Person-Centered Approach techniques applied to Architectural Design teaching: Experiences from the Design I class at the uaq (Autonomous University of Queretaro)

Abstract

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.