- ETH CAS#3: Systemic Design
The third Certificate of Advanced Studies “CAS ETH in Regenerative Systems: Systemic Design” has launched application period: 1-31 August 2024
Systemic Design: Navigating scientific, engineering, design and embodied methods with inner practices
We understand the emerging field or “sphere” of Systemic Design not as a discipline but a post-discipline – a hybrid combination of science, design and systems thinking-sensing, a set of challenge-based navigation processes, techniques and cultures. We ask questions in Systemic Design to enact complexity through reflexive processes:
How do we enact uncertainty, immanent in complex systems? How do we navigate between science, engineering, design and inner practices for intervening toward desirable change? How do we curate inner practices for building holistic resilience of social-ecological systems? How does systems sensing relate with systemic innovation? How does Systemic Design spur regeneration? And how can all such help us to navigate, to guide, along identified challenges in the direction of desirable resilience and regeneration?
This CAS is the third out of a series of three CAS, leading to the MAS Master of Advanced Studies ETH in Regenerative Systems. The CAS’ build upon each other but can be taken in isolation and in different order. Each CAS’ theoretical and language base is the respective MOOC#1-3.
Practicing relational value of methods and the why-where-what-how
How do we navigate as designers, systems scientists, organic engineers, intervenors, weavers, nudgers, holistic planners, collaborative architects, curious practitioners – through emergent, largely un-plannable and emergent challenges – in a direction of desirable resilience, toward designing for regeneration within complex systems?
In Systemic Design we combine:
• quantitative scientific methods such as social network analysis, life cycle assessment or land use mapping by geospatial data,
• qualitative scientific methods such as content analysis, surveys or focus groups,
• engineering methods such as computer aided design CAD or laser scanning and 3D models,
• design methods like prototyping, visual dialogue, sketching, or systems narratives,
with embodied practices specific to enact the individual setting, such as the didactic Systemic Cycles, or forms of deep listening,
• accompanied by inner processes, such as experiencing types of flows beyond the mental and physical comfort zones, self-compassion, or silence.We train both directly relevant scientific and engineering methods, design methods, and embodied practices in the context of navigating living systems and their applied relevance to real-world challenges.
A focus is on the relational value of methods – why do we engage, where, with what method, and how?
Self-reflexivity by the researcher(s) is key, through consciously curating a meta-perspective “view from above”/”meta-design”/”mental scaffolding”, with recursive processes of guiding the systemic design research: based on the main real-world challenge, repetitively asking questions by sensing the systems, remaining flexible to activate various types of hybrid methods and practices, from “hard” science to “soft” embodiment.
Field design trip to Mallorca, Spain
After a virtual course warm-up with a first live conversations with invited experts mid-October, and the initiation of each participants’ personal QUEST project as learning navigation spine, we embark on the physical core of this CAS – the in-person field design trip. The whole CAS cohort – maximum size 20 participants – meets for a one-week real-world immersion trip to the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, where we explore and embody hidden facets of bioregional regenerative weaving of the Balearic archipelago. We will meet with DRRS-lecturer Daniel Wahl to guide as through his lens of being a Balearic weaver for 15 years, and how he has been weaving toward regenerative futures. This period in autumn is ideal for a visit – the tourist season is over, the sea is warm, and the almonds, figs, and other fruits are ripe.
We will discover secluded farms, hike the Tramuntana mountains, swim and dive in a marine protected area with local biologists while the sea is warm, embark on a Systemic Cycles tour and live off the abundant wild food, and slow down on a 12 hours “solo” night time in the mountains.
ETH CAS#3: Systemic Design
The third Certificate of Advanced Studies “CAS ETH in Regenerative Systems: Systemic Design” has launched application period: 1-31 August 2024...Read More
MonViso Institute on ARTE TV
Our long-term engagement with the Living Systems Lab (LSL) MonViso Institute in the Italian-French Piedmont Alps just got featured by...Read More
Retreat “Renewal – The Way Out is In”
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) with Inner Development Goals (IDG) and Nature Connection (Awake in the Wild). We are excited to invite you...Read More - MonViso Institute on ARTE TV
Our long-term engagement with the Living Systems Lab (LSL) MonViso Institute in the Italian-French Piedmont Alps just got featured by the German-French television ARTE.In Northwestern Italy, between Switzerland and France, Piedmont is famous for its picturesque villages, but also for its fine wines and exceptional gastronomy. This documentary features multiple chapters: In the Po Valley, the community of Ostana is an example for a real-world laboratory on rebuilding a mountain economy.
The MonViso Institute is one of the actors engaged in co-designing through research, design, teaching, entrepreneurial practice (from min. 18 on about). In the woods near Alba, Michele and his truffle dog go in search of the world’s most prized mushroom. To protect the region’s rich ecosystems, environmental initiatives flourish: while a group of divers plants artificial reefs to preserve the biodiversity of Lake Maggiore, forest ranger Raffaella Miravalle works to protect the mountains of Gran Paradiso National Park.
An ARTE TV film by Timo Zorn – 2024
ETH CAS#3: Systemic Design
The third Certificate of Advanced Studies “CAS ETH in Regenerative Systems: Systemic Design” has launched application period: 1-31 August 2024...Read More
MonViso Institute on ARTE TV
Our long-term engagement with the Living Systems Lab (LSL) MonViso Institute in the Italian-French Piedmont Alps just got featured by...Read More
Retreat “Renewal – The Way Out is In”
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) with Inner Development Goals (IDG) and Nature Connection (Awake in the Wild). We are excited to invite you...Read More - Retreat “Renewal – The Way Out is In”
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) with Inner Development Goals (IDG) and Nature Connection (Awake in the Wild).
