FA BUT and AA School present international workshop University as City

The Faculty of Architecture at Brno University of Technology, in collaboration with the prestigious London-based Architectural Association School of Architecture, is organising the third edition of its international urban design workshop, taking place from April 27 to May 6, 2026.

Following last year’s workshop focused on the transformation of an inner-city brownfield, this year’s edition moves to the university campus under Palacký Hill—one of Brno’s key development areas, with significant potential for future growth.

Theme 2026: University as City This year’s workshop explores the transformation of university environments into active parts of the city. Students and tutors will investigate how large-scale campuses—currently functioning primarily as spaces of education and research—can evolve into vibrant urban districts supporting everyday life.

“What if a university stopped behaving like an institution and started behaving like a city?”

The workshop will examine the relationship between work, living, and services, and the role of architecture in shaping new forms of urban life.

International team and interdisciplinary approach The workshop will bring together around 40 students from Brno University of Technology and the AA School in London. Participants will work in mixed teams led by tutors from both institutions.

The AA School will be represented by Lawrence Barth, Florian Dirschedl, Dominic Papa, Stephen Sinclair, Anna Shapiro and others. From FA BUT, tutors include Radek Suchánek, Monika Konrad, Oleksi Bykov, Kristína Richter Adamson, Jiří Richter, Michal Palaščak and additional faculty members.

Over the ten-day programme, students will take part in lectures, discussions, consultations, and design reviews, developing proposals that respond to the specific conditions and potential of the site. The workshop emphasises experimentation, using architectural design as a tool to test alternative development strategies.

Public lectures and broader dialogue The workshop will also contribute to a wider discussion on the future of university campuses and their role within the city. By engaging with real conditions and stakeholders, participants will explore how architecture can support more integrated, liveable, and dynamic urban environments.

Long-term perspective The workshop forms part of a broader research and strategic framework focused on the future development of the university campus. Rather than producing a fixed masterplan, it aims to open new perspectives and identify opportunities for long-term transformation.

Presentations The workshop will take place at the Faculty of Business and Management at Brno University of Technology.

The final public presentations are scheduled for May 6, 2026, from 14:00 at Brno Gallery of the Architecture.

Press release