The Alsace Summer School of Architecture & Crafts
14 to 29 August 2024
Application will open soon
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, a haven for the preservation of know-how and a centre of excellence in architecture, nourished by the crafts and knowledge of history. Participants discover the rigour of drawing and the rules of composition; they exercise their eyes and their judgement on ancient architectural forms and discover their constructive qualities. The students observe, analyse and draw the streets, buildings and construction elements that have over the centuries made Bruges an inspiring example of beautiful, humane and durable living place.
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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The history of the city of Bruges through drawings
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Traditional construction in the XXIth 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 (stone work, joinery, ironwork and brickwork)
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Naturalistic ornamentation
WEEK III
Think, draw and built
*
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 built
*
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 professors is joined every week by guest professors and in the fourth week by the honourable 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 include lectures, studio sessions, workshops, visits (tickets), drawing and crafts materials, train tickets for the visits outside Bruges and afternoon snack every day.
If needed, you can apply for a study scholarship. If so, you should explain the reason in a separate letter when you apply.
Accommodation fee in Bruges (optional)⎟fee will be soon available
Minimum age to apply to the school⎟16 years old
Applicants under 18 years old must send with their application a letter from their legal guardian authorising them to take part in the school.
How to apply⎟Please submit all the informations 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 informations: full name, postal address, phone number and date of birth.
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Title (e.g. carpenter, student in architecture, student in history of architecture, architect, urbanist, historian, high school student, lawyer, doctor, etc) and associated informations.
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Letter of motivation 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.
