Module WS 2024/2025

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Urban Design & Spatial Development Unit:
Sustainable building is on everyone's lips. But most approaches are aimed at short-term measures such as the installation of insulation panels or the outlawing of concrete. In order to create long-term sustainable living in high-quality buildings, however, far more differentiated and comprehensive considerations are required.
In his book ‹Gegen Wegwerfarchitektur› (Verlag Klaus Wagenbach, 2023) Vittorio Magnago Lampugnani outlines a brief history of urban design and architectural consumerism and builds his reflections on a culture of substantial sustainability on this basis. He writes against the extinction of nature through urban sprawl and argues in favour of a strategy of density: only the compact city can be ecological. In order to reduce the immense material and energy consumption of the construction industry, he calls for a rigorous turnaround: turning away from the development of further building land and the unrestrained consumption of raw materials. Not demolish and then build again, but rather convert, restore and further develop.
The longer a building lives, the more ecological it is. In this Independent Study, we first read Lampugnani's book and then research the relevant data and figures on the current situation in Liechtenstein. What is the current state of affairs in the country in relation to the issues Lampugnani addresses?

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Craft & Structure Unit:
The students' desire for good learning and recreational spaces will soon be realised. The large space of the former student services centre on the lower level of the campus is to be transformed into an innovative learning landscape. The study focuses on creating opportunities for social interaction within the confines of the given space and designing new working environments for students. The submission includes a convincing spatial concept, which includes an attractive interior design with the treatment of room dividers, screens, seating furniture, light, colours and surfaces. Prototypes are built for this purpose, which can be tested for their spatial effect and solidity. You will be asked to respect what you discover through observation and experimentation as well as to consider stability and flexibility. How hard can an piece of furniture be, how much comfort should it provide? Are the objects static or do they deform under load? Form the expression from the material and the type of manufacture. The goal is to find a clearly identifiable construction concept. The design should use as much used furniture as possible (e.g. free old used furniture (e.g. free old furniture from the state administration that we might have). The realisation of the designs is planned for the coming semester with LSA students.

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Craft & Structure Unit:
The university campus has blind spots that require special attention. The former cotton mill is today the largest public building in Liechtenstein and should be made more accessible to the public. A public walkway is to lead through the main building, leading visitors through the conglomerate of the various rooms and uses. The end points of this 'inner path' must be upgraded and redefined as attractive places with charisma. The completely underutilised outdoor space below the cafeteria should serve as the prelude and showcase for the campus with a spacious platform where people can meet, eat, study or relax. On the upper level, the Red Cube will be replaced by new pavilions that will serve as a bar for events and performances. In this way, we will balance the relationships between the individual buildings in the ensemble and set new priorities with the interventions on the campus. The focus on the specific parts and their qualities will be supplemented by a view of the surroundings, the ensemble. We work with a model of the surroundings in which we deal precisely with the built environment.
In the sense of re-use, the two sites can benefit from the building material of the Base Camp, which will be dismantled into its individual parts and made available as material storage.

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Built Heritage & Upcycling Unit:
Whenever there was a shortage of building materials in history, creativity was called for and a circular approach was often the answer. In the 16th century, the Frenchman Philibert de l'Orme invented a new construction method, known as "à petit bois", in which large roof surfaces were built from small pieces of wood. Instead of comprehensive designs, his architectural work was characterized by adapting, integrating and building on. We examine de l'Orme's circular approaches using the example of the roof truss of the Caserne Rochambeau in Mont-Dauphin (F). Could this method be one of the earliest concepts for planned circular building solutions?

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Built Heritage & Upcycling Unit:
Whenever there was a shortage of building materials in history, creativity was called for and a circular approach was often the answer. In the 16th century, the Frenchman Philibert de l'Orme invented a new construction method, known as "à petit bois", in which large roof surfaces were built from small pieces of wood. Instead of comprehensive designs, his architectural work was characterized by adapting, integrating and building on. We examine de l'Orme's circular approaches using the example of the roof truss of the Caserne Rochambeau in Mont-Dauphin (F). Could this method be one of the earliest concepts for planned circular building solutions?

