Maintains Mountains 2026

On January 19, 2026, a series of workshops entitled "mAIntains mOUntains" began, aimed at creating a set of tangible and intangible results that will contribute to a deeper theoretical understanding and practical implementation of post-event mountain resilience.

Over the coming week, the" mAIntainsmOUntains" project will bring together students and teachers from across Europe to embark on a joint project journey dedicated to the resilience of mountains in the wake of major global events, with a particular focus on the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

The most important question:

How do large-scale events such as the Olympic Games affect ecosystems and local communities in sensitive mountain regions?

The Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina are not concentrated in one place, but spread across four host areas – Milan, Cortina, Valtellina, and Val di Fiemme—creating complex environmental, social, cultural, and infrastructure challenges that extend far beyond the event itself.

Structure

The mAIntains mOUntains workshop series has been designed as a four-phase collaborative journey involving the Scuola del Design del Politecnico di Milano, PJAIT Warsaw, and a third partner university. It consists of two intensive on-site workshops—first in Warsaw, then in Milan—followed by a month dedicated to refining the project, culminating in a public presentation during Milan Design Week.

1. Exploratory workshops atPJAIT
2. Co-design workshops at Politecnico di Milano
3. Finalization of the design (March)
4. Final exhibition during Milan Design Week (April)

Methodology

The methodological framework of the mAIntains mOUntains workshop series is designed to combine rigorous scientific research with participatory design practices, ensuring that each stage yields both empirically grounded insights and context-specific interventions. This approach is implemented through four interrelated elements 

1. Mixed-method research and data synthesis
2. Participatory co-design laboratories
3. Immersive prototyping and digital twin simulation
4. Iterative validation and reflection — each tailored to the program's objectives and designed to maximize interdisciplinary collaboration between partners.

Nantes Atlantique School of Design: Simon Lozac’h

The mAIntains mOUntains workshops are supported by Erasmus+ funds and organized as part of the Blended Intensive Program (BIP).

Politecnico di Milano (Italy)

Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology (Poland)

Nantes Atlantique School of Design (France)

Strate, School of Design (France)

Technical University of Cologne (Germany)

Higher School of Design, IPCA (Portugal)

University of Aveiro (Portugal)

Special thanks to Dean Ewa Satalecka, PhD.
The exhibition "mAIntains mOUntains" is part of the Milano Cortina Cultural Olympics.