As part of the CEEPUS program, under the umbrella of the ABCD Network (Architecture, Built Environment, City Planning, and Design Network), which is coordinated by our faculty and connects universities across Central and Southeastern Europe, students and educators from the University of Banja Luka, the University of Montenegro, and the University of Novi Sad came to Brno.

They joined the Un(der)cover project—an initiative focussing on the transformation of unused buildings into spaces for independent culture. Over five intensive days, students worked alongside master’s students from the Faculty of Architecture, engaging in design consultations, exploring new solutions, and discussing how architecture can support community life, sustainability, and technological innovation. The workshop not only inspired our students in their work on specific projects but also created space for intercultural dialogue that enriched both students and educators. 

It was fascinating to witness how new perspectives, questions, and directions emerged through formal consultations as well as informal discussions—and how students’ ideas and visions evolved thanks to feedback from their international peers. The final day of the workshop culminated in project presentations that showcased not only the quality of the proposals but also the vibrant energy generated by the collective effort and openness to different perspectives. 

The entire week was marked by sharing, discovery, and friendship –  whether in the studio or during visits to iconic local sites such as Villa Stiassni or the Water Reservoirs on Yellow Hill, which offered both architectural inspiration and deeper insight into the city's context. This workshop once again affirmed the importance of building bridges between regions, schools, and people—and that it is precisely in such environments where ideas are born that have the power to transform not only our cities but also the way we think about architecture itself. Students left not only with fresh input but also with new professional connections and a desire to continue developing joint projects in the future.