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International Workshop FA VUT and AA School of Architecture: Transformative Nature of Urbanism
The Faculty of Architecture at Brno University of Technology (FA BUT), in cooperation with the prestigious London-basedArchitectural Association School of Architecture (AA School), organised the second edition of the international urban designworkshop "Transformative Nature of Urbanism," held from May 8 to 16, 2025, at the creative hub KUMST in Brno. Theevent focused on the revitalisation of a large brownfield site bounded by Koliště, Cejl, Křenová streets and the Svitava River.Architects from Brno and London worked together to find ways to revitalize neglected parts of Brno. | Author: Karel PonešThe workshop aimed to explore how new forms of spatial infrastructure can catalyse social, economic, and environmentalchange. Students and tutors from both institutions engaged in site visits and discussions with local stakeholders anddeveloped architectural proposals that responded to the specific urban context.
The workshop was opened on 8 May by the FA BUT Dean Radek Suchánek. Coordinators Monika Konrad and KarinPísaříková introduced the workshop agenda, followed by introductory lectures by Písaříková and Kristýna Smržová on thecultural and social dimensions of the area known as "Upper and Lower Cejl." A guided tour through the so-called "BrnoBronx" included stops at an independent gallery, the former prison Káznice, industrial heritage sites and creative studios,allowing students to engage with cultural figures and community representatives.Students and lecturers from both schools engaged in field research, discussions with experts and local residents, and developed proposals responding to the specific characteristics of the area. | Author: Karel PonešIn the following days, students formed four interdisciplinary teams and conducted field research in the areas of Špitálka, Dornych, the former Mosilana complex, the gasworks and the railway embankment. Under the guidance oftutors, they developed urban proposals with an emphasis on sustainability, public participation, biodiversity, and economic revitalisation through architecture.
The program included internal consultations, midterm reviews (held on 13 May), and a series of public lectures by invitedexperts, including Tomáš Kozelský, the studioChybík+Krištof, Martin Všetečka from the Brno City Architect’s Office, Jan MalýBlažek, Tomáš Hoření Samec, and Pavel Štěpán from the Museum of Romani Culture.The final presentations took place on the afternoon of May 16 at KUMST, with representatives of the city, KAM, and the professional public in attendance. | Author: Karel PonešThe final public presentations took place on 16 May in KUMST with the attendance of representatives from the City of Brno, theCity Architect’s Office and the expert public.
The event concluded with a reception and networking opportunity. The workshop brought together over 60 studentsand 20 tutors. From AA School, participating tutors included Lawrence Barth, Florian Dirschedl, Dominic Papa,Stephen Sinclair, Jorge Fiori, Elena Pascolo, Yasmina Aslakhanova, and Adithya Premraj. Representing FA VUT were Dean Radek Suchánek, Bára Ponešová, Marie Joja, Kristýna Smržová, Alex Bykov, Szymon Rozwałka, Karin Písaříkováand Monika Konrad.The workshop was attended by more than 60 students and 20 lecturers. | Author: Karel PonešThe AA School’s design-based methodology with a strong emphasis on drawing was especially inspiring for Czech studentsand tutors. The cooperation fostered rich discussions and new opportunities for collaboration. The workshop is part ofthe broader research framework Housing+, whose outcomes will be published in a forthcoming book featuring experttexts, interviews and analyses on the role of architectural thinking in transformative urban processes. A third edition of the workshop is planned for the academic year 2025/26.
Quotes from participants:
“I’m not sure whether the working methodology we encountered during the workshop is representative of AA as a whole,but I was surprised by how strongly analogue it was – often manual, relying on sketches and drawings – contrary to myexpectation of a more digital approach, which I had associated with AA until now. I was intrigued by the constant shiftingbetween scales, from urban macro to fine architectural detail. This way of thinking, moving back and forth between thebigger picture and the detail, is something we could bring into our work. I genuinely enjoyed the collaboration in our team – Ithink we found a shared understanding of architecture and a language through which we were able to express what we wanted to communicate with the project.
And the students were truly great, although it seemed they could have been more open to critical thinking, which is somethingwe try to encourage in our students.” – Szymon Rozwałka
“The workshop was an inspiring opportunity for me to reflect on urban development. I appreciated the openness of thediscussions on the role of infrastructure in cities and on housing typologies for creating vibrant urban environments.” – Marie Joja
“For me, the workshop between the Architectural Association School of Architecture and the Faculty of Architecture at VUTwas enriching, thanks to the meeting of different cultural contexts and architectural approaches. It led to an inspiringcollaboration and exchange of perspectives across disciplines and methodologies.” – Karin Písaříková