WHAT IS TAAE/ATEA?

TAAE focuses on addressing the unique challenges of the border region through collaborative projects, workshops, and research initiatives.

It brings together students, educators, professionals, and communities from the border region to explore the intersections of architecture, urban planning, and community engagement. TAAE’s mission is to create a holistic and sustainable architectural ecosystem that integrates diverse perspectives and promotes equity and social change.

Enhance Educational Opportunities:
By leveraging the strengths and expertise of participating institutions, TAAE enriches educational experiences to nurture the next generation of architects and faculty, promoting a deeper understanding of architectural practice in a binational context.

Promote Cultural Exchange:
TAAE encourages cultural exchange and mutual understanding between students and educators from both sides of the border, celebrating the region’s rich diversity and shared heritage.

Foster Cross-Border Research and Projects:
Facilitate collaborative projects and research initiatives that address the border region’s specific architectural and urban issues, promoting practical solutions and innovative thinking.


Engage with the Community:
Actively develop partnerships with local stakeholders, governments, and organizations to integrate community needs and perspectives into architectural education and practice.


Promote Inclusive Pedagogy:
Advocate for inclusive educational practices that challenge traditional educational canons and standards, rethink what and how we teach, and foster a critical evaluation of pedagogical norms to create an educational environment where diverse perspectives are integrated, heard, and valued.

TAAE Fellowship Overview

The TAAE Fellowship program aims to one day bring together a diverse group of architecture students from universities on both sides of the San Diego-Tijuana border. It seeks to create an immersive learning environment that emphasizes the importance of collaboration as a catalyst of innovation. Participants in the program will become ambassadors for their respective communities and educational institutions. 

In the future, fellows in the program will have the opportunity to audit courses, participate in workshops, and engage in collaborative projects with their peers, educators, and practitioners, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities presented by border regions. The goal of the TAAE Fellowship will be to prepare graduates to be agents of profound change. It seeks to transcend traditional limitations in education by harnessing collective wisdom and creativity. The program aims to cultivate socially conscious, culturally adept, and environmentally responsible architects who can effectively address the complex and dynamic realities of the San Diego-Tijuana border region. 

Realised Exibition

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Audio guides

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Visitors per Year

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Current Members of TAAE:

  • Adriana Cuellar, University of San Diego (USD)
  • Blas Herrera Najera, New School of Architecture & Design (NSAD)
  • Eduardo Montoya, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC)
  • Georgina Muñoz Reyes,Universidad Iberoamericana (IBERO)
  • Guillermo Sepúlveda Gil, San Diego State University (SDSU)
  • Liliana Castro, Escuela Libre de Arquitectura (ELA)
  • Jose Francisco García, Southwestern College (SWC)
  • Marcel Sánchez Prieto, University of San Diego (USD)
  • Megan Groth, University of San Diego (USD)
  • Roberto Arce García, Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana (TecNM)
  • Tania Hernández, Universidad Xochicalco
  • Zuehellen Gámez Rodríguez, Universidad Iberoamericana (IBERO)

Former Members of TAAE:

  • Alan Rosenblum, New School of Architecture & Design (NSAD)  
  • Alberto Almejo Ornelas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC)  
  • Gilberto Aguilar Bustos, Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana (TecNM)  
  • Jose Parral, Woodbury University  
  • Tadeo Franco, Escuela Libre de Arquitectura (ELA)  
  • Zurizaid Morales Padilla, Universidad Iberoamericana (IBERO)

TAAE’s initiatives thrive thanks to the support and collaboration of institutions, community organizations, students, faculty and individuals dedicated to advancing architectural education in the San Diego-Tijuana region. The University of San Diego has played a pivotal role in supporting TAAE’s development and we are also deeply grateful to local architectural firms for offering mentorship, resources, and opportunities that help students immerse themselves in design thinking, expand their knowledge, and engage with the unique dynamics of the borderlands.

Coordination: Marcel Sanchez Prieto 

Assistant coordinator:Covadonga Gordillo

Web Development: Bruma Marketin

Webpage has been possible by the generous support by the University of San Diego