Between Innovation and Novelty | Pascal Hofstein | TEDxÉcolePolytechnique
The evolution of architectural patterns by examining the relationship between practice and research. It traces a line from the conceptual breakthroughs of Modernism, such as the "free plan," to contemporary trends like ultra-thin towers, questioning how modern design can balance the creation of private spaces with the need for generous, collective environments Pascal Hofstein is a French architect celebrated for his international career between France and the US, and his commitment to responsible design. His academic journey includes teaching roles at esteemed institutions such as Columbia University and the New York Institute of Technology. As founder of Hofstein Projects, he has executed a wide range of projects—from educational and public buildings to healthcare and cultural facilities. In addition to his professional practice, he has served as President of the Société Française des Architectes from 2012 to 2016, actively contributing to the evolution of contemporary architecture. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 13:24Treatment Technology for Stroke | LiPing LIU | TEDxTheBundFor over three decades, Liu Li Ping has been racing against stroke. She led the landmark “CHANCE” clinical trial—the first from China published in The New England Journal of Medicine—reducing patients’ 90-day recurrence rate from 11.7% to 8.2%, and further down to 6% in subsequent studies, rewriting global treatment guidelines and saving millions of lives. Her team developed domestically produced thrombolytic drugs, ending reliance on expensive imports, and combined them with AI imaging systems to cut treatment times from 120 minutes to just 20, extending the treatment window from 4.5 hours to 24. For Liu, victory in medicine is never a finish line—it is the courage to leave the comfort zone, to move from saving one life to transforming an entire field, and to keep going where the road runs long. Chief Scientist, Neurology Center, Beijing Tiantan Hospital This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 14:13Racing Through Chaos: Lessons from the World’s Toughest Runs | PenBin CHEN | TEDxTheBundFrom the Sahara Desert to Antarctica, from the Amazon rainforest to the Himalayas, Chen Pen Bin has run through some of the harshest environments on Earth. In ultramarathons stretching hundreds of kilometers, he has faced freezing cold, searing heat, oxygen-thin altitudes, swamps, and brutal fatigue. Along the way, he has dealt with tactical missteps, injuries, and even penalties caused by language barriers. Yet, through constant adjustment and steady accumulation of experience, he has learned to turn unpredictable conditions into opportunities—using strategy to navigate the uncontrollable and calm to hold on to victory. For Chen, “victory in the midst of chaos” is not just crossing the finish line—it is the ongoing process of correcting course in the unknown, awakening the body’s instincts, and carrying the power of being seen as a Chinese athlete on the world stage. China’s Pioneer of Extreme Ultramarathons This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
