University of Virginia
AC-5: Immersive Experience

The University offers several sustainability-focused immersive experience programs. On-Grounds: Initiative reCOVER is an architecture design studio program that focuses on the research, design development, and fabrication of transitional disaster relief shelters. As a pedagogical framework, the initiative focuses the students’ attention on a finite architectural scope with the intention of ensuring comprehensive and thorough design processes and viable building proposals. The principal goal for reCOVER is to contribute in a substantive way to the emerging network of Open-Source Humanitarian Design. Ultimately, the collective goal is to positively affect and promote the design and building of safe, healthy, and sustainable communities around the world. http://www.studiorecover.virginia.edu Off-Grounds: The Morven Summer Institute is an intensive summer academic program rooted in interdisciplinary place-based learning. The Summer Institute is a collaborative institute involving faculty from UVA's School of Architecture, College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of the Vice President for Research, and the Office of Summer and Special Academic Programs. Designed for people with interests in sustainability, design, food systems, and ecology. http://www.uvafoundation.com/morven/summerinstitute/ Overseas: The University offers sustainability-focused study abroad programs. One example: Sustainable Europe: The course is designed around a sequence of three interrelated modules and will contrast trends, planning and policies in sustainability, sustainable urban development, and sustainable urban transport in Europe and the USA. http://www.studyabroad.virginia.edu/