Introduction:
The task of architecture is to create sustainable human environments. Architecture is both an expression of human values and a context for human activity. Design in architecture hence combines many interrelated and important aspects including environmental, social, aesthetic, political and cultural aspects that determine the organization of the built form.
Architectural education requires the student to learn critical thinking with theoretical and historical understanding, so that the parallel processes of design and spatial thinking are developed. In addition, the student must also be trained to be articulate and to communicate design concepts and intentions clearly.
Architectural schools employ various pedagogies to encourage students to apply their intellect and imagination to design a coherent environment that responds to relevant issues.
The great challenge lies in the training of teachers of architecture, a relatively undeveloped field. Most educators have not had formal education about teaching students of architecture, as there are no degree programs for this. Architects, who intend to become academicians, usually learn and develop their pedagogies 'on the job'. Along with
them a range of professional architects and designers are usually brought in on visiting basis to strengthen academics. Interestingly, both set of teachers employ varied and at times conflicting pedagogies. And at times, teachers learn from students, as each experiment in design is unique and one of a kind! Thus the learning process that produces educators of architecture is unique, diverse and complex.
The historiography on architectural education is also rather limited, representing a void in this field and posing a great challenge for architectural schools everywhere.
There is a fair degree of anxiety in Pakistan's architecture schools about the teaching of architecture: we seem to be unsure about what to teach and how to teach it.
This gives rise to a genuine need for today's architectural educators to document their methods and practices. The current challenges in academics not only call for a revision of our architectural curricula but more importantly the analysis and discussions of the various pedagogies we use to successfully impart education.
Aims and Objectives:
The purpose of this conference is to obtain data on individual approaches to the diverse field of architectural education, and to understand the unique success of each. What are the ideologies held by individual faculty member and how these translate into their approach to and methods of teaching? What are the most suitable pedagogies to instruct students of architecture in the design studio, technology subjects, philosophy, history & theory, foundation year, etc?
We look towards the faculty to provide answers that will be interesting, surprising, traditional or out of the box! Their experiences and experiments form an important body of knowledge that this conference hopes to document. All faculty members are requested to share their thoughts, philosophies, projects, experiments, teaching tips, and goals etc to make this a vibrant and stimulating exercise. The conference is divided into three broad themes, under which a variety of topics may be explored.
- Design studio
- Architectural & digital Technology
- History & Theory
The broad goal is to bring this diversity in teaching together for dissemination and increased understanding of the processes of pedagogy. The conference will provide opportunities for academics from a range of disciplines and countries to share their research.
The papers presented of the conference will be peer reviewed afterwards and published in the form of a book.
Conference Dates: 24th & 25th October 2018.
Abstract Submission:
Please submit an abstract (email only) to samramkhan@gmail.com by August 1st 2018. Please include title of paper, full name, current position, institutional affiliation, an email address and three keywords that best describe your submission.
Paper Submission:
Full paper should be submitted by September 1st 2018.
There is also an option of submitting poster entries on the subject.
If you want to participate without presenting a paper, i.e. lead a stream, chair a session, review papers to be included in the conference proceedings or, contribute to the editing of the book, or any other contribution, please send an email,
Prof. Dr Samra Mohsin Khan
Dean,
Faculty of Architecture & Design.
COMSATS University Islamabad.
+923005129567.
samramkhan@gmail.com
For more information please follow the official facebook event.
https://www.facebook.com/events/224554228207346/
