Abstract

In the university - society collaboration context, the Universidad San Sebastian's Architecture School establishes a course, concieved as an architecture office that develops every stage of a professional project, eventually buildable and focused on social needs. This course, called Practice Studio, is held in the fifth year of study as the only course of the semester and as an essential requirement for the degree cycle. The Studio employs Service Learning methodology and helps in the development of necessary professional skills (communication, capacity to solve complex problems or team work). This article presents the course's working methodology, its relation with similar national and international initiatives and the explanation of two specifc projects (the design and refurbishment of the studio as an Architectural Office and the design of a rural house), to discuss the pedagogical benefits of this model, its projections and opportunities.