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Built Heritage & Upcycling Unit:
Whenever there was a shortage of building materials in history, creativity was called for and a circular approach was often the answer. In the 16th century, the Frenchman Philibert de l'Orme invented a new construction method, known as "à petit bois", in which large roof surfaces were built from small pieces of wood. Instead of comprehensive designs, his architectural work was characterized by adapting, integrating and building on. We examine de l'Orme's circular approaches using the example of the roof truss of the Caserne Rochambeau in Mont-Dauphin (F). Could this method be one of the earliest concepts for planned circular building solutions?

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Craft & Structure Unit:
Clay is traditionally known as an materia prima for brick manufacturing especially in the Netherlands, Belgium and the Region around Liechtenstein but has an even longer history in local uses in all the partner countries, where different techniques like rammed earth, pisé or adobe bricks were widely used next to other local building traditions like wood constructions. It is the focus of this research module to unveil these local traditions, to collect knowledge about the former uses and to transfer experiences into current building processes.
Clay construction is originally one of the most sustainable building systems which has been neglected since the last century and has lost its role dramatically due to the focus on industrial building processes. Since the recent changes in perspective on the building sector, the interest has grown on the different types of use of clay in Europe. Clay is widely available and can be locally processed almost everywhere. In this research, we will explore the broad varieties of the traditional use of clay in the Bodensee Rheintal Vorarlberg region: clay infills in timber frame constructions, hybrid wattle and daub systems consisting of interwoven sticks or reeds, with a covering of mud or clay similar to Bahareque and other techniques, that were widely used and often rendered, and were more typical than rammed earth walls.
The Independent Study module is part of the Erasmus+ project "Crafting Clay - Exploring circularity with local earth" that aims to develop a wide interest in the use of clay on various levels of teaching and researching. In interlinking the knowledge of the different Universities, of local experts as well as regional manufacturers on an international level, a broad range of unexpected outcomes are expected, and new results of hybrid construction techniques and possible uses will be produced.

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Urban Design & Spatial Development Unit:
What elements make up a neighbourhood that allows people to live without a car? Is it public transport and bike lanes, cafés and bars, shops and pharmacies or parks? How much of each and at what distance? In this independent study, you will measure the vitality of village centres in Liechtenstein, discuss what constitutes a car-free neighbourhood worth living in and how these centres can be improved.
The study is part of the research project 'Vitality analysis in the Rhine Valley - The x-minute city in the context of low to medium settlement density', which is being conducted by Dr Luis Hilti and Prof Michael Wagner from 2023 to 2026.

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Built Heritage & Upcycling Unit:
Modern architecture came to Liechtenstein in 1924: on a bicycle in the form of the young German architect Ernst Sommerlad. Sommerlad reinterpreted international modernism for the Alpine region and created dozens of residential buildings in the Principality as well as in Appenzell, St. Gallen, Graubünden and Vorarlberg. On the occasion of a scientific symposium at the University of Liechtenstein in fall 2025, we are taking a close scientific look at Sommerlad' s broad and exciting oeuvre in cooperation with the state and the OST (Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences). Be part of it!

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Built Heritage & Upcycling Unit:
Modern architecture came to Liechtenstein in 1924: on a bicycle in the form of the young German architect Ernst Sommerlad. Sommerlad reinterpreted international modernism for the Alpine region and created dozens of residential buildings in the Principality as well as in Appenzell, St. Gallen, Graubünden and Vorarlberg. On the occasion of a scientific symposium at the University of Liechtenstein in fall 2025, we are taking a close scientific look at Sommerlad' s broad and exciting oeuvre in cooperation with the state and the OST (Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences). Be part of it!

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Built Heritage & Upcycling Unit:
Modern architecture came to Liechtenstein in 1924: on a bicycle in the form of the young German architect Ernst Sommerlad. Sommerlad reinterpreted international modernism for the Alpine region and created dozens of residential buildings in the Principality as well as in Appenzell, St. Gallen, Graubünden and Vorarlberg. On the occasion of a scientific symposium at the University of Liechtenstein in fall 2025, we are taking a close scientific look at Sommerlad' s broad and exciting oeuvre in cooperation with the state and the OST (Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences). Be part of it!

