International Summer Schools

POLI.design Summer School 2026

40 Hours | 2 Weeks
July 20 – July 31, 2026 · Milan, Italy 

What Is Playgrounds & Playscapes? 

What happens when we stop thinking of play as something for children — and start seeing it as a force that can reshape how cities work?

Playgrounds & Playscapes is a two-week intensive summer workshop at POLI.design, the design-led institution of Politecnico di Milano, that explores the powerful — and often overlooked — relationship between play, landscape, and urban life. Through a blend of history, critical theory, and hands-on design practice, this course invites you to rethink public space as a place of freedom, imagination, community, and regeneration.

This isn’t just about designing playgrounds. It’s about understanding play as a relational practice — one that connects space, body, and community — and using it as a lens to critically read, reimagine, and revitalize the contemporary city.

Open to students and young professionals from all backgrounds — architecture, landscape design, urban planning, art, fashion, education, and beyond — this program is built on the conviction that the best ideas emerge when different disciplines think together.

What Will I Discover? 

The course unfolds across three interconnected layers: understanding, analyzing, and designing. 

Play and the City — A History Trace the evolution of play in urban contexts, from early playground movements to today’s most radical playscapes. Understand how the spaces we design for play reveal deeper truths about how we conceive of public life. 

Landscape Meets Play — Critical Perspectives Engage with key theories on landscape and play, and discover how architects, landscape designers, artists, educators, and communities have challenged purely functional conceptions of urban space — proposing models grounded in freedom, shared experience, and imagination. 

Multidisciplinary Design in Action Study real-world design experiences from across disciplines — architecture, landscape architecture, fashion design, art, and community practice — that illustrate how play-driven interventions can redefine the idea of the city. 

Urban Analysis Through the Lens of Play Learn to critically read urban contexts and public spaces, identifying design opportunities where play can act as a catalyst for social connection, rest, learning, and regeneration. 

Designing Playscapes — From Concept to Intervention Work hands-on to develop urban design interventions at multiple scales, integrating functional, artistic, and social dimensions with careful attention to the relationships between space, body, and community. 

How Does It Work? 

This is a 40-hour intensive workshop delivered over two weeks, designed to balance theory, critical analysis, and creative making. 

Lectures and Masterclasses At least three masterclasses are delivered by professors from Politecnico di Milano, complemented by sessions with PhD researchers, visiting academics, and professionals working at the intersection of design, art, and urban practice. Lectures are supported by rich multimedia materials and followed by open discussions that encourage the exchange of perspectives. 

Field Visits Across Milan Four curated visits take you into Milan’s public spaces, parks, cultural institutions, and urban landscapes — observed not as tourists, but as designers. Each visit is guided by a member of the academic team and serves as both inspiration and research material for your project work. 

Team-Based Final Project In multidisciplinary groups, you’ll develop a design proposal for an urban intervention that uses play as its driving principle. The final day is dedicated to public presentations, followed by a certificate ceremony and a celebratory aperitivo. The aim is to produce a tangible, portfolio-ready outcome — a project that integrates spatial, social, and artistic thinking into one compelling proposal. 

What Will I Learn?

By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to: 

• Read urban spaces critically, identifying where play can unlock new design possibilities 

• Design interventions that weave together functional, artistic, and social dimensions 

• Collaborate effectively across disciplines, turning diverse perspectives into stronger ideas 

• Use multimedia tools to analyze, document, and present design proposals with clarity and conviction 

• Think about play not just as recreation, but as a tool for social and spatial innovation 

What Will I Bring Home? 

At the end of the program, every participant receives: 

• A Certificate of Attendance issued by POLI.design 

• A Digital Open Badge 

• A portfolio-ready final project developed during the course 

• A Letter of Recommendation awarded to the team behind the most outstanding project 

• An international network of peers, mentors, and design thinkers

Who Can Apply? 

Playgrounds & Playscapes is open to students currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program, recent graduates, and young professionals from any discipline — architecture, landscape design, urban planning, art, fashion, education, social sciences, and more. A minimum English proficiency of B1 is required. No specific design background is necessary — the interdisciplinary spirit of the course is its greatest strength. 

When Does It Happen? 

Course Dates: July 20 – July 31, 2026 Application Deadline: June 15, 2026 (registration is completed upon full payment) 

How Much Does It Cost? 

€2,300 (including 22% VAT), payable in a single installment through the dedicated payment portal. Full details are available in the registration form. 

What’s Included: 

• Welcome breakfast and closing aperitivo 

• Welcome Guide including city transport information, cultural and daily life tips 

• Entry tickets to all field visit venues 

• Public or private transport to and from field visits 

• Tutoring support throughout the entire program 

• POLI.design Certificate of Attendance and Digital Open Badge 

• Letter of Recommendation for the team with the best project 

• Portfolio-ready final project and presentation 

• Official Invitation Letter for visa application (if needed) 

By completing the payment, you agree to the terms and conditions. 

