Start the day in the church pews!

In our regular programme fixture "today's sermon" we invite dedicated professionals up on the pulpit to present a challenge within the 2026 Triennale's title question – "What if Nature Comes First?" – and a solution. Drop by the Sofienberg Church in the morning hours and start the day with church coffee and a short lecture.

This morning we meet Abigail Scott Paul from the Humanise Campaign and Heatherwick Studio, who holds the sermon "When did architecture forget about human nature?". She will relate her talk to the Humanise campaign's work to highlight the impact of buildings on our brains/bodies and behaviours and talk about the need to design for human health and well-being and how to do this. Nature first and human first – not one or the other: they belong together.

Abigail Scott Paul is Global Head of the Humanise Campaign at Heatherwick Studio. She is an award-winning strategic communications leader who specialises in narrative change, public engagement and social impact. With a career spanning architecture, the creative industries, urban regeneration, community development and social disadvantage, she has led major campaigns that shift attitudes and inspire change. Abigail joined Heatherwick Studio in 2024 to lead Humanise: a new 10 year global campaign for more joyful, engaging and human buildings and cities. With a focus on research, action and boosting public debate, Abigail is working with partners and allies who have the power to make change possible. She has previously been Director of External Relations and Strategic Partnerships for Leeds 2023 Year of Culture, Deputy Director of Advocacy and Public Engagement at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and is educated from Cambridge University.

The doors open and the coffee is ready from 08 PM. Today's sermon starts at 08:15.

This edition of Today's sermon is organised in collaboration with Oslo Urban Week.