Open Field

In these two studios, in Serbia and in Germany, students will design a vision for a self-made autonomous settlement for a temporary community of people who want to commit their common work to the enlargement of a public good. The settlement will evolve at an open field in the village Stojnik at the edge of the Natural Park of the Kosmaj Mountain just one hour from Belgrade, the capitol of Serbia – a country that is undergoing a long term of crisis and scarcity. Besides offering a solid ground for gathering, living and working this hectare of land will is providing an unlimited space for experimentation in environmental redevelopment and social innovation.

The evolution of the settlement is determined by three ecologies – physical, social and mental. The principals of the physical ecology are directing designing process toward responsible building
practices, such as – low cost materials, variable ‘do it yourself’ building systems, prefabrication, smart infrastructures, healthy environment, reduced energy consumptions, renewable resources, efficiency and recycling.

Social ecology is emphasizing the culture of solidarity as key value for community redevelopment and material reproduction.

Mental ecology is suggesting that personal maturation of an internal relationship of mind, body and soul could find its balance only if transcending toward positive relationships to human environment.

This studio course promotes interaction between people and environment and aims for the engagement in the work for the public interest. It will remind students of the strong connection between the process of designing and the process of recreating social values.