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Urbanism, Architecture & Society:
In collaboration with the Integrated Sustainable Development (ISD) Foundation and their interdisciplinary team, you are invited to be part of an ongoing neighborhood development project in Oniipa, in northern Namibia. ISD is conducting a pilot project to define alternative modes of urban development that are sensitive to places, empower residents with limited financial resources to flourish, and are designed according to socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable principles.
The research can be formulated around one of the three following topics:
1. methods of participatory planning to inquire about cultural practices and socio-economic needs of future residents;
2. context-specific, effective, and applicable urban planning tools, and coordination with local planning authorities; and
3. economically viable strategies (including e.g. green technologies) to ensure the high-impact implementation of civic infrastructures.

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Sustainable Design Unit:
Research in Sustainable Architecture - Focus on Fluidglass This elective module invites participants to explore the transformative potential of Fluidglass technology within the realm of sustainable architecture. In alignment with the ongoing research at the LSA, this module allows you to examine how innovative facade technologies such as Fluidglass can influence the future of construction. Participants will have a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of Fluidglass in the context of sustainability and contemporary building practices. Depending on the desired credit allocation, tailored work packages will be developed. These may include an exploration of current advancements in facade technology, competitor and market analyses, or technical and cost simulations. Your interests and prior knowledge will be taken into account during the initial phase of the project. Participants will engage in self-directed research, working either individually or in collaborative groups. The scope of your work will be customized to meet the specific requirements of your selected work packages and will be guided by the research unit. While there are no formal prerequisites for this module, it is advisable to undertake it in the third semester to build upon foundational knowledge. Essential literature and resources will be provided at the commencement of the course, with regular updates throughout the semester to support your work and great importance is placed on equipping the participants with a strong foundation for future projects and scientific work in the field of sustainability.

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Sustainable Design Unit:
Research in Sustainable Architecture - Focus on Fluidglass This elective module invites participants to explore the transformative potential of Fluidglass technology within the realm of sustainable architecture. In alignment with the ongoing research at the LSA, this module allows you to examine how innovative facade technologies such as Fluidglass can influence the future of construction. Participants will have a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of Fluidglass in the context of sustainability and contemporary building practices. Depending on the desired credit allocation, tailored work packages will be developed. These may include an exploration of current advancements in facade technology, competitor and market analyses, or technical and cost simulations. Your interests and prior knowledge will be taken into account during the initial phase of the project. Participants will engage in self-directed research, working either individually or in collaborative groups. The scope of your work will be customized to meet the specific requirements of your selected work packages and will be guided by the research unit. While there are no formal prerequisites for this module, it is advisable to undertake it in the third semester to build upon foundational knowledge. Essential literature and resources will be provided at the commencement of the course, with regular updates throughout the semester to support your work and great importance is placed on equipping the participants with a strong foundation for future projects and scientific work in the field of sustainability.

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Sustainable Design Unit:
Research in Sustainable Architecture - Focus on Fluidglass This elective module invites participants to explore the transformative potential of Fluidglass technology within the realm of sustainable architecture. In alignment with the ongoing research at the LSA, this module allows you to examine how innovative facade technologies such as Fluidglass can influence the future of construction. Participants will have a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of Fluidglass in the context of sustainability and contemporary building practices. Depending on the desired credit allocation, tailored work packages will be developed. These may include an exploration of current advancements in facade technology, competitor and market analyses, or technical and cost simulations. Your interests and prior knowledge will be taken into account during the initial phase of the project. Participants will engage in self-directed research, working either individually or in collaborative groups. The scope of your work will be customized to meet the specific requirements of your selected work packages and will be guided by the research unit. While there are no formal prerequisites for this module, it is advisable to undertake it in the third semester to build upon foundational knowledge. Essential literature and resources will be provided at the commencement of the course, with regular updates throughout the semester to support your work and great importance is placed on equipping the participants with a strong foundation for future projects and scientific work in the field of sustainability.

