Science

International Spring Academy – urban and architectural sustainability

The aim of the Academy is to promote collaboration between European architecture students and teachers and to expand the knowledge of junior scholars in the fields of urban development, urban planning, architecture and architectural history of the Ruhr area and the city of Dortmund.

TU Dortmund Frühjahrsakademie 2023, Projektpräsentation

Europe

Germany

Dortmund

Funding period: 2020-2024

As a local equivalent to the "International Summer Academy Venice", which has been taking place for over 30 years, apl. Prof. Olaf Schmidt and apl. Prof. Michael Schwarz launched the first "International Spring Academy" in 2013 and implemented it with the Dipartimento di Architettura of the Politecnico di Torino. Today, participating students come from many European cities, for example from TU Eindhoven, FH Potsdam, Universitá degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Ghent University and University of Strathclyde. The opening day and the final presentation are traditionally held in the Gartenhalle (garden hall) of the Baukunstarchiv NRW in Dortmund while the design phases take place at TU Dortmund University. Each spring academy focuses on a specific topic and task such as “conversion”, “large settlements”, “city entrances”, “city port – port city”, “department store”.

Gruppenbild der Abschlusspräsentation — Final presentation (2020) of the students on the topic of conversion. Photo: TU Dortmund, Credit: Oliver Schaper

The international academy, which has been supported by the Wilo-Foundation for five years now, fosters the cooperation between international architecture students and teachers. The workshops give young scientists the opportunity to acquire extensive knowledge in the areas of urban development, urban planning and architecture, discover the architectural history of this special European region and explore and analyse both the Ruhr area in its entirety and the city of Dortmund under certain urban planning and architectural aspects.

The workshop is conducted jointly by all participating universities. The students work in international teams, with advice and support from lecturers of the participating universities. Working together and exchanging ideas and experiences with students and colleagues from other European universities is an extraordinary learning and teaching experience for students and lecturers alike.

Gruppenfoto der internationalen Frühjahrsakademie — The international students of the Academy 2024. Photo: TU Dortmund, Credit: Martina Hengesbach

Evi Hoch (Wilo-Foundation) begrüßt die internationalen Studierenden der Frühjahrsakademie — Evi Hoch (Wilo-Foundation) welcomes the international students of the Spring Academy 2023. Photo: TU Dortmund, Credit: Detlef Podehl

Another key element of the programme is a symposium featuring a series of lectures and panel discussions. Numerous speakers from science, politics, culture, architecture and urban planning are invited to each forum. During a field trip, students look at the built environment and use their observations as input for their academic work.

Photo Header: TU Dortmund University

Our funding partner

Since its founding more than 55 years ago (1968), TU Dortmund University has developed a highly diverse profile, encompassing 17 faculties ranging from science and engineering to social sciences and culture studies. The university has more than 32,400 students and 6,600 employees, including 325 professors. It offers 80 degree programmes in traditional and innovative subjects, including some unique programmes such as science journalism or spatial planning, and a broad range of programmes for future teachers of all school types.

The international Spring Academy has been held since 2013 and has been headed by apl. Prof. Olaf Schmidt and apl. Prof. Michael Schwarz of the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the Technical University of Dortmund since 2013.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) forms the global framework for action for socially, economically and ecologically sustainable development. Our funding commitment also supports these sustainability goals. With this project, we are making a contribution to achieving the following SDGs:

What are the SDGs?