Changing Trends in Architecture Pedagogy Site Visit -A Creative Learning

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Changing Trends in Architecture Pedagogy

Site Visit - A Creative Learning

Ar. Chhaya Chavan Tirvir, Ar. Neha Bhatia Pad. Dr.D.Y. Patil College of Architecture, Pune, Pune University, Maharashtra, India

International Journal of Research in Civil Engineering, Architecture & Design

Volume 4, Issue 1, January-March, 2016, pp. 151-157

ISSN Online: 2347-2855, Print: 2347-8284, DOA: 05022016

© IASTER 2016, www.iaster.com

ABSTRACT

In reality the process of designing is just the beginning of the process of building. The process of

building involves a number of variables, functions and multiple view points and alternative solutions,

which makes the architect prone to uncertainty. The student of architecture is expected to develop the

capability to accept and endure uncertainty and produce a successful output by using mode of

creative learning process- Site (field) visits.

Site visits are the practical platform to understand scale and propositions, and this effort will achieve

“HEALTHY DESIGN”. Educational institutes should give scope for such study. Students will

understand the subject in depth with the help of site visits.

Architecture pedagogy has been a complex process since initiation of formal education modes.

Philosophical, theoretical and practical issues have played a pivoted role in determining the right

process to be implemented in a particular context and the same has been updated with time by the

introduction of various new domains of bodies of knowledge into the architectural discipline.

In present scenario internet has played vital role in the academic curriculum. Popularity of internet

and online availability of lectures with reach knowledge content, the class room teaching methods

are losing the interest of students. In this situation “the site visits” with experts inputs will certainly

benefit the students and revive their interest in professional courses such as Architecture. It requires

practical experience and inputs from the practicing professionals. If the site visits are compulsory

included in the curriculum than the value of the education will increase with new innovations and

research, which will help building up confidence levels in the students.

Keywords: Site Visits, Practical, Curriculum, Architecture Education.

1. INTRODUCTION

Architectural education, as one of the distinctive branches of education, requires the development of

creative capabilities. Like other types of education, architectural education conveys, conserves, and

transmits the values of the profession and society at large. Debates on education assert that the

mission of architectural and design pedagogy should foster an environment that nurtures exploration,

enlightenment and critical thinking among all students.

The aim of the paper is to ascertain that, attaining wholesome educational system in architecture by

introducing site visits which serve as a platform for the students to interact with the professionals of the

related fields and experiment with the theoretical knowledge which will be the part of regular curriculum.

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The objective of this paper is to state that site visits be integrated within the main subjects building

construction & materials, architectural design & building services.

Prof: Christopher Benninger states: “Architects are the thinker-doers thrust with reconfiguring the

environments within which they live. Architects are called a profession, because in thinking and in doing

they profess a system of values that motivate them to change the world. Does our education prepare us for

this kind of scientific analysis? Should we not be approaching design and fabrication like aeronautical

engineers, and marine architects who create great air and sea ships? Can our teachers and our professors

think like this, as simulation analysis, resolving complex puzzles? I fear not! This speaks of a crisis!”

2. AIM

To achieve the creativity (to learn) with the help of architectural SITE VISITS and develop the

students ability to put their knowledge of theory into practice using different forms and concepts

outline in the syllabus.

3. OBJECTIVES

1) Practical implementation demands.

2) Study of different forms, their relationship with surrounding spaces to get good result.

3) Establish the relationship between the surrounding spaces with respect to scale and

propositions.

4) Site visits as a teaching tool It is easier to record the views of others by showing them a

practical sites.

5) Exploring & experimenting with ideas, materials, tools and techniques.

3.1 Solutions: Site visits will bring together and offer students to valuable practical solutions. Import

ants of the site visits are explain with different site visits.

4. SITE VISIT

4.1 Site Visit1

The site visits was focus on building Technology subject from second year year students. It was a

mesmerizing and a great learniong experience for the students. The objective of the site visit was to

develop sense of practical implementation. Site visit allow students to Exploring & experimenting

with ideas, materials, tools and techniques. The process made students to think individually, as well as

in group which in turn encouraged them to develop their own, original techniques. After this site visit

students are understand better construction techniques and then it is easy to them for prepare a

drawing in the class room.

Fig 4.1.1 Site visit for Z-Section Window Fig 4.1.2: Site visit for Z-Section Window



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Fig 4.1.3: After Site Visit Preparation of Drawing

4.2 Site Visit 2

The main aim of this site visit to understand Green architecture and building energy conservation with

the help of vernacular architecture

The objective of this site visit is summarized as follows:

To understand the planning aspect with respect to the surrounding spaces, climate, locally

available materials, local construction techniques.

To understand the materials and construction techniques used for the house with respect to the

building energy conservation.

The Dhamapur village, Taluka Malvan, Maharashtra was selected for the site visit. The settlement got

more than 350 years old dwellings. Dhamapur village in Malvan Taluka, (Maharashtra) boasting of a

socio-cultural mix of major three groups, with their own traditions, customs and lifestyles.

After this site visit the students are clear about the

Architectural features of the dwellings (Architectural typology)

Location, orientation and Principles:

Site planning: dwelling was divided into three parts aagan (Front yard), which is normally

provided with a Tulsi vrundhavan, and area for drying the various agriculture products. Main

house and the Paaras (back yard) with cow shad, storage for fodder, water well, area for

gobber storage, kitchen garden and coconut, mango, suparri plantation.

