The Integration of Structural Knowledge in Studio Design Projects: An Assessment Curriculum in: Architecture Course in SUST

Abstract

This study is concerned with the effective structures curriculum content in architectural department and the teaching methods that lead to a better integration of architectural concepts with structural solutions for architectural students’ design application. It aims at identifying a better course content and teaching method to improve the students’ design capability to integrate structure principles learned in lecture sessions and architectural design studio, where the principles are being applied. Respondents are B.Sc. (Arch) students from year 1 to year 5 of the academic year 2008/2009 in the Department of Architecture, College of Engineering, Sudan University of Science and Technology. Descriptive statistic and ANOVA test were employed to attain the stated objectives. The study examined the course content, instruction modes and method of teaching structures subject and investigated the learning outcome with design studio through students’ performance and perception in integrating structural knowledge in their design project. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the design studio coordinators and structure lecturers. The results revealed that 77.8% of respondents faced difficulty in integrating structural knowledge into their design of the project in the studio. Although they found that structure subject interesting but the teaching methods used in its classes did not satisfy their learning needs. Furthermore, the subject content is full of mathematical jargons which relate more to engineers than architects.