FESTIVAL’AND 7.0 - 2026
An International Summer School Where Architecture Is Created at a 1:1 Scale
From 15 to 25 July, the international summer school FestivaL’and 7.0 took place in Valmiera, bringing together architecture and design students from 11 countries. This year’s summer school focused on the importance of learning environments, with students collaborating with Valmiera Gauja Riverside Secondary School to design and build a new outdoor learning space.
The summer school was organized by the Institute of Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture of the Art Academy of Latvia in cooperation with the RISEBA Faculty of Architecture and Design, the Valmiera Summer Theatre Festival, and Valmiera Gauja Riverside Secondary School – Development Centre.
From Idea to Real Space
“FestivaL’and 7.0” encouraged students to step beyond the traditional classroom and explore architecture through materials, craftsmanship, construction, and direct engagement with the users of a place.
At the beginning of the summer school, participants familiarized themselves with Valmiera, its environment, and its people, and visited Valmiera Gauja Riverside Secondary School. By studying the school grounds and everyday environment, students sought ways to create an outdoor learning space that would be suitable, safe, and inspiring for pupils through the application of architecture and design.
The central project of this year’s summer school was the creation of a multifunctional pavilion/outdoor classroom, designed and constructed on the school premises. Working alongside mentors and a professional carpenter, students developed concepts, experimented with materials and structures, and realized their designs at a full 1:1 scale.
As a result, participants experienced the entire project process, from site analysis and concept development to design, structural experimentation, and hands-on construction.
RISEBA Students in an International Team
Among the participants of the international summer school were two first-year students from the RISEBA Faculty of Architecture and Design: Juris Jaunzems and Kristiāna Kristera Krasovska.
Their participation provided an opportunity to experience an international professional environment early in their studies, collaborate with architecture and design students from other countries, and gain practical involvement in both the design and construction processes.
This year, FestivaL’and 7.0 brought together students from Germany, Austria, Finland, Vietnam, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, Belgium, France, Spain, and Latvia, creating a diverse international environment for the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and ideas.
RISEBA Lecturers Bringing Professional Experience into Practice
Professionals from the RISEBA Faculty of Architecture and Design were also actively involved in the summer school.
Agris Tauriņš, a guest lecturer at RISEBA, is a furniture designer, project manager, and product developer with more than 25 years of experience in furniture design, technical drafting, and manufacturing. His professional expertise spans the entire process, from concept development and technical planning to production and implementation.
Another guest lecturer at the summer school was Rudolfs Dainis Šmits, Dean and Lecturer of the RISEBA Faculty of Architecture and Design, and a practicing architect with more than 30 years of international experience in architecture, design management, and project implementation. His professional interests also include architectural theory, design innovation, and a critical approach to the architectural process.
The involvement of both professionals provided students with valuable hands-on experience and professional mentoring, helping them connect academic knowledge with real-world design and construction practice.
The RISEBA Faculty of Architecture and Design is proud to be part of FestivaL’and 7.0, both by providing its students with the opportunity to gain international practical experience and by contributing the professional expertise and knowledge of its faculty members.
Bildes: Uģis Brālēns.
