Alsace Summer School
of Architecture & Crafts
Westhoffen, Alsace, France
2 to 4 weeks course
Application deadline ⎮ 27th of March 2026
Why Westhoffen ?
An enclave between the French Vosges mountains and the German Black Forest, Alsace sits on a border. Once a front line between the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of France, a meeting point (and battleground) between Protestantism and Catholicism, between Germanic and Latin languages, between German Baroque and French Classicism, the face of Alsace has been carved by time, enriched by the mixing of cultures, and patiently shaped by human hands.
This summer, the Table Ronde de l'Architecture welcomes you to Westhoffen, an Alsatian village of 1,700 inhabitants nestled at the foot of the Vosges mountains. Having preserved part of its ancient ramparts, Westhoffen is a fine example of those wine-growing and agrarian villages whose urban fabric has retained its medieval sinuosity and the density that was characteristic of small fortified towns.
Its architecture is made of local pink sandstone and half-timbering, with terracotta tile roofs. The houses are modest, vernacular, carefully built by the inhabitants themselves, with the exception of a few notable buildings such as the two churches – Catholic and Protestant, as is customary in this region of Alsace – the synagogue, the town hall and a handful of bourgeois houses. The village of Westhoffen has sprung from the earth itself: it bears its colours and embraces its irregularities.
Westhoffen is certainly a paradise, but not a lost paradise: from this village, we will explore the surrounding area to discover the vernacular architecture of Alsace and the wealth of craftsmanship it contains.
A glimpse of the school in Alsace in 2024
Observe, measure & draw
" We were exposed to the details of design and construction of churches and houses, storefronts and cathedrals, city gates and civic squares. We were taught fundamentals of building arches and trusses, church support pillars and wall buttresses, timber framing, stone carving, and all other manners of local building that Alsacians had been doing for centuries.
And we drew. And drew. And drew. Nadia’s attention to detail and gentle but insistent encouragement to do good work, better work, and excellent work got everyone to give more than anyone thought possible."
Rafe Donahue, ASSAC 2024
Study the architecture of Alsace
Course Programme
Alsace Summer School of Architecture & Crafts
ARCHITECTURE
WEEK I
July 6 to 12
Visits
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The village of Westhoffen and its monuments
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The village of Wangen and its monuments
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The city of Strasbourg - visit of the Cathedral from the crypt to the roof
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Lime factory: production and applications
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Pink sandstone quarry: geology, stone extraction & carving
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Tile factory: roofs in Alsace, clay extraction & tiles production
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The drawing archives & library of the TRA
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The forest of Westhoffen - What is taken from the forest to build?
Lectures
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Traditional construction in Alsace: from the foundations to the roof (3 parts)
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Introduction to Christian architecture PART I: the Romanesque
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Introduction to Christian architecture PART II: the Gothic
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Introduction to the work and method of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc
Drawing
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Introduction to measured drawing techniques
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Façades of Westhoffen - Understanding stone masonry & timber frame construction
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Windows & doors of Wangen Understanding joinery
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Saint Martin Protestant Church in Westhoffen Understanding stone carving & masonry
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Sketches in and around Strasbourg Cathedral
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Geometry: the principal forms and arches
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Introduction to gothic geometry - Gothic rose of Strasbourg Cathedral
The art of ornamentation
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Ceramic workshop: ornaments & tiles
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Fabrication of natural paintings
WEEK II
July 13 to 19
Lectures
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Introduction to the Art of Gardens
Project Design
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Transforming an Alsacian square farm into a School of Architecture & Crafts
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Measured drawings of the buildings
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Sketches and project design to be developed in small groups
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Project presentation on July 19 in front of TRA members, Westhoffen inhabitants, municipal representatives and an international jury of architects and craftsmen.
CRAFTS
Each student must indicate their choice of craft per week in their application letter.
E.g.: stone carving week 3, and traditional building techniques week 4.
It is also possible to apply for the same craft for both weeks (e.g.: stone carving week 3&4).
The handcrafted elements created by the students will be incorporated into the school's architecture.
WEEK III
July 20 to 26
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Traditional building techniques (cob for walls and floors, carpentry, lime slab, lime & earth renders, etc)
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Stone carving & stereotomy
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Stone engraving & typographic drawing
Both groups will go on a trip to Basel on July 24 to visit the Cathedral, the stone carving workshop, and the construction site of Saint Elizabeth Church.
WEEK IV
July 27 to August 2
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Traditional building techniques (cob for walls and floors, carpentry, lime slab, lime & earth renders, etc)
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Stone carving & stereotomy
The teachers
Numerous guest teachers (architects, craftsmen, gardeners, and historians)
will also be present (the complete list will be available soon).
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PRACTICAL INFORMATION
CHOICE OF DATES⎟3 OPTIONS⎟2 to 4 weeks in July and August 2026
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ARCHITECTURE WEEKS I & II (6–19 July 2026)
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CRAFTS WEEKS III & IV (20–2 August 2026)
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ARCHITECTURE & CRAFTS WEEKS I,II,III & IV (6 July - 2 August 2026)
Please specify which of these three options you are applying for in your cover letter.
APPLICATION DEADLINE⎟27th of March 2026
COURSE & ACCOMMODATION LOCATION⎟Westhoffen, France
COURSE LANGUAGE ⎟English
COURSE TIMETABLE⎟9.30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday
Sunday⎟Free time or optional activities
FEES⎟3 OPTIONS⎟2 to 4 weeks in July and August 2026
ARCHITECTURE WEEKS I & II - 1 800 EUR
CRAFTS WEEKS III & IV - 2 200 EUR
ARCHITECTURE & CRAFTS WEEKS I,II,III&IV - 4 000 EUR
The fees include:
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Lectures, drawing sessions, crafts workshops & heritage site visits,
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Drawing and craft material (you will get to keep your drawing material),
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Accommodation (bedroom with linen and towel, bathroom, equipped kitchen, dining and living room),
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Weekly meal pack with basic products (spices, oils, pasta, rice, cereals, milk, tomato sauce, soups, fruits, etc.),
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Daily afternoon snack & drink,
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Two dinners and three lunches,
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Transport during the summer school.
La Table Ronde de l'Architecture does its utmost to offer as many scholarships as possible to participants in its summer schools who are most in need. Scholarships are either partial or full, awarded at the discretion of the TRA's education committee based on the applicant's letter of motivation and supporting documents (e.g. proof of a previous university scholarship).
Thank you to our donors and sponsors who make this possible.
How to Apply?
Minimum age: 16 years old
Important: Only complete applications will be considered.
Please send all required documents before 27 March 2026
by email to: contact@latablerondearchitecture.com
Email subject: Application ASSAC 2026 – Full Name
Required information
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Personal details: full name, full postal address, phone number, date of birth.
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Title and background: e.g., carpenter, architecture student, historian, architect, urbanist, doctor, etc. + relevant details (school, company, institution).
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The desired length of your stay (choose from the 3 available date options).
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Cover letter in English or French (PDF, max 2 pages).
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Three hand drawings in ONE PDF (e.g., measured drawing of a door, window, façade, construction details, etc.)