Human-centric revolution of the habitat: learning to design for the new Bauhaus and Society 5.0

The HU-VOLUTION project aimed to equip European universities with the necessary tools to upskill and reskill habitat designers, ensuring they can successfully transition to the principles of the N...

The HU-VOLUTION project aimed to equip European universities with the necessary tools to upskill and reskill habitat designers, ensuring they can successfully transition to the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) and Society 5.0. The project sought to raise awareness about the importance of a human-centric approach to habitat design, define the competencies required for sustainable, aesthetic, and inclusive design, and create a Joint Curriculum tailored for higher education institutions. By launching a free, open-access training resource focused on life-centric perspectives, functionality, and sustainability, the project supported universities in adapting their curricula to meet the future needs of the habitat sector. Additionally, the project aimed to bridge the gap between higher education and industry by fostering collaboration and shared methods, ultimately contributing to the green transition and reducing skill mismatches in the labor market.

To enhance skills for up/reskilling habitat sector designers and support the New European Bauhaus (NEB) and Society 5.0 transition, the partners focused on developing a comprehensive training curriculum for higher education. In WP2-A1, partners created a Skills Map to guide curriculum design, aligning with SO2 of HU-VOLUTION. The Skills Map established learning outcomes, training paths, and curriculum content, which were then used in WP2-A3 and A6 to design the Joint Curriculum, following ESCO, DigComp, and EQF frameworks, plus national qualification standards. The curriculum consists of four pillars: circular economy, human-centric habitat design, new technologies, and soft skills in Society 5.0, structured into seven modules and 24 units. Practical exercises and quizzes were incorporated to support knowledge acquisition, validated through informal interviews. WP3 further developed training resources, creating micro-credentials (WP3-A5). The WP4 collaborative platform hosts all training materials in English and consortium languages. Additional outputs include seminars (WP4-A4), a training test (WP4-A5), a study group, and a final webinar to share the curriculum with HE institutions.