Community-engaged design studios: learning through “live” projects

Abstract

[EN] The paper reflects on a pilot community-engaged pedagogical approach underpinned by Urban Living Labs (ULLs) methodology, developed through a second-year housing design studio at the Department of Architecture, University of Cyprus in the spring semester 2021. Through participatory action research methodology (PAR) a co-creation framework was designed, implemented and evaluated and its impact on students and the design result has been assessed. As a meeting place for a quadruple helix of students, educators, researchers, and external stakeholders, the design studio aims to bring together architectural research, pedagogy and society for knowledge exchange and co-production as well as for increasing sustainability, diversity and inclusivity regarding urban decision-making processes. Reflecting on the results, various suggestions for improvements are proposed in terms of the outcome, levels of involvement, tools, process and schedule.