The Bruges Summer School of Architecture & Crafts
June 30 to August 4, 2024
Application deadline⎟March 31, 2024
La Table Ronde de l'Architecture trains the next generation of builders, students (16+) and professionals from all around the world in the Art of Building: the traditional building crafts, architecture and urban planning.
The school is a unique place of transmission and learning, it is a haven for the preservation of knowledge and a centre of excellence in architecture, nourished by the crafts and knowledge of history. The participants will discover the rigour of drawing by hand using the rules of composition. They will exercise their eyes and their judgement on ancient architectural forms and discover their constructive qualities. Using the city of Bruges as a resource, they will get to observe, measure and draw its streets, buildings and constructional elements which over the centuries have made it an inspiring example of a beautiful, humane and durable place to live.
A glimpse of the school...
" My experience in the summer architecture course was an enriching adventure that allowed me to explore my passion for building design and construction. I am excited about what the future holds for me in the field of architecture and am grateful for this transformative experience."
Paula Mariscal Romero, BSSAC 2023
Course Programme
Bruges Summer School of Architecture & Crafts
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WEEK I
Observe, remember & draw
*
Lectures & round tables
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The future of our living places
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The Architecture of Communities
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History of the city of Bruges through drawings
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Traditional construction in the 21th century
Study visits
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Walk in the streets of Bruges
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The City Hall
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The Belfry
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The Fish Market
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The English Convent
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The Godshuizen
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The Minnewater hospital
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The Beguinage
Drawing sessions
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Facades, sections & plans
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Roofs
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Measured drawings
(windows and doors)
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WEEK II
Observe, remember & draw
*
Lectures & round tables
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The Nature of Architecture
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Introduction to traditional construction techniques and natural materials
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The Spirit of Gothic Architecture
Study visits
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Houses of Bruges
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The Jerusalem Chapel and the Adornes Estate
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The Jan Van Eyck square
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The Provincial Court
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The Gruuthuse house
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St Gillis Church
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St Salvator's Cathedral
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The Loppem Castle
Drawing sessions
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Facades, sections & plans
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Gothic geometry
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Measured drawings (stonework, joinery, ironwork and brickwork)
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Naturalistic ornamentation
WEEK III
Think, draw and build
*
Lectures & round tables
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Clay in construction
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The material properties of stone and mortars
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Limestone and lime cycles of calcium lime, NHL, natural and pozzolanic cements
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Gypsum rock, types of gypsum plaster and the gypsum cycle
Study visits
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Project sites
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The city of Ghent (1 day)
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The cities of Veurne and Ypres
(1 day)
Embellishment projects
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Draw plans, facades, sections and construction details
Crafts workshops
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Sgraffito
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Gypsum mouldings
WEEK IV
Think, create and draw
*
Embellishment projects
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Draw plans, facades, sections and construction details
Project presentation & exhibition in Bruges
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Saturday July 27, 2024
WEEK V
Think, draw and build
*
Lectures & round tables
-
Nature and ornamentation
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Belgian Blue Stone
Study visits
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Carpentry and roof workshop
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Ironwork workshop
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Blue stone quarry
Crafts workshops
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Clay tiles and natural painting
- Blue stone work
- Brick masonry (wall and arch)
*A number of activities will be added to the programme over the coming months.
Our team of tutors is joined every week by guest teachers and in the fourth week by the distinguished members of the final jury (July 27,2024).
Prof. Robert Adam (Architect, urban designer and author), Jean-Marie Tong (roofmaker), Christophe Mahy (stonemason), Steven and Brecht Dujardyn (blacksmith), William Pesson (Architect, Arcas Paris), Maurice Culot (Editor AAM, Architect & President of The European Prize of Architecture Philippe Rotthier), Nicholas Boys Smith (Director of Create Streets) and many others will join our team!
The teachers
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PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS
Dates⎟ June 30 to August 4, 2024
Application deadline⎟March 31, 2024
Course location⎟Bruges, Belgium
Course language ⎟English
Course fee (5 weeks)⎟1600 EUR
The course fee includes lectures, studio sessions, workshops, site visits (tickets), drawing and crafts materials, train tickets for the visits outside of Bruges and a daily afternoon snack.
If needed, you can apply for a study scholarship. If so, you should explain the reasons in a separate letter when you apply.
Accommodation fee in Bruges (optional)⎟fee will be available soon
Minimum age to apply to the school⎟16 years old
Applicants under the age of 18 must send along with their application a letter from their legal guardian authorising them to take part in the summer school.
How to apply⎟Please submit all the information requested below before March 31, 2024 by email at:
contact@latablerondearchitecture.com
with the following e-mail title: Application BSSAC 2024 - Full name
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Personal information: full name, postal address, phone number and date of birth.
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Title (e.g. carpenter, student of architecture, student of the history of architecture, architect, urbanist, historian, high school student, lawyer, doctor, etc) and associated information.
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Motivational letter in English or French (max two pages in pdf)
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Three hand drawings/paintings (one pdf)
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You can also add to this application any piece of writing that you feel is relevant (poem, opinion piece, essay on architecture, etc) and craft work.
IMPORTANT: Only complete applications will be considered.
