Summer School “AeroSpaces: Spatial Practices in Architecture and Urbanism”

All throughout history, humanity has fantasized about what an aerial gaze from high above might look like. Since the beginnings of aeronautics and later astronautics, imagination gave way to new concrete possibilities of perceiving space from above and afar. Yet this Aerial Spatial Revolution set into motion by different media and technologies goes beyond a mere engineering achievement; it has also profoundly transformed the way we understand, survey, control, represent, plan and practise space. This mental and material shift intrinsically involves the production and application of new images, data and techniques.
From aircrafts to satellites, from lenses to sensors, from paper to screen, the emergence of aerial views and the movement in the third dimension thoroughly impact our notion of space, time and artifacts. The Summer School AeroSpaces aims to explore the implications of the view from above in architecture, urban design, art, society, science and technology at the interface of planning, philosophy and politics by asking some of the following questions: What does it mean to perceive and observe from above? What is the impact of the view from above in architecture, urbanism and visual arts? What images are generated, how are they collected, systematised, read and used? How does the new imagery affect our thinking of the earth, bodies and space and the relationships between air and land?

The summer school AeroSpaces 2026 in Cuneo is conceived as an intensive, interdisciplinary program that unfolds over the course of one week, combining research, dialogue, and public engagement. Its structure is designed to foster both theoretical reflection and hands-on exploration, creating a dynamic environment for knowledge exchange among emerging and established scholars. As such, it becomes a platform for interdisciplinary exchange that seeks to rethink how we perceive, represent, and theorize space from above. It brings together researchers with an interest in architecture, urbanism, visual culture, philosophy and related fields, alongside established scholars and practitioners. The program of the Summer School AeroSpaces invites participants to challenge conventional modes of research and explore new conceptual and methodological approaches to aerial spatiality. It includes the two-day Conference AeroVision featuring invited speakers.

The Summer School provides a setting for presenting research, debating approaches, and synthesizing insights gathered during the workshops. Rather than a lecture series, it emphasizes dialogue and co-production of knowledge through a combination of hands-on methods and fieldwork explorations.

Cuneo, Turin and Piedmont will serve as the foundation to develop a historical, spatial, empirical, and material understanding of aerial planning, vision and politics and their interdisciplinary dynamics. Throughout the week, public events—including lectures, exhibitions, and evening programs—will be interwoven into the schedule, opening the summer school to a broader audience and reinforcing its commitment to cultural exchange beyond academic boundaries.

The Summer School AeroSpaces is held from August 31st to September 6th 2026. Participants can expect seven days of activities with the ASR team members, alternating between conceptual laboratories, methodological discussions, and field studies in archives and urban contexts. These sessions aim to deepen participants’ understanding of aerial perspectives and their historical, material, and epistemological implications. Through workshops, excursions, and collaborative exercises, participants will engage with theoretical frameworks, archival practices, and material experiments, while developing skills for presenting and publishing research. The Summer School promotes a dynamic environment for debating topical issues, testing innovative research tactics, and crafting alternative ways of thinking about the relationship between air, land, and urban form. Participants will benefit from peer-to-peer exchange, constructive critique, and dialogue with leading experts, fostering both intellectual depth and practical skills for research dissemination.

With the participation of:
Prof. Dr. Davide Deriu (University of Westminster)
Prof. Dr. Roberto Dini (Politecnico Torino)
Prof. Dr. Edoardo Piccoli (Politecnico Torino)
Prof. Dr. Albena Yaneva (Politecnico Torino)

We invite graduate and post-graduate (MA and PhD) candidates and researchers at any stage of career in the history and theory of architecture, urbanism, and urban planning, as well as design practitioners with expertise in related areas. Applications are also welcome from scholars in adjacent disciplines such as philosophy, human geography, media studies, art history and studies, anthropology, and the arts. To apply, please submit an “Expression of Interest” (1 page) and CV to the organisers at lisa.heniczost.ch by May 29th, 2026.

Each participant will be invited to develop their ongoing interest in dialogue with the summer school’s overarching themes. Participants will contribute to an original collective output – the iconographic Atlas – in form of visual, written, or a combination of both works, grounded in empirical material and shaped through the week’s workshops, discussions, and fieldwork. The objective is to materialize the interdisciplinary dialogue of the participants in a visual and spatial form, enabling participants to trace conceptual shifts and relational patterns across the week.
Selected contributions will be considered for future publication.

Practical Information:

Dates
August 31 – September 6, 2026 (7 days)

Location
Cuneo and its surroundings, with a fieldtrip to Turin, Piedmont, Italy.

Language
The working language of the summer school is English.

Contact
For further information, please contact the organising team at lisa.heniczost.ch.

Organised by CeSPeC and the research team "Aerial Spatial Revolution", coordinated by Prof. Katrin Albrecht, Dr. Angela Gigliotti, and Lisa Henicz, MA (Ostschweizer Fachhochschule OST, St. Gallen, Switzerland).

How to Apply
Submit the following to lisa.heniczost.ch by May 29th, 2026:
• Expression of Interest (max. 1 page) outlining your research interest and how it relates to the summer school's themes
• Curriculum Vitae
Applicants will be notified of the outcome by June 22th, 2026.

Accommodation and Travel
The summer school is free of charge. Accepted participants will be provided with shared accommodation, one summer school dinner, coffee breaks and all costs for trips during the school in the Piedmont area. Single room accommodation is available at an additional cost. If participants need childcare or any other accommodations, please let us know so that it can be arranged. Participants are expected to organize their own travel.

Credit Recognition
The summer school and conference will offer a certificate of attendance and participation if needed. The recognition of academic credits (ECTS or equivalent) depends on the policies of each participant's home institution. Participants are encouraged to verify the requirements and procedures for credit recognition with their own institution.