The Alsace Summer School is a place of transmission and learning, a haven for the preservation of knowledge and a centre of excellence in architecture, nourished by the crafts and knowledge of history. The participants will discover the rigour of drawing by hand using the rules of composition. They will exercise their eyes and their judgement on ancient architectural forms and discover their constructive qualities. Using Alsace villages and cities as a resource, they will get to observe, measure and draw their streets, squares, buildings and constructional elements which over the centuries have made them inspiring examples of beautiful, humane and durable places to live.
WEEK I Observe, remember & draw
Lectures & round tables
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The Architecture of Communities
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Introduction to traditional construction techniques and natural materials in Alsace
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French architecture in the Middle Ages (XI-XVI)
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Gothic Cathedrals and geometry
Study visits and walks
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Barr
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Mittelbergheim
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Obernai
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Bouxwiller
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Strasbourg
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Bergheim
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Ribeauvillé
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Riquewihr
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Sanctuary of Mount Sainte Odile
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Walk in the Vosges – Discovering the castles
Drawing sessions
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Streets, squares and building blocks
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Facades, sections & plans
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Roofs
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Measured drawings – windows and doors
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Gothic geometry
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Classical proportions
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Landscape, trees, leafs, flowers, etc
WEEK II Think, draw and create
Lectures & round tables
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Lithic materials (geological formation, stone carving & decay processes)
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Limestone and lime cycles of calcium lime, NHL, natural and pozzolanic cements
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Clays and ceramics in construction
Study visits and craft workshops
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New constructions and transformation sites
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Project sites
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Carpenter workshop
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Joiner workshop
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Sandstone quarry
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Stonemason workshops
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Lime quarry and factory
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Bricks and tiles factory
Drawing sessions
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Measured drawings – stonework, carpentry, joinery and ironwork
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Naturalistic ornamentation
Embellishment projects
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Draw plans, facades, sections and construction details