The Belgian Summer School of Architecture is an international school based in Bruges that train the next generation of architects and planners in the art of building beautiful, humane and sustainable architecture. The school is a unique place of transmission and learning, a haven for the conservation of know-how and a centre of excellence in architecture, nourished by the crafts and knowledge of history.
Cross-border/international
Belgium
Belgium
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The first (2020) and second (2021) summer schools where organized in Brussels.
The third edition was organized during the summer 2022 in Bruges and at the Castle of Bellem.
The fourth (2023) edition is planned to be organized in Belgium and France
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
No
No
Yes
As a representative of an organisation
Name of the organisation(s): La Table Ronde de l'Architecture asbl Type of organisation: Non-profit organisation First name of representative: Nadia Last name of representative: Everard Gender: Female Nationality: Belgium Function: President Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: 13, Sint Annarei Town: Brugge Postal code: 8000 Country: Belgium Direct Tel:+32 475 95 95 15 E-mail:nadia@latablerondearchitacture.com Website:https://www.latablerondearchitecture.com/
The Belgian Summer School of Architecture is an international school based in Bruges that train the next generation of architects and planners in the art of building beautiful, humane and sustainable living places. The school is a unique environment of transmission and learning, a haven for the conservation of know-how and a centre of excellence in architecture, nourished by the crafts and knowledge of history.
Teachers are architects, historians, craftsmen, economists, urbanists and philosophers and together they train the students (aged 16 to 40) from all over the world for 1 to 2 months in the beautiful city of Bruges. The students discover the history of architecture, the rigor of geometry and hand drawing, the fondamental principles behind healthy, durable and beautiful places, the use of natural materials and proven construction techniques ; they exercise their eyes and their judgement on proven architectural forms; they are free, finally, to dip their pencil in any era to conceive an architecture worthy of our own.
This year, fifteen students from nine different countries worked hard for a month on various projects, ranging from the realisation of a leasure pavilion to the transformation of the Bruges station area. For the sake of realism, their projects had to be feasible and for the sake of aesthetics, they had to be inspired by local architecture. In order to familiarise themselves with Bruges' architecture and the design in situ, numerous study visits were organised in the region. After a month of work, an international jury of architects, town planners and craftsmen assessed their work.
This year (2023) the summer school takes place over seven weeks in July and August. A cohort of twenty to twenty-five students are expected to attend, joined each week by teachers from around the world to learn all aspects of natural and sustainable architecture and related craft disciplines.
Humane
Sustainable
Beautiful
Natural
Longevity
The Belgian Summer School of Architecture trains the students each year in durable architecture, craft techniques and the use of natural materials in architecture. The philosophy of La Table Ronde de l'Architecture focuses on sustainability in terms of increasing the longevity of the built environment: through the use of sustainable construction techniques and natural building materials, we can hope to considerably extend the life of buildings and put an end to the rampant phenomenon of programmed obsolescence of architecture that we see spreading throughout the construction world.
Besides, the summer school incorporates various sustainable design principles and techniques into the curriculum, including topics such as green building materials, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable site planning. Additionally, it incorporates field trips to sustainable buildings and projects to provide students with hands-on experience, as well as workshops and lectures by experts in sustainable architecture to deepen the students understanding of the topic.
The students of the Belgian Summer School of Architecture are taught in this direction and leave the course with the knowledge to change their way of working and to orient their architecture towards more ecology.
Students at the Belgian Summer School of Architecture learn everything that is missing from general education: freehand drawing, history, debate, durable construction methods, craftsmanship and freedom. The students discover the rigour of drawing and the rules of composition; they exercise their eyes and their judgement on ancient architectural forms; they are free, finally, to dip their pencil in any era to conceive an architecture worthy of our own.
But above all it is an intellectual and human adventure. Housed in the Bellem Castle estate, a few minutes by train from the splendid city of Bruges, the students live in a privileged, inspiring and historically charged place. Every day they discuss, debate and help each other. When they arrive alone and undecided, they leave united and confident in the future.
Finally, it is a place where languages and cultures from all over the world and Europe come together. Coming from 9 different countries, mostly European, the students of the Belgian Summer School of Architecture get to know their international peers and architectural practices they did not know about. They come out of it grown, matured and informed about the diversity of local architectures.
The Belgian Summer School of Architecture is the cheapest and therefore the most accessible of the Summer Schools of Architecture organised by the members of the international INTBAU network. By deliberately keeping the tuition fees low, La Table Ronde de l'Architecture wants to be as inclusive as possible and involve students from all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
In addition, for those who could not afford the fee, La Table Ronde de l'Architecture offers a growing number of scholarships. At its last edition (2022), the Belgian Summer School of Architecture had 30% of scholarship students. This year, La Table Ronde de l'Architecture hopes to increase this proportion to 50%.
