Lecture Liene Jākobsone

Liene Jākobsone is the founding partner of the Belgian–Latvian architecture practice SAMPLING, which develops critical and conceptual projects ranging from buildings, interiors, and reconstructions to exhibitions and product design.

The practice seeks to address social and environmental challenges through architecture and spatial design, while maintaining a strong emphasis on aesthetic qualities. As part of her curatorial work, Jākobsone co-curated the Latvian Pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.

Alongside her professional practice, she is also active in academia. She holds a PhD and serves as Director and Senior Researcher at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture at the Art Academy of Latvia. Her research focuses on issues in design and architecture, particularly the ideological conditions that shape design practice and its outcomes. She is especially interested in the potential of non-traditional forms of inquiry and in exploring ways to foster criticality in design.