basehabitat International Summer School 2025
on building with earth and plant fibres

Participate and learn from the world’s leading experts in earthen and fibre construction!

When

July 6 – 20, 2025

Material

Adobe+Earth Blocks | Rammed Earth | Earth+Fibres | Straw+Reed

Location

Wissenscampus
Kuchl, Austria

Apply here

Photo: Stefanie Hueber

date

July 6 – 20, 2025

location

Wissenscampus Kuchl
Markt 136 / 5431 Kuchl
Salzburg / Austria

costs

€ 2190.-  tuition fee
we offer a limited number of scholarships of different amounts. See the FAQ and application form for details.

The fee includes
:: accommodation in a 2-3 bed room (en suite) in the Holztechnikum Kuchl
:: full board (vegetarian, regional, seasonal)
:: participation in all the summer school activities, workshops and lectures
:: a summer school handbook

Scholarships
Fill in the request for a scholarship in the application form.
The criteria for the award include academic/professional excellence, income level and nationality/residence as well as multiplier potential and social commitment.

    certification

    Course certificate (4 ECTS) issued by University of ArtsLinz
    Confirmation of participation issued by BASEhabitat

    application

    Start: February 07, 2025
    Deadline for scholarships: April 09, 2025
    Deadline for all applications: May 10, 2025

    Fill in the application form on our website and upload your portfolio (max. 6 pages in A4)

    who can participate

    We address architects, students, lecturers, craftspeople and engineers from all over the world, who are interested in sustainable architecture.

    download

    :: Workshop Description 2025

    :: Fact Sheet Summer School
    :: Time Schedule Summer School
    :: FAQ Summer School

    Please read our FAQ carefully. If you have any further questions, get in touch with us!

    contact

    basehabitat.summerschool@kunstuni-linz.at

    Apply here

    Programme

    Hands-on experiences with regenerative materials is at the focus of these two intensive weeks, which are complemented by theoretical inputs and discussions. There is a unique opportunity to network internationally with like-minded people and experts.

    Our goal is to bring regenerative materials back into architecture - for a sustainable future of building.

    Workshops

    on different construction techniques

    Participants choose 2 of 4 workshops where they work in small groups of 20-25 people.

    woman working on an adobe wall

    Photo: Joana Varela

    adobe + earth blocks
    Franco Noriega, Margot Lacombe (amàco)

    rammed earth
    Dominik Abbrederis, Max Weidacher

    earth + fibres
    Becky Little, Francois Streiff

    STRAW + REED
    Angelo Ferrara + Christian Ditlefsen

    » Details about workshops+trainers 2025

    The workshops involve an intensive exploration of the possibilities of the material and testing it with your own hands (and feet). Inputs and experiments will range from simple construction methods to larger scale application in contemporary architecture.

    There will be opportunities for exchange between the different workshops, for feedback and discussion.

    Material Science

    understanding earth + plant fibres as building materials

    The summer school starts with a whole day on material science. Experienced teams will introduce the materials earth and plant fibres and their special characteristics through inputs, experiments and practical exercises, including examples of traditional and contemporary architecture.

    Theory Day

    regenerative materials in contemporary architecture

    Pioneers who have developed new, unconventional materials for circular architecture will be invited to discuss their work. What does it take for these materials to find their way into architecture on a broad scale?

    Peer Lectures + Expert Talks

    cooperation is essential in architecture for change

    Networking is an important part of our summer school. Peer lectures give participants the chance to present their projects and discuss them with the group. Guests like Anna Heringer and Martin Rauch are going to give some inspiring lectures and share their experience and visions.

    Photo: Stefanie Hueber

    Scholarships

    Although we strive to keep the costs of the Summer School as low as possible, we are aware that for some, participation is not possible without a scholarship. Therefore, we offer some scholarships in different amounts. Criteria for the award include academic/professional excellence, income level, nationality/place of residence, as well as multiplier potential and social commitment.

    Photo: Philipp Steiner

    Photo: Philipp Steiner

    Photo: Stefanie Hueber

    Photo: Philipp Steiner

    Location

    explore the region

    The Summer School will take place at the Wissenscampus in Kuchl in Salzburg, Austria. Due to its long tradition of timber construction, Kuchl is also known locally as the "Timber Town". Timber is still a very important factor in the local economy, with a large number of craftsmen and wood processing companies in the area.

    The Wissenscampus Kuchl, a conglomerate of different educational institutions for timber construction and marketing organisations of the Austrian timber industry. An inspiring network of know-how and innovation. We are preparing the summer school in close cooperation with the Holztechnikum and the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Campus Kuchl. The Department of Design and Green Engineering at the Campus Kuchl is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

    Kuchl is located in the Salzach Valley, in the heart of the Alps. It is close to the city of Salzburg and is easily accessible by train. The region offers many sporting and leisure activities as well as cultural attractions.

    Location of Summer School

    Photo: Philipp Steiner

    Photo: Philipp Steiner

    Photo: Stefanie Hueber

    Photo: Stefanie Hueber

    Photo: Philipp Steiner

    Photo: Stefanie Hueber

    Photo: Stefanie Hueber

    Photo: Christian Daschek

    Photo: Flavia Matei

    Photo: Philipp Steiner

    basehabitat International
    Summer School 2025
    on building with earth
    and plant fibres

    Wann

    July 6-20, 2025

    Ort

    Wissenscampus
    Kuchl, Austria