Urban Hybrid Graz-Brno: a joint studio as a space for international dialogue on the city

The Urban Hybrid Graz-Brno – Joint Studios in Architectural Education project brought together architecture students from the Brno University of Technology and Graz University of Technology. In the joint studio, they focused on specific locations in Brno and Graz and sought answers to current urban challenges.

The Urban Hybrid Graz | Brno – Joint Studios in Architectural Education project built on the long-standing collaboration between the Brno University of Technology and Graz University of Technology. Through a joint studio, it brought together students from both institutions to explore themes of public space, housing and the coexistence of different social groups.

The work was based on specific locations in Brno and Graz. This enabled students to gain experience of project work within an international team, consultations with lecturers from a different academic culture, and public presentations of their designs. Regular coordination meetings between lecturers from both universities also helped to harmonise teaching approaches and create a space for sharing different methodologies, working practices and cultural perspectives. The results of this collaborative work were presented at two public exhibitions of student designs in Brno and Graz.

The project was supported by the AKTION Czech Republic–Austria programme. Over the course of six months, it strengthened ties between the two institutions and developed students’ skills in the field of contemporary urbanism and working with public space. At the same time, it demonstrated that the internationalisation of architectural education can take the form of a long-term partnership that enriches teaching and brings new ideas to debates on the shape of cities.