Shopyard Summer School
15-25.07.2025

The Shopyard Summer School was an intensive week-long programme of pedagogical experimentation, organised in partnership by Space Transcribers and INSTITUTO. Running over the course of one week, the programme focused on exploring, debating and reimagining the future of the first-generation shopping centres in Braga, Portugal.

Located in central Braga are more than 25 shopping centres built during the 1980s and 1990s. Although situated in prime and privileged areas of the city, many of these buildings are currently underused. The growth of large-scale shopping centres and retail parks on the urban periphery, shifts in consumer behaviour, and the economic crisis of recent decades have all contributed to the prolonged vacancy of these buildings.
This phenomenon is not unique to Braga — it reflects broader changes in urban and commercial dynamics across various European cities. Nevertheless, we believe that these shopping centres represent valuable opportunities to foster new cultural and spatial dynamics within Braga and beyond.

During the Summer School programme, a group of 30 participants — selected through an open call — was divided into three working groups, each guided by one of the invited mentors:
oitoo, BUREAU and OUEST architecture.

Each group focused on developing spatial and social proposals for one of the three selected case studies. Practical interventions included architectural projects, temporary art installations, participatory workshops, and experimental activities that engage with the commercial and social dynamics of these spaces.

In addition to the work carried out by the participants, the programme featured a series of public events, including talks, guided visits, film screenings, an assembly, and other activities.