North Sea Islands, Germany

In the winter semester of 2026/27, Water Ever - Tidal Lives continues the studio’s exploration of designing with water by focusing on the North Sea islands and the Wadden Sea. Framed through the theme Water as Threat, the semester examines how rising sea levels, storm surges, erosion, tides and changing landscapes shape life and architecture on the islands.

At the same time, the studio addresses demographic change and the particular challenges of ageing under conditions of insularity. Limited mobility, seasonal economies, access to healthcare, housing pressure and dependence on mainland infrastructure become central questions for architectural design.

Working in groups, Bachelor and Master students analyse individual islands as interconnected systems of water, settlement, mobility, ecology and society. Based on this research, they develop site specific architectural interventions that explore how inhabitants can remain autonomous, socially connected and embedded within island life, while responding to the changing environmental conditions of the North Sea.