The Seventh International Summer School of Temporary Architecture and Urban Design “FestivaL’and” Takes Place in Valmiera
From 15 to 25 July, Valmiera hosted the seventh International Summer School of Temporary Architecture and Urban Design, “FestivaL’and”. The summer school is organised by the Institute of Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture of the Art Academy of Latvia, in collaboration with the Valmiera Gauja Riverside Secondary School – Development Centre and the Faculty of Architecture and Design at RISEBA University of Applied Sciences.
The FestivaL’and Summer School is a unique practice-based educational programme for students, dedicated to the creative synergy of art, design, architecture, craftsmanship and timber construction. It serves as an urban laboratory for temporary spatial interventions in public spaces. This year’s programme brings together an international group of 15 architecture and design students from Germany, Austria, Finland, Vietnam, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, Belgium, France, Spain and Latvia.
This year, the summer school is led by experienced mentors Mariella Gentile, Davide Tagliabue (Italy), and Agris Tauriņš (Latvia). The programme combines theoretical lectures, hands-on construction workshops, and opportunities to explore the city, history and cultural heritage of Valmiera. Participants gain new knowledge, practical skills and valuable experience by taking part in the entire design process—from research and concept development to full-scale (1:1) timber construction in the public realm.
In previous years, the summer school has been organised in partnership with the Valmiera Summer Theatre Festival and the Valmiermuiža Cultural Society, creating bespoke festival centre installations, public-space interventions across Valmiera, and an outdoor classroom pavilion in Valmiermuiža Park. This year, the programme is organised in collaboration with the Valmiera Gauja Riverside Secondary School – Development Centre. During the summer school, participants are developing concepts for a multifunctional pavilion that will serve as an outdoor classroom. With the guidance of the mentors and a professional carpenter, the students will construct the pavilion on the school grounds.
The summer school is financially supported by the State Education Development Agency, the Valmiera Municipality, and the State Culture Capital Foundation.
Foto: Uģis Brālēns
