International student workshop "Think out of the Box 2025" concludes successfully
With the active participation of 49 students, including 26 from Lithuania, Estonia, and Germany, the international student workshop “Think out of the Box 2025” has successfully concluded. Over the course of a week, students applied their knowledge and insights gained from guest lectures to design and construct eight environmental installations. The intensive work took place at the Interdisciplinary Laboratory of the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU). The installations were unveiled and installed in Valdeka Manor Park, where they will remain accessible to both LBTU students for outdoor use and to residents and visitors of the city of Jelgava.
This year's installations are diverse in concept and constructed from recycled materials, sourced from production surpluses provided by manufacturers. The "Think out of the Box 2025" team extends sincere gratitude to all partners for their valuable contributions and material support—particularly to SIA "ZAZA Timber", SIA "Eko modulis", SIA "EmTruss" Truss Factory, SIA "Latvijas Finieris", SIA "Riga Wood", SIA "Fixman", Latvian State Forests, and the workshop "Public Open Space Solutions (POSS)".
The Institute of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering emphasizes the importance of such initiatives in the professional development of students. These opportunities allow students not only to work with sketches and models but also to evaluate functionality, safety, and sustainability—key aspects of urban design and implementation.
Through their participation in the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “Think out of the Box 2025,” students have gained:
New knowledge on the significance and functionality of urban spatial elements in creating a balanced environment;
Practical skills in designing aesthetically expressive and functional outdoor structures;
Broader competencies in design and implementation of urban elements aligned with sustainable development principles.
The “Think out of the Box 2025” initiative continues to advance the creativity, expertise, and international cooperation of landscape architecture students, fostering innovation in urban planning. We express our sincere appreciation to all participating universities for their support and collaboration, providing students with the opportunity to gain new knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience in Latvia.
“Think out of the Box 2025” serves as a meaningful example of the importance of practical education in preparing the next generation of landscape architects to design sustainable, diverse, and functional urban spaces.