{"id":28328,"date":"2025-06-10T15:18:04","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T19:18:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/landscape-architecture\/2025\/06\/10\/global-perspectives-in-design-how-nc-states-duda-program-shapes-design-students\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T03:54:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T07:54:18","slug":"global-perspectives-in-design-how-nc-states-duda-program-shapes-design-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/landscape-architecture\/2025\/06\/10\/global-perspectives-in-design-how-nc-states-duda-program-shapes-design-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Perspectives in Design: How NC State\u2019s Duda Program Shapes Design Students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

Partnering with renowned Mexican architect Gabriela Carrillo, architecture and landscape architecture students explored the urban and environmental complexities of a metropolis rich in Indigenous history and modern challenges as part of this year\u2019s Duda Visiting Designer Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students examined Mexico City’s historical evolution, land use, density and pressing environmental concerns such as water scarcity and subsidence. They also engaged with cultural and social narratives embedded in the urban fabric, deepening their understanding of how history continues to shape modern infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Architecture
Architecture and landscape architecture students traveled to Mexico City \nas part of this year\u2019s Duda Visiting Designer Program.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For many students, this experience was eye-opening. \u201cThis studio broadened my understanding of urban design and allowed me to meet professionals from both Mexico and the U.S. who are leaders in their fields,\u201d said Andrea Padilla Guerrero. \u201cThe studio’s focus on the urban scale ignited a passion for urban design, which has already influenced the studios I am choosing to participate in now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n

\u201cThe studio’s focus on the urban scale ignited a passion for urban design, which has already influenced the studios I am choosing to participate in now.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, Melissa Dominguez noted how the program reshaped her perspective: \u201cThree prestigious architects and landscape architecture professionals from Mexico challenged us to think differently about design and approach societal challenges with fresh perspectives. It made me a more analytical student.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dominguez was particularly struck by Mexico City\u2019s resilience in the face of poverty and high crime rates. Despite its challenges, the city\u2019s strong family structures have contributed to an incredibly low homeless population compared to the U.S. This reinforced for her the importance of considering cultural context in urban design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cameron Johnson highlighted the program\u2019s value in both education and professional practice, which enhanced his critical thinking and expanded his problem-solving approach. Visiting Mexico City firsthand strengthened his passion for community-centered, responsive design \u2013 showing him how architecture interacts with history, urban development and social issues.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n
\n \n\n
\"Renowned
Renowned architect Gabriela Carrillo (center) leads students around the city. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Students
Students visited the Universidad Nacional Aut\u00f3noma de M\u00e9xico (UNAM), which incorporates elements of indigenous history into its many buildings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mar\u00eda Bellalta, head of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, outlined the students\u2019 group projects, focused on tackling critical urban issues. Projects focused on innovation in designing public spaces that could serve as community hubs and emergency response zones, creating \u201cgreen fingers\u201d extending from main avenues to create vibrant, safe neighborhoods, and addressing water scarcity by creating a \u201cmuseum without walls\u201d to educate communities on sustainable water management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStudents\u2019 ambitions grow as they tackle significant societal and environmental issues. They develop a deeper sense of their agency as designers,\u201d said David Hill, head of the School of Architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond academic enrichment, the program has profoundly shaped students’ career aspirations. \u201cThe most valuable aspect for me is that it opened my eyes to the possibility of working in other parts of the world. The skills we are learning at NC State are applicable locally and can make a meaningful impact globally,\u201d said Dominguez.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n

The skills we are learning at NC State are applicable locally and can make a meaningful impact globally.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI now focus with increased passion on the ability of architecture to be both a poetic and practical response to what the environment and society is calling on it to be. It gave me a clear outline of what practice I wish to practice \u2014 a practice that is deeply based on context and the human experience, and sustainability,\u201d Johnson added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This exceptional program, supported by NC State alumnus Turan Duda and his wife, Linda, expands students\u2019 academic and professional horizons while fostering global perspectives in design. \u201cTuran wanted our students to have similar opportunities to gain a global perspective on design and to work alongside top-tier professionals,\u201d said Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n
\n \n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead, department heads Hill and Bellalta envision an even greater emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and extended project timelines to allow students to delve deeper into their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Duda Visiting Designer Program is more than an academic initiative\u2014it is a transformative experience that equips students with the skills, knowledge, and global awareness needed to address the pressing challenges of the modern world. As Bellalta concluded, \u201cWe\u2019re building a community of designers who not only excel academically and professionally but also understand their role in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article first appeared in the spring 2025 issue of Designlife magazine. Explore other articles from this issue.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

