Open Call | Summer Course in Italy: Heritage & Renewable Energy

RDFD Relevant Design for Disaster Research Group and the Sustainable Development Hub of Bezalel are inviting you to a seminar on Designing Resilience and Renewable Energy in Heritage Sites.

Heritage & Renewable Energy: Designing Community Energy Resilience in Historic Sites

Ancient cities and heritage sites - where history and tradition are woven into the alleys, rooftops, and public spaces, face a significant and timely challenge: How can technology be implemented for the production and management of renewable energy in the heart of spaces filled with emotional and cultural memories, without harming the spirit of the place?  This summer course addresses the energy resilience challenges of communities living within heritage sites. It aims to develop innovative solutions by integrating contemporary technologies while preserving these places' architectural, cultural, and social identity.

These cities exist at the crossroads of the past and the future. On the one hand, they struggle with outdated and fragile infrastructure; on the other, they face a changing reality of energy consumption. This challenge includes bustling tourist seasons that create high demand and periods of energy scarcity during the low winter season. While showing a sensitivity towards the local community and considering its needs, this course aims to propose sustainable solutions that respect past values, address current demands, and lay the groundwork for a secure and energy-resilient future.

This course provides a unique opportunity for 5 to 6 Industrial Design students from Bezalel to participate in a multidisciplinary and multicultural experience. The focus will be on developing tools and methods for integrating renewable energy solutions to enhance the energy resilience of communities located in historical sites. Throughout the course, students will engage in a comprehensive design process that includes defining environmental and social challenges, considering constraints and opportunities, and developing relevant design concepts. Additionally, students will learn to develop outcomes while employing design thinking as a bridge between culture, needs, materials, technology, and connecting the past with the future.

The course will be based on collaboration between undergraduate and graduate Industrial Design students from Bezalel and undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students in Architecture and Industrial Design from Italy. Throughout their time in Italy, students will visit and meet with local authorities, professionals, and industry partners while receiving academic guidance from faculty members from both institutions.

Academic Team – Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design Jerusalem:
Eran Lederman, Lecturer in the Polonsky Department of Industrial Design and Head of the RDFD Research Group – Relevant Design for Disaster
Dr. Elad Persov, Lecturer in the Design Management Track, the Master’s Program in Industrial Design, and Head of the Sustainable Development Hub

University of Camerino, School of Architecture and Design:
Carlo Vannicola, Industrial Design Full Professor and Vice Director
Ruggiero Roberto, Architect and PhD, Associate Professor of Architecture
Giuseppe Losco, Arch. and PhD,  Full Professor of Industrial Design

Dates:

• Bezalel Campus, Jerusalem: One day during the last week of August 2025 – including meetings with experts in urban planning, design, and heritage conservation
• School of Architecture and Design, University of Camerino (UNICAM), and the historic town of Petritoli, Marche Region, Italy: September 1–30, 2025 (30 full days)
• Final Submission at Bezalel: One intensive day in early November 2025

Funding:
Students accepted to the course will receive a grant of approximately €2,100 through the European Union’s Erasmus+ Program to support travel, accommodation, and living expenses. This amount is expected to cover most costs, though minor additional expenditures may apply.

Language:
The course will be in English and is recognized as an English-content course.

Credits:
Participants will gain four (4) academic credits, granted only upon full course completion.

Participation Requirements:

• Full attendance and active participation in all in-person and online sessions
• Participation in preparatory activities at the Bezalel campus in Jerusalem
• The whole four-week (30-day) stay in Italy
• Final submission at Bezalel, presented before an interdisciplinary jury including representatives of the Italian partners

Who Can Apply?

• B.Des students completing their 2nd or 3rd year, as well as 4th-year students who still require credits to complete their degree
• M.Des students in Industrial Design
• Industrial Design students who either have an exemption from English courses or have completed all required English language courses

Application Process:
Applications must be submitted by Sunday, July 6, 2025, via the provided link and must include:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Portfolio (5–7 projects)
• Personal Statement (up to 300 words)
• A Zoom interview will be scheduled for selected applicants following submission.
   

Application Deadline: Tuesday, July 6, 2025, at 23:59

Candidates selected for interviews will be notified by Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

Selection Criteria:

• Strong design capabilities, from research to visualization, and proficiency in design, drafting, and rendering software
• Curiosity, initiative, and the ability to work in multicultural and interdisciplinary teams
• Interest in sustainability and design for extreme scenarios
• Advantage for students who completed the “Earthquake” course in the Department of Industrial Design or who participated in activities of the Sustainable Development Hub
• Preference will be given to students who have not participated in student exchange programs or other funded international courses.

For questions or inquiries, please contact: rdfd@post.bezalel.ac.il