The Editors

This week in Venice, the New York–based Van Alen Institute convened a group of leaders at 13 top architecture firms to brainstorm ideas that will guide the non-profit institution with an increased international perspective. The group will meet twice a year “to identify and investigate issues facing cities internationally, and to guide the impact of the Institute’s public programming, research, and design competitions,” according to a press release from Van Alen. The goal is to find topics that the institute can explore more deeply in its on going efforts such as Elsewhere:Escape and the Urban Landscape exploring our relationship with urban life.

“We are excited to elevate our work to an increasingly global perspective with the rigorous thinking and participation of the International Council,” David van der Leer, executive director of Van Alen, said in a statement. “I’m honored to begin with such a stellar list of participants, and I look forward to watching this community strengthen as a meaningful international network over the coming years.”