We are excited to invite you to the Retreat “Renewal – The Way Out Is In”, which will take place in the wild landscapes of the Piemontese Alps, Italy, in the village of Ostana at the Monviso Institute (MVI), from July 9-14th, 2024.
ETH CAS#3: Systemic Design
The third Certificate of Advanced Studies “CAS ETH in Regenerative Systems: Systemic Design” has launched application period: 1-31 August 2024...Read More
MonViso Institute on ARTE TV
Our long-term engagement with the Living Systems Lab (LSL) MonViso Institute in the Italian-French Piedmont Alps just got featured by...Read More
Retreat “Renewal – The Way Out is In”
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) with Inner Development Goals (IDG) and Nature Connection (Awake in the Wild). We are excited to invite you...Read More - ETH CAS#2: Beyond Systems Thinking
Deep-dive into complexity
Field design trip to emerging Living Systems Labs in NorwayThis CAS is the second out of a series of three CAS, leading to the MAS Master of Advanced Studies ETH in Regenerative Systems. The CAS’ build upon each other but can be taken in isolation and in different order. Each CAS’ theoretical and language base is the respective MOOC#1-3.
In this CAS, we deep-dive into complexity and develop a critical understanding of systems. We learn what systems thinking entails, and how it can become a helpful habit. For example, the view from above contains techniques to deal with complexity, to zoom out of a system to zoom in on what matters most.
Living systems, non-linearity, emergence, interbeing – we gain compelling insights from various experts and relate the learning to real-world social-ecological challenges. The field design trip will take us to exciting real-world practice, and through physical embodiment we connect with place and our inner self.
We learn basics of social network analysis and how to measure and interpret structures in networks, to apply such for transformative resilience.
Inner resilience and development are part of our joint learning journey: how to enact uncertainty?
We acquire an applicable toolset such as through an extended look into circularity, from a circular economy to five types of circular flows. We learn about systemic intervention and innovation, how to nudge complex systems to transform, and with what “tools” this may be possible.
ETH CAS#3: Systemic Design
The third Certificate of Advanced Studies “CAS ETH in Regenerative Systems: Systemic Design” has launched application period: 1-31 August 2024...Read More
MonViso Institute on ARTE TV
Our long-term engagement with the Living Systems Lab (LSL) MonViso Institute in the Italian-French Piedmont Alps just got featured by...Read More
Retreat “Renewal – The Way Out is In”
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) with Inner Development Goals (IDG) and Nature Connection (Awake in the Wild). We are excited to invite you...Read More - Launch of Systemic Cycles Weaving Guide training
So we took off! The first Systemic Cycles Weaving Guide training cohort met at the heart of the Venice Lagoon at Camping Ca’Savio, the official Systemic Cycles location partner, to learn, map, intervene, and weave toward desired regenerative futures.
Venice, why to go there? It is for sure known to be a fascinating live museum of medieval architecture and art. Venice is the lagoon, and the lagoon is Venice. A sensitive, threatened wetland ecosystem.
Venice’s backyard is less known, but not less interesting. The bioregion unfolds the hidden gems of the wild river Tagliamento and the Magredi plane, the confluence zone of Cellina and Meduna River in the western part of the Friuli. North towards the hillside is the home of famous Grappa-Distillers and of the vineyards, sports- and footwear, leather, furniture, machinery and knife industry, and a famous bike brand, Campagnolo.
Visiting the Venice Lagoon has a double meaning for us: the bioregion is also known as an over-tourism hotspot, and a place suffering from deep ecosystem disruption and climate change. Thinking and acting together toward unpacking density and unwinding complexity of human activities was one of our Systemic Cycles Weaving Guide quests.
Our conscious exploration of bioregional land use, economic supply chains and cultural narratives by kayak, boat and bike was meant to open up new horizons and build new sustainability transitions and regeneration tools for the SC Weaving Guide trainees and the future Systemic Cycles trips in their bioregions.
ETH CAS#3: Systemic Design
The third Certificate of Advanced Studies “CAS ETH in Regenerative Systems: Systemic Design” has launched application period: 1-31 August 2024...Read More
MonViso Institute on ARTE TV
Our long-term engagement with the Living Systems Lab (LSL) MonViso Institute in the Italian-French Piedmont Alps just got featured by...Read More
Retreat “Renewal – The Way Out is In”
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) with Inner Development Goals (IDG) and Nature Connection (Awake in the Wild). We are excited to invite you...Read More - AUGUST 2020
7th RDT: E-Mobility – Re-thinking integrated mobility in the Alpine
- JULY 2020
6th RDT: Social Impact Investing: Financing Local Sustainability Innovation Projects / a social evening with international minds from the US, arriving on backcountry skis from Chamonix, and local Occitan culture.
- FEBRUARY 2020
Building and Designing with Hemp – Revival of a Forbidden Plant
- OCTOBER 2019
Designing Alpine-Urban Circularity with the ETHZ Systemic Design Labs course
- SEPTEMBER 2019
Mindfulness and Innovation for Regenerative Community Resilience
fznor - APRIL 2019
2nd RDT: Climate Change – Renewable Energy and City Innovation for Climate Protection
- JANUARY 2019
1st RDT: Bridging Synergies in Upcoming Development Projects of Ostana
