ARCHISTRATI ‘s workshops and retreats offer participants unique experiences of the Valle d’itria area of Puglia, focused on architecture, that ultimately leads to a deeper understanding, appreciation, and respect for the history, place and people of the area.

Through immersion and experiential learning we engage and experience our surroundings, both natural and built, at a deeper, more visceral level. There is a lot that vernacular architecture can teach us about being human and living sustainably on the planet, not only in a functional way but also in a beautiful way.

We learn by doing, and just as vernacular architecture cannot be removed from it’s place, it also must be experienced in it’s place.

The hands-on restoration workshops integrate an exploration of the area with practical stone masonry skills and traditional construction techniques.  Students leave with a deeper understanding of the history and culture of the Valle d’Itria, as well as empowered with new practical skills.  The drawing retreats, walking tours and presentations offer a perspective of life of the Valle d’Itria through the eyes of a curious architect living locally and constantly learning from the people, culture, and architecture of the area.

Everyone brings something to the table. It is in this spirit that Amanda designs these distinctive architectural experiences and strives to create a nurturing learning environment where participants are encouraged to access their own inherent creativity and intuition, and where imagination and innovation is encouraged.