Branko Mitrovic

In this thought-provoking lecture, architectural theorist Branko Mitrovic explores the growing tension between aesthetic values and sustainability narratives in contemporary architecture. Building on his book Architectural Principles in the Age of Fraud, Mitrovic examines how concerns about environmental impact are increasingly used, sometimes disingenuously, to justify visual and architectural shortcomings. Focusing on recent examples from Norway, he critiques the widespread "greenwashing" trend in architecture, where sustainability claims are deployed to mask design failures and suppress aesthetic discourse. Mitrovic argues that beauty and form are not superficial concerns, but essential components of architecture’s public and cultural responsibility. From design education to professional practice, he challenges a system where narrative overtakes visual competence, and where conceptual storytelling often substitutes for genuine design quality. This is a must-watch for architects, educators, and students concerned with the future of architectural integrity and the role of aesthetics in a sustainability-driven world.

Recorded at the third annual Beauty and Ugliness in Architecture Conference, May 2nd - 4th, 2025.