A home that can grow with you, pay for itself, and restore Nature | Raul Polit Casillas | TEDxBoston
Buildings are major contributors to global environmental instability, carbon footprint, solid waste, and toxicity increase, yet we need more homes than ever before. Our only practical approach to evolve our dwelling experience during these times of uncertainty is to rethink and redesign architecture from scratch, because it is the framework of human life. Space exploration, advanced robotics, data science, and systems engineering design give us a unique mindset and a set of tools, so we can combine existing and ground-breaking technologies with ancient design principles to dwell better on our planet. How we build our homes directly addresses and fights housing, environmental, resources, and economic interconnected crises globally. Our team is combining top science, deep technologies, and the most forward-thinking design so our homes can grow with us, pay for themselves, and restore Nature, allowing us to enter a new era of economic growth that creates a better world for our children. Dr. Raul Polit Casillas is the founder, CEO, and chief architect of ARQESS – a robotic self-sustainable architecture company. As a NASA space architect and systems engineer, he worked for a decade on highly innovative projects and technologies (e.g., spacecraft 4D printing), where he created and led the JPL Atelier advanced design facility. Raul is a licensed architect with works around the world, furniture designer, art curator, poet, published researcher, and serial entrepreneur. As an awarded technologist he has led many ground-breaking projects (e.g., NASA-Autodesk AI-designed Europa Lander, JPL-Disney program). He holds a PhD in Sys. design Eng. (UNISTRA), MSc in architecture & construction Eng. (UPV), and MSc in space studies (ISU). He is an Amazon MARS and Google SciFoo alumni, holding multiple grants and awards from NASA, ESA, JPL, Caltech, UPV, AIAA, etc. With feet on the ground and head in the stars he is relentlessly committed to improving architecture on Earth and beyond. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 13:17Solidarität statt Angst: wie wir die Klimakrise gemeinsam meistern | Milena Glimbovski | TEDxBolzanoIt is easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism" – with this provocative thought, the speaker opens her perspective on the climate crisis. Rather than succumbing to resignation, she highlights unexpected opportunities within the crisis: despite rising food prices and extreme weather events, it could ultimately foster greater solidarity.Research on over 500 disaster cases confirms that in times of crisis, people tend to act in solidarity rather than selfishly. Practical neighbourhood support becomes both a form of climate adaptation and a cost-free act of resistance against capitalism. Through preparedness and mutual aid, communities can become more resilient. Milena Glimbovski is an entrepreneur and pioneer of the zero-waste movement in Germany. She studied at the Berlin University of the Arts and in 2014, founded “Original Unverpackt”, the first packaging-free supermarket in the German capital. A passionate activist, she works for environmental and climate protection and, in 2019, was elected 'Entrepreneur of the Year 2019' by the Berlin Senate. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 19:39The Magic of Social-Emotional Learning | Baela Raza Jamil | TEDxThe City School Islamabad YouthEarly Years: Discovering the Magical Layers of Social-Emotional Learning – Wiring Our Pathways by Baela Raza Jamil delves into the profound impact of social-emotional learning (SEL) in the early years. She explores how children's brains are wired through meaningful interactions, emotional connections, and supportive environments. By uncovering the layers of SEL, Baela emphasizes the role of relationships, empathy, and self-regulation in shaping lifelong well-being and resilience. Her talk highlights the science behind early brain development, the importance of nurturing emotional intelligence, and how caregivers and educators can create enriching experiences that lay the foundation for confident, socially aware individuals. Baela Raza Jamil is the CEO of Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) Centre for Education and Consciousness. She is also the founder of the Children’s and Teachers’ Literature Festivals in Pakistan, which has evolved into a social movement known as the Pakistan Learning Festival. Baela Jamil is the sole Pakistani finalist shortlisted for the World Education Medals, recognizing her remarkable contributions to education. Her work with Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi and Sanjan Nagar School has significantly impacted Pakistan’s education system, reaching over 20 million children and hundreds of teachers. She leads the Learning initiative of ASER Pakistan and the foundational learning program Chalo Parho Barho (CPB)/Teaching at the Right Level (TARL). Baela represents Pakistan as an advisor and board member for education and learning innovations at national and global levels. