The Second Studio Design and Architecture Show #456 - Ana Duran, Co-Principal of Estudio A0 & Assistant Professor at Yale School of Architecture.
Jul 8, 2025
Ana Maria Duran Calisto, Co-Principal of Estudio A0 and Assistant Professor at Yale, dives into the intricate relationship between technology, culture, and nature in architecture. She reflects on the impact of colonialism in Ecuador, emphasizing the need for interconnectedness in modern design. The discussion highlights the richness of Amazonian cultures and the misconceptions surrounding them, while advocating for sustainable practices rooted in indigenous knowledge. Duran also shares her unconventional journey in architecture, inspiring listeners to embrace unique interests.
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Education Rift: Nature Absence
- Ana Maria Duran Calisto experienced a rift in architecture education between traditional tectonic poetics and emerging digital deconstructivism.
- She missed the integration of nature and social aspects, which were largely absent from her U.S. architectural studies.
Nature and Culture Return to Architecture
- Architecture education is shifting to embrace nature and cultural roots, especially at Yale.
- Current students explore heritage deeply, a freedom less available to previous generations.
Pedagogical Rift in Architecture
- The contrast between Louis Kahn's poetic approach and the digital generation's computer-based methods created a pedagogical rift.
- Lack of hand drawing skills in the digital era handicapped architects in client communication and design fluency.