SketchIN, Architecture and Design Magazine is a biannual magazine published by the Autonomous University of Querétaro, through the University Editorial Fund. The contents include academic research, essays and projects in the areas of Design, Architecture and Urban Planning, as well as original research and theories that contribute to the development of these disciplines.
The opinions expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the position of the editor of the publication. Total or partial reproduction of the content is authorized, as long as the source is attributed and a link to the original is provided. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).
Energy efficiency in urban housing: towards the sustainability of the Benito Juárez Mayor's Office, CDMX
The building sector is one of the largest consumers of energy and emitters of Greenhouse Gases (GHG), mainly due to its high dependence on electricity. Uncontrolled urban growth, driven by increasing housing demand, puts pressure on public services and causes negative impacts such as pollution. This research seeks to propose energy efficiency strategies to promote the transition towards sustainable models in existing residential buildings. It was developed through statistical analysis of population, housing and CO2 emissions; the review of urban energy efficiency strategies in Mexico; and the identification of modernization measures for buildings. The most notable technologies were solar heaters and panels, due to their ability to take advantage of renewable energy, easy installation and maintenance. The joint implementation improves energy efficiency, reduces emissions and contributes to sustainable urban development.
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Prototype design of service provider-client tool interface for service monitoring
This article describes the design of a web interface prototype for the management and tracking of services internally small and medium-sized mexican enterprises (SMEs). It emphazises how SMEs face structural and technological obstacles which limit their competitiveness, especially in the adoption of information technologies (ICT). The global COVID-19 outbreak accelerated digitalization, but many SMEs still struggle to adapt because of financial constraints and a lack of accessible tools. The project consists of a web platform that allows service providers to generate personalized tracking links, which enables communication with customers and optimizing operational processes. The platform is based on a user-centered approach, which encompasses the steps of observation, idea generation, prototyping, and usability testing. This tool incorporates key functionalities: link creation, stage management, interface customization, and visualization of real-time progress. In specialized terms, technologies such as JavaScript, Python, Django, CSS3, and HTML5 were applied for development, with integration on cloud platforms like GitHub and Render for management. The interface was designed to be intuitive, adaptable to different display sizes, and with 99.99% availability. Results suggest that this type of accessible tools can improve the productivity of SMEs and strengthen customer relationships. Future research should evaluate the economic effects of the solution, as well as explore improvements in automation and personalization. This work concludes that digitalization is essential for the competitiveness of SMEs in Mexico.
Digital mentoring in industrial design: facilitating ergonomics through digital tools and user experiences
The optimal application of ergonomics in industrial design is imperative for creating functional and comfortable products. Nevertheless, many an industrial designer —particularly students— faces challenges when attempting to understand and apply ergonomic principles, often confusing them with the concept of anthropometry. This article describes the development of a specialized ergonomics section within an online mentorship platform for industrial design, in which information was presented in an accessible and straightforward manner. The digital tool and its methods were validated by means of a practical test with third-semester students at the Autonomous University of Querétaro, who applied the interface in their Design Workshop I project to plan and construct chair prototypes. The results demonstrate that the layout of the platform effectively transmit knowledge in an understandable approach. In the experimental essay, approximately 94% of the chairs met ergonomic requirements, confirming the strategy’s effectiveness as an educational resource. This study proposes a digital platform that display information concisely, which aims to facilitate the implementation of ergonomic principles in product design by students.
Sustainable collection of natural water sources for vertical hydroponic systems
Climate change and the wasteful utilization of water have negatively impacted global production of greenhouse-grown crops. It is calculated that agriculture requires 72% of the world's accessible freshwater. This research focuses on the community of El Capulín, located in the municipality of Amealco de Bonfil, Queretaro, where harvests have decreased by up to 30%, affecting both commerce and local consumption. In the face of this situation, the community's system of dams and wells has represented the only means of water capture and supply for crops. In order to optimize this vital element's reserves, drip irrigation is utilized; nevertheless, this solution is insufficient due to an absence of infrastructure and maintenance in the irrigation system. As a countermeasure, a dual sustainable water capture and supply system was proposed, based on natural sources, such as rain and fog. This system enables water storage and crop irrigation by means of absorption in a vertical hydroponic arrangement. Due to the conjuction of these technologies and the favorable climatic conditions, it was possible to collect 35 liters of water. In conclusion, the synergy between the water capture system and the community's climatic conditions positively contributed to the water recollection for vertical hydroponics.
Influence of mentoring on the performance of university projects applied to the conceptual process in industrial design Licencia Creative
This article originates from the implementation of a strategy generated to validate competencies in the creation of conceptual projects, deployed with Industrial Design students at the Autonomous University of Querétaro. A project manual and mentoring sessions were utilized to identify the key concepts of product language, as well as the essential aspects of the creative process. The strategy was based on the design of urban furniture and interior design in some appointed areas within the School of Engineering, regarding the framework of the academic event called “repentina”. Teams were integrated in three sections: the first one implicated a researcher and eight active faculty members of the Industrial Design program; the second had only one faculty member from the same field; while the third worked without mentoring accompaniment. In section 1, the mentoring was provided both individually and in teams. The results were evaluated by means of a set of criteria for the experiment, as well as through surveys applied to the students and evaluations by external specialists. The ensuing analysis revealed that the presence of the mentor on the second section had a negative impact in terms of student performance, observed in a higher dropout index. In contrast, section 1 presented the lowest dropout rate along with a higher score in the overall evaluation.
impact of musical stimuli on industrial design students
The study techniques that are usually applied in classes are not favorable for students with attention deficit. Although there are several proposals with strategies to concentrate attention, these have not been proved with college students yet. Researchers such as Jurado Noboa (2018), Soto (2009) and Griffiths (2001) indicate that musical stimulation can help maintain concentration. On another note, Velasquez et al. (2009) point out how neuronal connections are triggered by music and its impact during information processing in the brain. Consequently, a method of attention stimulation is proposed, which evaluates the effects produced when university students listen to music while they carry out a specific project. Part of this research intends to gather evidence on how musical stimulation impacts students of the Industrial Design Degree at the Autonomus University of Queretaro (UAQ) in diverse environments. In fact, music, as a variable, has a direct influence in the concentration of students, either positively or negatively, depending on the musical genre and the way it is played.
Rescuing the sense community: opening the city
The sense of community is a key element of social cohesion that is usually associated with the resolution of collective needs that emerge from sharing the same space, whose residents manifest ways of life that influence the sense of community. Nevertheless, at present, urban areas grow no longer by means of popular neighborhoods, but through gated communities. This document presents preliminary results of the thesis El sentido de comunidad en el barrio Temezcuitate y el fraccionamiento Villas de Guanajuato, generated in the Master of Architecture of the Autonomous University of Queretaro. The focal characteristics that strengthen the sense of community are determined throughout a morphological and social research. This comparison is made through spatial schemes and deduces that the rescue of the sense of community implies opening the city, so that the physical elements of the urban space, such as porosity, facilitate a greater cohesion of the social fabric.
Performance analysis of recycled concrete aggregates in cement-based tile adhesive formulations
This study analyzes the performance of recycled fine aggregate concretes (RAC) as substitutes for calcium carbonates in formulations of economic or Type A construction ceramic adhesives. Tests were performed on the fresh state of the mixtures and the open time was evaluated according to the current standard NMX-C-420-1-ONNCCE. A control formula was developed with conventional aggregates and its performance was compared with RAC formulations. The results of the research suggest that the use of recycled aggregate concretes is feasible, as long as the effect of higher water demand, the particle size control and the use of cost-effective methods for the processing of concrete waste are taken into consideration.
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Emotional architecture and it´s influence on habitability. The Casa Jardin Ortega by Luis Barragan
This document describes the Casa Jardin Ortega, architect Luis Barragan’s opera magna located in Mexico City, in respect of its habitability. Barragan’s work was instrumental for defining the concept of “emotional architecture” and its influence on habitability. The study was restricted to the areas of knowledge of architecture and environmental psychology. Following the specifics of this research work, a qualitative methodology was used; a semi-structured interview was chosen as an instrument to collect the testimonies of the inhabitants. Casa Jardin was a laboratory where the architect experimented with the tex-tures, paths, colors, materials, scales, furniture, indirect light, etcetera. The interviews evidenced ambivalent positions about the habitability; on one hand, a professional on the matter was interviewed, who is able to admire both the work and the elements and spaces that make it up; on the other, two women from outside the subject were also interviewed, who affirmed that the house is impractical, since certain spaces are not related, there are many unevennesses and the first floor has humidity accompanied by gloominess. Consequently, they would prefer to live in an apartment. With these testimonies, it can be debated whether this type of housing can offer function, comfort or adapt to different types of users with characteristics and necessities other than those which correspond to its author.
Affordable architecture in Mexico, a necessity
This text shows a brief analysis about Affordability Architecture, trend that invites to design and build decent, functional, archi-tecturally adequate housing, applying ecological principles, low cost and easy to acquire without the need to sacrifice the comfort of the residents. Currently, the real estate market is focused on the massification of housing, which tends to sacrifice the comfort of users. The analysis points out the importance of affordable housing, seeking to make it visible, inviting us to learn more about this construction approach and to make its use more and more frequent. Likewise, it is intended to show that Mexicans need to have access to housing.
Design culture in msme, a global perspective
The lack of recognition of the value and integration of design in MSMEs is a problem that affects the practice of the discipline and its evolution within organizations, so efforts have been made globally to make its relevance visible and promote its incorporation into the organizational culture of companies. This article is a compilation and bibliographic analysis resulting from an exploration oriented to the value of design, the methods to measure its integration in companies and the culture of design in a framework of integration into MSMEs. A search matrix was constructed for the compilation of bibliography and subsequently the research results were analyzed and summarized. It is recognized that the practice of design within companies aggregates value to their products and services; however, integrating it into the operational flow turns out to be a challenge, since it not only requires the application of specific procedures, but a change in the cultural background as well.
Artificial architecture: new perspectives and challenges
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed the working procedures of numerous sectors in recent years, including the field of architecture. The purpose of this article is to analyze the impact of AIon architecture and determine how this technology contributes to the quality of the designs, the efficiency in the elaboration process and its long-term sustainability, since this field is in constant change. The platforms Midjourney, a creative AI, and Architechtures, an AI in development, were taken into account as examples of tools that currently affect the field. Departing from these constructs, advantages in AI use were proposed, such as efficiency and design generation based on parameters, and disadvantages, such as human interven-tion loss and codependency.
Neuroarchitectural strategies focused on loft-style housing in the city of Queretaro
Over time, housing has been deformed in terms of space, square meters and habitability factors, as a consequence of the demographic growth of the city of Queretaro. This deformation of housing has had repercussions on the way human beings live, as they find themselves in the need to live in small places that are not designed for comfort, and are aimed at generating an extra resource for landlords. With this selected problem, an investigation was carried out in real estate platforms, elaborating comparative factors of habitability, design and price of this type of housing, to know the quality-cost relationships within the area near universities in the city of Queretaro, by comparing various factors. The purpose of this research and data collection is to generate a list of design strategies, in search of comfort in lofts, applying knowledge of neuroarchitecture and using similar projects in other countries as a reference. As a result, it is intended to raise awareness and improve the quality of life in lofts by providing practical strategies.
La Importancia del desarrollo de “recubrimientos verdes” para la industria de los recubrimientos.
Coatings in general are found around the human being in daily life, practically everything has coating. Due to climate change, and the neglect of the environment, today it is essential to use and apply products that are more sustainable for the care of the environment and for coatings is no exception, the main objective of this article, is to present the importance of the development of green coatings and show how more and more customers demand that coatings are more friendly to the environment and generate fewer emissions to the environment. The global coatings market is constantly changing due to several factors such as the increase in environmental regulations, greater environmental awareness of consumers and the great commitment of the industry to environmental values. The scope of the research is for architectural coatings and for wood. The importance of sustainable products in different productive sectors is presented, then the role played by "green" coatings in the coatings industry, mainly architectural and wood coatings, as well as the economic and environmental benefits it represents. the development of these coatings. The importance of formulating more environmentally friendly coatings for the economic and environmental future from the point of view of the coatings industry is demonstrated with bibliographic evidence.
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Preservation of historic buildings through virtual architecture
The preservation of historical buildings is a topic that has been explored and developed for many years with the aim of leaving a legacy for future generations. However, due to climate change, the risk of natural disasters that can result in the loss of homes, territory, and historical heritage has increased exponentially. Therefore, traditional prevention and mitigation actions are insufficient to ensure the protection of these assets. In response to this issue, in recent years, initiatives employing technological advances, such as the virtualization of historical buildings, have been developed. Since this technique is a relatively new methodology, its scope is not widely known yet. This work aims to raise awareness and emphasize the importance of these techniques through the analysis of various cases of its application.
Preservation, virtual, historic buildings, technology.
Design of a learning strategy for the industrial design degree under a 4.0 education approach.
This work presents the experimental implementation of a learning strategy based on Education 4.0 in students of the Industrial Design Degree (LDI) at the Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ). A comparison is made between a self-learning methodology using audiovisual media and the Google Classroom platform against the traditional model still prevalent in the curriculum. Information was gathered through two interventions in which a design project was presented from the theoretical-practical approach of the ldi. The groups were segmented through a random selection process of the participants. The results favored the traditional method; however, based on feedback from teachers and students, it was concluded that a hybrid method could be the most efficient alternative to achieve better learning performance.
Existing sustainable certifications for buildings in Mexico
In Mexico, one of the strategies to mitigate the alarming impacts caused by construction on the environment is the certification of sustainable edifications. Various obstacles hinder their implementation, leading to a ralentization in sustainable development, such as misinformation. This work aims to describe the different sustainable certifications available for buildings in Mexico, with the goal of disseminating information among the population through an analysis of these certifications to create a list and a database. It is concluded that in Mexico, there is significant misinformation and a lack of updates regarding national regulations on the subject.
Theoretical bases for the design and formulation of urban proposals against violence.
The identity instilled in public spaces from their design, the one attributed by the appropriation of their users and the circumstances of the sites persuasively influence human behavior. Some spatial characteristics, elements, equipment, social dynamics and sensory stimuli can promote manifestations of violence, by accentuating the negative roles, behaviors and attitudes, and evo-quing feelings and emotions that steer towards violence. This research addresses environmental psychology, perception, violence and city public spaces. The purpose is to confirm the theoretical relationship between the identity of a space, sociospatial aspects, identity morphological a- gents and violent human behavior, exposing the perception and cognition of inhabitants as well as the defining mechanisms of a violent spatial identity. This research stands on a literature review of the relationships that thrive in identity, environment, violent behavior, environmental attitudes, evaluative feelings and emotions. The results complement those of previous research that shows the reciprocity between the environ-ment and human behavior, which enables us to highlight the importance of the citizens' experience in the design as well as the intervention of public spaces.
Dissection of a repair: Art as a tool to change environmental perceptions.
The new textile production techniques aimed at reducing costs and time have resulted in a wide range of products that evolve rapidly with current trends. In turn, consumers have intensified this phenomenon, leading to an excess of textiles in the world. Fletcher (2012) emphasizes the importance of consumers in extending the life of textile products through conservation and usage practices. Thus, it is relevant to generate knowledge about users’ textile disposal habits to design revaluation strategies that will help reduce textile waste. The present research focuses on discouraging users from dis-carding their textiles through the design and implementation of an artistic intervention that influences the environmental perception of a young population in the city of Querétaro. Art as a means of social intervention provides the opportunity to create emotional connections with the users and, in this case, motivate them to participate in initiatives to address current environmental and social issues.
Joyería artesanal: La innovación como motor de rescate cultural y económico de las técnicas tradicionales de platería en Taxco, Guerrero.