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Sustainable Design Unit:
In this module, you will engage in a detailed analysis of a sustainability indicator such as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or building standards like LEED or DGNB. You will explore how these indicators can be integrated into a sustainability matrix. The scope and complexity of your research, as well as its relevance to architectural inquiries, will determine the workload, which will be agreed upon in consultation with your supervisor. Your interests and prior knowledge will be taken into consideration at the outset of the project. This elective module provides an opportunity to engage in research focused on defining sustainable building practices within the Alpine Rhine Valley. In alignment with ongoing research at the LSA, the module is centered on the development of a comprehensive catalogue of themes related to sustainable construction. Through comparative analyses of building labels and broader sustainability frameworks, you will examine how these themes can guide sustainable architectural practices in the region. This module presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the academic discourse on sustainability and to shape future building practices. Participants will conduct self-directed research working either individually or in collaborative groups. The scope of your work will be customized to align with the specific requirements of your project and will be overseen by the research unit. Essential literature and resources will be provided at the start of the course, with continual updates throughout the semester to support your research on sustainability in architecture.

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Sustainable Design Unit:
In this module, you will engage in a detailed analysis of a sustainability indicator such as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or building standards like LEED or DGNB. You will explore how these indicators can be integrated into a sustainability matrix. The scope and complexity of your research, as well as its relevance to architectural inquiries, will determine the workload, which will be agreed upon in consultation with your supervisor. Your interests and prior knowledge will be taken into consideration at the outset of the project. This elective module provides an opportunity to engage in research focused on defining sustainable building practices within the Alpine Rhine Valley. In alignment with ongoing research at the LSA, the module is centered on the development of a comprehensive catalogue of themes related to sustainable construction. Through comparative analyses of building labels and broader sustainability frameworks, you will examine how these themes can guide sustainable architectural practices in the region. This module presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the academic discourse on sustainability and to shape future building practices. Participants will conduct self-directed research working either individually or in collaborative groups. The scope of your work will be customized to align with the specific requirements of your project and will be overseen by the research unit. Essential literature and resources will be provided at the start of the course, with continual updates throughout the semester to support your research on sustainability in architecture.

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Sustainable Design Unit:
In this module, you will engage in a detailed analysis of a sustainability indicator such as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or building standards like LEED or DGNB. You will explore how these indicators can be integrated into a sustainability matrix. The scope and complexity of your research, as well as its relevance to architectural inquiries, will determine the workload, which will be agreed upon in consultation with your supervisor. Your interests and prior knowledge will be taken into consideration at the outset of the project. This elective module provides an opportunity to engage in research focused on defining sustainable building practices within the Alpine Rhine Valley. In alignment with ongoing research at the LSA, the module is centered on the development of a comprehensive catalogue of themes related to sustainable construction. Through comparative analyses of building labels and broader sustainability frameworks, you will examine how these themes can guide sustainable architectural practices in the region. This module presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the academic discourse on sustainability and to shape future building practices. Participants will conduct self-directed research working either individually or in collaborative groups. The scope of your work will be customized to align with the specific requirements of your project and will be overseen by the research unit. Essential literature and resources will be provided at the start of the course, with continual updates throughout the semester to support your research on sustainability in architecture.

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Urbanism, Architecture & Society Unit:
Do you like writing, or want to gain more experience scientific writing?
Are you interested in learning about and applying methods of urban research?Want some credit points for that?

Urbanism, Architecture & Society Unit (UASU) is happy to support independent study projects utilizing our methods and approaches, either (1) pursuing questions relevant to our group, or (2) supporting you in finding your own research questions. We can provide topics for independent study related to our research areas in the Alpine Rhine Valley, as well as various locations across the Global South.
We also encourage aligning independent study projects with our other concurrent courses including: Raum & Gesellschaft, Studio Jozi, Urban Theory, Planning & Places, Architectural Theory, or Pro Bono.

