Digitalizing architectural education: active learning, reflection, and collaboration with digital tools

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5821/jida.2025.13590

Keywords:

CGI of architecture, research by CAD, BIM methodology, graphic edition, collaborative tools for architectural design

Abstract

Architectural education faces the challenge of preparing future architects for a technologically advanced environment. In this context, the integration of digital tools into teaching emerges as a key strategy for the acquisition of graphic competencies. The aim of this paper is to illustrate how these tools, introduced from the early weeks of the degree program through a methodology based on action and reflection, contribute to the development of essential skills in students without overshadowing propaedeutic content.

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logo DOI logo DOI logo DOI 10.5821 DOI: 10.5821/jida.2025.13590

Author Biographies

Manuel Ramos Martín, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

PhD Architect from the University of Seville, specialized in sustainable construction and energy obsolescence of buildings in relation to climate change. Associate Professor in the Department of Architectural Graphic Ideation at the ETSAM, Technical University of Madrid (UPM).

Alongside his academic work, he practices as an architect, serving as project manager and site supervisor for residential and tertiary buildings, all of which are developed entirely using BIM methodology.

Ismael García Ríos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

PhD Architect from the Technical University of Madrid (UPM, 1996) and Associate Professor at the same university since 2001, in the field of Architectural Graphic Expression. He teaches Geometry and Architectural Drawing, and is the lead professor of the course Experimental Workshop 1: Infographics and Geometric Modeling. He is a member of the Academic Committee of the interdepartmental PhD program in Architectural Communication at ETSAM, UPM, and a member of the research group “Hypermedia: Workshop on Architectural Communication and Configuration.”

His research interests include geometry in architecture, its applications and representation, as well as modern architects of the 20th century.

Ana González Uriel, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Architect. PhD. Associate Professor at the School of Architecture, Technical University of Madrid (UPM). Specialist in architectural infographics, multimedia design, and presentation. Experienced in virtual representation, graphic communication, and photogrammetric surveying techniques. Her teaching focuses on geometry, drawing, and graphic expression using digital tools. She has participated in ten educational innovation projects at UPM, serving as coordinator in two of them. In recent years, her research has focused on the geometric analysis of historical constructions; she is a member of the research group “Form and Historical Construction” (UPM).

Licinia Aliberti, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Architect at Roma Tre University and Ph.D. at the Polytechnic University of Madrid. She teaches geometry and architectural drawing subjects at the Polytechnic University of Madrid and she has been a lecturer at the European University of Madrid and at ESNE, University of Camilo José Cela. Her research focuses on geometrical analysis of architectural heritage and on contemporary metric restitution techniques. She has carried on several studies and surveys of historical buildings. She has been involved in projects promoted by the Spanish Institute of Cultural Heritage and other public institutions. Member of the research group “Historic Building and Shape” of the Polytechnic University of Madrid, she participates in seminars and research activities, and she has written studies for national and international publications.

References

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García Reig, C.; García Ríos, I. 2010. «Parametric design and the geometry of architectural forms». Disegnare Idee Immagini. Gangemi Editore S.p.A., 21 (40), pp. 38-45. ISSN 1123-9247.

López, C., García, J. L. y Girbés, J., 2021. «El método Flipped Classroom en asignaturas gráficas». I Congreso de Escuelas de Edificación y Arquitectura Técnica de España. Editorial Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, pp. 45-57. ISBN: 978-84-9048-409-8.

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Published

2025-10-28

Issue

JIDA'25

Section

PAPERS