In collaboration with Riga Technical University we are now accepting applications for the International Summer School of architecture, urban planning and design. The theme for 2014 is «Get Well City».
In 2014 FOLD takes over organising of Riga Technical University International Summer School from Contemporary Architecture Information Center. Co–directors of the programme remain the same already for the 7th year — architects and urbanists Toms Kokins and Evelina Ozola.
«Get Well City»
For the third time, the Summer School is going to take place in Cesis — a town where health and leisure have always been intrinsic to the local lifestyle. Cesis is located within the Gauja National Park, which is the largest protected natural area in Latvia. Its high biological diversity, varied terrain and natural water resources provide for hydrotherapy establishments, outdoor sports of all seasons, and traditional picking of mushrooms, berries and medicinal plants. Participants are going to revisit local natural assets, infrastructure and traditions of wellness, and propose ways how they can be updated according to the needs of a healthier society and possibilities of current technologies.
Within two weeks, from July 26 to August 9, 2014, an international team of tutors will guide the participants through a complete project cycle — from first sketches to communication of complex data, construction of spatial structures in public domain and seeing their work being tested by the users. As usual, the lecture programme with talks by international and local speakers, as well as project presentations by the participants will be open to the public.
This year, the cosy Rucka manor, located just outside the town’s centre, is going to accommodate the Summer School and become one of the cases to study — in the past the building has served as a tuberculosis hospital, but currently it is on its way to transform into a new creative hotspot.
What we did in 2013
Last year, participants of the RTU International Summer School managed to gather over a hundred residents of Cesis for a common dinner during the «Sālsmaize» event and built a book exchange structure «Story Tower». Its inventive construction and Tetrapak roof cladding sparked interest of design media worldwide — it was published on «Dezeen», «Frame» and «Inhabitat», as well as on blogs and magazines from Canada to China.
We expect that this year the British architects Theodore Molloy and Thomas Randall–Page, as well as the Dutch design collective «La Bolleur» will join the tutors team again. There will also be newcomers with Strelka institute experience.
Application
Call for applications is open until May 4, 2014 for students and young professionals of spatial disciplines. Applicants should be fluent in English and keen to work in groups. Participation fee is € 675, a limited number of full and partial scholarships are available.
RTU International Summer School is organised by FOLD in collaboration with Riga Technical University Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning. The Summer School is supported by State Education Development Agency and Cesis Local Municipality.
More information and application form can be found on the Summer School’s website, and we recommend to follow updates on its Facebook page. For additional information and questions write to getwell@fold.lv
Video from the 2013 Summer School «Local Shift»
Viedokļi