Community-Engaged Architectural Design Learning as Critical Spatial Practice

Abstract

This chapter presents and reflects on the Solidary Mobile Housing (SMH) project, an ongoing practice-based research project at the KU Leuven Faculty of Architecture (Brussels, Belgium) on the co-creation and co-management of mobile houses for the houseless in un(der)used urban lots. Based on this analysis, the chapter discusses how Community-engaged Architectural Design Learning can be conceived and implemented as an inclusive Critical Spatial Practice. The chapter starts with a brief introduction to the SMH project, and how teaching and learning were addressed in the context of this project. Next, it presents a theoretical framework, positioning Community-engaged Architectural Design Learning at the intersection of ‘participatory design’, ‘reflective practice’ and ‘living labs’. This framework is then used to critically re-examine the SMH project. The authors are drawing conclusions on how Community-engaged Architectural Design Learning established socio-spatial modes of collaboration engaging academia, practice, and society, on how this fostered Critical Spatial Practice, and on what can be learned from this for future Community-engaged Architectural Design Learning practices.