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Urbanism, Architecture & Society:
Do you like writing, or want to gain more experience scientific writing?
Are you interested in learning about and applying methods of urban research?
Want some credit points for that?
Urbanism, Architecture & Society Unit (UASU) is happy to support independent study projects utilizing our methods and approaches, either (1) pursuing questions relevant to our group, or (2) supporting you in finding your own research questions. We can provide topics for independent study related to our research areas in the Alpine Rhine Valley, as well as various locations across the Global South.
We also encourage aligning independent study projects with our other concurrent courses including: Raum & Gesellschaft, Studio Jozi, Urban Theory, Planning & Places, Architectural Theory, or Pro Bono.

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Urbanism, Architecture & Society:
Do you like writing, or want to gain more experience scientific writing?
Are you interested in learning about and applying methods of urban research?
Want some credit points for that?
Urbanism, Architecture & Society Unit (UASU) is happy to support independent study projects utilizing our methods and approaches, either (1) pursuing questions relevant to our group, or (2) supporting you in finding your own research questions. We can provide topics for independent study related to our research areas in the Alpine Rhine Valley, as well as various locations across the Global South.
We also encourage aligning independent study projects with our other concurrent courses including: Raum & Gesellschaft, Studio Jozi, Urban Theory, Planning & Places, Architectural Theory, or Pro Bono.

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Urban Design & Spatial Development Unit:
We are happy to support your independent study projects that use our methods and approaches to pursue relevant urban and spatial development issues and to help you find your own research questions. We can offer topics for independent studies related to our research areas in the Alpine Rhine Valley and beyond.
Then get in touch with us. We look forward to working with you!

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Urban Design & Spatial Development Unit:
We are happy to support your independent study projects that use our methods and approaches to pursue relevant urban and spatial development issues and to help you find your own research questions. We can offer topics for independent studies related to our research areas in the Alpine Rhine Valley and beyond.
Then get in touch with us. We look forward to working with you!

This optional module allows for various kinds of research studies. It is closely connected to the five units of the Liechtenstein School of Architecture and is usually part of ongoing research projects. The supervision consists of directing the students towards clear results within a given field of research. The individual study is reviewed within the respective unit.

Urban Design & Spatial Development Unit:
We are happy to support your independent study projects that use our methods and approaches to pursue relevant urban and spatial development issues and to help you find your own research questions. We can offer topics for independent studies related to our research areas in the Alpine Rhine Valley and beyond.
Then get in touch with us. We look forward to working with you!

This optional module, allows for various kinds of research studies in collaboration with planned or ongoing research projects. It is closely linked to the five units of the School of Architecture and is undertaken individually or in small teams of students. Supervision consists of guiding students towards clear results in a particular area of research. The research project is reviewed before a panel of experts from the supervising research unit.

Sustainable Design Unit:
What is Fluidglass? Fluidglass represents a pioneering innovation in building technology that transforms windows into intelligent, multifunctional elements of construction. These advanced windows not only permit the passage of light but also possess the capability to store and regulate energy. By utilizing a specialized fluid enclosed within the glass that dynamically responds to temperature variations, Fluidglass significantly enhances the energy efficiency and thermal comfort of buildings. In this module, you will gain comprehensive insights into product development within the construction industry and the contemporary innovation processes that drive such advancements. Your participation will encompass a range of activities, including conducting research, performing simulations, and developing both a business model and a go-to-market strategy. The specific scope of your work will be tailored to your expertise and interests during an initial meeting session. In collaboration with the LBS Innovation Unit, this research semester presents a unique opportunity to investigate sustainable construction through the lens of practical product development. You will engage in the integration of Fluidglass technology into building designs, exploring its potential to reduce energy consumption and enhance indoor environmental quality. Working alongside experts from diverse disciplines and students from various faculties, you will develop holistic solutions to pressing sustainability challenges. This experience will equip you with critical skills and knowledge necessary for implementing sustainable building projects. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to learn about state-of-the-art technologies, contribute to environmentally responsible construction methods, enhance your career prospects, and expand your professional network.

