RADICAL
RURAL

what is
Radical Rural

Radical Rural is a Dispersed School of local knowledge: constructive culture, trades, craftsmanship, and nature-based solutions. It embodies a holistic approach, integrating both theoretical learning and hands-on experience. This is based on the organization of immersive courses conducted in rural and remote areas globally, with the participation of local masters, artisans, and researchers. They offer participants an in situ learning experience, gaining knowledge and practical skills while also deepening their understanding of local practices and their cultural significance.

where do the courses
take place?

Radical Rural always take place in rural locations worldwide, spanning across continents such as Africa, Asia, and America. Our initiative operates in collaboration with trusted local partners and colleagues in these regions. We have established a diverse range of locations, providing participants with the opportunity to engage in multiple courses (a programme) and explore different destinations.Each course is uniquely tied to a specific place, emphasizing the local context and importance. Our aim is to establish an annual recurrence for each course, to contribute to the cultural fabric of these communities. Additionally, we strive to create a sustainable source of income for the local actors involved.

when can we participate?

Participation in Radical Rural is open year-round, with courses conducted in various locations worldwide. To stay informed about upcoming opportunities, we encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on social media. Prior to each course abroad, we announce an open call for participants, enabling individuals to secure their spot by registering in advance. Admission will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants will have ample time to prepare for their travel arrangements, with guidance and support provided by Radical Rural.

who can participate?

Young professional designers, architects, creators, artisans, or makers, as well as university students, observers, or collectives related to these fields, can all enroll in our programs, regardless of where they come from. We aim to make language accessible; our lessons are conducted in both English and Spanish, with support from our team. However, if language poses any challenge, please reach out to us.

how are the courses structured?

Our courses are structured over a two-week period, designed to offer a well-rounded-inmersive experience. The first two days are dedicated to acclimatization on weather, altitude, local cuisine, etc, and the discovery of the surroundings. Following this, the course starts, where participants will attend to conferences and theoretical lessons during the mornings, and practical site work during the afternoons.Complementary activities, including documentary screenings, debates, and cultural visits, are also incorporated to enhance the overall learning experience. To ensure an immersive and worry-free journey, accommodation and meals are provided in a co-living setting for participants, and fostering also a comprehensive connection to the local environment and community.

interested?

Would you like to receive updates on our latest Radical Rural programs? Feel free to subscribe to our newsletter. Are you a rural community interested in hosting us? Are you an artist, craftsman, technician, or builder intrigued by the idea of becoming a Radical Rural tutor in your own community and connecting with an international audience? Don't hesitate to reach out to us. Curious to learn more? Follow us on social media :)

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KEY PRINCIPLES

Mobile Apprentices

International mobility for an itinerant and in-situ education

Cross-Cultural

Place of encounter between different cultural backgrounds, bridging foreign and local

Community-Based

Centers on integration into the local community's culture, knowledge, and daily life.

Hybrid learning

Theory + practice. Reflective + experiential approach. Active listening-observation + hands-on experience

mission pillars

knowledge
transfer &
co-creation

Enabling the exchange of skills and ideas through interactive learning experiences that inspire collective innovation and human development.

decentralization, inclusion & empowerment

Empowering local communities through participatory approaches that prioritize diversity, inclusivity and equitable access to resources and opportunities.

environmental awareness & resilience

Fostering ecosystem approaches towards ecological resilience by spreading nature-based solutions, and conservation practices.

memory, identity & cultural cooperation

Celebrating and safeguarding cultural heritage through intercultural collaboration, by promoting local knowledge and the value of ancestral wisdom.

coming soon

coming soon

coming soon

Ladakh, located in northern India, is one of the most distinctive regions of the Himalayas, where deep valleys, towering mountains, and high-altitude deserts come together to form a natural landscape of striking visual and geographical power. Surrounded by some of the highest peaks on the planet—many rising above 6,000 meters—this region has been shaped by both its geography and its historical and cultural ties to Tibet, which have contributed to the development of a unique identity, rooted in Tibetan Buddhism and a close relationship with the natural environment.The city of Leh, capital of Ladakh, is the main urban and cultural center of the region. While tourism has grown significantly in recent decades, Leh is also home to a vibrant local cultural and educational scene, with organizations such as the Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation (LAMO), the Tibet Heritage Fund, the Central Asian Museum, and many other initiatives working at the intersection of tradition and innovation, local knowledge and contemporary practice.The landscape of Ladakh is defined by extreme contrasts: long, harsh winters, with temperatures dropping below -20 °C, and dry, luminous summers, where temperatures can reach up to 30 °C. Despite these conditions, local communities have developed resilient agricultural systems, such as barley cultivation on irrigated terraces fed by glacial meltwater. In the more fertile valleys, apricot trees flourish—painting the landscape pink and white in spring—and are harvested in summer along with sea buckthorn, a wild plant highly valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties.Daily life in Ladakh is deeply connected to the natural surroundings. Villages blend into the landscape with buildings made primarily of mud, stone, and wood—materials that respond effectively to the region’s extreme climate. This traditional architecture is not merely a legacy of the past; many contemporary projects continue to employ local techniques and bioclimatic principles, resulting in an architecture that is adapted, sustainable, and deeply rooted in the territory.Ladakh is a place where culture, landscape, and everyday life are interwoven with an intensity that invites one to observe, listen, and learn through a slow and attentive engagement with place.

Sandeep Bogadhi is an architect and founder of Earthling Ladakh, a design-build studio based in Ladakh's Nubra Valley, known for his sustainable and site-specific approach to architecture. After graduating from SPA New Delhi and working in the city, he moved to Ladakh, where he was inspired to work with local materials like natural stone and repurposed elements, focusing on climate-responsive designs and local craftsmanship. His work is informal and intuition-based, emphasizing the use of appropriate construction methods and respecting the local ecology.Fuelled by a desire to practise in a rural setting, the Nubra-based architect moved to Ladakh in 2013. Since then, he’s built passive solar homes and hotels using techniques such as rammed earth and compressed-brick masonry. “Materials define the project,” says Bogadhi. “Each village has unique building resources that can be used for free. So my main learning has been to spend time pre- construction to see what’s available and possible.” His current interest is in CSR projects, such as a green restroom for Royal Enfield. “I try to create a template that a local can look at, know where the soil came from, how it was treated, and do it themselves,” says Bogadhi, explaining his thought process.