This is part of the democratization of architecture, which is necessary in the framework of the more general reflection of La Table Ronde de l'Architecture aiming to bring architecture closer to the citizens and to make them participate in the elaboration of architectural projects and in the decision making concerning urban planning. Throughout the life of the association, this desire has been expressed through the realisation of voluntary architectural counter-projects in collaboration with citizens' groups, neighbourhood committees or other associations.
As mentioned above, La Table Ronde de l'Architecture, as a non-profit association, aims to include citizens in urban and architectural reflection. This is based on the observation that, all too often, citizens complain that architectural projects or urban works are imposed on them and that they feel they have not had a say in them.
This is why the Belgian Summer School of Architecture makes it a point of honour to be useful to the citizens and the locality where it takes place. It is not only about teaching young people architecture, it is also about making them understand the social vocation of architecture and that the fruit of their work makes a useful contribution to the improvement of the locality in which they find themselves, in this case the city of Bruges. In the last edition (2022), the students were asked to carry out a project for the transformation of the Bruges railway station area, which poses a number of problems from the point of view of its aesthetic, economic and practical integration with the rest of the city. The completed projects were presented to the municipal authorities in the presence of the mayor of the city and will be exhibited in Bruges in the course of 2023. The inhabitants of Bruges will have the opportunity to see these projects and comment on them in the presence of the members of the Round Table on Architecture, who will pass on their assessments to the municipal authorities. In this way, a citizen's reflection from the bottom to the top of the political pyramid is developed, which considerably strengthens participatory democracy and contributes to the democratisation of architecture.
The association was born out of the desire to democratise architecture by citizens and professionals. Based in Brussels, it intended to take advantage of its strategic location, at the crossroads of a European capital and the seat of many European institutions, to take action at all levels of legislative production: local, regional, national and European. This is demonstrated by its projects, which have been aimed at embellishing municipalities, city centres and even the Schuman roundabout in the heart of the European quarter in Brussels.
The Round Table on Architecture also brings together personalities from all professional backgrounds and all levels of responsibility: architects, local elected representatives, lawyers, craftsmen, public officials, contractors, etc.
Finally, the Round Table on Architecture is the Belgian chapter of the worldwide INTBAU network under the patronage of the Prince of Wales. The network has chapters in 39 different countries on all continents, which allows La Table Ronde de l'Architecture to be in contact with stakeholders at all relevant levels to take concrete and decisive action in favour of architectural reform and education. The Belgian Summer School of Architecture is part of this international context, which allows it to benefit from students from many different countries and continents.
The Belgian Summer School of Architecture mobilises an extremely diverse range of knowledge, which nevertheless combine perfectly in the learning of a more beautiful, human and sustainable architecture. This reflects the inherently multidisciplinary character of La Table Ronde de l'Architecture. The professors who teach at the Summer School of Architecture come from a variety of disciplines: architecture, urban planning, political science, law, history, craftsmanship, economics. They teach students to take a holistic approach to the discipline of architecture, which is not just a technique, but depends on many external parameters including technical standards and regulations, history and philosophy.
Teachers from these different disciplines lecture together or separately and the organisers of La Table Ronde d'Architecture always ensure that students understand the relevance of seemingly distant knowledge, the mastery of which will be of immense use to them in their future practice as architects.
By the end of the summer school, students have a comprehensive understanding of architecture and can draw on an interdisciplinary network of teachers and friends.
The Belgium Summer School of Architecture incorporates interdisciplinary studies, such as urban design, landscape architecture, construction management, history and philosophy courses as well as craftsmanship to provide students with a more holistic understanding of the built environment. Additionally, the school fosters innovation by encouraging collaboration and experimentation through design studios, research projects, and hands-on building workshops. It is also be innovative by promoting diversity and inclusion in the curriculum, and in the student body, which creates a more resilient and innovative community. Finally, the summer school is innovative by encouraging students to think beyond the traditional boundaries of the discipline, and to explore the potential of architecture to address social, environmental, and cultural issues.
1. Curriculum: The curriculum of the Belgium Summer School of Architecture can be replicated or adapted to suit the needs of other locations. This includes the topics covered, the schedule of classes, lectures, and workshops, and the selection of instructors and guest speakers.
2. Community engagement: the summer school can replicate or transfer its approach to community engagement and participation to other locations. This includes methods such as design charrettes, workshops, and community mapping exercises that allow students to learn about and respond to the specific needs and desires of the local community.
3. Sustainability: Elements such as teaching about sustainable design principles, energy efficiency, water management, and green building strategies, and using sustainable materials and construction techniques.
4. Interdisciplinary studies: the summer school can replicate or transfer its approach to interdisciplinary studies, such as urban design, landscape architecture, and construction management, to other locations. This can provide students with a more holistic understanding of the built environment and allow them to address global challenges by providing local solutions.
