An examination of reflections of mainstream and architectural approaches in architectural design studios

Abstract

This study concentrates on the experiences acquired in the architectural design studios which are a prominent part of the architectural education, and evaluates also the effects the space where the project is being put to life has on an architectural product. In this sense, this study includes mainstream design approaches, based on the idea that an inter-dependence is mandatory between space, context and the architectural outcome; and also contarian ones which criticizes this interaction. This paper aims to weigh the potential that these two different approaches discover whilst interacting with space against the conceptualization and spatialisation methods through the design process. In order to do so, the study advances in two separate stages: The first stage develops a discussion of the mainstream design approaches, which are based on the a priori and urgent interaction of the architectural product with the space and context, and evaluates also the architectural discourses opposing these ideas. The second section has chosen to dissect two different architectural design studio experiences of Bomonti [B] and Seyrantepe [S], (Districts located both in Istanbul) based on the context set forth in the first section. Thus in this manner, six student studies with architectural products relating to different districts of Istanbul have been chosen from these design studios and they have been evaluated On the basis of interaction they have implemented with space. The conclusion of the study is that the architectural design process incorporates multiple potentials to the architectural understanding, and that the education given in the architectural design studios carries an important responsibility in the development of the design approaches. In this sense, as an independent platform, the architectural education is seen as a valuable laboratory, which has the ability to expose the embedded potentials of space and its design. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.