In this 3-week travel course, students learned about design with nature, by designing for nature. The volcanic archipelago of the Azores, situated along the mid-Atlantic Ocean ridge, was the location and context.
This course has been completed.
Course Dates: Jun 19, 2022 — Jul 9, 2022
2.5 GPA required. Non-RISD participants see eligibility requirements below.
Walk & Talk, Innovation Green Azores
Included tuition, accommodation, in-country transportation, field trips, entrance fees, some group meals and international travel health insurance.
Islands nations are at the forefront of climate change as their specific geography makes them more susceptible to the destructive power of storm and rising oceans. As the need for resiliency is accelerating, islands have the potential to act as incubators and leaders in green designed futures. This course explored design for nature, using the Azores as a case study.
In the first part of the course, we took several walks through forests, fields and the water’s edge of Sao Miguel, the Azores' largest island, to explore the cultural/ecological networks. We used walking as a means of observation and as a way to collect and generate thoughts. Each walk was connected to a series of exercises, including a performative experience with a Walk&Talk artist. Drawings from the walks were translated to a series of pattern drawings that document field conditions and interrelationships seen.
Taking from these observations and material explorations, students worked together to create a small Butterfly and Bee Pavilion that was installed in the garden of the Quinta do Priôlo, an organic farm and community space in Ponta Delgada. As a class, students worked together in teams to iterate design ideas that were presented to the members of the community and Walk&Talk designers. Finally, we will work directly with local woodworkers and craftsman to assemble the project on the site. The pavilion provided a home for young butterflies and bee hives. It was made of Cryptomeria wood and light weight netting. Together as a class, students drew from their separate academic disciplines to approach the project.
We also worked closely with a local arts organization called Walk & Talk, which hosted an annual summer arts festival during our stay.
To participate in RISD Global Summer Studies, all students were required to stay in RISD- provided housing for the duration of the course. Students were accommodated in double/triple occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms and kitchen available for the group.
Global Summer Studies 2019
Global Summer Studies 2019
Global Summer Studies 2019
Global Summer Studies 2019
Global Summer Studies 2019
Global Summer Studies 2019
Global Summer Studies 2019
Global Summer Studies 2019
Global Summer Studies 2019
The people here have a special passion and obligation towards nature because they grew up in it. Back in cities, environmental protection was more of an educational goal rather than a deposition people have. This deeply rooted responsibility and love for the environment really touched and somehow influenced me.
Yiwei Chen (GL 22) GSS19 AZORES: Walk + Work with Wood
I loved meeting with the local head of forestry, and observing the cryptomeria forest. Morning and afternoon hikes were great.
Michael Farris (BArch 23) GSS19 AZORES: Walk + Work with Wood
Learning experiences such as the lectures we had at the university were eye opening. We learned about the local culture in various perspectives.
Shu Wen Liang (BArch 21) GSS19 AZORES: Walk + Work with Wood
It was a wonderful opportunity to work with local Craftsman and develop and build a design on a tight budget in a tight timeframe.
Keyan Hansen (MArch 20) GSS19 AZORES: Walk + Work with Wood
Because of its dramatic natural beauty, the Azores was designated among UNESCO’s Global “Geoparks”, a network established to protect biodiversity, promote geological heritage and support sustainable economic growth. Sao Miguel, the largest island, includes Ponta Delgada, the largest city within the Azores. It also includes historic towns, agrarian pastures, hedgerows of blue hydrangeas, lake-filled calderas, and cryptomeria forests. Multiple religious festivals have been a critical part of the daily life of the place and recently, several new international festivals have been established.
The geographic isolation of the islands and their mountainous terrain give rise to several endemic species and a wide variety of biotopes, ecosystems, and landscapes. In addition, the Island’s remoteness means that its inhabitants have learned to be relatively autonomous and self-reliant, depending mostly on available resources of the islands. Agriculture has been and still is the primary form of income. There are efforts underway to build on the sustainable development of traditional agricultural markets and modernize the forest sector through responsible forest management. This year single use plastics, that pollute the ocean will be prohibited and designers are developing replacements that use waste from invasive species. The Azores is largely dependent on imported fuels including diesel and oil even though there is significant renewable energy potential (geothermal, wind and solar). Tourism is playing a larger role in the life of the Azores and pushing the economy. With it, local artists have successfully organized popular gatherings that draw an international contemporary arts scene, including Walk&Talk, Tremor, Burning Azores. Arts are used as a means to invigorate culture and open up new ways of connecting traditional and modern-day worlds.
If 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/design college or institution around the world, or a professional practicing in the field, you are eligible for registration. We will collect a recommendation/support form from your institution/workplace.
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.
Global Summer Studies are three weeks long and take place in June/July, and 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 have until April 1, 2022, to submit full payment. Students that fail to make full payment by their deadline will forfeit their $500 deposit and their seat in the course. New application submissions starting April 1 are not eligible to make a deposit and must make full payment by April 15, 2022.
All RISD students enrolled in RISD and other full degree schools/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 RISD students. 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 and studios 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.
The deadline for Global Summer Studies 2024 has now passed.
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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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