a forest retreat for reflexive conversations on systemic design
deep dives
speakers with specific knowledge
mid-day papers
14:00–17:00 livestream
exploration
workshops & being with the place
3 days
a gathering of 60 people
register now
the forest as a metaphor
Hosted by SDA-Norway | October 11–13, 2023 | Nordmarka Forest | Studenterhytta | Norway
The RSD12-Nordmarka Forest hub invites you to the forest. The forest works as a metaphor for a plurality of regenerative minds, design, and a sense of being. Further, it mirrors a holistic and open exploration of methods for multi-stakeholder connections and builds resilient, inclusive, and sustainable solutions to complex problems.
The Studenterhytta is located on a hill with a beautiful view of the forest.
RSD12-NORDMARKA FOREST SETTING
The Studenterhytta is located on a hill with a beautiful view of the forest. The place is within the field boundary; you can get here on foot, by bike or on skis. Clear water can be seen directly behind the cabin. The area around Blankvann and Studenterhytta is a Landscape Conservation Area due to the very rich flora and many rare flowers and plant species.
The place is within the field boundary; you can get here on foot, by bike or by skis. Three main buildings form a yard; Kjellerberget Restaurant, the family cabin and the large OSI cabin with, among other things, a bedroom (for 60 people), a living room with a fireplace and a shower. The sanitary facilities are basic as other Norwegian hytta (e.g., shared showers and bathroom outside).
The price for a ticket to join the forest retreat in Nordmarka is 3750 nok.
This price includes accommodation for 2 nights, 2x dinners, 2x breakfasts, 2x lunches, access to a shared kitchen, common living space, sauna and access to sanitary facilities. Accommodation consists of 5 rooms with 8 beds and 4 rooms with 4 beds.
We have 25 spots available.
Registration
Excluding fees- This price includes accommodation for 2 nights, 2x dinners, 2x breakfasts, 2x lunches, access to a shared kitchen, common living space, sauna and access to sanitary facilities. Accommodation consists of 5 rooms with 8 beds and 4 rooms with 4 beds.
SDA-NO supports the development, diffusion and celebration of systemic design in the Nordic region.
The three-day RSD12-Nordmarka Forest programme is a combination of slow (reflective) activities, workshops and talks around the topics of ecocentrism, regenerative systems and reflexivity. The final programme will be shared at the beginning of September.
The entire group will be comprised of 60 people. Of these, 35 are organisers and presenters. There are 25 open tickets for those who would like to join this extraordinary systemic design retreat.
Costs directly offset meals and accommodation for each individual.
reflexivity, ecocentrism, and regenerative systems
Systemic design colleagues embrace the outdoors, RSD11, Brighton, UK. Photo: @gemmadrake
REFLEXIVITY
Reflexivity can help designers better understand their own assumptions and values. This involves reflecting on their own experiences and perspectives.
- How might these be influencing their approach to the project?
- How can a design team identify potential biases or blind spots by engaging in a process of reflexivity?
- How have systemic design and reflexivity been used in combination to promote critical thinking in the design process?
Ecocentrism
Ecocentrism is an alternative worldview that places all life at the centre instead of just humans. Operating from this paradigm can help make our practice more-than-sustainable in the future.
- What can designers deeply learn from nature and the way it works?
- How can designers operate from an ecocentric perspective before a human-centred perspective? What does this mean?
- What are the tensions that can emerge by operating from an ecocentric perspective in a human-centric industry and practice?
Regenerative
Regenerative systems, human or natural, return more value to their environments and actors than what they extract. Systemic design as a practice, should be oriented to creating regenerative systems in all senses.
- How can we make the conditions for regenerative systems to emerge?
- What shifts in perspective and practice are needed for us to shift towards regenerative systems?
- How can designers deal with the tensions and conflicts that are bound to come up in system transitions?
natural entanglements
RSD12 natural entanglements
Climate change has been with us for generations, but its long-anticipated consequences are finally being felt. While optimism about the possibility of mitigating the worst impacts of climate change should be a foundation of all work in this area, we also need to reckon with the reality that our world still lacks the structures and will to undo the damage we have already done to our planet and to acknowledge that the worst of those impacts are being felt by those least responsible.
How might we:
Address the short- and medium-term impacts of climate change at local scales (household, neighbourhood, region)?
Identify and empower communities that face the worst impacts and offer transposable solutions for sustaining life amid profound environmental disruptions?
RSD12-Norway organisers
RSD12 is a project of the SDA
SDA-Norway is an SDA Group
RSD12-NORDMARKA FOREST CONTACTS
Angel Lamar, Designit, angel.lamar@designit.com
Marie Van den Bergh, AHO/ frog, marie.van.den.bergh@frog.co
SDA-NORWAY COORDINATING TEAM
- Birger Sevaldson, The Oslo School of Architecture (AHO), Birger.Sevaldson@aho.no
- Angel Lamar, Designit, angel.lamar@designit.com
- Jonathan Romm, AHO/Halogen, jonathan.romm@aho.no
- Andreas Wettre, AHO, Andreas.Wettre@aho.no
- Marie Van den Bergh, AHO/ frog, marie.van.den.bergh@frog.co
- Josina Vink, AHO, Josina.vink@aho.no
- Kristin Støren Wigum, Oslo Met, kristinw@oslomet.no
- Tore Gulden, Oslo Met, tgulden@oslomet.no
- Benedice Wildhagen, DOGA, bw@doga.no
RSD12 Hub Partners
Image: Nordmarka Forest, fall mist. Source: Kris-Mikael Krister on Unsplash.
About SDA-Norway
The purpose of SDA-NO is to support the development, diffusion and celebration of systemic design practice, methodology and theory in the Nordic region.
In line with the SDA statutes, SDA-NO supports a pluralistic approach and view in the development of systemic design and encourages a variety of different approaches to flourish. SDA-NO supports the development of normative ethical standards related to agency, actions, and the consequences of systemic design practice. SDA-NO pursues a spirit of openness and follows a principle of low-overhead operations and distributed responsibility.
