Timber Boat Regatta: Architecture and Craftsmanship in the Same Boat
Timber Boat Regatta: Architecture and Craftsmanship in the Same Boat
At the first Timber Boat Regatta on Lake Constance, architecture students and carpentry apprentices worked together to design and build their own wooden boats. The project week took place from 27 to 31 July 2026 as part of the Interreg research project Walz 4.0, which promotes collaboration between architecture and the skilled trades from the early stages of training and education.
From Design to Water
The participants had five days to design and build their own boats using simple materials such as wooden battens, planks, screws and tarpaulins. Working in pairs, architecture students and carpentry apprentices developed their designs, tested different construction methods and put their ideas into practice.
Following the planning phase, construction of the boats began on the second day. The teams had to develop structures that were not only stable but also capable of carrying at least two people. On the final day, the boats were launched and tested during a joint outing on Lake Constance.
Unlike a traditional regatta, the focus was not on speed. Instead, the emphasis was on collaborative planning, practical construction work and the ability to solve problems together.
Part of the Walz 4.0 Research Project
The Timber Boat Regatta was organised as part of the cross-border Interreg research project Walz 4.0. The project brings together traditional craft knowledge, digitalisation, research and higher education in the construction sector across the Lake Constance region.
One of its main objectives is to encourage collaboration between architecture and the skilled trades during education and vocational training. Students and apprentices are encouraged to contribute their different skills and knowledge to joint projects and learn from one another. To support this, Walz 4.0 develops and tests new teaching and learning formats.
The Timber Boat Regatta was one of these formats. From the first sketches to the final outing on Lake Constance, the participants shared responsibility for their constructions. The project week was led by Wolfgang Schwarzmann and Livia Herle from the Liechtenstein School of Architecture in the Craft & Structure Unit.
Walz 4.0 is a collaboration between several universities and other partner organisations in the Lake Constance region. The project is funded through the Interreg Alpenrhein-Bodensee-Hochrhein programme.
Further information: www.walz40.eu
Photos & video: Noah Insam
