Applying Action Research to Structure Interactive and Engaging Design Studios in Architecture Schools: A Case Study of University of Bahrain

Abstract

Architecture design studio is a social environment where interactions among students and a teachers serve as a pedagogical tool to enhance the students’ imaginative and creative thinking. However, keeping students motivated for long hour studios is a challenging task. This Action Research (AR) is conducted to evaluate the effects of “structuring” the teaching sessions that take place in the architecture design studios to observe their effects on the motivational level of the students while working for prolonged length of time in a studio. The study examines two types of structured studios: semi-structured studios and fully-structured studios through a meticulous review of the planning, implementation and the cycle of activities. The findings reveal that a higher level of motivation is observed in students when the studio structure is designed to encourage collaborative learning amongst the students, and when the teacher acts as an active facilitator in the studio instead of being a mere observer. Keywords: Action Research, Architecture Design Studio, Higher Education, Motivation, Studio Teaching, Design Pedagogy