The workshop as a didactic strategy for teaching architectural design

Abstract

This paper will expound a general and consistent overview of teaching architectural design through workshop methodology, which was carried out in an academic micro setting at the Universidad de La Salle. Workshops are educational strategies traditionally used in teaching architectural designers. It creates opportunities to learn kinesthetically, learn about one’s self and apply the basic components of knowledge: theory and practice. The first leads to knowing by reflecting on the very act of designing itself. The second leads to doing through guided actions in the design process. When the two are joined together, creativity is manifested which is the essence of an architect’s “savoir faire”. Given the fact that the teaching of architectural design has not been examined in a critical way as well as the technical training architects receive, most architects who go on to be educators adapt a vocational teaching style instead of creating a space for academic thought. Consequently, it is important to examine teaching practices in design, theory and practice and the creative process. These are all important in creating successful architectural designers. Through reflection, the reasons stated above help identify design as a discipline which requires thought process. These reasons contribute to the solution of complex issues arising from a traditional and predisposed environment. Therefore, it can be concluded that architectural design is a complex cultural process from a collective and social consciousness which teaches thinking. Educators should find the balance between theoretical totalitarian view points and the practical challenges of designing, demonstrating to their students the thought processes behind the creative activity.