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 14:35Se chiedi al tacchino: lo spazio tra edifici e il ruolo dei cittadini | Paola Zanotto | TEDxBolzanoPaola Zanotto takes the audience on a journey from her traditional architectural studies to become an advocate for one of the biggest overlooked resource in cities, their streets network and the great things that can happen in it. This presentation features great projects which have improved the life of locale residents by expanding the role of local streets, going beyond the sole function of being a transport infrastructure. The starting (and ending) point uses an old English saying to explain an essential ingredient for public space improvements to work: the necessity of being backed by local communities, someone who can take care of their spaces and embrace the necessary change in the way people live, move, and interact. Paola Zanotto is an architect and urban designer with a great passion for the civic, ecological and social role of public space in cities; she works at different scales, from large urban strategies to detailed design of open spaces. She has been based in the UK for more than 10 years, where he has worked with renowned architectural, urban planning and landscape architecture firms. After completing a PhD at the IUAV in Venice, Paola embarked on an independent research path that she integrates with her professional practice This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 16:09Come Predire il Futuro: Il Segreto di Aziende che Creano Tendenze | Michele Superchi | TEDxBolzanoThe success of innovation is never accidental —especially for the leading companies today. These businesses follow a clear strategy to innovate: the Trend Funnel. This method is all about understanding trends and using them to guide smart business decisions. By studying long-term, mid-term, and short-term trends, companies can make the right choices, not just rely on chance.In today’s fast-moving business world, adapting to what’s happening now and preparing for the future is key. Think of it like surfing: if a company wants to ride the perfect wave, it must spot the opportunity before everyone else, get ready with the right tools and technologies, and then catch that wave at just the right moment. Companies that can do this will stay ahead of the competition and make the most of every new chance that comes their way. Michele Superchi graduated in international business studies and furthered his education between the Netherlands and Canada. Passionate about market analysis and business strategy, together with the entire BEAUTYSTREAMS team and in his role as Vice President, he assists companies in the beauty industry in identifying social trends, aligning innovation and strategy, and facilitating the introduction of cosmetic products to the market. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 18:53Reimagining life through the lens of death | Svenja Krüger | TEDxInnsbruckSvenja delves into how facing mortality can inspire us to live with greater intention, using examples from her photography of stillborn children and her own pre-planned funeral as acts of legacy and celebration. Through her lens, Svenja invites us to see death not as an end, but as a profound influence that enriches the way we live our lives. Svenja is a documentary photographer and storyteller whose work explores the profound connections between life, death, and cultural traditions. After the loss of her father, Svenja founded “Stories Matter,” a platform dedicated to capturing the narratives that define our existence, especially in the face of mortality. Her work has taken her around the world, documenting death rituals such as Mexico’s Day of the Dead, Ghana’s fantasy coffins, and the sacred practices in Varanasi, India. Svenja’s TED Talk, “Reimagining Life Through the Lens of Death,” delves into how facing mortality can inspire us to live with greater intention, using examples from her photography of stillborn children and her own pre-planned funeral as acts of legacy and celebration. Through her lens, Svenja invites us to see death not as an end, but as a profound influence that enriches the way we live our lives. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 14:53Relationships & Responsibility in Early Learning | Aien Shah | TEDxThe City School Islamabad YouthThe 2 Rs of Early Childhood Development" by Aein Shah explores the foundational role of Relationship and Responsibility in shaping young learners. He emphasizes that relationships—whether with children, adults, or the environment—are both a process and a product, influencing lifelong learning and development. Responsibility, in parenting, teaching, and caregiving, is essential for raising socially responsible, empathetic citizens who contribute positively to society. Through this talk, Aein highlights the delicate balance of nurturing meaningful connections while fostering a sense of duty, ultimately guiding children toward a future of compassion, purpose, and collective well-being. Aien Shah; started his career as a primary school teacher back in mid 90s. He served within the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) at various positions including teacher, Teacher Educator, Head of Field Education Office, Manager Academics and School Operations and Director academic affairs. He is currently serving as Head of Education at the Aga Khan Education Service, Pakistan (AKES, P), one of the large non-for-profit school systems functioning in the region since 1905, and is responsible to provide overall academic leadership in areas of school development, curriculum development and management, teacher education, teaching-learning, student assessment, monitoring, evaluation and research. He is recipient of Director’s Award for academic excellence from Notre Dame Institute of Education, Karachi. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