The objective of this project is to design a strategy to revalue silver craftsmanship through the diversification and opening of specific markets with the artisans of Taxco, in order to know and identify the real problems that affect this craft and determine the priority needs of the participants in this work. INEGI (2020) estimates that there are around 3,000 artisans who still work with silver in this place, in small workshops that include family participation and it is here where priceless pieces are materialized that are currently little appreciated in the regional market, so they are often sold wholesale and without the help of marketing processes behind. Strategic design is a fundamental axis within this research, since, with the help of the Design Thinking methodology, a culture of innovation can be generated in silversmith artisans so that their products can be diversified, revalued and integrated into specific markets. This includes learning, assimilation and application of current trends in silver design for the creation of jewelry that seeks the use and preservation of traditional techniques and revisits the cultural heritage of the village.
DESIGN OF A TOOL TO MEASURE THE PERCEPTION OF SECURITY IN RESIDENTIAL HOMES
The perception of insecurity is a problem that affects more than 70% of the population in Mexico. Therefore, it is necessary to have a tool with which to measure it, and that allows to analyze the results efficiently and practically
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TACTICAL URBAN PLANNING TO REGENERATE AREAS WITH A TENDENCY TO SOCIAL RUPTURES
The following article presents a working hypothesis based on community design and tactical urbanism. It was made by students from the Bachelor of Architecture of the Autonomous University of Querétaro and the Juárez University of the State of Durango, to improve social and urban conditions within the community of the Barrio de San Sebastián, located in the Municipality of Querétaro. The project proposes solutions to social problems that the community of San Sebastián has presented for many years due to its socio-historical context. Today, in 2020, a series of events has led the community to the verge of a social break that will be difficult to repair if action is not taken in the near future as of the date of this study.
The general objectives of this of article are to analyze the relationship between architecture and identity, and to deconstruct the concept of the latter. The scope of this investigation is only the theoretical level; a theoretical framework was elaborated in order to analyze the relationship between architecture and identity. A deconstruction of the identity is also carried out in addition to a proposal for its overcoming through singularity. A bibliographic research was conducted, as well as a discussion forum with guest experts from uaq, umsnh and La Escuela Radical. This paper includes reflections made by the author after the investigation concluded. As general conclusions we assert that: 1. Identity only makes sense as a construction in a social (political) background; 2. The myth of identity emerges from the efforts of denying the differences between individuals and the belief that it is eternal and perfect; 3. In the delusion that we must oppose in order to legitimize ourselves, we have created a hateful society where the perverse phenomenon of hegemony has arisen; 4. Identity is akin to performance; 5. The theorizing of architecture must derive from existence.
COVID-19 AND ITS EFFECT IN THE MOBILITY TRENDS. STUDY CASE: METROPOLITAN ZONE OF QUERETARO
The pandemic caused by the outbreak of covid-19 has undoubtedly affected the way in which the city’s inhabitants interact and carry out their daily activities. More than a year after the beginning of the pandemic, it is relevant to know how commute habits, mode of transportation and destinations have changed in the Queretaro Metropolitan Area. To this end, a survey was conducted which showed that the pandemic has had an impact on mobility trends: the percentages of use of different modes of transportation have changed, as well as the origin-destination routes within the city. At the same time, it revealed that the physical structure of the city determines the mode of transportation chosen by users, and made visible the long distances that people have to travel which cause the road traffic they have to deal with on a daily basis. Notwithstanding all this, the pandemic has shown that there is a potential to create a safer, healthier and more accessible city that promotes a change in the way people live. The aim is for the city to allow each inhabitant to decide which mode of transport to choose without feeling obligated to opt for a particular one because he or she feels that the other options do not have adequate safety, efficiency and health characteristics.
