"if architecture is going to nudge, cajole, and inspire a community to challenge the status quo into making responsible changes, it will take the subversive leadership of academics and practitioners who keep reminding students of the profession's responsibilities." - samuel mockbee, who helped start auburn university's rural studio project in 1993 to improve the living conditions of residents in rural alabama while teaching skills to architecture students.
this inspired program continues to this day broadening itself to help the larger community with projects that include schools, community centers and animal shelters. explore their project galleries or check out the many books published about the program to see sustainable and thoughtful design in the real world.
also, check out this clip from a documentary on the studio: