Teaching Aperture Design in Architecture: A Pedagogical Approach to Illumination, Structure, and Space

This study investigates the pedagogical approach focusing on the integration of iterative learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and hands-on prototyping by a project of aperture design within a studio-based architecture course. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the potential of these approaches in improving students’ comprehension of the interdependence between apertures and essential aspects of architecture like light and space. The researchers employ a qualitative case-study approach with feedback and collaboration within and across disciplines and four phases of conceptual designing and full-scale mock up construction. The primary objective was to assess how these teaching methods enhance students' comprehension and conception of the relationship between apertures and key architectural elements such as light, structure, and spatial experience. Undergraduate students of 5th semester architecture at National College of Arts Rawalpindi initiated a systematic, four-stage, conceptual design of openings (doors, windows, skylights etc.) which underwent critique sessions and feedback from fellow students majoring in Fine Arts and Visual Communication subjects. The last step was the creation of life size mock-ups facilitating an understanding by students of how to design and actually build their solutions. The difference in this approach was to try and close the conceptual-practical divide where the students could apply theoretical knowledge to the practical works while getting feedback from their peers and instructors. The results verify significant enhancement of the student learning in a number of areas, including light control and management, material application, and the balance between beauty and utility of a space. Integrating feedback from other disciplines was also central to broadening the students’ design views of a space and aperture design ideas. The repeated application of the design-bid-review-construct cycle encouraged abstract thinking and the assessment of designs depending on performance. A major contribution of this study is the application of the experiential learning models in architecture and finding that, hands-on design tasks with support from interdisciplinary faculty can meaningfully boost the students’ technical lore and conception knowledge. In view of that, future studies could build on these findings and adopt the use of digital technology and assess the experience and impact of such pedagogy at a senior level during the undergraduate study of architecture and interior design.