As part of Climate Week New York 2025, students from Institut auf dem Rosenberg collaborated with MIT and the Programmable Mud Initiative to present Urban Refuge. This was not just an installation, but the outcome of months of learning, testing, and co-creation. Built from moulded earth and modular clay components, Urban Refuge demonstrates how traditional materials can be reimagined with digital tools and hands-on design strategies. For the students, it represents both a prototype for climate-responsive architecture and their vision of resilient urban futures. The exhibition opened with visitors including the Swiss Consul General in New York, Ambassador Niculin Jäger, and distinguished guests from across the diplomatic, cultural, and academic communities. Presented as part of the Planetary Embassy by Swissnex, the installation combined participatory workshops, augmented reality overlays, and dialogue, linking ancient cooling techniques with cutting-edge design.
Partners in this innovative project included UC Berkeley, Vitra, the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Diplomatic Courier, Climateflux, Climate Words, and Loop + Line. The collaboration between Institut Rosenberg and these prestigious institutions highlights the school's commitment to interdisciplinary, real-world problem-solving in sustainability. Urban Refuge served as a living laboratory where students applied theoretical knowledge to practical challenges, bridging gaps between traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. The installation's focus on climate-responsive architecture and resilient urban futures aligns with contemporary educational priorities, emphasizing hands-on learning, global citizenship, and environmental stewardship. A heartfelt thank you to the students, partners, and collaborators for bringing this vision to life, and to everyone in New York who joined this learning journey, reinforcing the importance of international cooperation in addressing climate change.
