Field Experiments
We believe ideas should be tested in the real world.
Field Experiments are New Ground's way of researching in person, not just in writing. The first one is a small gathering for families rethinking how and where they want to live, in the Austrian Alps.
Research doesn't only happen on the page.
Field Experiments are how New Ground tests its questions in person: small, temporary, and honest about what they are. Future experiments might include villages, temporary communities, family gatherings, research trips, and coworking weeks. This is where it starts.
Why this exists
What kind of life are we building for our children?
Not just where a family lives, but the pace, the space, and the kind of days their children experience.
Many families live in the city, work, and life functions. But something doesn't fully feel right, and it's rarely a feeling anyone faces alone.
So instead of trying to figure it out in isolation, this pilot brings a few families together to explore it in real life.
What this is
This is a small, simple gathering for families:
No heavy structure. No packed schedule. Just enough intention to create the right environment.
3-5 families
A few days in nature
Children are part of it (not something to "manage away")
Space for real conversations about life, work, and raising kids
What this is not
- Not a polished retreat
- Not a parenting workshop
- Not a "perfect slow life" simulation
Kids will be kids.
It might be messy, noisy, and imperfect.
That's part of the point.
Who this is for
This might resonate if:
- You've thought about leaving (or changing) city life
- You want something different for your children, but it's not clear what or how
- You feel the tension between stability and a different way of living
- You'd value being around families asking similar questions
This is not about having answers.
It's about exploring the questions together.
Why families
For families, this decision is more complex.
It's not just about you:
- ·Education
- ·Work
- ·Stability
- ·Community
That's exactly why this exists.
A small step. Low commitment. A chance to feel what this could look like before making bigger decisions.
Practical details
We'll keep it simple on purpose.
Format
2-4 days
Families
3-5
Location
Somewhere in the Austrian Alps (TBD)
Children
Welcome and included