Last week, David Chipperfield participated in the Athens Democracy Forum 2026, one of Europe’s leading gatherings on democratic renewal, organised by the Democracy & Culture Foundation in association with The New York Times. The forum brought together policymakers, journalists, academics, civic leaders, artists and cultural practitioners to explore how democracy can respond to contemporary social, political, technological and environmental challenges.
In conversation with The New York Times culture reporter Farah Nayeri at the historic Stoa of Attalos, David was invited to address the relationship between culture and democracy. Reflecting on the growing pressures facing cities, he argued that architects have responsibilities beyond individual commissions and should engage more actively with the civic, economic and cultural forces that shape everyday urban life. The conversation explored the role of planning and public participation in democratic societies, the importance of preserving the human scale and identity of cities, and the need for architecture to support social equity and collective trust. The discussion also touched on the practice’s project for the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
Image courtesy of Athens Democracy Foundation