This optional module, allows for various kinds of research studies in collaboration with planned or ongoing re-search projects. It is closely linked to the five units of the School of Architecture and is undertaken individually or in small teams of students. Supervision consists of guiding students towards clear results in a particular area of research. The research project is reviewed before a panel of experts from the supervising research unit.

Built Heritage & Upcycling Unit:
Whenever there was a shortage of building materials in history, creativity was called for and a circular approach was often the answer. In the 16th century, the Frenchman Philibert de l'Orme invented a new construction method, known as "à petit bois", in which large roof surfaces were built from small pieces of wood. Instead of comprehensive designs, his architectural work was characterized by adapting, integrating and building on. We examine de l'Orme's circular approaches using the example of the roof truss of the Caserne Rochambeau in Mont-Dauphin (F). Could this method be one of the earliest concepts for planned circular building solutions?

This optional module, allows for various kinds of research studies in collaboration with planned or ongoing research projects. It is closely linked to the five units of the School of Architecture and is undertaken individually or in small teams of students. Supervision consists of guiding students towards clear results in a particular area of research. The research project is reviewed before a panel of experts from the supervising research unit.

Sustainable Design Unit:
Research in Sustainable Architecture - Focus on Sustainability.
What is sustainable and what is not?
This elective module invites participants to engage in an in-depth examination of sustainable building practices within the Alpine Rhine Valley. In alignment with ongoing research initiatives at the LSA, the module is dedicated to the development of a comprehensive catalogue of themes pertinent to sustainable construction. Through a rigorous comparative analysis of building certifications and broader sustainability frameworks, participants will investigate how these themes can inform and advance sustainable architectural practices in the region. This module offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the academic discourse on sustainability and shape the future of building practices. Participants in this module will play a pivotal role in synthesizing an extensive overview of contemporary sustainability topics and translating these insights into a structured matrix for all relevant stakeholders in architecture and the construction industry. Beyond the analysis and research of these topics, the primary tasks will involve the integration of findings into the overarching matrix. This project is tailored for students with interests spanning technical and economic dimensions, as well as ethical and philosophical considerations. At the outset of the project, the scope of each participant's work will be customized according to their knowledge base and areas of interest during the initial meeting session.
Don't miss the chance to shape the future of sustainable building.

This optional module, allows for various kinds of research studies in collaboration with planned or ongoing re-search projects. It is closely linked to the five units of the School of Architecture and is undertaken individually or in small teams of students. Supervision consists of guiding students towards clear results in a particular area of research. The research project is reviewed before a panel of experts from the supervising research unit.

Built Heritage & Upcycling Unit:
Would you also like to be a border crosser and cross borders with us? Ernst Sommerlad (1895-1977) was one of the first architects in the Principality of Liechtenstein and brought the architectural language of Modernism here. Despite the most adverse political circumstances, he did not allow himself to be limited by borders either architecturally or physically, and also built in Germany, Vorarlberg, St. Gallen, Appenzell and Graubünden. On the occasion of a symposium at the University of Liechtenstein in the fall of 2025, we will analyze the fast and exciting oeuvre of Sommerlad under close scientific scrutiny in cooperation with the country and the OST (Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences)

28.09-03.10.2024 / EU-funded
Amsterdam Academy of Architecture, Amsterdam
Cooperation with 6 European Schools of Architecture

In 2022 we built a demountable Chicken Shed with the wood of seven fallen trees. 30 students of seven schools from Europe composed all the developed building elements into a temporary mock-up. After the workshop we took apart all the parts and stored them, waiting for a site to be re assembled for the chickens.

In September 2024 the site appears. On a city-farmland in Haarlem we will rebuild the Shed. We will work in four teams, each with a special task. We will learn hands on, 1 to 1, about four skills of circularity: repair, re-adjust, re-use and re-built. Each student will be able to take part in two of the four teams.

Repair existing parts on site.
Readjust new parts in the carpenter's workshop.
Reuse found building materials for fence, roof- and façade-elements.
Rebuild the whole shed on site.