Tulane University Students Propose Sustainable Urban Settlements in the Atacama Desert
The School of Architecture and Built Environment at Tulane University presented student work in Dezeen's School Shows, featuring a proposal for sustainable urban settlements in the Atacama Desert. This initiative stemmed from the Atacama Desert Project Research Studio, part of the Saul A. Mintz Global Research Studio, which concentrated on this unique ecological region, crucial for both mining and renewable energy. Under the guidance of Rubén García Rubio and Cristóbal Molina Baeza in Spring 2025, students emphasized social equity and sustainability in their urban enhancement proposals. Additional projects included a Historic Structure Report for the Louisiana State Bank, 3D printed ceramic elements for climate resilience, and the adaptive reuse of Texas's oil and gas infrastructure. The school provides programs in architecture, design, and preservation, with research studios covering three years.
Key facts
- Tulane University students proposed sustainable urban settlements in the Atacama Desert, Chile.
- The Atacama Desert supports nearly one million inhabitants and is key for copper and lithium mining.
- The Atacama Desert Project Research Studio was taught by Rubén García Rubio and Cristóbal Molina Baeza in Spring 2025.
- Preservation Studio II produced a Historic Structure Report for Latrobe's on Royal (Louisiana State Bank) in New Orleans.
- Latrobe's on Royal is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and associated with Benjamin Henry Latrobe.
- The Ecological Tectonics studio explored 3D printed ceramic components for climate adaptation.
- Gulf Coast Climate Futures studio collaborated with the Community in Power and Development Association (CIDA) in Port Arthur, Texas.
- The projects were featured in Dezeen School Shows, a partnership between Dezeen and Tulane University.
Entities
Artists
- Benjamin Henry Latrobe
- Fallon Samuels Aidoo
- Alex Barthel
- Liz Camuti
- Rubén García Rubio
- Adam Marcus
- Cristóbal Molina Baeza
- Mark Rabinowitz
- John Renne
- Heather Veneziano
- Allyson Hinz
- Bailey Godwin
- Catherine Restrepo
- Dang Doan
- Eileen Tomczuk
- Emily Stood
- Isabel Coletti
- Jenna Voss
- Jessica Triche
- Katherine Schwab
- Kristian Carroll
- Lauren Vagts
- Lisa Black
- Madeline Wilson
- Maria Gabriela Arrieta Vallerino
- Parker Heitzmann
- Rachel Shannon
- Sam Crowley
- Tahlor Cleveland
- Analiese De Saw
- Caroline Cameron
- Jacqueline Hemmen
- Griffin Kass
- Ariel Levine
- Emma Lindley
- Cassiana Mefrige
- Clara Quandt
- Caleb Schroeder
- Emmet Tanzer
- Alexa Trapani
- Walter Workman
- Emily Morris
- Laura Neises
- Tatiana “Chai” Paden
- Lydia Desormeaux
- Karina Roca
- Hayley Chung
- Tyler Allen
- Michael Bell
- Kris Hamilton
- Ben Cornet
- Kate Galvin
- Chester Griffiths
- Cassie Kadish
- Ethan Miesler
- Natalie Miller
- Sig Peterson
- Zach Rich
- Cole Schwabacher
- Kris Smith
- Nick Carroll
- Olivia Cartner
- Justin Gonzalez
- Lawanda Jackson
- Jed Manning
- Alec Rovner
- Lindsay Bopp
- Bella Davies
- Andrew Hall
- Tracy Jones
- Madeline May
- Andrew Audemard
- Kate Burkhart
- Alex Cohen
- Camilla Greppi
- Asha Hokanson
- Max Kaplan
- Megan Schlief
- Daniella Tirse
Institutions
- Tulane University
- Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment
- Dezeen
- Community in Power and Development Association (CIDA)
- Louisiana State University
- National Register of Historic Places
- Vieux Carré Commercial District
Locations
- Atacama Desert
- Chile
- New Orleans
- United States
- Gulf Coast
- Puerto Rico
- Texas
- Houston
- Alabama
- Beaumont
- Port Arthur
- Orange
- Louisiana
- Baton Rouge
- French Quarter
Sources
- Dezeen —