16 – 30 July 2023 ~ Altmünster, Austria

Participate and learn from the world’s leading experts in earthen and bamboo construction!

The summer school offers practical know-how in the use of natural building materials like earth and bamboo. Every other year about 100 participants and experts from across the globe come together in Altmünster to work and learn together.

• Learning by doing
• Practical workshops on building with earth and bamboo
• Theory classes on sustainable architecture
• Networking with people from all around the globe

Objectives

We want to promote earth and bamboo as excellent materials for sustainable architecture.
Earthen and bamboo architecture has not only a long tradition in human settlement, but it also offers many advantages for contemporary architecture. BASEhabitat wants to foster the consideration of socio-cultural, economical and ecological aspects in the architectural design and construction.

It is necessary to establish a global network and enforce exchange of knowledge and experiences in the field of earthen and bamboo architecture.

Programme

Hands-on experiences with regenerative materials is at the focus of these two intensive weeks, which are complemented by theoretical inputs and discussions. There is a unique opportunity to network internationally with like-minded people and experts.

Our goal is to bring regenerative materials back into architecture – for a sustainable future of building.

Workshops

on different construction techniques

Participants choose 2 of 4 workshops where they work in small groups of 20-25 people.

• Adobe + earth blocks
  Franco Noriega, Zoé Tric (amàco)

• Rammed earth
  Dominik Abbrederis, Max Weidacher

• Earth + fibre
  Becky Little, Francois Streiff

• Bamboo
  Luisa and Verónica Correa, Daniel Stamatis (bambuterra)

The workshops involve an intensive exploration of the possibilities of the material and testing it with your own hands (and feet). Inputs and experiments will range from simple construction methods to larger scale application in contemporary architecture.

There will be opportunities for exchange between the different workshops, for feedback and discussion.

Material Science

understanding earth + bamboo as building materials

The summer school starts with a whole day on material science. The experienced teams of amàco and bambuterra will introduce the materials earth and bamboo and their special characteristics through inputs, experiments and practical exercises, including examples of traditional and contemporary architecture.

Theory Day

regenerative materials in contemporary architecture

We have invited pioneers who have developed new, unconventional materials such as hemp lime or sheep wool insulation or who are researching new topics such as 3-print or mushroom mycelium.

What does it take for these materials to find their way into architecture on a broad scale?

Peer Lectures + Expert Talks

cooperation is essential in architecture for change

Networking is an important part of our summer school. Peer lectures give participants the chance to present their projects and discuss them with the group. Guests like Anna Heringer and Martin Rauch are going to give some inspiring lectures and share their experience and visions.

Key facts

Date
July 16 – 30, 2023

Location
AgrarBildungsZentrum ABZ Salzkammergut, Pichlhofstraße 62,
4813 Altmünster, Austria

Costs
€ 1,920 tuition fee
We offer a limited number of scholarships of different amounts

The fee includes

• accommodation in a 2-4 bed room (en suite) in the ABZ
• full board (vegetarian, regional, seasonal)
• participation in all the summer school activities, workshops and lectures
• a summer school handbook
• leisure activities and beach within walking distance

Certification
Course certificate (4.5 ects) issued by University of Art and Design Linz
Confirmation of participation issued by basehabitat

Application
Start: February 20, 2023
Deadline for scholarships: April 20, 2023
Deadline for all applications: May 20, 2023

Fill in the application form on our website and upload your portfolio (max. 6 A4 pages in b/w)

Who can participate
We address architects, students, lecturers, craftsmen and –women from all over the world, who are interested in sustainable architecture.

› Event Homepage