DESIGN III: URBAN TRANSFORMATION IN LOS CACICAZGOS

Design III students faced the challenge of transforming a site with an abandoned building at the Anacaona-Luperón intersection in Los Cacicazgos, developing three distinct programs: a museum, modular housing, and a media library. This exercise demonstrated how architecture can creatively adapt to diverse social needs.

The site presents a fascinating urban duality: it combines the residential tranquility of Anacaona Avenue, with access to the Mirador (one of our most important parks in a residential area), and the industrial energy of Luperón Avenue. The students demolished the existing abandoned building to create proposals that honor and take advantage of this unique urban duality.

The pedagogical approach aimed to have students explore how a strategic site can respond to different community needs, demonstrating that site analysis informs and enriches every design decision. The results were projects that improve the environment while responding to contemporary needs, creating a bridge between the residential-recreational character and the urban-industrial dynamism of the area.

EXCEPTIONAL INTERGENERATIONAL COLLABORATION

One of the most enriching aspects of the event and throughout the semester was witnessing how the Design IX students visited the exhibition and the Design III course to support their classmates. This intergenerational collaboration resulted in an extraordinary pedagogical experience: the more advanced students shared wisdom and experience, while the Design III students demonstrated a receptiveness and willingness to learn that transformed the dynamics of both groups.

It was deeply satisfying to observe this natural disposition to give and receive knowledge among peers, creating a collaborative learning environment that enriched the experience of all participants.