DESIGN PROCESS OF DWELLING AS A METHOD IN ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION

Abstract

This study focuses on design process of living space through house and dwelling projects in Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul. By taking the dwelling unit as a tool for training, students practice different approaches to living space in many architecture schools. How the student's perception of living space and their approach to the dwelling design change during architectural education is the subject of this paper. The methodology of this study was based on selected examples of compulsory courses of MSFAU, Building Methodology and Spatial Organization, from different semesters, as to see the development of students. Materials used in this paper were four student's projects selected from these courses. The main criteria of selected projects were the design concepts and spatial organization of the living space. First group of projects, from the 2nd and 3rd semesters, showed the steps of designing a living space, starting from designing a family house by considering the environmental values and proposing a system for social housing. The student reevaluates the quality of living space in his/her existing dwelling, conceives the awareness of the cultural differences, and questioning the built environment and social structure that he lives in. Second group of works were selected from 6th semester students projects focused on interior space of houses. The two projects showed the approaches to living space in different social and physical environments. One of the projects was a detached house in a village, while the other is a loft transformed from a garage. At the beginning of the project, the student considers the dynamics of the social environment and predicts a living style for a special user. In next steps, the student makes a program for this user and deals with concept formation. A table comparing the use of space in house projects is evaluated at the conclusion. How the student's perception of living space changes in different levels of architectural education and gains awareness of different living standards is discussed. Evaluation of house project concepts in architectural education is examined through selected examples.