IF YOU ARE THINKING OF APPLYING TO THE INSTITUTE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES, START HERE.
Institute without Boundaries A Program of the School of Design at George Brown College
INSTITUTE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES World House Project
“Design is too critical an endeavour to be left to designers alone. Our approach at the Institute is to catalyze students and faculty and apply whole systems design to major problems our world is facing. Our work doesn’t result in objects but typically in systems that enable others to design for themselves.” – Luigi Ferrara
Director, Institute without Boundaries Centre for Arts & Design, George Brown College
The Institute without Boundaries (IwB) was founded in 2003 by the School of Design at George Brown College, Toronto. It is a graduate program that emphasizes collaborative design in a studio environment. Each year, a small group of students are selected to work together on real problems with real clients. With diverse backgrounds in design, the arts, sciences and business, they collaborate to research, design and realize social and environmental projects. The Institute was launched as part of the Massive Change initiative. Developed with the Bruce Mau Design Studio, Massive Change explored design’s potential to affect positive change globally. A communications project, Massive Change became a highly successful exhibition and book. The Institute is now working on the multi-year World House Project.
What is the Institute without Boundaries?
Why does it matter?
Every generation has a purpose. This generation faces social and environmental impacts on an unprecedented scale. As these problems become ever more complex, there is a pressing need for individuals that can cooperate. No single person has the answer but by combining talents and knowledge, things can change. The Institute is an exploration of new practices and spaces that will allow this to happen. And, in this way, provides students with the high-level skills needed to address complex challenges upon graduation.
The Institute at work around the world
“Working across boundaries doesn’t only mean working across disciplines. It also means taking down the boundaries within you. It’s too easy to get pigeonholed and end up accepting it. Specialization is great for knowing what you can do but it shouldn’t limit your potential.” – Teresa Miller
Student 2007-8
World House Interdesign 2007
What is the World House Project?
If Massive Change was about exploring the potential for design, World House is about testing this potential. The project proposes new ways of living and then explores their impact in a real world context. The World House Project is structured in phases. In the first year it developed systems that enable a richer understanding of the home. Complex structural, social, historical and economic factors were distilled into a systems approach. This provided tools to create holistic and integrated designs that take account of different ways of living. The current phase of World House is applying these ideas to a real life case study. In 2007, the Government of Costa Rica asked the Institute to create models for
the development of sustainable communities in the rapidly developing province of Guanacaste. Focusing on the small town of Matapalo, the students’ work provides a blueprint for similar communities in Costa Rica and around the world. The next phase of the World House Project investigates the role of intentional communities in society. Such communities are formed to bring about a common vision, yet are often considered a retreat from the world’s problems. By contrast, the World House Project will focus on the potential for intentional communities to engage and transform the world around them. WORLD HOUSE PROJECT
WORLD HOUSE COSTA RICA
WORLD HOUSE INTENTIONAL COMMUNITIES
“The Institute is an experiment. We improve it each year but want to keep its essentially experimental nature. Joining the Institute means leaving your comfort zone. The faculty and students have to be flexible.” – Silvio Ciarlandini
Associate Director of Design, Construction and Logistics
Year one of the World House Project
How does the Institute work?
The Institute is both an educational and research institution and functioning design studio working on social projects. At its core are the faculty and students, working and learning together. In this way, the Institute seeks to eliminate the boundaries between designers and other professionals and champion design that is collaborative and holistic. All projects take account of ecology, social equity, cultural values and economic feasibility. Each year there is a primary project (Massive Change, World House) that the students and faculty collaborate on. This is supplemented by additional activities such as workshops, exhibitions and publications. Every project has a client to whom the Institute is accountable.
Institute Structure
Research Program Faculty
Research Associates
Industry Partners
Alumni
Ongoing Research Projects Clients and project Sponsors
Annual Applied Research Project
Faculty
Educational Program
Project Advisors
Students
“There’s no denying that this is very busy program. It’s a big commitment, but it’s amazing what can be achieved by a small group of people working together in a focused way.” – Stine Laurberg Hansen
Student 2007-8
World House Costa Rica Fundraiser
Who will I work with?
