Living Traditions
for the Future
INTBAU Summer schools in Traditional Architecture, Building, Crafts, and Urbanism
Registrations now open.
Immerse yourself in a transformative summer experience and join a growing community of building professionals committed to creating a future rooted in tradition.
Why join an INTBAU Summer School?
Traditional design is only included in the curricula of a tiny minority of architecture schools around the world.
Our summer schools provide a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the art of traditional building, gaining the skills necessary to become a proficient professional outside contemporary conventional education.
Every year, INTBAU partners with leading institutions to offer education opportunities in this realm, hosting students from more than 30 countries. In 2024, we continue to grow the portfolio of opportunities, with programmes in the Netherlands, France, Portugal, Australia, Belgium and Mexico.
Our programmes cover a wide range of topics and activities, spanning from lectures and round tables on traditional construction techniques and styles, natural materials, urbanism, and aesthetics, to site visits, studio practice and hands-on workshops on drawing, stone carving, carpentry, ironwork, tile making, brick masonry, and more, guided by leading architects, crafts masters, academics, and urbanists from around the world.
What do the summer schools look like?
Discover the unique offerings and enriching experiences our summer schools provide.
Summer School for Architecture Students in Traditional Architecture and Building Techniques
This programme is an extension of our successful European summer school model, now brought to Norway by the local INTBAU chapter.
To apply, please contact the organisers via email at: thomas.flemming@gmail.com
‘Let’s Build a Beautiful City’ Summer School
By INTBAU Netherlands
In an era marked by housing crises, environmental vulnerability, and the looming threat of climate change, it's imperative to rethink our approach to city-building. The school aims to address today´s challenges by reintroducing livable urban design and traditional building knowledge. Its mission is to create more attractive, livable spaces where people can thrive, fostering a deeper connection between communities and their built environment.
Bruges Summer School of Architecture & Crafts
By La Table Ronde de l’Architecture, host to INTBAU Belgium
Participants will discover the rigour of drawing by hand using the rules of composition. You will exercise your eyes and your judgement on ancient architectural forms and discover their constructive qualities. Using the city of Bruges as a resource, you will observe, measure, and draw its streets and building elements that over the centuries have made it an inspiring example of a beautiful, humane and durable place to live.
The Alsace Summer School of Architecture & Crafts
By La Table Ronde de l’Architecture, host to INTBAU Belgium, in collaboration with INTBAU Germany and INTBAU France
Established in 2024.
Building on the success in Bruges, the Alsace Summer School is conceived to be a dynamic platform and a centre of excellence in the field of architecture and crafts.
Spain & Portugal Traditional Architecture Summer School
By the Traditional Building Cultures Foundation in collaboration with INTBAU Spain and INTBAU Portugal
Established in 2014, this school aims to disseminate the best practice and notable experiences of new traditional architecture at the intersection with sustainable development and heritage preservation of the Iberian Peninsula, integrating each region’s cultural legacy and the materials and knowledge that have allowed the creation of beautiful and sustainable places and buildings.
Enduring Design
Masterclass
By the University of Queensland and the Prince’s Trust Australia, host to INTBAU Australia
An intensive accredited Masters-level programme to provide built environment students, apprentices and professionals with a practical understanding of traditional building techniques and knowledge: from traditional trades and drawing skills to Indigenous perspectives and enduring design philosophies. The programme reconnects participants with the time-tested, enduring design traditions to create valuable stores of knowledge for how to build well; both for today and for all ages.
Summer School of Traditional Architecture and Urbanism of Mexico
By INTBAU Mexico
The programme aims to address the shortcomings of contemporary architecture and urban planning in Mexico by focusing on local traditions and sustainable practices. Through a comprehensive curriculum, participants will learn to design affordable housing solutions that meet the needs of communities, employ carbon-neutral building techniques, develop models for sustainable urban growth, and implement protective measures for vulnerable UNESCO heritage sites.
Testimonials
Learn how our Summer Schools inspired students and practitioners.
ABOUT US
The International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism (INTBAU) was established in 2001, and has since gained 40 chapters and over 9,000 members in more than 100 countries and regions. We work under the patronage of our founder, The former Prince of Wales.
INTBAU’s mission is to support traditional building, the maintenance of local character, and the creation of better places to live. We do this through workshops, summer schools, study tours, conferences, awards, and competitions.
INTBAU’s vision is that every building and place is made with a conscience, drawing from and developing traditional knowledge and techniques to uphold everyone’s right to a place to live that is resilient, adaptable, beautiful, and supportive of local identity.
INTBAU’s 40 Chapters give the charity its global structure. Our Chapters initiate programmes that respond to their local contexts, and that promote the essential role of tradition in the built environment.
Become an INTBAU member
Did you know that there are several ways to get involved with INTBAU?
General Membership is FREE and is the easiest way to join our network of over 9,000 members worldwide and to get involved in our international programmes. Become a General Member at: General Membership | INTBAU
Professional Membership. The INTBAU College of Traditional Practitioners is a peak international professional body for practitioners in traditional urban design, architecture, and the building arts. Learn more at: Professional Membership | INTBAU.
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