Territorio y Materia - PUCE I

About

The Territorio y Materia Design Studio is an academic space led by Jorge Andrade Benítez within the Architecture program at PUCE Ibarra that explores the relationship between architectural design, territorial context, and local materials. Throughout the semester, students investigate the social, cultural, and environmental conditions of the Imbabura region, while experimenting with construction techniques and resources available in the area. This approach promotes an architecture rooted in place, sensitive to contextual dynamics, and committed to sustainability.

The studio is also oriented toward collaboration in international and interdisciplinary workshops, enabling students to share experiences with peers from other universities and disciplines, broadening their perspectives on design and construction. Beyond theory, the studio emphasizes experimental and collective design processes, where learning is materialized through prototypes, pavilions, and full-scale constructions, strengthening professional training through practice and teamwork.