Each year a diverse group of faculty, advisors and industry partners work with the Institute. Listed below are some of the people you may meet and work with. Director
Luigi Ferrara Faculty and Researchers
Silvio Ciarlandini Dianne Croteau Daniel Karpinski Dimitri Papatheodorou Perin Ruttonsha Marc Kennedy Dan Nelson Priscilla Li Jane Weber Kamilla Nikolaev Justin Aitcheson
Guest Faculty
Richard Brault Marilyn Morin Susan Lewin Monica Contreras Robert Chiotti Jamie Ibbett Robin Uchida Michael Anton Dila Claire Dawson Fidel Pe単a
Guest Lecturers
Lloyd Alter Mason White & Lola Shepard Paul Rowan Pier Giorgio Lorna Jean Edmonds & Malcolm Peate Alexander Reford Anil Patel Ben Polley Ron Dembo Chris Hardwicke
Susan Ruptash Terrence Van Elslander Neil Monroe Roland Rom Colthoff Doug Walker Marlene Slopak Stephanie Adams Kim Heppler Terence Woodside Connie Wansbrough Paul Reuber Martin Liefhebber Frank Tyneski
Alex Spiegel Mazyar Mortazavi Paul Bonsell Advisory Committee
Bruce Mau Dave Kusuma Mark Salerno Ezio Mancini Maria Grazia Mattei
What will I learn?
Students learn by doing – by researching and developing original ideas and solving complex, real-world problems in a high-stakes community context. The Institute provides an opportunity to work with thinkers, industry experts, international organizations and communities around the world. You will be supported by the faculty and industry experts who work directly with students on a group and individual basis. You will also benefit from regular lectures and sessions that build practical design skills. Finally students are encouraged to share their expertise amongst themselves and take advantage of the unique inter-professional environment at the Institute.
As the Institute’s projects change, so does the curriculum. Each year the program is redesigned to meet the needs of the new project and reflect the knowledge gained from the previous year. No two years are the same. Yet, at the heart of the program, is an emphasis on systems design and a set of high-level skills that can be applied in any context. You will learn: How to co-operate How to ask questions How to listen How to write How to think How to fail well How to throw away good ideas
How to generate better ones How to communicate How to present How to make mistakes How to lead How to manage projects How to create change
The Institute in Costa Rica
Can I apply?
The Institute is looking for talented people from different backgrounds who want to help make things happen. Candidates normally have undergraduate degrees or professional experience. Architects Constructors Civil Engineers Electrical Engineers Environmental Engineers Construction Managers Urban Planners Landscape Architects Interior Designers Industrial Designers Graphic Designers
Scientists Interaction Designers Software Programmers Filmmakers Lawyers Anthropologists Sociologists Economists Project Managers And those interested in community development
Visit the Institute’s website (www.institutewithoutboundaries.com) for the latest application information. A portfolio of work is required to support your application. Selected students are invited to interview.
How can I apply?
How can I get involved?
Even if you don’t decide to apply, please get involved. The Institute is brought to life through interaction and cooperation. Check the website for opportunities to participate.
Charrettes involving students, industry professionals and the community
Where is the Institute located?
The studio is in downtown Toronto, Canada. The space was created to enable the team, the faculty and industry professionals to work together effectively. If you want to view the studio, just contact us and we’ll arrange a visit. Check the website for details. www.worldhouse.ca www.institutewithoutboundaries.com 207 Adelaide Street East, Suite 209 Toronto, Ontario M5A 1M8 Canada t 416 943 0303 f 647 439 4959
Location in downtown Toronto
Credits
We would like to thank the following organizations for their partnership and support on the World House Project thus far: George Brown College Government of Costa Rica Canada Costa Rica Foundation Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation
Forest Stewardship Council of Canada Green Enterprise Toronto Veritas University, Costa Rica Waterfront Toronto
Blue Moon Foundation
Town of Port Perry
Harbinger Foundation
Mount Dennis Community Association
Canadian International Development Agency
ACEPESA
Downsview Park
Matapalo Development Association
Building Magazine
Ontario Centres of Excellence
Partners Magazine
and give a special thank you to the people of Matapalo, Costa Rica.
Reserva Conchal Scouts Canada
Writing Mark Stevens Editing Luigi Ferrara Design Justin Aitcheson Photography Bradley Schnell Connor Malloy Krista Palen Dianne Croteau Priscilla Li Markos Teshome Justin Aitcheson
Be part of the world house project