Abstract/Summary

Cross-disciplinary initiatives are raising demand for participatory design methods that can be applied at different scales, from urban settlement planning to individual buildings. However, there is a gap in the literature in terms of participatory tools and processes for international design teams operating at the local level in geographically remote regions. This paper presents the findings from a series of design workshops carried out by an international and interdisciplinary team working with small communities of Andean farmers in north-west Argentina. The team used a blend of participatory tools including walkabouts, collective model-making and a bespoke method for collective drawing. The team also gathered contextual data via individual and community surveys. The study shows the importance of context (i.e social, economic, political and policy) in the decision making process of participants, and reflects on communication problems when working in geographically dispersed locations.