Project Description

My investigation focuses on developing a participant driven workshop exploring generated ways an institution can be designed to enhance quality of education.

The workshop draws from the accepted practice of Participatory Design and gives students agency in developing their own educational spaces. The inspiration for the workshop comes from my experiences interacting with schools, students, and art, and incorporates imagination, curiosity, community, co-creation, and self-development.

While visiting schools in Mexico City, I explored students’ then-current educational experiences through basic Art Therapy and Ethnographic exercises and thus discovered a disconnect between their reality and their desires.

By implementing a participatory structure, I hope to (1) foster collaboration among the students, teacher and designer, (2) create a greater connection between the students and the final design, and (3) empower the students to feel more responsible and more involved in their education.

The workshop will inspire designers to create spaces that make children and faculty more comfortable and inspired, thus improving the environment for their mental and physical development. Lastly, the workshop will teach valuable lifelong skills, like teamwork, self-awareness and respect.