UTP IE: 140 Days and 140 nights

Abstract

This chapter presents the pedagogical framework and methodological structure of the Undergraduate Thesis Project (UTP) developed at IE University in 2013. Conceived as an intensive and experimental design laboratory, the UTP proposes an alternative teaching model to redefine the final stage of architectural education in response to the evolving professional context of contemporary architecture.

The program is structured as a high-intensity, time-constrained process in which students develop their projects through a sequence of targeted exercises, critical reviews, technical workshops, and collaborative learning dynamics. Rather than following a linear design methodology, the UTP promotes a non-linear, adaptive approach based on trial and error and iterative production, encouraging students to construct their projects through the accumulation of thematic and technical explorations.

The chapter emphasizes the integration of academic training with pre-professional experience, simulating real architectural practice through collective critiques, multidisciplinary teaching teams, and the production of professional design portfolios. The UTP also highlights the importance of communication, editorial production, and public exhibition as essential components of architectural education.

By framing the thesis project as both an individual and collective learning process, the UTP fosters critical thinking, creative autonomy, and adaptability, preparing students to navigate the complex and shifting landscape of contemporary architectural practice.