5 Oceans, 5 Colonies Sculpting Future Living Architecture On and Below Water
Application Dates:
April 1st to July 1st, 2025
Session Dates:
Online : July 6th & 13th, 2025
In-person : July 21st to 31st, 2025
Location:
Nice, France
Capacity
15-20 participants
Fees (euros):
1000 € (students)1,500 € (professionals / researchers)
Scholarships available to members of the Ulysseus European University alliance. Learn more
“Each age demands its own form,” the Bauhaus architect Hannes Meyer wrote in his 1926 essay, “The New World”. We live in an uncertain world where the urge to explore, design, and inhabit the oceans is rapidly intensifying. As land-based resources dwindle, and environmental crises escalate, a radical rethinking of how we live with, on, above, and below the ocean is imperative to anticipate, adapt and prevent.
In response, IMREDD, chair UX & Future of Living Architectural Lab invites transdisciplinary professionals, researchers and students (architects, designers, engineers, & speculative thinkers) to embark on a 11 days experimental summer lab: a nomadic hands-on living laboratory, a place to explore, stimulate, simulate, and test disruptive ideas for the “Brave New World”¹ of future living where humanity thrives in extreme marine environments.
WHY NOW?
The Oceanic world is at a breaking point
- 410 million people will be at risk from rising seas by 2050.
- 50% of coral reefs could disappear by 2050 due to rising temperatures (UNEP).
- Plastic vs. Fish? By 2050, plastic could outweigh marine life (Ellen MacArthur Foundation).
- Ocean acidity has increased 30% since the Industrial Revolution and is projected to rise by 100–150% by 2100 (NOAA/IPCC).
- Deep-sea mining and biodiversity collapse are accelerating at an alarming pace.
- Growing awareness, backed by political and legislative bodies, is driving efforts to regulate and address ocean challenges. Key initiatives include: (i) the Political Declaration of the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference, (ii) UN SDG Target 14.2 on the sustainable management and protection of marine ecosystems, and (iii) the upcoming third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) 2025 in Nice, France
- The shift toward living in, with, and from the oceans is rapidly scaling up, as informed by the IMREDD User eXperiences for Smart Life Chair, Future Human Habitat Project scenario outcomes.
THE CHALLENGE
SCULPTING SPECULATIVE OCEAN COLONIES IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS & SURVIVAL CONDITIONS
- Indian Ocean – A floating observatory & marine conservation habitat
- Caribbean Sea (Gardi Sugdub Isl.and) – Climate refugee colony resisting sea-level rise
- Barents Sea – An extreme-environment mining & military outpost.
- Mediterranean Sea – A blue economy hub rethinking the region resource flows.
- Pacific Ocean – A speculative, undiscovered frontier TBD by participants.
THE PROCESS
A nomadic, hands-on summer school driven by non-formal, experimental, transdisciplinary process and guided by core thematic concepts. This summer school is not about conventional Architectural design—it’s about speculative, future-fiction experiments, and live-simulation workshops. Participants will have to go throughout the below:
- Future living, Extreme Environments & survival conditions understanding – Exploring social needs and cutting-edge technologies to design a fully self-sufficient colony
- Systemic Biomimicry – Learning from marine organisms to design regenerative architectural ecosystems.
- AI-Kitchen Tools – to explore designs
- Testing designs in physical oceanic conditions – using 3D printing & rain simulators
- Learning by doing, discovering & exchanging– field visits, encounters, & playful settings
THE PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Through hands-on learning, immersive experiences, exploration, observation, and knowledge exchange, the program is structured into two main phases:
Pre summer school: (Online)
Two half-day online sessions designed to equip participants with essential knowledge about AI Kitchen Tools to support and enhance the design process:
- July 6th: ½ day, Online Session
- July 13th: ½ day, Online Session
Summer school: (In-Person | July 21–31, 2025)
- Incubation Phase: (July 21 – 24): Focus on understanding future modes of living, survival in extreme environments, and developing initial ocean colony concepts and progam
- Conceptual & Design Phase (July 25 – 28): Deep dive into systemic biomimicry through observation and exploration of living systems, engaging with researchers and ocean explorers. Participants will apply biomimicry methods using AI Kitchen Tools, 3D printing, and physical rain simulators.
- Final Development phase (July 29 -30): Refinement of concepts and preparation of final deliverables.
- Installation & Public Exhibition (July 31): Presentation of the final outcomes in a public exhibition—an opportunity to share the work, engage with the public, and animate public space in Nice.
DELIVERABLES (D) & KEY OPORTUNITIES (KO)
- A 1mn AI animated video, showcasing the project, its process & concept (D)
- An A0 summary Board showcasing the process & the final outcome (D)
- Public exhibition transforming the urban spaces of Nice, inviting citizens, policymakers, and global audiences to interact with visionary prototypes (KO)
- Biomim’expo 2025 (Marseille, Oct 28, 2025) – An opportunity to showcase at the expo the work developed during the summer school (KO)
- Prepare the ground for the 2025 International Architecture & Innovation Competition (Fondation Jacques Rougerie – Académie des Beaux- Arts) (KO)
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY?
- Hands-on expertise in systemic biomimicry & AI-enhanced Architectural design process
- Experimental design process in extreme environments & survival conditions
- System thinking, critical foresight, disruptive & regenerative design strategies for marine futures.
- Qualitative learning about marine ecosystems
- The journey of translating experience and scientific know-how into lifelong learning, self-empowerment, and sustainable impact
TARGET AUDIENCE
Open to worldwide transdisciplinary speculative thinkers, professionals, researchers, and students (Phd’s & master’s level, confirmed bachelors too) in architecture, design, engineering, urban planning, environmental science, and related fields —this program is for those eager to break disciplinary boundaries, engage in extreme survival simulations, and push the limits of what’s possible.
To maintain the highest quality experience, only 20-25 participants will be selected.
Applications are open from April 1st to July 1st, 2025! Don’t wait—selections are made on a rolling basis, with confirmation sent within five business days. Spots are limited, and the call will close as soon as we reach full capacity. Apply early in here to secure your place!
COST OF PARTICIPATION
The program fee is €1000 for students & €1,500 for professionals and researchers.
Tuition may be covered through scholarships or third-party sponsorships.
For participants attending via the Ulysseus network, a scholarship will fully cover the summer school tuition. Please refer to your university mobility officers and the Ulysseus website.
Please note: The program fee does not include living nor mobility expenses during the 11-day in-person session.
FACILITATORS
A diverse group of contributors from various fields and ecosystems are actively involved in different phases of the summer school — from concept development and preparation, to implementation and post-event follow-up. This ecosystem is a vibrant mosaic of renowned experts, adventurers, and forward-thinkers from both the public and private sectors, each bringing unique perspectives and skills to enrich the participant’s experience.
