The Border Design Lab aims to amplify the unique design opportunities and challenges presented by this complex environment, enabling students and faculty to co-produce knowledge, intervene, and engage in binational design projects.

USD BORDER COMMITMENT

The Border Design Lab departs from a history of USD’s commitment in cross-border initiatives, including The Mulvaney Center for Community, Awareness and Social Action on Border Immersion Programs, Changemaker Hub, and the Kroc Institute of Peace and Justice Cross-Border Initiatives. 

Founded in the Architecture Program within the Department of Art, Architecture, and Art History, the Border Design Lab expands USD’s border commitment through the lens of design and interdisciplinary research. As part of the curriculum, the Architecture Program is committed to building a generation of designers in reciprocity with people, history, and the environment. 

The Border Design Lab is committed to bridging the gap between academia and the local border community. Our primary goal is to advance design research topics on border conditions, intersecting architecture, urbanism, landscape, culture, and urban history through speculative, historical, and applied design projects. By creating a repository of binational design projects, partnerships, exhibitions, and publications, we aim to build long-lasting impact projects that influence design thinking through generations. The ultimate goal is to build knowledge and advocacy for social and environmental projects at the Mexico/US border, contributing to our shared history and desires, while empowering local community, academia, and future design practitioners, to drive positive change in the border region and beyond.