Join an international group of students and emerging designers for a ten-day summer school dedicated to sustainable building and circular design, held at the Design Campus in Pillnitz Palace, Dresden.
Thank you for your interest in the Circular Design Challenge Summer School TU Dresden 2025.
This program invites a rethinking of conventional building practices through the reuse of structural elements, hands-on experimentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Participants will explore theoretical foundations and engage in a real-world design challenge focused on material reuse and low-carbon construction.
Discover moreJoin lectures, workshops, and collaborative sessions led by international experts in architecture and sustainability. Discover what each day brings—from design sprints to public exhibitions.
View Full ScheduleSkills and Experiences You’ll Gain
Master the 9Rs principles to generate sustainable, waste-reducing innovative solutions.
Transform reclaimed materials into creative architecture through practical projects.
Build global networks to foster interdisciplinary design partnerships.
Sharpen analysis skills to creatively solve complex design challenges using sustainable methods.
Enhance leadership and communication through active, dynamic exchange.
Build a strong portfolio showcasing practical, innovative architectural project work.
See what people are saying
During the summer school, I was able to deepen my theoretical knowledge in the field of circular design, gaining valuable insights into sustainable practices and innovative design strategies.I also had the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary teamwork, which helped me better understand group dynamics and find my own role within a diverse team of individuals with varying personalities and academic backgrounds. The network I built during this time has continued to benefit me both personally and professionally “
Architect
Such a positive experience to see people of different professional and national backgrounds come together for a good cause. The Circular Design Challenge 2023 was an incredibly inspiring experience. I am happy to have left the program not just with the gain of a strong network of positive minded professionals, but with a renewed sense of understanding of the topic of circularity and the importance of its implementation in the building sector..”
Researcher
Joining the 2023 Circular Design Challenge at TU Dresden was a refreshing and transformative experience. Starting with the magical summer setting at Elbeplatz came at the perfect moment as I was wrapping up my master’s and preparing for my PhD journey. Coming from a product-service systems design background, I found it incredibly valuable to collaborate with people from tech, science, engineering, and other disciplines—the exchange of perspectives was truly unmatched. Everything felt like exposure to new methods, ideas, and ways of thinking that continue to shape how I approach both engineering and design today.
PhD candidate in Systemic Design
Discover how circular design unites creativity, sustainability, and innovation in shaping tomorrow’s architecture.
Article
The Chair of Structural Design bridges Architecture and Civil Engineering, focusing on integrating structural design with architectural ideas. Research explores form-finding, structural behavior, and morphology. Teaching emphasizes balancing static requirements with creativity to create cohesive, high-quality architectural solutions.
More about usWe are proud to collaborate with leading institutions and organizations committed to innovation, education, and sustainable design. These partnerships enrich the Circular Design Challenge with global perspectives and expertise.
