MArch study trip to Lanzarote

Independence

Trip price

Trip duration

MArch Architecture students are eligible to apply for this opportunity. There is a maximum of 30 places available, with a minimum of 15 participants required for this opportunity to take place. Students are recommended to check the eligibility criteria before applying.

Trip description

This seven-day international field trip offers MArch Architecture students the opportunity to explore Lanzarote as a unique case study in landscape, architecture and environmental stewardship. Rather than focusing solely on individual buildings, students will investigate how architecture can respond to climate, geology, ecology and culture at the scale of the landscape.

Through a programme of guided site visits, sketching, observation and critical discussion, students will examine how the island’s volcanic landscape has shaped settlement patterns, vernacular architecture and contemporary design. Particular attention will be given to César Manrique’s architecture, which integrates buildings, artworks and public spaces into the volcanic terrain through carefully choreographed sequences, framed views, natural light and the adaptive reuse of lava formations. The itinerary will include visits to the Fundación César Manrique, Jameos del Agua, Mirador del Río, Timanfaya National Park, the agricultural landscape of La Geria and the historic settlements of Haría and Teguise. These sites provide opportunities to explore themes including sustainable development, environmental ethics, tourism, infrastructure, climate-responsive design and the relationship between architecture and landscape.

Daily activities will encourage students to critically evaluate the social, environmental and cultural factors that influence architectural design and to consider alternative models of professional practice beyond the design of individual buildings.

The trip lead will also explore opportunities to engage with the Fundación César Manrique to further enhance students’ understanding of the Foundation’s work in promoting sustainable development, environmental stewardship and the integration of architecture, landscape and culture on Lanzarote.

Learning objectives

The primary objective of this field trip is to enable students to critically explore the relationship between architecture, landscape and environmental ethics through direct experience of Lanzarote’s built and natural environments. Rather than focusing solely on individual buildings, the trip encourages students to understand architecture as a cultural, environmental and territorial practice.

Through a programme of guided site visits, observation, sketching and discussion, students will investigate how climate, geology, topography and limited natural resources have shaped settlement patterns, vernacular architecture and contemporary interventions across the island. Particular emphasis will be placed on the work of César Manrique and his pioneering integration of architecture, landscape and environmental stewardship, offering students an alternative model of architectural practice in which design, planning and conservation are closely interconnected.

The trip aims to develop students’ ability to:

• Critically analyse architecture within its wider environmental, cultural and social context.
• Understand the relationship between landscape, infrastructure and the built environment.
• Evaluate sustainable, climate-responsive and place-sensitive approaches to design.
• Develop observational, analytical and sketching skills through site-based learning and direct engagement with architectural environments.
• Reflect on the ethical responsibilities of architects when responding to environmental challenges, resource limitations and tourism-led development.
• Apply insights gained from the field trip to design studio projects and future professional practice.
• Compare vernacular and contemporary architectural responses to environmental conditions.
• Communicate architectural ideas and observations effectively through drawing, discussion and critical reflection.

The trip also seeks to broaden students’ international awareness, expose them to alternative approaches to architecture, landscape and planning, and strengthen their confidence in communicating architectural ideas through discussion, drawing and critical reflection. These experiences directly support the Leicester School of Architecture’s commitment to sustainability, environmental responsibility and socially engaged architectural education.

Skill development

This opportunity has been designed to help develop the following DMU Graduate Attributes:

Agility

Confidence

Critical Thinking

Organisational

Cultural activities

Alongside the academic programme, students will have opportunities to experience Lanzarote’s distinctive culture, history and landscapes. Visits to the historic towns of Teguise and Haría will allow students to explore traditional Canarian streets, public spaces, local markets (where available) and vernacular architecture, providing insight into the island’s cultural heritage and patterns of settlement. Time will also be allocated to visit Arrecife, where students can experience the island’s capital, waterfront, local cafés, galleries and Castillo de San José, a historic fortress adapted by César Manrique into the International Museum of Contemporary Art.

Students will also have free time to explore the island independently in small groups, with opportunities to enjoy Lanzarote’s coastal landscapes, beaches, walking routes and local cuisine. These experiences will encourage students to engage with the island beyond its architectural landmarks, gaining a broader appreciation of its traditions, environment and contemporary culture. By combining structured cultural visits with independent exploration, the trip aims to promote cultural awareness, personal confidence and a deeper understanding of how place, identity and landscape influence the built environment.