Abstract:

This project, which focuses on learning the new concept of sustainability in architecture, is part of the framework of a project for innovation and teaching improvement (PIME/UPV 2017-2018) and aims to contribute to updating and transferring the contents of three subjects in the undergraduate and Master’s courses in Architecture at the School of Architecture of the Polytechnic University of Valencia.

In view of the unsuitable use of the concept of ‘sustainability’ exercised in professional practice, ARCHITECTS for the FUTURE aims to define this principle through experimental training based on the ‘learning by doing’ methodology, which consists of three tasks. The first of these, the review of specialist journals aims to identify the three pillars of sustainability – environmental, socio-cultural and socio-economic – and the associated parameters for measuring and assessing the sustainability of architectural interventions. The second task verifies compliance with requirements guaranteeing the sustainability level of several case studies while consolidating the knowledge acquired in the first task. Finally, for the third task a practical workshop offers students the skills needed to work with a sustainability certification online tool which the Green Building Council provides for individual countries.

This is why ARCHITECTS for the FUTURE is considered to be a project for improving innovation and teaching, as well as the learning experience of students through an active methodology.

Keywords:

Environmental sustainability, socio-cultural sustainability, socio-economic sustainability, improved learning experience, learning by doing.