Guest lecturer from Mexico visits the Feuchtwangen campus

Carla María Hernández Leal is a Mexican architect and designer with a strong focus on sustainable development and socially responsible design. In addition to her practical work as a design specialist at Bosch Mexico, she is a guest lecturer and speaker at the Tec de Monterrey to share her experiences and perspectives on an international level.

At the beginning of June 2025, she was invited by the Feuchtwangen campus to give lectures and workshops on the topic of “Sustainability in Design” as part of the block week from June 2 to 6. She gave the students practical insights into design thinking and sustainable development in general – and describes her impressions and experiences during her visit to the campus below.

My visit to Campus Feuchtwangen – an inspiring week full of exchange, design and sustainability
By Carla María Hernández Leal

The week at Campus Feuchtwangen was a deeply inspiring and enriching experience for me – both professionally and personally.

I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Feuchtwangen campus. I was invited to give a workshop and a lecture on the topic of sustainability from the perspective of design and architecture. It turned out to be an enriching experience that far exceeded my expectations. The campus offers a tranquil environment surrounded by woods and green spaces. The modern facilities include a spacious lab for prototyping and testing, as well as flexible classrooms and wide open spaces that create ideal conditions for dynamic design workshops.

When I received the invitation, I was both surprised and excited to be able to share my insights from my home country of Mexico. Through my professional experience, I have witnessed first-hand the importance and impact of the three-pillar model of sustainability (social, environmental, economic). In practice, it challenges us to look at each of these three pillars holistically. It requires a deep understanding of economic challenges and the development of technically sophisticated solutions – always taking into account the well-being of diverse social communities, each with their own cultural expectations.

I was overwhelmed and grateful how open and committed the students and participants were to the whole experience. In the workshop, we analyzed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and applied design thinking as a solution-oriented way of thinking. Along the five phases of the design process (empathy, definition, ideation, prototyping and testing), we identified challenges, explored ideas together and developed them further – leading to lively discussions and creative prototypes. The particular emphasis on cultural diversity among the participants contributed significantly to the enrichment of ideas and perspectives.

It was a great pleasure and privilege to meet so many creative thinkers. In turn, I was fascinated to learn how Germany is progressing in the field of renewable energy and deeply honored to be able to share ideas on sustainability and design. It is an experience I will not forget.

The campus, the town of Feuchtwangen and Ansbach University of Applied Sciences would like to thank Carla María Hernández Leal for her dedication, inspiring ideas and enriching exchange – both for the students and for the region.