systemic design
RETREAT
HOSTED BY MON VISO INSTITUTE AND DESIGNING RESILIENT REGENERATIVE SYSTEMS MOOC (ETH ZÜRICH)
Expand and deepen systemic design theories and practices
October 18-21, 2026 | VALLE PO, ITALY
We will embody the use of the Wheel of Inquiry and practice question-based navigation for systemic intervention applied to the Mon Viso Institute system, the mountain community setting, the alpine-urban context, and the bioregional approach.
How can systemic design support and enable regenerative practice? We will demonstrate various systemic design methods and explore their relational value for regeneration. These demonstrations are partly steered by participants’ interests, and we create space for a fluid, interest-driven time in the mountains.
Mon Viso Institute & Designing Resilient Regenerative Systems
The MonViso Institute and the Designing Resilient Regenerative Systems have been actively engaged with the Systemic Design Association for more than a decade. RSD15-Ostana is the next iteration of this collaboration.
Methodological pluralism & the systemic design Wheel of Inquiry
Presentation of the latest iteration of the systemic design wheel of inquiry as a navigational heuristic for working in complexity—integrating multiple ways of knowing and enabling more adaptive, context-sensitive interventions.
Systemic Cycles: From sightseeing to insightseeing to insideseeing
Exploration of Systemic Cycles as an experiential methodology that shifts from external observation (sightseeing) to embodied understanding (inside- and insightseeing), including its scaling potential within a bioregional framework.
Designing experimental places & spaces
Insights from nearly 12 years of research-practice at the Mon Viso Institute, complemented by a growing network of experimental places and spaces. This contribution reflects on how such environments enable systemic learning, innovation, and regenerative transformation.
CAS 3 cohort session
A dedicated session led by participants of the ETH CAS in Systemic Design (CAS3), showcasing applied systemic design work and emerging practices.
MAS alumni thesis pitching
Presentations from this year’s graduates of the ETH Master of Advanced Studies in Regenerative Systems, sharing their design theses.
Curated intervention (art–science–design)
A co-created intervention developed in collaboration with the RSD15 organisers, integrating artistic and scientific modes of inquiry to engage participants in an experiential exploration of systemic design around music, food, and more.
the programme
In-depth practice of what regeneration entails, and of using the SD wheel of inquiry as a leading scientific, designerly and applied framework to intervene in complexity.
the experience
The Mon Viso Institute is at the foot of Monte Viso on the Italian border with France. You will experience plenty of outdoor movement and resilience-building through mental and physical activities.
the vibe
This is for those who seek to learn systemic design through deep, embodied practice in a real-world design context, develop their inner selves, and contribute to the desired systemic change toward regeneration. Autumn mountain lovers to chill and move.
DRRS elective
For those who are following the Designing Resilient Regenerative Systems MOOC, the retreat counts for two ECTS.
October 18–21, 2026 | Ostana, Italy
RSD15-Ostana focuses on systemic design for regenerative practice and makes time for deep embodied practice in a real-world design context
This retreat is offered after RSD15-Turin to expand and deepen learnings, retreat in nature, to hike, to read, to distil. Mon Viso retreat for information.
