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Environmental design is among the disciplines responding to the changing relationship between people and their environment. The Environmental Design course, offered as part of the international ArtCamp summer school at the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art, University of West Bohemia, provides an intensive five-day introduction to the field, from the basics of design to its broader social and environmental context. Running from Monday 20 to Friday 24 July, the course is open for applications until the end of May. In an interview for INFO.zcu, course leader Dana Nováková shares more about its focus and approach.

What should we understand by environmental design for architecture?

It involves designing architectural projects with respect for nature and the environment. The field focuses on protecting land, water, air, and vegetation through architectural design, while seeking approaches that are closely connected to nature.

What impulses have led to this approach becoming part of architectural education right now?

The main impulse is the worsening of environmental conditions, both locally and globally.

Who is the course best suited for – and who will benefit from it most?

The course is ideal for applicants interested in our program and architecture in general, but it is also open to the wider public. It offers an opportunity to become familiar with the field, gain insight into the design process, and learn more about environmental topics connected to architecture.

Can someone without prior architectural experience apply for the course?

Yes, the course is open even to participants without previous experience in architecture. Each day begins with a lecture, discussion, and feedback session, followed by practical assignment work and individual consultations.

What is the balance between theory and practical work in the course?

The course is primarily practice-based, with roughly one-third theory and two-thirds practical work.

Can the course outcome become part of an application portfolio?

Yes, the outcome can be included in a portfolio. Course participants may use it as one of the projects for talent entrance examinations.

How do you think the environmental approach will shape architecture in the coming years?

The whole world is already responding to these issues. We can see renewed interest in building with clay and in alternative construction methods more generally. The head of our studio, Zdeněk Fránek, is also a member of the editorial board of the magazine INTRO, which covers these topics.

Traditional technologies are returning, while entirely new possibilities, such as 3D printing, are emerging. The construction industry is developing more environmentally friendly technologies, but architecture still has to interpret and integrate them critically. On one side, there is the demand for energy efficiency, and on the other, the need for harmony with nature. This balance is exactly what we aim to teach in our studio, which was the first of its kind at our faculty.