Research residency
The research was conducted over a period of six months, beginning in January 2023 and ending in June 2023. Two LINA Fellows were included in this research, along with key members of the Atelier Luma team. Both LINA Fellows were assigned the task of researching A Methodology for Bioregional Approaches to Architecture and Design.
Collaboration with LINA fellows
Jakob Travnik (LINA Fellow) concentrated his research on mapping and documenting the work of Atelier Luma since 2016. The objective was to uncover how Atelier Luma has been working with this specific methodology and define a set of ingredients that could be extracted to understand this specific approach. Jakob then used two regional case studies located in Austria to test whether this methodology could be applied to other regions.
Inscape (LINA Fellow), using Jakob's research and working in tandem with members of the Atelier Luma team, developed a physical board game called The Bioregional Game: An Instrument for a Bioregional Design Approach. The purpose was to take the research and simplify it into an interactive and collaborative game format. It teaches people the principles of this approach and reinforces the interconnectedness of material flows and people in a given region. The first game was based on the region of Arles, France. The concept is to use the game as a template that can then be adjusted to other regions, such as the two mentioned in Austria. The game can be played by a wide range of individuals with no prior knowledge of this approach — like any good board game.
The research was developed over a 6-month period and was conducted both on-site in Arles, France and off-site in the fellows' home countries. A total of 6 residencies, ranging from one to two weeks in length, took place. Jakob Travnik participated in all 6 residencies, while Inscape participated in 2.
The residencies were designed to provide an immersive working experience at Atelier Luma's headquarters and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the bioregion and approach.
The fifth residency was dedicated to disseminating the research and demonstrating the game. This residency served as a crucial feedback session, with input gathered from a diverse group of individuals, including designers, architects, members of the public, research institutions, LINA, the Atelier Luma team, and journalists. The feedback will be incorporated into the final versions of the game and research.
The sixth and final residency will be used to produce a final report and game, scheduled for completion in late June or early July 2023.
LINA Fellows: Studio Inscape / Report
Over a 5-month period, we collaborated with Atelier LUMA to gain a deeper understanding of their bioregional design approach. This interdisciplinary approach addresses environmental, social, and economic challenges within a specific region. Under the guidance of Jakob Travnik and Daniel Bell, we conducted extensive research on the region and interviewed Atelier LUMA team members.
Based on our research, we developed a game-based tool to introduce the bioregional design approach to a wider audience and support new Atelier projects. The game was designed to teach and engage users in the bioregional design process.
At the opening of Atelier LUMA's new building, we presented a prototype of the game. Players assumed specific character roles and worked collaboratively to transform waste products from the bioregion into valuable resources. The goal is to create an abstracted version of the game that can be applied to different regions and contexts.
LINA Fellows: Jakob Travnik / Report
The research project is an ongoing comparative analysis of case studies that help define components of a bioregional model - a template for bioregional approaches which can be applied in different bioregions around the world. The following case studies have been analysed:
-Atelier Luma, Arles: La Camargue, Les Alpilles, La Crau, France
-Unisono Campus, Sekirn: Wörthersee / Alpe-AdriaWörthersee / Alpe-Adria , Austria, Slovenia, Italy
-Kulturgarten, Gmunden: Salzkammergut, Austria
The research comprises an analysis of three main components:
-Bioregion:a region defined by characteristics of the natural environment rather than by man-made divisions.
-Operational context:the social, political, economic, environmental context into which the bioregional hub is embedded.
-Bioregional hub: a centralised base from which bioregional assemblies can be accumulated, processed and shared
Collaboration timeline
Research Residency
Bioregional Models for Approaches to Architecture and Design
Jan – June 2023
Public Workshop / Presentation in May 2023
Work Schedule :
IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS OF A BIOREGIONAL MODEL Jakob Travnik
CASE STUDY: ATELIER LUMA(FRANCE)
Visit 1, Arles, France - January 2023
Research & interviews with Atelier Luma members on the possible learnings from Atelier Luma as a facillitator of a ‘bioregional model’ and the possibilities of its abstraction and application in different territories around Europe.
DRAFTING COMPONENTS FOR A BIOREGIONAL MODEL Jakob Travnik
CASE STUDY: SEKIRN, WÖRTHERSEE (AUSTRIA)
Visit 2, Arles, France - February 2023
Hands-on workshop with Atelier Luma members and invited guest on the possible application of a ‘bioregional model’ and associated pedagogical formats in Sekirn at Lake Wörthersee, Carinthia in Austria (campus of the Vienna Boys’ Choir).
DRAFTING COMPONENTS FOR A BIOREGIONAL MODEL Jakob Travnik + INSCAPE
CASE STUDY: GMUNDEN, TRAUNSEE, SALZKAMMERGUT (AUSTRIA)
Visit 3, Arles, France - March 2023
Hands-on workshop with Atelier Luma members and invited LINA fellows on the possible application of a ‘bioregional model’and associated pedagogical formats in Gmunden, Traunsee, Salzkammergut in Austria (campus of the former city garden of Gmunden).
SYNTHESIS & CONCLUSION Jakob Travnik
Visit 4, Arles, France - April 2023
Making conclusions on the learnings from the previous two workshops and drafting a definition of a ‘bioregional model’ and its possible applications at the above-mentioned locations in exchange with Atelier Luma members
PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH AT INUGRATION OF ATELIER LUMA’S NEW BUILDING: LOT 8 Jakob Travnik + INSCAPE
Visit 5, Arles, France - May 2023
Dissemination of the research findings, workshop processes & results, possible applications of the ‘bioregional model’ at the two locations in Austria as part of the Atelier Luma opening at the end of May 2023 in the form of a public presentation and exhibition.
PLANNING OF APPLICATIONS AT WÖRTHERSEE AND TRAUNSEE Jakob Travnik
Visit 6, Arles, France - June 2023
Workshop / meeting with Atelier Luma members on the concrete next steps for application of the ‘bioregional model’ through pedagogical formats at each of the above locations in Austria.
Related fellows
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