Valga Architecture Residency invites researchers, architects and crafty creators to apply for our summer group residency ‘Material Purgatory: Life after demolition’ to be held at VARES Residency, Estonia, from 7 July to 24 August 2025.
The residency focuses on finding new opportunities for retired materials that have been forgotten in the purgatory of the shed for decades. The residency is searching for proposals that ask questions how bits of materials can be (re)used; how and what kind materials should be collected and store; how to adapt existing systems of construction, that would favour the use of local, already existing materials; how to influence aesthetic choices, that would promote used materials over virgin materials; who to lessen material greed and overconsumption in the building industry?
The two-month residency is open to proposals that might be spatial interventions, urban installations, in depth material research, mapping of societal and cultural material preferences, documenting people’s material storages etc.
The one-month residency will culminate in a public weekend from 22 to 24 August, featuring lectures, seminars, short workshops, walks, and more. The residency expects residents to publicly share their summary or interpretation of the residency period in their preferred format (lecture, publication, exhibition, installation, workshop, performance, open studio etc.).
The open call is available for both individuals and groups to apply.
The residency offers accommodation and basic workshop options within the residency building, with more specific workshop conditions available in Valga that will be organised according to the residents’ needs. There is a stipend, travel support and a production budget available.