How Much Should I Budget for Living in Milan? 

Milan is an exciting city to explore — and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s a realistic estimate of what two weeks will cost you, excluding accommodation and travel to/from Milan. 

Category	Budget-Friendly	Comfortable	Livig It Up
Food & drinks	€250 – €300	€350 – €450	€500 – €650
Local transport (metro, tram, bus)	€30 – €40	€40 – €50	€50 – €60
SIM card / mobile data	€15 – €20	€20 – €30	€20 – €30
Entertainment & going out	€80 – €120	€150 – €200	€250 – €350
Personal & miscellaneous	€50 – €70	€80 – €100	€100 – €150
Estimated Total (2 weeks)	€425 – €550	€640 – €830	€920 – €1,240

A few insider tips: breakfast in Milan is an espresso and a cornetto at the bar for €2–3. A solid lunch at a trattoria or cafeteria runs €8–12. Dinner at a pizzeria will cost you €15–25, while a nice restaurant is more like €30–50. Public transport is excellent and affordable — a weekly pass is around €17, and most of the city is walkable. For groceries, supermarkets are your best friends, and cooking a few meals at home can stretch your budget significantly. Milan also offers a wealth of free things to do: from aperitivo culture (where drinks come with generous buffets) to free museum days and beautiful parks. You’ll spend less than you think — and enjoy every euro. 

Overall, plan for approximately €450 – €1,250 for two weeks depending on your lifestyle. The lower end is realistic if you cook some meals at home and keep evenings relaxed; the higher end covers eating out most days and enjoying Milan’s nightlife and cultural scene fully.  

Where Will I Stay? 

We’ve partnered with Aparto to offer our students dedicated accommodation at a special rate during the program. 

Dates: Check-in Sunday, July 19 — Check-out Saturday, August 1, 2026 

Room options: 

• Twin Room — €650 for the full stay  

• Studio Premium — €845 for the full stay  

All rooms include an en-suite bathroom and a kitchenette, so you can cook when you feel like it and save on meals. The residence also offers 24-hour reception, weekly cleaning, and full access to common areas including a study room, gym, cinema room, and video games room. 

After completing your Summer School enrollment with POLI.design, you will receive a dedicated link to book your accommodation. Spots are limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Why Milan, Why POLI.design? 

Milan is a city that constantly reinvents its public spaces — from the regeneration of former industrial districts to bold new parks and cultural hubs. It’s a living laboratory for urban design, and the perfect backdrop for rethinking the role of play in city life. POLI.design, the Founded by Politecnico di Milano — one of Europe’s top technical universities — gives you direct access to world-class faculty, cutting-edge research, and a city where design isn’t just studied, it’s lived.

This summer, look at the city differently. Design the spaces where play, community, and imagination come alive.

POLI.design Summer School 2026

40 Hours | 2 Weeks
July 20 – July 31, 2026 · Milan, Italy 

What Is Total Milan Design? 

What if you could explore fashion, interiors, product, digital, and sensorial design — all in one course, all in Milan? 

Total Milan Design is a two-week intensive summer school at POLI.design, the design-led institution of Politecnico di Milano, that takes you across six interconnected design disciplines in one immersive program. With a global perspective and a transdisciplinary approach, this course is built for curious, creative minds who want to understand how design is transforming the world — and where it’s heading next. 

You don’t need to be a design student to join. Open to bachelor’s and master’s students from all academic backgrounds, as well as recent graduates and young professionals, this program brings together an international community of participants passionate about creativity, innovation, and Italian design culture. Over two weeks in the heart of Milan — the world capital of design — you’ll attend masterclasses with leading Politecnico professors, visit iconic design destinations, and collaborate with peers from around the globe on a hands-on creative project. 

What Will I Discover? 

The course is structured around six thematic modules, each offering a unique lens on contemporary design practice and its evolution. Together, they form a kaleidoscopic journey through the full landscape of design today. 

Fashion Design — Transitions and Mutations Explore how fashion is being radically redefined through sustainability, identity, technology, and new creative codes that challenge convention. 

Interiors & Furniture Design — New Codes, New Evolutions Investigate how living spaces, objects, and environments are evolving through innovative materials, cultural shifts, and emerging Italian design philosophies. 

Sensorial Design — Where Human Perception Meets Creative Innovation Discover the intersection of neuroscience, human senses, and design thinking — and how designers are using sensory experience to create deeper connections. 

Design Thinking — Strategy and Practical Progress Apply design thinking methodologies to real-world challenges through collaborative, practice-driven workshops and problem-solving sessions. 

Digital Design — Transitions and Transcendence Navigate the digital frontier of design — from AI-powered tools and immersive technologies to new paradigms reshaping creative practice. 

City Trends Safaris & Future Forecasting Take to the streets of Milan for guided trend explorations, combining on-the-ground observation with foresight methodologies and futures analysis. 

How Does It Work? 

This is a 40-hour intensive program delivered over two weeks, combining multiple learning formats for a rich, varied experience. 

