The School of Architecture at Universidad ORT Uruguay the first online semester in its history with excellent results. The exhibition of student projects currently on display is clear evidence of the commitment of the architecture students and faculty.
Since the dawn of modern education in the mid-19th century, schools have been recognized as the primary setting for learning. However, the pandemic that swept the world in early 2020 has challenged all established notions about schools, teaching, and learning.
The School of Architecture is no exception to this global reality. The start of the first semester of the year posed a major challenge for all faculty and students, as the shift to remote instruction in architecture defied everything they had learned up to that point.
Today, we can say that this challenge was taken on and successfully overcome, thanks to the collaboration and perseverance of students, faculty, and staff.
Looking back at the projects produced during the first half of the year allows us to appreciate the hard work of each team. That is why it is important to share the results of each course focused on the creation of architectural projects.
Project 1. The rest stop in the park
First-semester students designed a rest stop and its adjacent public space in the quarries of Parque Rodó. They mapped the park and identified the spatial characteristics of each of its areas to develop a design that would be in harmony with the site.
Project 3. A new headquarters for the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF)
As part of the "Project 3" course in the third semester, students were required to complete an eight-week assignment that involved developing design proposals for a hypothetical AUF headquarters. The submissions were entered into a competition judged by Diego Lugano, Ignacio Alonso, Alfredo Etchandy, Andrés Gobba, and Roberto Monteagudo.
Project 5. Spaces for Promoting Culture
During this session, the students engaged in discussions and presented arguments regarding the needs identified in the Larrañaga neighborhood, a predominantly industrial area. This led to the idea of proposing a civic and cultural center designed to promote urban and social integration through a variety of activities and open spaces.
Project 7. London Call
Seventh-semester students developed proposals for the #LondonCall international competition, which called for the design of a cultural building that integrates iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Tower Bridge. The design was required to include spaces where residents and tourists could participate in public events and gatherings.
Project 9. An art school for Vienna #WienCall
In this round of the #WienCall international competition, students were asked to conceive a project in Vienna, Austria, involving the design of an installation in Am Hof Square dedicated to an art school. The winning project will be part of the urban redevelopment taking place in central Vienna, which will house an arts district.