5. Hands-on building: its approach to hands-on building, such as design-build projects and workshops. This can provide students with practical experience and allow them to develop technical skills.
Setting up a summer school of architecture involves a number of steps and considerations. The methodology can be broken down into the following steps:
1. Defining the goals and objectives: Clearly defining the goals and objectives of the summer school, such as the topics to be covered, the target audience, and the desired outcomes.
2. Identifying a location: Choosing a location for the summer school that is appropriate for the goals and objectives, and that provides access to relevant resources and facilities.
3. Developing a curriculum: creating a detailed curriculum for the summer school, including a schedule of classes, lectures, and workshops, and select instructors and guest speakers who are experts in the relevant fields.
4. Identifying and inviting participants: Identifying potential participants for the summer school, such as students, professionals, and academics, and inviting them to participate.
5. Obtaining necessary funding and resources: Identifying the funding and resources needed to organize the summer school, such as funding for instructors, facilities, and materials, and secure the necessary funding and resources.
6. Promoting the summer school: Use various means of communication to promote the summer school, such as social media, email, and posters, to reach a wide audience.
7. Organizing logistics: Organizing all the logistics necessary to run the summer school such as accommodation, transportation, and meals for the participants.
8. Evaluating and assessing: Once the summer school is over, evaluating and assessing the outcomes, gathering feedback from the participants, instructors, and guest speakers and using it to improve the program for future summers.
It's important to keep in mind that a detailed planning and communication with all the stakeholders involved is essential to the success of the summer school.
The Belgium School of Architetcure addresses global challenges by giving local solutions by incorporating a variety of approaches in its curriculum. One approach is to focus on the specific needs and constraints of the local community and environment, and to develop design solutions that are responsive to those factors. This includes using local materials and construction techniques, and incorporating traditional building methods and forms into the design. Another approach is to teach students about the cultural and social context of the community, and to incorporate this understanding into the design process. Additionally, the architecture school addresses global challenges by incorporating sustainable design principles and practices into the curriculum, such as energy efficiency, water management, and green building strategies.
Moreover, the Belgium Architecture Summer School provides education on the importance of community engagement and participation in the design process. This can help to ensure that the solutions developed are truly responsive to the needs and desires of the community, and that they can be implemented and maintained over time. Furthermore, by including the study of urban design, landscape architecture, and construction management in the curriculum, students can understand and address the complex interrelatedness of global challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and social equity.
Finally, the school also addresses global challenges by encouraging students to think critically and creatively, and to explore the potential of architecture to address issues such as affordable housing, disaster resilience, and community development. This approach helps to foster innovative solutions that are both locally responsive and globally relevant.
The Belgian Summer School of Architecture was founded in 2020. Every year it grows in ambition, size and reputation. While the first edition attracted 5 students, the second had 12 and the third had 15. The Round Table for Architecture hopes that the next edition of its summer school will attract 20-25 students.
In addition, the duration of the course increases every year (from 10 days to seven weeks). As the summer school grows in size, the quality of the courses and speakers increases.
Eventually, La Table Ronde de l'Architecture plans to have the course recognised as a degree course. In the long term, the Belgian Summer School of Architecture will become a permanent school. In a first step, the duration of the training will have to increase to cover the two summer months; in a second step, and provided the necessary funds are found, the summer school will become a permanent school.
This qualitative leap is accompanied by a significant increase in applications. The Round Table on Architecture now receives a ratio of 4 applications for every 1 place allocated, which enables it to select the best student profiles according to criteria of quality, motivation and inclusiveness.
Incorporating sustainable design principles, such as energy efficiency, water management, green building strategies, and the use of renewable energy systems. This can provide students with a thorough understanding of sustainable design and help them develop the knowledge and skills needed to design and construct buildings that have a minimal impact on the environment.
Incorporating interdisciplinary studies, such as urban design, landscape architecture, and construction management, into the curriculum. Students can therefore develop a more holistic understanding of the built environment and the interrelatedness of global challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and social equity.
Encouraging hands-on building. This can provide students with practical experience and help them develop technical skills, such as construction and materials knowledge, that are essential for sustainable design.
Promoting community engagement: By promoting community engagement and participation in the design process, students can learn about and respond to the specific needs and desires of the community. This can help to ensure that the solutions developed are truly responsive to the needs and desires of the community, and that they can be implemented and maintained over time.
Providing education on life-cycle assessment: The summer school of architecture can provide education on life-cycle assessment, which is a method to evaluate the environmental impact of a building throughout its entire life-cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to the end of the building's useful life. This can help students to understand the environmental impact of their designs and to develop solutions that minimize this impact.
Encouraging critical thinking about sustainable design and the role of architecture in addressing global challenges. This can foster innovative solutions that are both locally responsive and globally relevant.
