Understanding Spaces

This course explores multiple, hands-on, innovative artistic approaches to increase perceptual sensibility and develop a more profound grasp of the particularity of place. Discourses from the visual arts, architecture and aesthetics are applied to generate a better of understanding of the diversity of spaces.

The course closely links theory and practice. Methods are introduced to help capture spatial moods and to express them through artistic techniques. Based on the analysis of the places selected, students develop two artistic or architectural projects. A special feature of this course is a five-day excursion to the island of Hiddensee, located in the Baltic Sea, in order to facilitate the experience of particular original natural landscapes.

This course offers a wonderful learning experience in the company of a group of international students from various disciplines. Mornings and afternoons are structured by lectures and seminars, as well as field trips and analyses by students of particular spaces. The instructor provides individual mentoring for participants' studio work. In-class presentations of concepts and projects developed by students allow for open review of work. Active participation in group discussions and constructive class critiques is encouraged.

Students will track their own perception of particular spaces with the help of a journal throughout the course. In order to increase the understanding of spaces, students will produce analyses of each of the visited landscapes, which will serve as starting points for two artistic or architectural projects.

Course leader

Marie Ulber Dipl.-Ing.
PhD-student in Art & Design at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Marie taught Understanding Spaces at the University of Victoria, the Vancouver Island School of Arts in Canada and the Bauhaus Summer School in Weimar. Currently, s

Target group

This course is especially oriented towards students of Architecture and Visual Arts, and related areas of study, such as Urban Planning and Art and Design, and is open to all students with a general interest in understanding spaces and finding design solutions.

The course language in English. That is why good English language skills are required.

Course aim

Develop your architectural & artistic ideas by using place-based-experiences as a source for inspiration.

The course will support participants’ capacity for perception of natural and culturally-shaped spaces, and to open up possibilities for new design ideas that can be used in artistic and architectural practice. Understanding Spaces will provide artists and architects with new design approaches for the development of site specific interventions and architectural design projects.

Credits info

4 EC
After successful completion of this course you will receive a certificate of participation. It will show the course title, the date and duration of the course, the number of contact hours as well as the main contents and topics.

Fee info

EUR 550: The course fee is 550,-€.
EUR 450: Students and alumni pay the reduced fee of 450,-€.