Summerschool Design & Democracy
Universal voting rights for stones, ants and pine cones! Stones of all nations, unite with the red beans and rise up! Go and involve the children in your plan; show them the way to happiness!
How do we give a voice to elements that speak with a different voice and in a different language? When the
conventional vocabulary falls short, we turn to our imagination: in this summer school, we design interfaces*.
*Interfaces are connectors that enable communication between humans and otherthan-human actors, such as
animals, plants and objects.
Context
As part of the reopening of the Design Museum Gent (October 2026), Dear Pigs*, is developing a project focusing
on Design and Democracy. For this summer school, Dear Pigs, is inviting students to actively participate in this
research.
*The work of Dear Pigs, addresses current issues surrounding activism and tactical urbanism. In doing so, the collective always strives to carry out projects in its own distinctive way.
Project
“Everything in our democracy was once designed, from the structure of our parliament to the box on the voting ballot.”
Everything has been designed from a single (human) perspective; we want to challenge and break down this
perspective through design. In this project, we use design not as an end in itself, but as a means: an interface, a medium that enables new forms of communication and participation.
We start with something familiar – elections and polling booths – and expand on this system. What if non-human
actors were also given a place within democratic processes?
How can we use design to contribute to a society in which humans and other-than-humans can coexist on a more
equal footing?
The senses* form our starting point. Seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling and tasting are used as ways of connecting with the other-than-human. Can we design extensions of our senses? Interfaces that allow us to attune ourselves, listen and enter into a relationship with other forms of life?
Being seen and heard, feeling and being felt, sharing smells and tastes – it tastes like more.
During this summer school, we explore questions about democracy and design in an inquisitive and imaginative way. We design and build spatial installations that invite participation and interaction* – not only for people, but also for animals, plants and objects. These installations appeal to multiple senses, thereby opening up a form of dialogue that transcends language. They explore how ecological relationships can become visible and politically meaningful.
*During this summer school, participants may experiment with materials and methods other than the conventional
materials and methods.
Planning
17-21 of August, 10-17h
- 17/08: Intro & Testing day
- 18/08: Testing day
- 19/08 - 20/08: Building days
- 21/08: Building en Finishing day
Methodology
This summer school focuses on the concepts of co-creation, imagination, wonder and in-situ building. Drawing inspiration from the children’s imagination during the preparation phase, we will get to work in the building workshop. Ideas take shape through the choice of materials and techniques. As we build, we continue to dream and imagine a society alongside other-than-human beings.
Location
Address: Leiekaai 18, 9000 Gent
The whole week will take place at Campus Leiekaai of the KU Leuven.
Language
The workshop will be bilingual - conducted in both Dutch and English. If you are fluent in either of these two languages, you are welcome to take part in the workshop.
Collaboration & organization
This summer school is a collaboration between KU Leuven’s Faculty of Architecture, Dear pigs, vzw and Timelab Gent. This summer school will be given by Jan Laute (Dear pigs, KU Leuven) and Leila Zahedi* (KU Leuven). The Design and Democracy project is made possible by a variety of partners: Timelab Gent, De Buurt primary school, Graphic designer Maya Strobbe:, Design Museum Gent
Leila Zahedi is a spatial designer working at the intersection of urban experience, the body, and interdisciplinary interventions. Her practice spans objects, costumes, scenography, and collective experiences, driven by use, curiosity, revaluation, and a love of the unexpected.
Target group
All students in the 3rd year of the Bachelor’s programme and the 1st and 2nd years of the Master’s programme in Interior Architecture and Architecture at KU Leuven can exchange this summer school for 3 ECTS credits. When you enroll in the summerschool, a contribution of €25 is to be paid upon arrival on 17 August.
To apply
Send a short letter of motivation (max. 250 words) + 1 image of choice (own work, a reference you like, a drawing of your favourite other-than-human...) to jan.laute@kuleuven.be and leila.zahedi@kuleuven.be
Application deadline is 1 May 2026.
