ReUSO 2nd Edition RIGA 2025
| Study location | Latvia, Riga |
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| Academic field | Architecture and town planning (ISCED 0731) |
| Type | Erasmus+ BIP, short-term |
| Nominal duration | Virtual part - June 9 - 20, 2025; In person (Riga): June 30 - July 5, 2025 (3 ECTS) |
| Study language | English |
| Entry qualification | High school / secondary education (or higher) |
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| Language requirements | English |
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| Other requirements | Participants are supposed to cover their expenses with the Erasmus+ grant provided by the home institution. Please contact the International Office of your home university to get more information on funding. Students need to be nominated by their home university to participate in the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP). Specific requirements for Non-EU applicants: Non EU applicants can’t be admitted to this programme. |
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Overview
Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)
ReUSO 2nd Edition RIGA 2025
The BIP “ReUSO 2nd Edition RIGA 2025” is an interdisciplinary educational project that aims to provide students with an understanding and fostering scientific debate on issues related to the conscious and sustainable re-use of built and landscape heritage.
The ‘case study’ of the BIP project work will be focused on the repurposing of buildings into cultural objects. Specifically, it will examine the processes of conservation, research, reconstruction, and restoration of wooden architecture, with a particular emphasis on the restoration of public buildings in Riga and the Vidzeme cities of Cesis and Valmiera. These buildings are an integral part of urban systems: they are a symbol of Latvian identity. They are highly valued for their historical, artistic and cultural value.
The BIP is organized in collaboration with partners:
• University of Bergamo (Italy)
• Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain)
• University of Enna “Kore” (Italy)
Program Description:
Aim: to educate and inspire students to apply the methods and tools of architectural heritage conservation in their respective field of study. The programme provides an opportunity to understand the practice of re-use, which is considered as a new or further use either of an individual building or of an entire urban context – one of the key themes in contemporary architecture.
The content of the programme includes lectures by world-renowned architects and urban researchers:
- Reuse, recycling, repair versus restoration, conservation and preservation (Architect and historian from Italy, Professor Giulio Mirabella Roberti)
- Buildings reused for cultural purposes. The Latvian example in the European context (Architect and historical researcher, Academic, Professor Jānis Krastiņš).
- A selection of REUSO experiences in rural Spain (Valentina Cristini, Architect, Professor from Spain), as well as the experiences of lecturers and researchers from other partner universities, remotely organised lectures and on-site practical sessions.
This is the second ReUSO BIP event to be held in Riga this year, organised by the RTU Institute of Architecture and Design.
Key Dates:
• June 9-20 – Virtual part
• June 30 to July 5, 2025 — Onsite session at Riga Technical University, Riga, Latvia
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 31, 2025
Participants are supposed to cover their expenses with the Erasmus+ grant provided by the home institution. Please contact the International Office of your home university to get more information on funding. Students need to be nominated by their home university to participate in the BIP programme.
Contact for nominations: Head of International Mobility Unit Evita Miščuka (e-mail: evita.miscuka@rtu.lv).
Project Leader: Andra Ulme, e-mail: andra.ulme@rtu.lv
Programme structure
MODULE 1 (Online): Introduction to Reuse of the Built Heritage, Monday, June 9 (15:00 – 18:00)
Opening of the BIP and Chair: Uģis Bratuškins
• Reuse, recycle, repair, vs. restauration, conservation, preservation (Giulio Mirabella Roberti)
• Buildings Reused for Culture. Case of Latvia in the European context.(Jānis Krastiņš)
• A Selection of “REUSO” Experiences in Spanish Rural Areas (Valentina Cristini)
MODULE 2 (Online): European Industrial Heritage of 20th Century, Friday, June 13 (15:00 – 18:00)
Chair: Jānis Krastiņš
• Industrial heritage of 20th century in Italy (Giulio Mirabella Roberti)
• Key Economic Theories Relevant to Reuse and Sustainability in Architecture (Maria Sole Brioschi)
MODULE 3 (Online): Urban Development
Chair: Māra Liepa – Zemeša, Monday, June 16 (15:00 – 18:00)
• Urban Development and Architecture of Riga (Jānis Krastiņš)
• DOCUMENTATION AND INVENTORY OF LIELSTRAUPE CASTLE / LATVIA (Valentina Cristini)
LAB (Online): The Vidzemes marketplace in Riga, Laboratory of Knowledge ADI, Friday, June 20 (15:00 – 18:00)
• Introduces the Vidzemes marketplace: Outline of the BIP case study and groups’ formation for the Project Works (Juris Poga & Uldis Balodis & Anita Apšane & Kristaps Zvirgzds)
Onsite modules:
Arrival of participants. Welcome “aperitivo”, Sunday, June 29 (at 18:00)
MODULE 4, June 30
Chair: Uģis Bratuškins
• Adaptive Reuse (Antonella Versaci)
• Stories of Space and Sound: Buildings for Music in Latvia (Juris Poga)
• LAB: Project Work: Field visit to the Vidzeme Market place in Riga (groups with tutors)
MODULE 5: Artistic means of expression for accentuation of a cultural and historical object in the urban environment, Tuesday, July 1
Chair: Uģis Bērziņš
• Environmental design proposal for the facade of a historic building (Elīna Elere)
• Artistic means of expression in the urban environment (Uģis Bērziņš)
• LAB: Project Work (groups with tutors Elīna Elere and Uģis Bērziņš)
MODULE 6, Wednesday, July 2
Chair: Antonella Versaci
• A Virtual Museum in the Upper Town of Bergamo. Reuse an Digitalisation to Preserve and Enhance the Former Convent of San Francisco (Alessio Cardaci)
• The Herringbone Pattern: Bridging Tradition and Innovation in Construction (Vittorio Paris) LAB: Project Work
(groups with tutors)
Field visit to Vidzeme: Sigulda, Cesis and Valmiera, Thursday, July 3
LAB: Project Work (groups with tutors); LAB: Project Work (final review with tutors), Friday, July 4
LAB: Project Work (assembly of the presentation); Presentation of the groups’ Project Works Delivery of the certificates of attendance and Closing of the BIP, Saturday, July 5
A Social Dinner will be held on Friday, July 4