Integration of theory courses and design studio in architectural education using sustainable development

Yasar University, Department of Architecture, Selcuk Yasar Kampusü Bornova, İzmir, Turkey

^a Corresponding author: eray.bozkurt@yasar.edu.tr

Abstract

Sustainable development has been approved by many experts as the only suitable model for the growth of the next generation. Education has a valuable role to distribute sustainable approach to all subject fields like architecture. Sustainable development is gaining a central position in the conceptual framework of architectural education in universities. Universities are complex organizations that are frequently quite stable in the short term, but inevitably evolving over the longer term in response to changes in the societies. At the moment, there are various debates for changing non-renewable with more renewable and efficient architectural design strategies. Architectural Design has always attempted to merge the practicalities of engineering, technology, culture, and economy with the subtle elements of interface, social concerns and aesthetic desire. It has a crucial place for to engage with the sustainable strategies that provide countless environmental, economic, community, health and safety benefits. The education of the students about opportunities, risks, benefits and scientific knowledge of sustainable approach provide valuable contribution towards integral relationships. The theory lessons concentrate mainly on climate, thermal comfort, materials, and optimization of performance, environment and energy fields. Curriculum, knowledge and the teaching methods are connected with each other, especially on the search for the innovative ideas. As innovative ideas emerge, data available for the design process increases. However, such new data cannot be integrated to the design education as desired by current conventional teaching methods in a reliable context. At some points, this situation inhibits the creation of innovative ideas in architectural design. In order to acquire such data and to flourish a sustainable society accordingly, fast and efficient access to knowledge databases is needed. In this study, the research evaluates the current architectural education in Yasar University and suggests a proposal for the integration of theoretical courses and design studio under Sustainable Development.