This post was originally published<\/a> in College of Design Blog.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false,"raw":"\n\n\n\n\n

Partnering with renowned Mexican architect Gabriela Carrillo, architecture and landscape architecture students explored the urban and environmental complexities of a metropolis rich in Indigenous history and modern challenges as part of this year\u2019s Duda Visiting Designer Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students examined Mexico City's historical evolution, land use, density and pressing environmental concerns such as water scarcity and subsidence. They also engaged with cultural and social narratives embedded in the urban fabric, deepening their understanding of how history continues to shape modern infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Architecture
Architecture and landscape architecture students traveled to Mexico City \nas part of this year\u2019s Duda Visiting Designer Program.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For many students, this experience was eye-opening. \u201cThis studio broadened my understanding of urban design and allowed me to meet professionals from both Mexico and the U.S. who are leaders in their fields,\u201d said Andrea Padilla Guerrero. \u201cThe studio's focus on the urban scale ignited a passion for urban design, which has already influenced the studios I am choosing to participate in now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Similarly, Melissa Dominguez noted how the program reshaped her perspective: \u201cThree prestigious architects and landscape architecture professionals from Mexico challenged us to think differently about design and approach societal challenges with fresh perspectives. It made me a more analytical student.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dominguez was particularly struck by Mexico City\u2019s resilience in the face of poverty and high crime rates. Despite its challenges, the city\u2019s strong family structures have contributed to an incredibly low homeless population compared to the U.S. This reinforced for her the importance of considering cultural context in urban design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cameron Johnson highlighted the program\u2019s value in both education and professional practice, which enhanced his critical thinking and expanded his problem-solving approach. Visiting Mexico City firsthand strengthened his passion for community-centered, responsive design \u2013 showing him how architecture interacts with history, urban development and social issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"Renowned
Renowned architect Gabriela Carrillo (center) leads students around the city. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Students
Students visited the Universidad Nacional Aut\u00f3noma de M\u00e9xico (UNAM), which incorporates elements of indigenous history into its many buildings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Mar\u00eda Bellalta, head of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, outlined the students\u2019 group projects, focused on tackling critical urban issues. Projects focused on innovation in designing public spaces that could serve as community hubs and emergency response zones, creating \u201cgreen fingers\u201d extending from main avenues to create vibrant, safe neighborhoods, and addressing water scarcity by creating a \u201cmuseum without walls\u201d to educate communities on sustainable water management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStudents\u2019 ambitions grow as they tackle significant societal and environmental issues. They develop a deeper sense of their agency as designers,\u201d said David Hill, head of the School of Architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond academic enrichment, the program has profoundly shaped students' career aspirations. \u201cThe most valuable aspect for me is that it opened my eyes to the possibility of working in other parts of the world. The skills we are learning at NC State are applicable locally and can make a meaningful impact globally,\u201d said Dominguez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\u201cI now focus with increased passion on the ability of architecture to be both a poetic and practical response to what the environment and society is calling on it to be. It gave me a clear outline of what practice I wish to practice \u2014 a practice that is deeply based on context and the human experience, and sustainability,\u201d Johnson added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This exceptional program, supported by NC State alumnus Turan Duda and his wife, Linda, expands students\u2019 academic and professional horizons while fostering global perspectives in design. \u201cTuran wanted our students to have similar opportunities to gain a global perspective on design and to work alongside top-tier professionals,\u201d said Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead, department heads Hill and Bellalta envision an even greater emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and extended project timelines to allow students to delve deeper into their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Duda Visiting Designer Program is more than an academic initiative\u2014it is a transformative experience that equips students with the skills, knowledge, and global awareness needed to address the pressing challenges of the modern world. As Bellalta concluded, \u201cWe\u2019re building a community of designers who not only excel academically and professionally but also understand their role in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article first appeared in the spring 2025 issue of Designlife magazine. Explore other articles from this issue.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Partnering with renowned Mexican architect Gabriela Carrillo, architecture and landscape architecture students explored the urban and environmental complexities of a metropolis rich in Indigenous history and modern challenges as part of this year\u2019s Duda Visiting Designer Program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":413,"featured_media":28329,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"ncstate_wire","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[5],"class_list":["post-28328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-_from-newswire-collection-280"],"displayCategory":null,"acf":{"ncst_posts_meta_modified_date":null},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/landscape-architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/landscape-architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/landscape-architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/landscape-architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/413"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/landscape-architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28328"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/landscape-architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28328\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28332,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/landscape-architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28328\/revisions\/28332"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/landscape-architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/landscape-architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/landscape-architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/landscape-architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}