Keynote by Metaform Founder Shahram Agaajani
2 min read
At the 5th Real Estate Seated Dinner at Casino 2000 in Mondorf-les-Bains, Shahram Agaajani, architect and founder of Metaform, delivered a keynote that went beyond a conventional presentation. Rather than focusing on figures or regulations, he made the case for an architecture rooted in connection and meaning, for urban planning that cares as much as it builds, and for real estate conceived as a breath of fresh air for the future.
Speaking to property professionals, lawyers, and political decision-makers, Shahram advocated for humanistic architecture and cities designed with care: prioritising beauty, human scale, and sustainable urban planning that evolves over time. He encouraged the real estate sector to move away from endless standards, standardized housing, and urban sprawl, and instead embrace local craftsmanship, intelligent density, and collaboration between developers, politicians, and residents.
A concrete example of this vision is the upcoming national Velodrome in Mondorf-les-Bains, an open, flexible space intended as a neighbourhood hub rather than just a building. Shahram framed architecture as “an act of faith,” urging the industry to build not only for profit, but for people, community, and future generations.
En conclusion, il a rappelé aux participants que construire n’est pas seulement un acte nécessaire, mais aussi une poésie urgente.
Découvrez son discours ci-dessous.
Read more about the event in Paperjam’s article.
Photography © Julian Pierrot / Paperjam
Rendering © Mecanoo