Innovative Student-Designed Climate Refuge Unveiled at NYC
Clay, Code, and Climate: Rosenberg x MIT Launch Real World Solution for Urban Cooling Refuge at Climate Week NYC
During Climate Week NYC, one of the most significant climate summits in the world, students from Institut auf dem Rosenberg showed off their innovative project, Climate Refuge. This full-scale architectural installation represents a bold rethinking of how cities can adapt to climate challenges, showcasing a new vision for urban resilience.
Engagement and Design Collaboration
This year marked the 17th anniversary of Climate Week NYC, a global initiative promoting climate action with over 500 events attended by thousands. The event runs alongside the United Nations General Assembly, drawing attention to urgent climate issues and the innovative strategies we can utilize to overcome them.
For the Climate Refuge project, students aged 6 to 18 actively participated in the design process. Through immersive workshops focused on architecture, materials, design, and technology, 230 students were involved, contributing to various parts of the project, from creating clay models to developing augmented reality presentations.
A group of 7 to 10 students will represent the project in New York City, leading engaging workshops throughout the climate week.
Architecture Meets Climate Action
Central to Climate Refuge is a walkable pavilion constructed from 600 modular clay blocks, scheduled for exhibition at Mabou Mines in New York’s East Village. This installation combines ancient cooling techniques with modern technology to illustrate how sustainable systems can effectively manage urban heat and energy disparities.
Visitors to the pavilion will experience an environment designed with climate consciousness, featuring workshops led by the students on topics such as modular design and sustainable urban planning. This immersive atmosphere will allow people to engage actively with climate issues through practical learning.
“Today’s students are not merely looking to the future — they are actively creating it,” states Anita Gademann, a board member and head of innovation at Institut auf dem Rosenberg. “This exhibition showcases the potential that emerges when education is grounded in real-world challenges and collaborative efforts.”
Impact Beyond the Exhibition
The messages and insights derived from the Climate Refuge project will contribute to a larger discourse, as ideas from the installation will influence a Youth Manifesto for Action. This document, authored by the participating students in collaboration with international experts, is set to be unveiled at high-profile events, including the upcoming World Economic Forum.
Continuing the collaboration between the Rosenberg Institute, MIT Design and Computation, MIT Building Technology, and UC Berkeley Architecture, Climate Refuge represents a commitment to creating accessible, sustainable building solutions. Following its showcase in New York, the installation will tour various locations, including MIT in Boston and eventually become a permanent fixture in Rosenberg’s climate garden in Switzerland.
About Institut auf dem Rosenberg
Institut auf dem Rosenberg stands as a prominent international boarding school in St. Gallen, dedicated to educating students aged 6–18 from over 50 countries. Renowned for its innovative curriculum that merges academic rigor with practical application, Rosenberg effectively prepares young individuals to navigate an ever-evolving global landscape.
The school is celebrated for its unique Talent & Enrichment Programs, offering students opportunities to collaborate with leading experts from various fields. Through projects focusing on sustainability, robotics, and the arts, students are equipped not only with knowledge but also with the essential skills and creativity to inspire change.
Rosenberg’s educational approach emphasizes personalized learning and interdisciplinary collaboration, empowering students to become proactive problem solvers of societal challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Climate Refuge project?
The Climate Refuge project is a unique architectural installation created by students from Institut auf dem Rosenberg, focusing on urban resilience and climate adaptation.
Where was the Climate Refuge installation displayed?
The installation was unveiled during Climate Week NYC at Mabou Mines in New York's East Village.
How did students participate in the design process?
Students participated through hands-on workshops involving design, architecture, and technology, contributing to various stages of the project's development.
What is the goal of the Climate Refuge installation?
The goal is to showcase innovative, sustainable solutions for urban heat management and inspire others to engage in climate action.
How will the project influence future initiatives?
Insights from the project will be compiled into a Youth Manifesto for Action, highlighting youth perspectives on climate issues to be presented at major global forums.
