The workshop is part of an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) coordinated by Università Iuav di Venezia in collaboration with Warsaw University of Technology and the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca.

The programme focuses on the study of glass surfaces in architecture and design, with particular attention to historical and contemporary flat glass and its applications in construction, daylighting and architectural design.

Venice will serve as the main place for observation and comparison. Its cultural heritage, craftsmanship, museum collections and industrial production will provide the opportunity to explore different ways of producing, using and interpreting glass.

Through lectures, site visits, observation activities and group work, students will investigate production processes together with the material, optical, aesthetic and constructive qualities of glass surfaces. Particular attention will be given to the specialist vocabulary used to describe materials, manufacturing techniques, surfaces and their perceptual qualities.

Students will work in international and multidisciplinary teams. Their observations will be documented through graphic and visual outputs, transforming what they have learned into reflections and proposals for contemporary architecture and design.

Rather than teaching glassmaking techniques, the workshop develops the ability to observe and interpret historical, handcrafted, industrial and innovative glass surfaces, recognising in their qualities, heritage and production cultures possible directions for the future of glass in architecture and design.

Virtual component
The virtual component will run from 1 to 28 September 2026.

• The first two online meetings, on 1 and 2 September, will introduce the programme, its themes and working methods. They will also provide an opportunity for students from the partner universities to meet and exchange ideas and experiences.
• The concluding online meeting, on 28 September, will be dedicated to discussing the students' work and the outcomes of the workshop. 

Activities will be organised through Google Classroom and Google Meet. Google Classroom will be used to share teaching materials, facilitate communication between lecturers and students, and collect the final outputs.

Face-to-face activities
The face-to-face component will take place in Venice from 14 to 18 September 2026, during The Venice Glass Week.

The programme includes:

1. an introductory day at Università Iuav di Venezia with lectures by invited specialists;
2. a visit to the Pilkington production plant, focusing on the characteristics of industrial flat glass;
3. a day in Murano, including a glassmaking demonstration and a visit to the Murano Glass Museum;
4. visits to exhibitions organised within The Venice Glass Week;
5. a visit to Le Stanze del Vetro and the Fondazione Giorgio Cini Archive;
6. a concluding day dedicated to the discussion of the students' work, followed by a closing toast during one of The Venice Glass Week events.

The afternoon of days 2, 4 and 5 will be devoted to group work and the development of the final outputs in the Università Iuav di Venezia studios.

Working in international teams, students will produce a PDF presentation summarising their vision of Future Glass. Through images, drawings, diagrams and short texts, they will present future qualities, applications, forms and design opportunities inspired by the historical, handcrafted and industrial glass explored during the programme. The final presentations will take place online on 28 September 2026.

The week will conclude with a collective discussion of the results involving students, lecturers and project partners.

The workshop is open to Università Iuav di Venezia students enrolled in the 2026/2027 academic year in the following degree programmes:

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture
• Bachelor's Degree in Product, Visual communication and Interior Design
• Bachelor's Degree in Design (Vicenza campus)
• Master's Degree in Architecture
• Master's Degree in Architecture (English-taught programme)
• Master's Degree in Product, Communication and Interior Design

Applications cannot be submitted by:

• students who are not up to date with their university fees;
• students graduating in sessions incompatible with the workshop schedule;
• students taking part in another Erasmus+ mobility for study or traineeship during the workshop period.

All online and face-to-face activities will be conducted in English. A minimum B2 level of English is therefore recommended.

Students who successfully complete both the virtual and the face-to-face components of the workshop will be awarded 3 ECTS (TAF D).