Albert Einstein once said: »Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.« As a formally recognized »educated adult« (though honestly I often question both these terms ;) I fondly remember my school years, not only because of this educational residue but also because they unintentionally taught me the learning/working habits that are almost essential in my current work. Chasing deadlines by not practically moving from your desk for three days straight, memorizing trivia, doodling something creative instead of listening to a lecture on 34 amazing facts about mitosis… All of this was frowned upon back then, of course, but I cannot begin to image finding my way through everyday's office chaos without evicting the stuff I learned to make room for my penchant for the creative. Huh, so school really does prepare you for life. Who knew?

These kinds of thoughts come back even stronger when our Trimo Urban Crash team visits schools in different countries. As you already know, we place a great emphasis on cooperation with faculties worldwide - exchanging ideas, seeking new challenges and networking with both students and professionals. So far we visited faculties in over 10 countries across Europe and will be making the number even higher once the presentations start this October.

It’s difficult to choose the highlights since all faculties offer, in the language of Monty Python, something completely different. In London’s Central Saint Martins we visited their huge workshops where students gain hands-on experience by creating projects with different materials ranging from textile to metal – and were surprised to hear they plan to move into an even bigger facility, a former industrial building offering enough space for a regular shopping mall. It was indeed something quite inconceivable for us, being used to seeing “regular” sized studios and workshops.

From heavy metal ...

... and woodwork ...

... to a more modern form of workshop.

We were excited to visit Moscow for the first time and welcoming Russian students in our competition. We can’t wait to see their ideas and design approach to a smaller-scale installation since we are used to traditionally linking Russia with tall, ambitious buildings. Their approach will undoubtedly bring an additional dimension to the competition since we’re really going worldwide this time.

Last but not least, I cannot conclude the post without mentioning the awesome TU Delft exhibition we had the privilege of seeing before its grand opening in the Delft Science Centre. Students exhibited various interactive installations that incorporated building components such as LED lights, fabric, wood and plastic, thus addressing the possibilities of a dynamic, non-standard architecture.

One of the installations

Constructing a fabric cover

Electronics and tech for another installation

Are you currently visiting a school you think we should cover and introduce our challenge to? Contact us and we’ll find a way to reach you as soon as possible. In the meantime, enjoy the remaining days of summer. October is coming sooner than you think.

As most of you already know, last year's task was designing an architectural installation that would prove itself useful to the artists and artizans of Metelkova mesto (as we like to call it, Ljubljana's most creative part of town). The winning proposal was an urban stage boasting a striking white colour that tempted the graffiti artists - regular guests of the surrounding Hall of fame wall – to transform it using their colour sprays.

And so our White Dancer became a regular Transformer.

Here it is in June 2009 in all its virginal glory.

A week later, the first shy couple of drawings appear, ranging from signatures to more expressive pieces.

Our stage in end-July 2009, already starting to merge with the background. A bunch of details made with magic markers suggest the stage can be a handy canvas for its Friday night visitors.

In September 2009, a surprise awaits: our stage has entered its goth phase, presumably to honour a more alternative performance on it. Oh, about the chair facing the other direction? We have no idea. Given the occasion it was perhaps an Alice in Chains tribute or something.

In October 2009, the installation became an extension of the wall, hosting a kind of a 3D graffiti. Nice.

And finally, just a week ago, in June 2010 the stage decided to go black again. It is not completely covered as it hosted a DJ set during the summer breakdance & graffiti jam during which the walls were re-painted.

A year has passed since the stage was introduced to its new surroundings. We are happy to see it prosper and are curious to see the art it will be doned in in 2011.