Why Small Groups Make a Difference

Erhard Steiner, Architect | dunkelschwarz ZT

Erhard Steiner originally decided to study architecture at CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences for pragmatic reasons. Looking back, however, it was above all the intensive guidance, the small study groups, and the open professional exchange that particularly shaped his time as a student.

For him, the shared drawing studio became the creative heart of his studies–a place where projects took shape, ideas were discussed, and lifelong friendships were formed. Another particularly formative experience was his involvement in theIthuba project in South Africa, where students took full responsibility for the planning, organization, and construction of a school building.

Today, Erhard Steiner is a co-founder of the architectural firm dunkelschwarz ZT in Salzburg. Together with his team, he has already won numerous architectural competitions and awards. His conclusion: His studies not only imparted professional skills but also fostered an openness to thinking about architecture from different perspectives.