Diseño de espacios educativos: refuncionalización arquitectónica, del subsuelo de la Unidad Académica de Ingeniería, Industria y Construcción

Abstract

The analysis of the subsurface of the Academic Department of Engineering, Industry, and Construction of the Catholic University of Cuenca reveals an infrastructure with pedagogical deficiencies that are outdated to the 21st century. The lack of socializing, rest, and collaborative work areas negatively impacts the student experience. In order to address these issues, a Design Thinking approach is proposed to interpret students' needs, i.e., a user-centered approach aimed at solving problems through creativity and empathy, considering environmental factors. Architectural research emphasizes the importance of gathering authentic user feedback and promoting active learning. The architectural proposal aims to optimize space utilization, offering flexibility and efficiency. The economic feasibility and low environmental impact of the proposed solution are highlighted. In summary, the degree work aims to develop the pre-project functionalization of the subsurface area of the Academic Department to revitalize the educational environment, prioritizing students’ needs and promoting a sustainable and functional design.