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EASA is a phenomenon that, although intensely experienced, is difficult to describe. Here’s a go...
 

an alternative education

Organised by students, for students, EASA offers a unique framework for education, accommodating a non institutionalised way of teaching, learning and exchange. A horizontal learning process where decisions are made upon consensus, EASA gives a chance to experience architecture in a way that universities are yet not providing. Bringing students to a certain context, defined by the location and theme of the assembly, where they have to raise architectural questions themselves and investigate them through the eyes of all European cultures simultaneously. Being their own educators, students then elaborate the answers and bring them to reality.

a location

The Network moves to a new venue every year, providing fresh views and challenges in practical, spatial, design, and theory. The organising process is run by individual volunteers, who make the core of the assembly by combining the location and theme, finding partners and sponsors. The Network and its events always happen at a certain location for a specific reason. This can arise from the desire to socialise, create, learn, change, draw attention to problems, initiative etc. The success of the assembly depends on everyone’s personal involvement, i.e. ‘the more you put in it, the more you get out of it’. For two weeks the EASA community becomes self-sufficient. It brings a unique creative spirit among the participants, also known as the EASA Spirit which is difficult to describe but easy to feel.

workshops

EASA promotes the discovery of territories and cultures by organising workshops in which participants acquire new knowledge and skills through the practice of creative, intellectual and manual activities. Through the workshops the participants interact with the local context whilst tackling a chosen theme. During the summer assembly the participants can choose to take part in one of about 30 workshops for two weeks. The workshops are always linked to the main theme of each summer assembly, and their topics and methods may range from discussing hypotheses and concepts to constructing pavilions, photographing, learning a new craft or making performances. At the end of the assembly everyone is given a chance to present what they have developed and produced.

history

EASA exists officially since 1981, inscribing itself as part of the last 40 years of developing alternative pedagogies. EASA has succeeded the past 40 years because of the voluntary work the members of the community provide. The organisers take two years to build the structure of the event, the tutors provide the diverse educational program, the helpers keep the people fed and the infrastructure running, participants put aside 2 weeks of their everyday routine to partake in the more radical architecture education during EASA.

the people present during EASA

participants

The biggest part of the EASA community are the participants. Primarily students of architecture, coming from different cultures and backgrounds to seek knowledge beyond architecture schools. The workshops are first and foremost for their experience and knowledge gain, more so than the outcomes in the forms of the pavilions, or publications.
For applying as a participant we advise you to keep yourself updated on the EASA social media national page of the country you are from or currently study or live in. This is important as each country may have a different application procedure and deadline. You can directly get in touch with the National Contacts of your country - see the contact section.

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NCs

The NCs (National Contacts) are the key communication link between organisers and participants, as well as on the relation between EASA as an international and a local community. They are primarily responsible for distribution of all the information among the EASA network, such as bulletins, briefs, open calls etc. on a national level (architecture and design schools, student groups and other media). However, their role is much more important than this. NCs are the ones explaining to the newcomers the ideas and the aims of EASA as well as their responsibilities to the community, prior to the assembly and by being an example themselves. Also, NCs are the ones agreeing upon every year’s EASA theme and location. Since the pandemic, the role of NCs has expanded and dispersed to more than just two individuals. They are the ones that encourage local initiatives, if possible.

helpers

If you want to be involved in the organisational aspect of the event, you can apply as a Helper. These applications are lead by the organising team of the specific event; helpers are picked internationally. Some of the tasks as a helper tend to be working on info-point, taking care of the tool-box, helping in the kitchen, driving materials to workshops, tending the bar, etc. It is also appreciated if helpers can come before and/or stay after the event to help setting up and dismantle. All these tasks will be split into shifts, making sure there is some free time to experience the event.

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tutors

The tutors are the ones responsible for delivering the theoretical and practical frameworks that give a jump start to understanding the year's theme, and all the derivative throughs, ideas, and discussions a safe space to develop.

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Before the event, organisers call out for potential tutors to go and visit the site and have further discussions about it physically. It is not compulsory but highly recommended for tutors to get a better idea of what they can work with.

 

After this phase, a deadline will be given for submitting the workshop proposals. As a potential tutor, you have the option to team up into a group of up to four people. Tutors do not need to be only architects and architecture students, EASA is an open platform for interdisciplinary exchange. It is expected of the tutors to be close to the organisers and regularly communicate with them months before, as well as during the event.

guests

Lastly, if you are unable to attend the whole event or just want to check out EASA for less than the two weeks of the assembly, you can come as a Guest. You can be a participant by day, helper by night, and one day workshop holder by the next sunrise. Guests always have versatile roles and experiences in the assembly, nonetheless memorable than the whole event.

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