NEWS Between January and February, several students from Umeå School of Architecture undertook independent fieldwork studies across different countries, collaborating with relevant actors and communities worldwide. Whilst some of them travelled within Sweden in different directions, others ventured abroad to Tanzania, Poland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Emmy Sondell in front of Mnini Secondary School with the headmaster, Silvanos Limo.
Image Birgitta Sondell
Emmy Sondell visiting the St. Elizabeth Hospital with the head engineer Arnold Deus.
The Master’s level Studio 10 titled “Global Challenges: Urgent Pedagogy” fosters transformative learning approaches that empower students through situated action, and engages in live built projects around the world, bridging the gap between education and practice in Architecture.
“This year departing from their own beliefs and ambitions as a future architects, we supported our students to conduct independent fieldwork studies, engaging with relevant actors and communities around the world, to gain firsthand experience and knowledge, feeding back into their MA Theses projects” says Amalia Katopodis, teacher and Studio 10 director.
One of the students, Emmy Sondell, traveled to Mnini, Tanzania, where her Master’s Thesis project is based, to work closely together with Mnini Secondary School for girls in the development and future construction of their hostel. During her four-week fieldwork, she organized a sewing workshop to empower young girls, held meetings with school and community leaders, and participated in a construction internship with two local companies. These experiences not only strengthened her project but also allowed her to connect deeply with the local community, ensuring that the design of the hostel truly meets their needs. "My fieldwork allowed me to work directly with the people who will be affected by the project, ensuring that their voices are heard and that the design truly meets their needs" says Emmy. Her hands-on approach embodies Studio 10’s focus on addressing global challenges through meaningful architecture.
Artem Kosenko and Laura Gaudutytė, participated in the second “Building Back Better Workshop 2025”, in collaboration with other students, teachers, researchers and practitioners (more information from last year’s workshop here) in Warsaw, Poland, where they delivered both practical and poetic projects exploring solutions for the sustainable rebuilding of Ukraine with focus on Odesa. “The Workshop allowed me to meet researchers who work in the same field, share and get inspired by relevant information and personal stories” says Artem, who’s work focuses on how architecture can play a critical role in healing and rebuilding war-torn communities, demonstrating how practical solutions can merge with creative expressions to support those in need.
Other students chose to walk the markets of Malmö, to cross the border in Haparanda, or stayed closer to home to meet local authorities, to visit the elderly, to play with the young, to offer hot coffee on a cold day, to volunteer for organizations and help those in need.
“We told them that their authority in their projects derives from their engagement with the context. They understood and walked out the door.” Says Amalia Katopodis.
Read more about Studio 10’s work here.
Tutors: Amalia Katopodis, Maxine Lundström, Toms Kokins and Prof. Robert Mull.
Contacts:
Amalia Katopodis, Teacher
Stella Karlsson Garonzi, Communications officer
Building Back Better Workshop’s exhibition.
Image Artem Kosenko