Architecture as Pedagogy

ARCT3040 Advanced Design Thinking, Azad Univeristy of Mashhad, Iran, 2012-2018, Univeristy of Western Australia, 2021

Unit Coordinator : Dr.Ali Javid, Studio Coordinator: Dr. Ali Javid

This unit assesses both the evolution and contemporary application of design thinking and methods. The approach is human-centred and collaborative. It starts by asking ‹what is design thinking?› and explores both the philosophy of design, methods and process associated with contemporary design challenges. Design as a way of thinking is approached through understanding the problems, asking the right questions, and integrating creative and rational strategies in generating and applying appropriate solutions. This approach to problem solving is inherently heuristic, i.e. it is creative, iterative and practical in both its process and application. Design research and methodologies are examined and contemporary design practice is investigated using case studies drawn from a wide range of design disciplines and with particular relevance to architecture.

Pedagogical Process:
The pedagogy aims to teach students what architecture is and how an architect could be like a problem solver, so I transformed the crossword puzzle into a puzzle to solve architectural problems. The puzzle includes diagrams, drawings, and models which finally solve different problems of a project.

This new teaching method was noticed by Professor Linda Groat, a distinguished professor at The University of Michigan and she invited me to publish my method in her book. “Design as Crossword puzzle solving: the role of game in merging research and Design, Chapter 10, in Routledge Companion for Games in Architecture and Urban Planning: Tools for Design, Teaching, and Research. Brković Dodig, M. & Groat, L. N. (eds.). New York: Routledge, (2020)