In the summer semester 2011, the institute for architectural theory and building history of Innsbruck University organizes an exceptional design studio for Master students in cooperation with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). The project is part of the exchange program with RMIT. Six exchange students from RMIT will take part in the courses. Matchpoint Innsbruck is open for a selected group of Students of the University of Innsbruck. The results of this project will be published by RMIT in a book.

The overall title of the project is derived from a Diploma project by Thomas Fußenegger called Matchpoint.Melbourne. His thesis analysed Melbourne as the city that is most strongly influenced by sports and the leisure industry in the world. In conjunction with a complementary research project Fußenegger’s thesis was exhibited at RMIT in summer 2010.  Moreover, this exhibition was part of the ‘State of Design’ festival in Melbourne. In the course of a series of events revolving around Matchpoint.Melbourne, Bart Lootsma was also present to run a workshop at RMIT, participate in a symposium and hold a public lecture.

Consequently, Matchpoint.Innsbruck – a design studio and workshop tutored by Prof. Nigel Bertram and Prof. Bart Lootsma (assisted by Dr. Bettina Schlorhaufer) – follows in SS 2011. Thomas Fußenegger assists in the design studio and runs the associated seminar „Theory of Landscape”. In addition to these courses organized by the institute of architectural theory and building history, Eric Sidoroff from the Institute of Design.Studio 2 contributes with the seminar „Phenomenon and Paradigm“. Prof. Nigel Bertram from RMIT will teach a one-month intensive start-up workshop, which is also part of this joint design studio. He will also hold a public lecture.