Latin American universities and digital craft: reaching out to regional development

Abstract

This research identifies and analyzes the interaction between universities and craft experiences, with communities in different cities and towns in Latin America. These interactions use as link two technologies: digital fabrication and, as an emergent alternative, computational design. Case studies reveal interactions from the universities, specifically schools of architecture, design or engineering, to regional communities, and from them back to universities. We emphasize in advantages, lacks and problems, to be taken into account for future sustainable implementations. Processes establish links with regional production, seeking to empower it through the incorporation of new technologies, framed by teaching-learning experiences. Universities set passive assistance aside, to opt for a real collaborative learning that benefits students, teachers and societies.