Participatory Design and Build
Summary
The course is aimed at architecture, landscape architecture and design students, and is a collaboration between HDK-Valand Campus Steneby and an external partner.
The objective is to design and construct a small unit of outdoor space together with the members of a rural community. Through the process, the students will get to understand the process of community participatory design and build.
About
This year, the course is taking place in the village of Vardø, on the 3.7-square-kilometre Island of Vardøya in Northeast Norway. A local non-profit organisation Dyrk Varanger (in translation Grow Varanger) is operating a community based greenhouse, both as a space to grow vegetables and a social space. The greenhouse is for the most part fully built, but the surrounding outdoor space is not: our task will be to design and build an outdoor community space. We will focus on creating elements that complement a greenhouse and indoor community space, and expand these activities outdoors for all seasons. The exact content of our project is to be determined through dialogue with the participating community members, as we will work in close collaboration with Dyrk Varanger and the community members of the village of Vardø.
This project builds off of work done in 2022 and 2023 in Traena, Norway, where similar content has been explored through participatory design and build course. We will work to reinforce community through shared physical and social connection, which is critical to all small rural communities, often struggling to adapt to the loss of fishing industry and climate change.
Vardø is geographically far to the east, on the same longitude as major cities like Saint Petersburg and Istanbul, despite being in the same time zone as the rest of Norway. This gives the town a distinct midnight sun and polar night experience. The island is connected to the mainland by a tunnel. The town of Vardø has become known for its street art, a project called Komafest. Artists have used the walls of abandoned buildings to revitalize the town and highlight the effects of a declining fishing industry. The Vardøhus Fortress was built in 1306 and protected Norway's interests in the Arctic. This star-shaped, 18th-century fortress is the world's northernmost fortress. It is also the location of The Steilneset Memorial, designed by Louise Bourgeois and Peter Zumthor. It commemorates the 91 people who were executed for witchcraft in the region during the 17th century.
The project is carried out in partnership with University of Washington
Pre-application info sessions
Find out more and ask questions about the course info sessions held via zoom on February 25 at 15:00 or March 12 at 15:00. Zoom link:
https://gu-se.zoom.us/j/64627033538
Prerequisites and selection
Entry requirements
Entry requires at least 60 credits in Design, Architecture or similar.
Special instructions for application
Apply in three steps
- Apply for the course at universityadmissions.se/antagning.se. Deadline: March 16, 2026.
- Submit a your motivation letter and portfolio in SlideRoom. Deadline: March 16, 2026. Your application must be anonymous.
- Submit documentation proving you meet the entry requirement -entry requires at least 60 credits in Design, Architecture or similar - on universityadmissions.se. Find out what documentation is required here. Deadline: April 17, 2026.
The motivation letter should include:
- a brief description of previous experiences relevant to participatory design and build, such as collaborative projects or community-based work
- a description of why you want to apply for the course and how you see yourself benefiting from it, in relation to the course focus Max 3500 characters including spaces.
The portfolio should include:
- 3–5 work samples related to the field of design and architecture.
Your application must be anonymous. Please do not include your name or any personal information in your applicaiton.
Your application will be assessed based on the following criteria
- Ability to demonstrate relevant experience or interest in participatory design and build practices.
- Ability to reflect on their own role and contribution in collaborative or group-based projects
- Ability to coherently communicate motivation and intentions in relation to the course focus.
Selection
The selection is based on submitted work samples.
