Swiss Coloniality

Within the scope of Swiss Coloniality, students will be guided in defining and elaborating their own research project. This self-defined project is expected to engage with archival and other historical sources and will be articulated in dialogue with current discussions in post- and decolonial theory. In our studio, we emphasize architecture-specific research methods such as drawing, modeling and designing to interpret the historical source material as well as to explore ways to engage with these contested legacies today. The final outcome of the course will be a student-curated studio exhibition of their research findings.

The Fachsemester (Subject Semester or Research Studio) is a course of 14 credits equivalent to a design studio and is open to students enrolled in the Master’s program (not Bachelor’s). Students can only do one Fachsemester during their program. We offer the course every Spring Semester. An online exhibition showcasing some of the earlier student work, can be accessed here.

The course will be offered in Spring 2025. We encourage interested students to contact us in advance to express their interest and/or to ask for more information. Enrollment will not take place through the D-ARCH website. To enroll for this Fachsemester please send an e-mail to by Wednesday 5 February 2025, 8PM, with a short (< 200 words) motivation statement. You will receive a confirmation by Thursday 6 February, 2PM. In case of over-applications, students who are not selected have the opportunity to choose a regular design studio through the D-ARCH website (enrollment ends on February 6, at 6PM).