Learning Design
Integrating History and the past to a creative Design learning experience for students of Architecture.
The Problem
History remains one of the most hated subjects among architecture students. The curriculum terribly fails to convey how the buildings from the past are the source of inspiration for today’s spaces. There exists a massive gap between the teaching pedagogy of Design studios and the subject of History.
The Approach
An attempt was made to integrate History into the Basic Design studio thereby opening opportunities to explore the design qualities and possibilities of historic buildings.
The Challenge
I was part of the six-member faculty team at the College of Architecture Trivandrum that conducted the studio during the pandemic. We worked on designing and delivering this learning module for 120 students who were attending the course from varied backgrounds. Many had no access to laptops or design software or even a stable internet connection. This challenging situation called for a complete rethinking of how the classes were conducted in the traditional methods. We started working with the basic guidelines laid out in the curriculum and developed the brief with an altered approach to design learning. Google slides was the only software used.
Course objective
To develop an understanding of primary elements in architecture, basic principles of design, and space articulation
Reinforce the understanding of their practical application through design exercises.
Task 1. Decoding geometries
Aim: To analyze the geometry of a given a2D image by the process of deconstruction and derive a font type based on it.
The students were given images of historic architectural elements with pronounced geometry behind their construction. In two stages they analyzed the geometry. This geometry was then used as a base to derive a typeface. With the designed typeface the students were encouraged to design a personal visiting card.
Task 2. Diagramming the spaces in grids
Aim: To understand the different Spatial organizations (Centralized, Clustered, Linear, Radial, Grid ) and Ordering principles (Axis, Datum, Hierarchy, Symmetry, Rhythm) in architecture.
The students were given a diagram that we developed by simplifying the floor plans of historic constructions but they were never told so. They conceived it as a diagram and were guided to analyze it on varying levels. Once they were able to convey their analysis in 2D, they were introduced to 3D. Every student made a physical model based on their set of analysis diagrams.
In the end, the students were directed to learn about the original building, the diagram of which they worked on, and compare how they have re-interpreted the same plan into three-dimensional volumes.
