Pushing the Boundaries of Architectural and Engineering Education

This study investigates the impact of an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to architecture and engineering education through a case study analysis based on a Solar Decathlon studio conducted in Turkey. The studio, which competed in the Solar Decathlon Design Challenge 2024, engaged architecture and engineering students, academics, and professionals in collaboration with design and industry partners to repurpose an abandoned school site. The study uses a hermeneutic methodology to explore the lived experiences of team participants and assess the outcomes, benefits, and challenges of the interdisciplinary and collaborative studio experience in developing a professional horizon and design knowledge and skills to address contemporary issues. Through semi-structured interviews, surveys, and thematic analysis, the study sheds light on the symbiotic relationship between academia, industry, civil society, and state departments in architectural and engineering education. This research contributes to understanding the potential of interdisciplinary design education in addressing the 21st-century problems in the built environment.