Service Learning

Service Learning

students standing outdoors with community members looking at their posters.

Service Learning

Service-learning projects provide our students opportunities to work on real-world designs with community partners throughout Kentucky.

Students learn to listen to the needs of a community, analyze existing conditions, propose and develop design alternatives in studio, and present their recommendations to the client. Community design projects are an important part of our students' professional preparation. Occasions for service learning occur over the entire course of study, but are more prevalent in upper level courses. 

Student presentations at Ashland Terrace, a retirement home.

Service Learning in Studios

Studio service-learning projects enable students and communities to explore a wide range of design alternatives. This can help students and communities understand the implications of their community development objectives by projecting design scenarios into the future.

Student and faculty photographed together.

Student-Faculty Intern Teams

Faculty and staff members directing small groups of paid student interns allow communities and students to explore more specific solutions for community design objectives. This usually requires a closer working relationship with community liaisons who have done additional preparation for a planning or design project.

Students presenting in our studio for design week 2021.

Design Week

Design Week links the worlds of academia and practice in consideration of a local design challenge. Through a weeklong vertical charette, Design Week introduces students to collaborative and community-driven practice. Students assess a local problem and develop 'What If' solutions.

Contact Information

Christopher K. Sass, Ph. D.
Associate Professor and Chair

S305 Agriculture Science Building 1100 S. Limestone Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-7295

UKLA@uky.edu