STUDENT MADE INFRASTRUCTURE IN RURAL CONTEXTS - LA ESTRELLA STEEPLE DESIGN BUILD PROJECT

Abstract

The Design/Build Methodology in the Education of Architecture is an alternative to traditional and theoretical training where real projects and construction takes place. This paper focuses on a case study from the School of Architecture course “Introducción a la Construcción” at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Its main feature is exploration on timber construction through a direct hands-on experience and development of prefabricated built projects. Timber has been used as the predominant building material since it allows to explore concepts of prefabrication, modular coordination, and structural performance. This intuitive design approach is complemented by a low-tech and low-cost solution according to the local context. Recently the course has realigned its focus to community-oriented projects outside the university in a process that entails complex management and technical issues. The project considers a steeple structure commissioned by La Estrella parish and the impact of project´s brief constraints on the timber structure in terms of: design and prefabrication process: brief constraints plus available design tools were applied to on-site and off-site construction methods to allow quick assembly. A participative and iterative process through design and testing of different timber structural components developed by groups of students; management issues: communication, consultants and construction management by the academic staff and students; relationship with community: this process includes participatory design, community engagement and participation. Conclusions drawn from this project show a successful experience of timber building systems applied to this methodology. Built results have exceeded original expectations while the engagement between the student project and the benefiting community constitute a successful experience in the exploration of these teaching strategies. Involvement of students in management process is an aspect that needs further development as a relevant feature to be considered on future off-campus projects.