Who Are the Kogi

The Kogi are the descendants of the Tairona civilization, one of the great pre-Colombian cultures of South America. Unlike the Maya, Inca, and Aztecs, the Kogi avoided conquest by retreating into the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia, where they have preserved their traditions and ways of life for over four thousand years.

The Kogi consider themselves the Elder Brothers, guardians of the Earth who maintain balance between the natural and spiritual worlds. Their knowledge is not written but passed down orally through deep spiritual practice and observation of nature. For the Kogi, architecture is not just about structures but about creating living spaces that align with natural energies, support human thought processes, and maintain harmony with the land.

Through this workshop, participants will have the rare opportunity to learn directly from Kogi elders, who will share their perspectives on sustainability, materials, the relationship between architecture and life itself and the connection between thought and space.

Learning Objective
For thousands of years, the Kogi people have lived with regenerative perspectives and practices, maintaining a deep understanding of how to build in harmony with nature. Their architecture is not just about shelter but about creating living spaces that support balance, energy, and long-term sustainability.

This workshop provides a rare opportunity to engage directly with Kogi elders and explore how their wisdom on land, materials, and space can inspire more sustainable and regenerative architectural approaches. Participants will gain insights into the spiritual and ecological dimensions of architecture, site selection, energy balance, and the relationship between the built environment and human well-being.

Workshop Content

The exact content will be determined by the Kogi elders and is subject to change, as their knowledge is shared through dialogue and lived experience.

Day 1: Understanding Kogi Architecture Friday, May 16, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

• Introduction to the Kogi worldview and their regenerative approach to architecture
• The spiritual and ecological function of materials like wood, stone, and sand
• How Kogi architecture fosters harmony between humans and nature
• No separation between work and life architecture as a reflection of holistic living

Day 2: Practical Insights and Application Saturday, May 17, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM

• Site selection why the Kogi choose specific locations for buildings and avoid others
• Rituals and energy balance in construction
• How Kogi buildings are activated to prevent them from becoming dead spaces
• The connection between architecture and relationships how built environments influence emotional and social well-being
• Architecture and thought processes how the spaces we live in shape our patterns of thought, emotions, and ideas
• How the Kogi use architecture to align thought processes and foster clarity, creativity, and balance
• The Future of Architecture: Integrating Kogi Wisdom into Contemporary Design and Sustainable Urban Development.
• Regenerativity in urban planning theory and practice.
• Transformation labs and transition initiatives towards a regenerative built environment across different regions.

Speakers and Contributors

• Kogi Elders sharing indigenous knowledge and practices
• Lucas Buchholz and Anna Reisch Sacred Future and Timeless Wisdom Academy insights into indigenous collaboration
• STERLING PRESSER Architects + Engineers bridging indigenous and contemporary design
• Bauhaus Earth (Diana Barrera-Salazar and Dr. Gediminas Lesutis) perspectives on regenerative architecture

This workshop will be held in english.
Hinweis: Der Workshop findet in englischer Sprache statt.

A significant portion of the fees will be donated to the Kogi people to support their land buyback initiative.

If you have problems registering and signing up for this workshop, please send an e-mail with your name and full postal address to: seminare@ak-berlin.de, we will be happy to take care of the registration for you.