Fig 4.2 Typical Site Plan of Konkan House

4.2.1. Cluster Planning

Architecture of the Konkan is not monumental or iconic. One can always see clusters of houses

standing adjacent to each other as if they are integrate



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Fig 4.2.1 Cluster Planning of Konkan House

4.2.2 Building Planning

The building was planned around a Maajghar (Living room) and room was positioned according to

Vaastu Mandala. This kind of layout ensured climatic comfort in warm and humid regions. The

building was divided into public, semipublic/semiprivate and private spaces, ensuring the required

level of safety, security and privacy for the spaces.

Form and Typology

House form: The house forms are mostly rectangular with a maajghar (Living) at the center. Spatial

arrangements are based on the culture needs of people.

Fig 4.4.1: Plan of Higher Income Group Fig 4.4.2 House at Dhamapur Village

4.2.3 Climatic Responsiveness

4.5.1 Aesthetics or Beauty

Beauty refers to the psychological comfort of the users. Traditional buildings were carved beautifully

in teak wood, and used traditional proportion systems, leading to the creation of a very healthy

environment and equally healthy users. For this we can refer “Medicinal Houses” for them.

4.2.4 Social Interactive Space

Aagan, temple surrounding, chowk is the prime interaction space .



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Fig 4.5.2.1: Temple Surrounding Area

4.2.5 Civic Interventions: Building bye-laws and regulations were limited. This gave more freedom

to the designer.

4.2.6 Symbolic Significance

The Tulsi platform is a symbol commonly seen in the

Aangan.

The Dhamapur village site visit study & documentation

really helped to explore the wisdom of vernacular

architecture of Konkan area (Sindhudurg District) in

Maharashtra. Due to impact of urbanization the village

lacks the traditional style of architecture. If this trend

continues then this traditional village may lose its

character.

Fig 4.2.7 Tulsi Vrundhavan

4.2.8 Inferences

After the site visit student had learnt an practically experienced the intricacies of executing the project

this infers that student could generate innovative suggestions when exposed to practical or field work

the individual involved in the site visit had a learning experience.

4.3 Site Visit 3

Fig 4.3.1 After Site Visit Model Preparation



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Skeletal Framework Progressing throughout day 2 Completion of the Auditorium Model on day 3

Fig 4.3.2 After Site Visit Model Preparation

After site visit it is easy to prepare complicated model in easiest way. Students can understand the

structure in butter way.

4.4 Site Visit 4

Live Case Studies on Structure of Existing Building

These exercises primarily aim to teach students to see structure within architecture and to articulate

structures visually. Seeing an idea done in reality and understanding its characteristics open the mind to

architecture’s strong connection to structures, construction, and artistry. Site visits which is organized

under the building construction subject will cultivates motivation and enthusiasm amongst the students,

increasing awareness of students towards structural design as a worthwhile area of creative architectural

exploration. Students visit construction sites, so that they can become aware of and acquainted with the

practical aspect of the course. They are learning activities which gives the students a connection between

the classroom work and actual building projects. Experiencing and recording, analyzing and questioning,

photo documentation and on site sketches are necessary elements of the study.

Fig 4.4.1: Building Construction Site Visit Fig 4.4.2: Building construction site visit

Fig 4.4.3: Building Construction Site Visit



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4.5 Site Visit 5

This site visits clear the idea about the mud block construction.

Fig 4.5.1: Mud Block Arch Fig 4.5.2 Construction Site Visit

4.6 Off Campus & On Campus Site Visits

Students visit construction sites so that they can become aware of & acquainted with the practical

aspects of the course they are learning activities which gives the students a connection between the

class work & actual building projects. Expressing & recording analyzing and questioning, photo

documentation, on site sketches are necessary elements of site visits.

The proposed programme of study recommends breaking away from traditional pedagogical approach

of teaching. Instead, it should be taught by learning, doing, observation and critical thinking of so as

to engage interest, innovation and confidence of the student. The proposed methodology attempts to

integrate the fragmented and isolated parts of the teaching content so as to bring a new

professionalism in the delivery of architectural education and to ensure synergies between the

academia and the practice.

After analysis of all above aspects it has been clearly observed that, following essential measures to

be implemented for effective and efficient teaching methods in architecture.

1) Compulsory site visits for relevant subjects.

5. CONCLUSIONS

The practical experience will generate the innovative thinking and inculcate problems solving

technique among the student site visits will supplement theoretical knowledge. It also helps the

students think innovatively give problem solutions and will generate creative thinking, they will be

ready with practical solutions and expertise by the time they acquire a Bachelors Degree The

illustrated methodology opens up new vistas in education system of architectural.

This new methodology aims at taking Indian Architectural Education to a higher level. Site visits are

the basic live platform to understand the requirements of the users and create healthy design. Site

visits are the essential practical teaching process. The architectural teaching fraternity must start on a

new journey towards the site visits and to mould budding minds in the most appropriate manner. It is

a Changing Trends in Architectural Pedagogy.

REFERENCES

[1] Benninger Christoph C., Suzlon One Earth; Between the Eternal and the Transformational.

[2] Journal –Council of architecture, Volume1/Number1.

Documents

Changing Trends in Architecture Pedagogy Site Visit -A Creative Learning