SERES is a transdisciplinary initiative that integrates nature-based solutions (NbS) to strengthen the socio-ecological resilience of the territory. The project, developed by Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability in collaboration with the local administration of La Estrella, works with three educational institutions—Colegio Los Robles, Colegio Canadiense, and Colegio Waldorf Isolda—as platforms for community mediation and knowledge exchange.

The project promotes ecological restoration and food security through small-scale actions such as urban gardens, composting, collective planting days in prioritized areas, and rainwater harvesting systems. To date, the first rainwater harvesting prototype has been built and delivered at Colegio Waldorf Isolda EchavarrĂ­a. Additional prototypes are currently being developed for implementation in other institutions and for the broader community within facilities of the Municipality of La Estrella. In parallel, a guidebook is being developed to systematize the experience and facilitate its replicability, along with the design of a traveling exhibition that will document the process and outcomes of the implemented actions.

As part of the educational component, the course “Ecological and Social Management: Integrated Approaches for the Territory” was developed. The course included approximately 24 hours of sessions distributed over several weeks, strengthening capacities in climate adaptation, collaborative governance, and the restoration of social ecosystems. It was designed for undergraduate students from the Faculty of Architecture and other academic programs, as well as university departments dedicated to science communication and social appropriation of knowledge at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. The course also included participation from officials from municipalities affiliated with the ICLEI municipal network and various stakeholders from the Municipality of La Estrella.

Ultimately, SERES seeks to strengthen collaboration between academia, local government, and communities to promote sustainable territorial practices. By integrating environmental education, community participation, and nature-based solutions, the project aims to generate long-term socio-ecological resilience in peri-urban landscapes. Through knowledge exchange, practical interventions, and the development of replicable tools such as prototypes, educational materials, and public exhibitions, SERES aspires to inspire similar initiatives in other territories facing comparable environmental and social challenges.

A kit-of-parts is a subset of building prefabrication in which building components are pre-engineered and prefabricated into standardized units from raw materials. The benefits of kit-of- parts construction are that it allows for rapid deployment as well as repeatable and reusable units that require little to no modification to be repurposed. To familiarize themselves with kit-of-parts theory and wood shelter construction, students first studied and modeled design precedents to establish a baseline of knowledge around wood shelters. The University of Oregon and Oregon State University combined diverse knowledge in the fields of architecture and engineering that was used to generate several creative design proposals. Working in groups, students from both universities met in person and on video calls throughout the project to draft, prototype, and model elements and ideas for the project. After a review from industry professionals, the student designs were consolidated into one. Students then regrouped to refine seven areas of the project: architectural design, stressed-skin panel design, connections, enclosure, structural analysis, construction, and project management. Student-led fabrication and assembly of the full-scale final prototype took place at Oregon State University’s Emmerson Lab, concluding with a final review. After the term, additional work was done to complete the components and disassemble them for future reuse. Lessons learned from this experience will be used to create a future of more sustainable, adaptable, expandable, and reusable buildings.

Abstract
With the goal of introducing new housing types into a city primarily comprised of single-family dwellings, architecture students designed middle-density housing for the City of Oakridge.

The course explored various dwelling typologies that fall under middle-density housing and looked at multiple strategies to integrate new dwelling types into established Oakridge neighborhoods. Students outlined their design intentions and goals for each project site to support their ideas.

Many common themes emerged across projects such as individuality and autonomy, contextualizing new designs, and strengthening community relationships. Key findings underscore the need for a shared architectural language between new and existing buildings in Oakridge. The proposals also outline a series of strategies to create degrees of privacy. Diverse housing typologies are recommended to connect back to these degrees of privacy and promote differing residential experiences.