Dessau Summer School of Architecture

Dessau Summer School of Architecture / Website here / Application deadline: February 28, 2025 / e-mail: afg.summerschool [​at​] hs-anhalt.de / Program cost: 1,050 EUR including fees, accomodation from June 2 to July 11, 2025 and the excursions.

In 2025, Bauhaus Dessau will become 100 years of age and you will become part of it! 100 years ago, the Bauhaus moved from Weimar to Dessau-Roßlau, Germany. Exhibitions, artistic programs, conferences and festivals are planned under the motto “An die Substanz” (To the substance). The double anniversary is stretched between the arrival of the Bauhauslers in Dessau in 1925 and the opening of the Bauhaus building on December 4, 1926.

The Dessau Summer School of Architecture (DessArc) develops its thematic focus from the relevance of Bauhaus Dessau in the history of architecture. Parts of the course are conducted within Bauhaus Dessau.

At Dessau Summer School of Architecture, participants from different nations enter into an architectural dialogue on a review of modernity in architecture. To this purpose, the components of the program place current developments in architecture and design in relation to the history of modernity and to its evidence on site.

The Dessau Summer School of Architecture starts with a workshop in cooperation with Bauhaus Dessau Foundation on the mutual relations between Education and Design in the Bauhaus Aula. Following this, the Studio is closely related to this context. In studio, we will focus especially on one key topic of Bauhaus: The Cultural Transfer. Studio begins with a workshop on the historic Bauhaus stage in Dessau. This will initiate our continuous reference to Bauhaus history as well as to the Bauhaus building. We will also visit the new Bauhaus Museum, which opened in 2019.

Within architectural building typology, not only concert halls, museums or theatres serve the purpose of cultural transfer. Especially for the one – by – one interaction, architectures of a much smaller scale can cover all requirements: from the artists who perform a show, from the public who wants to get involved, and – also- the goal to make some money. At their best, these architectures even provide a place for the artists to take a break, and to rest.

We will research historic as well as contemporary examples. Which role does architecture take in this context? How does materiality contribute to its details and its function? Shall we as designers anticipate a typical user -behaviour within the design process, or has the user even to become an integral part of this process?

As studio task, our design of a building will meet all these aspects according to the demands of today. Doing so, we will achieve a creative and well- founded position related to the historic Bauhaus – in the year of its 106th anniversary!

To learn more about Germany, its geography and language will be one important part of studying at Anhalt University. Therefore, students will take a specific language class in order to learn and practice their German language skills. Students will take part in excursions for the Architecture and Society course and the Art class.

Participants will receive upon successful completion 12 ECTS for the six weeks course.

For any questions regarding the program or application procedures, please contact us directly at our e-mail address: afg.summerschool [​at​] hs-anhalt.de