Lectures and Masterclasses At least three masterclasses are delivered by professors from Politecnico di Milano, alongside sessions by PhD researchers, visiting academics, and industry professionals. The format blends theory, interactive discussion, case studies, and applied exercises. 

Field Visits Across Milan Four curated visits take you inside Milan’s most inspiring design spaces — from museums, foundations, and archives to showrooms, flagship stores, production houses, and creative agencies. Every visit is guided by a member of the academic team and is an integral part of the learning experience. 

Team-Based Final Project Working in interdisciplinary teams, you’ll develop a creative project responding to a real design brief. The final day culminates in a public presentation of all projects, followed by a certificate ceremony and a celebratory aperitivo. The goal is to produce a tangible, portfolio-ready outcome — a project you can proudly showcase after the course. 

What Will I Bring Home? 

At the end of the program, every participant receives: 

• A Certificate of Attendance issued by POLI.design 

• A Digital Open Badge 

• A portfolio-ready final project developed during the course 

• A Letter of Recommendation awarded to the team behind the most outstanding project 

• An international network of peers, mentors, and design professionals 

Who Can Apply? 

Total Milan Design is open to students currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program, recent graduates, and young professionals who have a background in or are passionate about design. A minimum English proficiency of B1 is required. No specific design degree is necessary — the interdisciplinary nature of the course welcomes participants from all fields. 

When Does It Happen? 

Course Dates: July 20 – July 31, 2026 Application Deadline: June 15, 2026 (registration is completed upon full payment) 

How Much Does It Cost? 

€2,300 (including 22% VAT), payable in a single installment through the dedicated payment portal. Full details are available in the registration form. 

What’s Included: 

• Welcome breakfast and closing aperitivo 

• Welcome Guide including city transport information, cultural and daily life tips 

• Entry tickets to all field visit venues 

• Public or private transport to and from field visits 

• Tutoring support throughout the entire program 

• POLI.design Certificate of Attendance and Digital Open Badge 

• Letter of Recommendation for the team with the best project 

• Portfolio-ready final project and presentation 

• Official Invitation Letter for visa application (if needed) 

By completing the payment, you agree to the terms and conditions. 

How Much Should I Budget for Living in Milan? 

Milan is an exciting city to explore — and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s a realistic estimate of what two weeks will cost you, excluding accommodation and travel to/from Milan. 

Category	Budget-Friendly	Comfortable	Livig It Up
Food & drinks	€250 – €300	€350 – €450	€500 – €650
Local transport (metro, tram, bus)	€30 – €40	€40 – €50	€50 – €60
SIM card / mobile data	€15 – €20	€20 – €30	€20 – €30
Entertainment & going out	€80 – €120	€150 – €200	€250 – €350
Personal & miscellaneous	€50 – €70	€80 – €100	€100 – €150
Estimated Total (2 weeks)	€425 – €550	€640 – €830	€920 – €1,240

A few insider tips: breakfast in Milan is an espresso and a cornetto at the bar for €2–3. A solid lunch at a trattoria or cafeteria runs €8–12. Dinner at a pizzeria will cost you €15–25, while a nice restaurant is more like €30–50. Public transport is excellent and affordable — a weekly pass is around €17, and most of the city is walkable. For groceries, supermarkets are your best friends, and cooking a few meals at home can stretch your budget significantly. Milan also offers a wealth of free things to do: from aperitivo culture (where drinks come with generous buffets) to free museum days and beautiful parks. You’ll spend less than you think — and enjoy every euro. 

Overall, plan for approximately €450 – €1,250 for two weeks depending on your lifestyle. The lower end is realistic if you cook some meals at home and keep evenings relaxed; the higher end covers eating out most days and enjoying Milan’s nightlife and cultural scene fully.  

Where Will I Stay? 

We’ve partnered with Aparto to offer our students dedicated accommodation at a special rate during the program. 

Dates: Check-in Sunday, July 19 — Check-out Saturday, August 1, 2026 

Room options: 

• Twin Room — €650 for the full stay  

• Studio Premium — €845 for the full stay  

All rooms include an en-suite bathroom and a kitchenette, so you can cook when you feel like it and save on meals. The residence also offers 24-hour reception, weekly cleaning, and full access to common areas including a study room, gym, cinema room, and video games room. 

After completing your Summer School enrollment with POLI.design, you will receive a dedicated link to book your accommodation. Spots are limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Why Milan, Why POLI.design? 

Milan isn’t just a city — it’s a living design laboratory. Home to Salone del Mobile, Fashion Week, and the world’s most iconic design brands, it’s the place where trends are born and creative boundaries are pushed every day. POLI.design, Founded by Politecnico di Milano — one of Europe’s top technical universities — puts you at the center of this ecosystem, with direct access to world-class faculty, industry connections, and a city that breathes design. 

This summer, go beyond a single discipline. Explore the full spectrum of design — in the city that continues to redefine it.