Abstract:

This paper advocates for integrating service learning in architectural education to foster social responsibility among students. Service learning enables students to address real-world social, cultural, and environmental challenges while actively engaging with communities. Through both hands-on and remote involvement in community-driven projects, students gain a deep understanding of the contexts influencing architectural design, cultivating empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to designing spaces that enhance well-being. Service learning instills ethical responsibility and the realization that architecture shapes societies. By participating in service learning activities ranging from outreach programming to children to construction of modest interventions, students learn to critically examine the social implications of design decisions and explore strategies for creating inclusive, sustainable, and resilient built environments. The integration of service learning benefits communities and equips students with the knowledge, skills, and values to become socially responsible architects. This paper proposes a taxonomy of service learning opportunities, drawing on examples from a leading Canadian architectural institution, to inspire best practices in other institutions and disciplines.

Keywords:

Architectural pedagogy, service learning, social responsibility.