The rural Central Valley region, where the School of Architecture is located, is predominantly poor but has a high level of quality agricultural exports such as wine and fruits. Students are encouraged to engage with local communities and their needs. In recent years, more than 100 public buildings have been realised for less privileged social groups by carefully considering social, territorial, economical and climatic conditions as well as available materials and local resources. There is necessary emphasis on the use of local resources and clean construction processes: The aim is to reduce the amount of energy required to transport materials and to reduce the impact of the construction process on the area.

A strong collaborative engagement with future users is considered a necessary element in the process of design and construction. As a result, very different constructions emerge: some emphasise particular tectonics created out of modest materials; others point to lightness as a value both for sustainability and elegance; some are innovative in the use of conventional materials, while others act as catalysts for social integration, or allow for local culture to adapt and be more sustainable over time. In some projects, local conditions allow for a new programme to be introduced for users to increase their incomes.