Educating New Generation of Architects

Abstract

Recently the developments in and the extensive use of digital design technologies have brought about fundamental changes in the way architects design and represent. As a result of the changing architectural design practise, there have been significant changes in architectural curricula to accommodate new demands, opportunities, processes and potentials provided by advance digital design tools and fabrication-based design techniques. Based on this new demand in design education, a number of additional subjects have been introduced in architectural curricula facilitating the experimentation of free-form /complex design artefact, building components and material attributes. Reported in this paper is the experience of the students as well as a commentary on the quality of the outcomes they achieved whilst confronting this new learning experience. Based on the analysis of collected questionnaire answers, this paper will document the issues that the students experienced during digital design development, the modelling and assembling level as well as in the process of fabrication.