DOMa Summer School 2026

Some places are reached only after a long journey. Irakleia is one of them.

Travelling through the Cyclades to attend this year’s DOMa Summer School as representatives of ORAMA Minimal Frames, we quickly realised that the destination itself was an essential part of the workshop. Reaching Irakleia requires intention, and perhaps that is exactly what makes it such an extraordinary place to think about architecture.

Unlike many islands that have gradually surrendered to overdevelopment, Irakleia remains remarkably untouched. As part of the Natura 2000 protected network, its landscape is home to Posidonia seagrass meadows, Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus), loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and countless other species that define the fragile ecology of the Small Cyclades. The absence of large-scale tourism, luxury resorts—and perhaps most strikingly, the absence of swimming pools—feels almost radical today. It is a reminder that development can take different paths, and that preserving a place can be just as meaningful as transforming it.

This year’s workshop, curated by Florian Summa and Anne Femmer of SUMMACUMFEMMER, embraced exactly that way of thinking.

Rather than arriving with predetermined solutions, the tutors encouraged participants to begin by observing. Walking through the village, speaking with residents and understanding everyday routines became the foundation for every intervention. The resulting installations were modest in scale but generous in intention: small architectural gestures that responded to real needs while respecting the identity of the island.

What particularly impressed us was the practice’s commitment to making. Local stone, reclaimed timber and traditional construction techniques were not treated as nostalgic references but as living knowledge. Every joint, every connection and every detail demonstrated how craftsmanship can become a form of architectural thinking. There is something deeply inspiring about seeing architecture emerge through hands-on collaboration, where design evolves alongside construction.

Throughout the week, conversations with the tutors, organisers, students and local community reinforced something we strongly believe in ourselves: meaningful architecture is rarely about creating more—it is about understanding more.

As long-time collaborators of ORAMA, it was a privilege to represent a company that actively supports initiatives fostering architectural education, experimentation and cultural dialogue. Experiences like the DOMA Summer School remind us that architecture extends far beyond buildings. It lives in landscapes, materials, people and the relationships formed around them.

The week concluded with an unforgettable celebration. As the sun disappeared behind the horizon, our own Leonidas, together with our good friend Degeer0001, set the soundtrack for the evening with a live performance that brought students, tutors, organisers and the people of Irakleia together one last time. It was the perfect ending to a week defined by generosity, collaboration and shared experiences.
We returned home carrying much more than photographs.

We returned with conversations, new friendships and a renewed appreciation for architecture that begins by listening.