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DRESDEN-concept Summer School “Circular Design Challenge” – May 27 to 4 June, 2023

01.03.2023

Join an international Circular Design Challenge in Pillnitz Palace in Germany!

Circular Design Challenge will take place in Pillnitz, Dresden from 27 May to 4 June 2023. It is organised by a multi-disciplinary team of researchers from the TU Dresden and Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden in collaboration with TU Delft and ICN Creative Business School. This 9-day program will provide the latest insights, tools and methods for circular design in the fields of construction and product design and guide you in conception of innovative solutions for reuse of end-of-life components.

What can you expect?

In a series of short lectures, experts will lay out the basic concepts of circular economy and systemic design. Invited guest speakers will share inspiring examples from practice and display current tendencies in transition towards circular economy. In a dynamic mix of theory and practice, you will be introduced to tools and methods for sustainable circular design and apply them to develop own solutions based on two case studies presented on site: end-of-life transportation vehicles and a factory building. In a brainstorming session, you will be assisted in conceiving innovative reuse solutions for the components of the two case studies. The ideas will be evaluated through peer and expert feedback. The best will be advanced through a multidisciplinary group work in a series of workshops. The Circular Design Challenge will end with a public presentation of the results and awarding the winning project of the CDC 2023!

Why you should join the Circular Design Challenge?

  1. Gain knowledge on key aspects of circular economy and specific appplication in industrial design, architecture and civil engineering
  2. Discover existing practices and research projects focused on material and component reuse in construction and product design
  3. Acquire tools and methods for circular design and life-cycle assessment
  4. Conceptualise innovative reuse solutions based on two case studies — end-of-life parts from transport and a building — in a series of guided workshops
  5. Explore a multi-disciplinary collaborative design approach with experts and students from industrial design, civil engineering and architecture

The event will be hosted by SKD Design Campus, located in the Pillnitz Palace & Park. The palace and the gardens have provided inspiration for writers, artists, thinkers, and musicians throughout history and, around 1900, became a hotspot for scientific innovation. During the CDC, you will be guided through the grounds of the park and the palace and the The Kunstgewerbemuseum/Museum of Decorative Arts. The lectures and workshops will take place in the Palace. Excursions are planned to the case study sites and the testing laboratories of the TU Dresden.

Applications
will be accepted until April 3rd. The Circular Design Challenge targets Master students and early PhD students from the fields of architecture, civil engineering, human-centred and engineering design as well as cognate disciplines who are eager to learn about and engage in sustainable circular design. To apply for the event the following documents need to be provided by email to cdc@tu-dresden.de.

  • cover letter motivating your participation in the Circular Design Challenge (maximum 1 page)
  • short CV with list of relevant recent projects or publications (if any)
  • optional application for travel grant (demonstrate the need on 1 page)

The participating students will be selected from the applications as soon as the application period ends and be informed about the decision shortly afterwards. Participation fee is € 150 and due two weeks after notice of acceptance. This fee covers participation, accommodation in student housing double rooms, catering and all workshop materials.

Questions?
Please ask your questions at cdc@tu-dresden.de

This event is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Free State of Saxony within the framework of the Excellence Strategy of the Federal Government and the Federal States. The measure DRESDEN-concept Science and Innovation Campus supports, among others, Summer Schools in order to strengthen the cooperation of the implementing institutions, to bundle their research competencies, especially in interdisciplinary topics, and thus to increase the attractiveness of the location for international students and postdocs.