This RISD Global Summer Studies course, Material Revolution in Belgium: Biological, Geological, and Circular Assemblies, explores the use and reuse of biologic, geologic and city-sourced materials at scales produced by given landscapes, introducing students to a robust bioregional design practice, rooted in a transformative ethic of material sourcing, application, and infrastructure in design practice and pedagogy.
Estimated dates—final dates to be announced.
Course Dates: Jun 9, 2025 — Jun 28, 2025
Open to RISD and non-RISD students enrolled in another art and design program with current cumulative GPA is 2.5 or above, and recent RISD graduates.
BC Architects and Studies
Included tuition, accommodation, in-country transportation, field trips, entrance fees, some group meals and international travel health insurance. Airfare is not included in the cost and participants are responsible for their own airfare.
“Material Revolution” explores the use and reuse of biologic, geologic and city-sourced materials at scales produced by given landscapes, introducing students to a robust bioregional design practice, rooted in a transformative ethic of material sourcing, application, and infrastructure in design practice and pedagogy. At the heart of the course is a workshop that requires students to prototype at 1:1 scale to investigate form, materiality, and the consequences of assembling natural materials. This course is developed in partnership with BC Architects & Studies, a Brussels-based hybrid practice engaging in “bioregional, low-tech, circular, beautiful and inclusive design.” BC’s work is at the forefront of regional materials sourcing and application at scale, functioning as a multi-faceted practice engaged in design and education on both traditional and contemporary methods of building. Students will travel to Brussels and Ghent to study fabrication techniques, tour precedent projects, visit materials sourcing sites, and engage in hands-on making with Jasper Van der Linden and Henri Uijtterhaegen of BC Architects & Studies.
Material Revolution is an interdisciplinary course open to students interested in bio-regional and carbon-capturing materials, material culture, craft, productive landscapes, fabrication methods, material ecologies, and adaptive reuse.
BC architects is an award-winning architectural office, and is teaching at KULeuven University (BE), UHasselt University (BE), RWTH Aachen University and has previously taught at EiABC Addis Ababa University (ET), ETH Zurich (CH), TU Stuttgart (DE), TU München (DE),... Started in between 2009 and 2012, our team currently consists of 4 co-founders and around 15 collaborators, working from Brussels on projects on the European and African continents.
BC studies is a non-profit research and education laboratory investigating the material environment through processes of construction and production. BC studies manifests itself in teaching & education, consultancy, workshops and published research.
BC is BC architects & studies & materials. BC stands for Brussels Cooperation and points to how BC grew - embedded within place and people. They operate through 3 legal entities registered in Belgium: BC architects bv (architecture company), BC studies vzw (non-profit education laboratory), BC materials cv (material production cooperative). BC is a hybrid practice, designing and undertaking "acts of building" towards systemic change in the construction sector. They strive for bioregional, low-tech, circular, beautiful and inclusive design. They work with our minds and our hands, undertaking activities such as community organisation, material production, contracting, teaching, prototyping. They aim to impact positively on people's ideas and planet. They act on behalf of the generations after us.
The Global Summer Studies course application will open on February 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM and close on March 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM.
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Increasing financial aid is a central pillar of RISD’s equity, inclusion and diversity commitment. Through partnership with other campus offices, we are working to provide greater support and access to students interested in pursuing global learning experiences at RISD.
View detailsIf your current cumulative GPA is 2.5 or above, you are eligible for registration. If your current cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, you must first contact the Registrar at registrar@risd.edu to seek exception to this academic policy.
If you are a college student currently enrolled in another art and design college or institution around the world you are eligible for registration. We will collect a recommendation and support form from your institution within the application.
In order to register for RISD Global Summer Studies, you are expected to have a high level of English (speech, writing, and comprehension) as all coursework and critique is delivered in English, and your current cumulative GPA must be 2.5 or above.
Global Summer Studies are three weeks long and take place in June and July. You are required to attend all program activities scheduled during the travel course. RISD Global Summer Studies comply with RISD class attendance policy. In case of unexcused or multiple absences, you may be removed from the course, given a grade of “W" (withdrawal) or a grade of “F” (fail).
Requesting to withdraw from a RISD off-campus global learning program, including RISD Global Summer Studies, prior to the start of the course is highly discouraged and requires a formal process outlined in the RISD course withdrawal policy. It is not possible for a student to drop a RISD Global Summer Studies travel course via the standard Add/Drop process after it has commenced. In the case of unforeseen and extenuating circumstances (and only after students have spoken with the faculty lead and RISD Global for approval to withdraw from the program), students should be aware that no refund will be issued.
In order to reserve a seat, a non-refundable deposit of $500 is required at the time of application submittal. Students will submit full payment for the course when all seats are occupied but no later than March 17, 2025. Students that fail to make full payment by their deadline will forfeit their $500 deposit and their seat in the course.
All RISD students and full degree seeking students enrolled at other schools or universities are required to remain in good academic standing in order to participate in Global Summer Studies. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for all participants. Failure to remain in good academic standing can lead to removal from the course, either before or during the course.
In cases where summer travel courses do not reach full capacity, the course may be canceled after the last day of registration. As such, all students are advised not to purchase flights for participation in Global Summer Studies courses until the course is confirmed by RISD Global.
The Global Summer Studies course application will open on February 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM and close on March 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM.
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Have questions? The RISD Global team is available to meet for a 1:1 advising session. We can give you more information about your study options, help you figure out which program makes sense for you, and assist you with the application process.
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