Towards a new generation of committed designers

On the occasion of the European Heritage Days 2025, under the theme "Heritage and Architecture: Windows to the Past, Doors to the Future", the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation invited the international school BESIGN The Sustainable Design School, which trains and supports its students in a design approach combining positive impact, responsibility and innovation, to highlight the role of architecture and design as levers of transformation towards a more sustainable and equitable but also more desirable society.  

Thus, on Sunday, October 5, four models created by Master 2 students as part of their research project in sustainable innovation were exhibited within the Villa Girasole, classified as a "remarkable building" in Monaco for its Belle Époque architecture, and which houses the Foundation's offices. A bridge between past and future that the presence of young designers who came to exchange with the public made particularly inspiring.  

The IDO Project

By Sébastien Delerba and Aïda Khemaïssia  

An autonomous module, inspired by biomimicry, captures and redistributes water to protect endangered wetlands and strengthen local ecosystems threatened by biodiversity loss. Designed to be durable, discreet, and easily transportable, it consists of an upper part that captures humidity from the air and channels it to its base, and a base, inspired by traditional clay pots, that allows water to gradually infiltrate into the surrounding soil, ensuring a constant and efficient supply, without waste.  

The Re.Connect Platform

By Henri Borde and Imtiez Lassoued  

The Re.Connect platform is a tool that connects students, architects, NGOs, artisans, local elected officials, and citizens in a shared digital space where knowledge, resources, and solutions related to innovation and sustainable development are exchanged to promote climate resilience in the Mediterranean. This networking initiative aims to co-create concrete solutions, the first of which is called Arcada, a set of modular urban structures designed for the city of Nice to address the challenge of urban heatwaves. Comprised of pergolas inspired by cane weaving and clay-based cooling systems, Arcada draws on local, natural, and circular materials typical of the Mediterranean to provide shade, comfort, and a welcoming atmosphere.  

Coralea, the marina of the future

By Swann Benichou  

More than just a mooring, Coralea embodies a model of a maritime city where people and the ocean coexist harmoniously: an autonomous and sustainable port, designed with floating infrastructure, that regenerates the seabed, adapts to the climate, and offers inclusive and attractive spaces (a planted wellness area, a multipurpose space dedicated to meetings, cultural events, and community life, charging stations for electric boats powered by renewable energy, etc.).  

Miami Ryze Street Furniture

By Lilou Tauban  

Inspired by the submersible causeway of the Passage du Gois in Noirmoutier and Miami's Art Deco culture, Miami Ryze street furniture aims to save lives by providing shelter in the event of flash floods. This flood-resistant platform rises and falls with the water level to safely guide residents who are previously guided to available platforms via an app that broadcasts real-time alerts.    

This partnership echoes the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation's Green Shift initiative, which aims to support and inspire the ecological transition by leveraging the capacity of the culture, fashion, and design sectors to open up creative and innovative avenues for sustainability, interdisciplinary dialogue, and collective engagement. In a changing world, these actors have a key role to play: shaping imaginations, provoking reflection, and inventing resilient futures.    

BESIGN The Sustainable Design School is an international higher education design institution founded in 2013. BESIGN offers a five-year Master's degree in Sustainable Innovation Design, recognized by the French government and Europe. It offers electives in sustainable product design, fashion design, and interior architecture. BESIGN offers its students the opportunity to learn by carrying out projects in partnership with businesses, local authorities, and associations to address real-world sustainable development issues. BESIGN welcomes students from 31 nationalities, and all its courses are in English. It is a member of the World Design Organization. www.besignschool.com