ESTABLISHMENT OF DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FOR SPORTS EQUIPMENT BASED ON A METHODOLOGICAL PROPOSAL BASED ON EMPATHY
This article aims to develop a methodology for the establishment of design requirements for sports equipment. The proposal consists of three stages: empathizing, determining and creating. The first and most important stage involves the user as the focus of all decisions throughout the design process. The study was carried out with Mexican artistic roller skating athletes to obtain regional parameters of sports equipment; however, the proposal is highly scalable and applicable to other fields. Considering the users and their needs throughout the design process permits empathizing with them in order to obtain useful and reliable results to be applied to a final product, which can in turn result in a greater acceptance. The formulation of the methodology seeks to reach a state of empathy with the users and obtain accurate information about their needs, desires and aspirations. The results established the physical characteristics of Mexican skaters, which serve as a starting point for the manufacturing of various products. The proposed methodology is applicable to areas outside of sports, since it generates a guide that allows to know the user in order to develop products according to specific needs.
USER-CENTERED DESIGN FOR MEDICAL DEVICES DEVELOPMENT
The main goal of this project is to develop a prototyte of a diagnostic tool for diabetic rethinopathy that allows the use of algoritms developed at Universidad Autonóma de Querétaro as a part of the Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence. To execute this tool, it was necessary to collect a vast amount of information through different user centered design tools, in order to generate an improved product. Similar devices were studied and the different contexts and users that this product interacts with were analysed. Through the Design Thinking and Gui Bonsiepe Methods, it was possible to achieve a better undestanding of the problem and the user. Tha validation of the improvements of the tool was studied through specific tasks and three usablity indicators: efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction.
Tactical urbanism as a regenerator of areas damaged by natural disasters
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This paper discusses the relation between the conditions that cause the lack of sunlight inside a building and the regulations concerning solar access, as well as its relation with solar availability at the site, for which Querétaro city was taken as a case of study. A review was made on the importance of sunlight and the access to it, the current situation of the case study and the existing norms for building in Mexico. Additionally, a methodic measurement of sunlight was performed. The results indicate that the strengthening of solar access is required in the planning and design processes for the construction of buildings and cities. This is linked to current legislations and other factors. Although the regulations exist, rigor in their application and its focus towards the health of the people are required. The analysis of solar availability at the site shows that the data obtained favorably in solar incidence are applicable to provide spaces that accommodate planning with solar access; in turn, this analysis is presented as a tool to all those who promote solar design considering sunlight.
Person-Centered Approach techniques applied to Architectural Design teaching
Taking into account the new ways of understanding the nature and object of architectural design, particularly those expressed by Flores (who states that architectural design must start from the understanding of human complexity and be oriented at generating habitability), it was considered appropriate to rethink the way in which students can be trained to practice this kind of design. For this research, given the shared understanding about the human person and the evidence of its positive results, a strategy was developed and implemented for the Design I class based on the Person-Centered Approach and oriented towards the adoption of the mentioned postulates about architectural design. This strategy was also intended to awaken initiative, responsibility, creativity and freedom in the students. Based on research in the sources and in the classroom, and taking the professor’s role, a praxis was developed, which translated into a biannual in and out of the classroom work scheme for a first semester group. This work program was implemented and then evaluated using tools for User Experience analysis. From this experience, it was identified that the students who participated were able to develop broader and more complex criteria for the conceptualization and design of spaces; they manifested wide interest and responsibility and, finally, they had a positive perception about the experience of the learning process, as well as the relevance and value of what they learned.
Ergonomics evaluation of a soil mixing machine for the production of bricks in San Nicolás, Tequisquiapan, Querétaro
In Mexico, brick production is present in approximately 512 municipalities. The production is carried out in a non-mechanized way [7], which implies a significant physical effort for the producers. Workers who perform tasks that involve repetitive efforts are more likely to suffer from musculoskeletal disorders. The brick producers’ cooperative “Por un Nuevo Rumbo”, from the town of San Nicolás, Tequisquiapan, got in contact with the Autonomous University of Queretaro (UAQ), in order to work on the development of a soil mixer machine that allows the mechanization of the process. The present study focuses on reducing the physical effort of the activity, by reducing the height in the design of the machine. The ergonomics evaluations were made using the OWAS, INSHT methods and a questionnaire based on the ergopar v2.0 method. The OWAS and INSHT evaluations delivered a general ergonomics evaluation. The most significant results were obtained from the questionnaires applied to the producers, which show a decrease in the perceived discomfort in elbows, shoulders, back and wrists.