My name is Ricardo Aguayo González, and the name of the project is Social Impact or DHSY: Teaching Success in the Era of Generation Z.
At Tecnológico de Monterrey, we recognize that social impact is a cornerstone of the TEC21 educational model. At the same time, we are deeply committed to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through our institutional initiative known as the Blue Route.
Today, we have access to abundant technology—active learning environments, teaching strategies, educational apps and platforms, and now, artificial intelligence. Yet, the key question remains: How do we motivate students? Or more importantly, how do we inspire them to fully engage and develop the skills they truly need?
This project was carried out as part of a course called Community Equipment, within the Architecture program. The focus was the remodeling of the Casa Fuente facility, a civil association that supports migrants and children who have experienced violence. On one hand, the social impact was clear. But we also aimed for the remodel to be sustainable, reducing energy consumption and, in doing so, addressing not one, not two, but eight different SDGs.
And that was the main goal: to engage and inspire students through meaningful learning with tangible results.
My area of expertise is bioclimatic design—that is, designing buildings with zero carbon emissions. From the beginning, I explain to my students that yes, their work will have a direct social impact on vulnerable populations, and that alone is powerful. But I also show them how architectural design can contribute to reducing global energy consumption. Buildings account for 36% of global energy use and 39% of greenhouse gas emissions. Conscious design can drastically reduce that. In other words, if there’s one discipline crucial in fighting climate change, it’s architecture.
From that point, I begin to raise their awareness. In the emails I send, I refer to them as the “generation of hope.” I encourage them to tell their families not just that they are studying architecture—but that they are studying to help save life on the planet. This message has an incredible effect on their motivation, their desire to learn—not only in my specialty, but in all the areas connected to the project.
In the end, the impact was so profound that the students didn’t just donate their design proposals to Casa Fuente; they also organized fundraising activities, including raffles. As a result, the organization received a monetary donation to support its mission.
I believe that when we combine social impact, the SDGs, the Blue Route—and in the case of architecture, the commitment to saving life on the planet through zero-emission buildings—with active learning environments, we can achieve just that: teaching success with Generation Z. A generation that is close to today’s reality but doesn’t always see it. Our mission is to help them connect with it. This project showed that it’s possible—with extraordinary results.
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Professors in this episode:
Ricardo Aguayo
Holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), where he was awarded the Gustavo Baz Prada Medal and received Honorable Mention in his final examination. He is a certified specialist in Heliodesign from the same institution. He earned a Master’s degree in Higher Education from Universidad Intercontinental, where he was honored with the “DUCIT ET DOCET” award (“To Lead and To Teach”). He holds a Ph.D. in Architecture from the Technical School of Architecture of Barcelona, where he graduated Cum Laude after his dissertation defense.
He has completed nine short courses in countries such as the United States, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and the Netherlands. He has published and presented in national and international journals, seminars, and conferences specializing in bioclimatic architecture, lighting, and acoustics. He has served as a member of the National System of Researchers (SNI) under Mexico’s National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT).
He is a founding member of SUMe, A.C. (Sustainability for Mexico, http://www.sume.org.mx), the official Mexican representative of WGBC/USGBC/LEED. Currently, he works as a consultant in bioclimatic architectural design and is a full-time research professor (associate level) at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Mexico City.
His teaching career has been recognized with several distinctions: Medal for Academic Merit (2004–2005), 1st Place, National Educational Innovation Award 2013, "Teaching and Learning Processes" category, 2nd Place, National Educational Innovation Award 2014, "Innovation Management" category, Inspiring Professor (2016), Mexico City Region.