The Design Studio: Background and Development of the Main Space of Training of the Peruvian Architect from its beginnings in 1910 to 1955

Abstract

The design studio in Facultad de Arquitectura Urbanismo y Artes de la Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Lima - Perú, acquired a central role in the professional training after a process of development that began with the creation of the Section of Builders Architects at the School of Engineers in Peru in 1910. In Peru, as in other Latin-American countries, the design studio had origins in different fields. In our case, it began firstlyin the School of Arts and Crafts and the Faculty of Sciences of San Marcos University, and then in the Section of Civil Construction, in the School of Engineers. The scientists could then receive their degree in engineering or architecture through practical training in the State Engineers and Architects Body, and later, the Civil Construction graduates could
also become qualified by studying and training to perform architecture-related jobs.
From courses that were more theoretical than practical, the professional training
transitioned to the Section of Building Architects, created in 1910, where the first course of “architecture”, initial name of the design studio, progressively evolved to become the core of our profession, a process that ultimately finished with the 1946 reform. In this article, this process is presented and analyzed. For the purpose of this study, the former School of Engineers’ information archives has been used, as well as magazines that were published during that period of time.