players in the industry that produces materials and technology for media architecture, Danish Martin professional and American Daktroniks.

The Media Architecture Biennale has previously taken place in Berlin, London and Vienna. The next one, in 2016, will be held in Sydney.

The Media Architecture Biennale will take place at Godsbanen (the old train freight yard) in Aarhus, from November 20^th to November 22^nd, 2014. There will be a prelude, with a number of presentations, at the Danish Architecture Center in Copenhagen on November 19^th. See more at  mab14.org