On 9 January, Design Bureau, in partnership with the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration, hosted a new edition of Design Fridays at the Baku Photo House, focusing on “Rooftops as Public Spaces in the Historic Centre of Baku: Ecological, Social and Design Potential.” The event brought together 12 students and young architects, guided by Design Bureau staff, for a full-day design workshop running from 10:00 to 17:00. Participants were divided into six working groups, each exploring innovative and context-sensitive approaches to reimagining rooftops as inclusive public spaces within Icherisheher’s historic urban fabric. Discussions and design exercises examined the ecological benefits, social value, and design challenges of rooftop interventions in heritage areas, emphasizing the balance between conservation and contemporary urban needs.
Organized within the framework of the Azerbaijan Urban Campaign 2026, the workshop contributed to national dialogue and capacity-building in the lead-up to WUF13. It highlighted how youth engagement, design innovation, and heritage-sensitive approaches can inform sustainable urban transformation and people-centred city-making. The event was promoted and documented through Design Bureau’s Instagram and LinkedIn channels, before and after the workshop, extending the reach of the Azerbaijan Urban Campaign and showcasing practical, locally grounded contributions to global urban conversations. By activating creative spaces and young professionals, the Design Fridays workshop demonstrated how the Azerbaijan Urban Campaign is translating WUF13 principles into hands-on learning and design experimentation in the historic heart of Baku.