STORE Summer Schools are collaborative two-week courses in architecture, art and design. Each year, the programme brings students together to design and construct ambitious and experimental design and construction projects, culminating in large-scale installations and inspiring public events.

Last year, the inaugural Athens Summer School was a two week workshop focussed on challenging the notion of the 'plateia', or public square, in contemporary Athens. Together in our group of 10 students and tutors, we created a number of bespoke concrete fragments which were the base for our own 'micro plateia'. The process was inspired by the pioneering work of Dimitris Pikionis - specifically his ascent to the Acropolis, which is a assemblage, or collage of bricks, tiles and other fragmented pieces, carefully inlaid into the pathways. 

This year, we are setting out with the bold intention of crafting a new public performance space in Votanikos, Athens. We will work closely with two new partners, Scrap Coop, who will offer us their large workshop space and a local dance school, who will ‘activate’ our new space with a site-specific performance at the end of the workshop.

Throughout the ten day intensive workshop, we will hold regular design critiques, as well as photography and portfolio tutorials, offering valuable opportunities for critical reflection on the work both of the collective design team and individual work input. It is our intention that students should leave the Summer School with the capacity to independently initiate and develop socially engaged design projects.

Our summer schools are led by experienced architectural designers, each practicing and teaching at leading universities. All are dedicated to helping students realise their unique design vision, while our breadth of expertise allows us to offer diverse courses which consider urbanism, performance and craft.

Students will be part of a diverse, energetic and creative group, guided by our tutors through a hands-on, often playful design process driven by physical prototyping and testing. Through working together on an ambitious group build, students will develop the confidence to lead and enjoy working with others. 

Who can apply

This course is open to students between the ages of 15-25 with varying levels of experience. It will be of particular benefit to students interested in studying architecture, design or art at university level but also those currently enrolled in further education. Equally the course will provide an introduction to ambitious beginners with no design background.

STORE’s ethos of design through making ensures accessibility to those without extensive experience. Each and every student will be challenged imaginatively and creatively by set themes and by the scale of activities undertaken.

Further Info

Accommodation is not included in the course fees. However, we would be very happy to recommend somewhere suitable to stay for all students who are not based in Athens.

For students wishing to enquire about recommended accommodation for the Athens Summer School, please email school@storeprojects.org for further details.