Students’ Perceptions towards Assignment Integration between Architecture Design Studio and Structural and Technological Subjects

Abstract

Architecture is a process of planning, designing, and constructing buildings
or structures. In architecture, structural and technological aspects need to
be considered in the design process for better service. Architecture Design
Studio (ADS) is the fundamental course of the Architecture Programme. It
teaches students about the design process and techniques via design
projects. Courses on structure and technology (S&T), on the other hand,
teach students technical knowledge. In the evolution of the University
Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) architecture programme, these two - ADS
and S&T - are integrated to enhance critical thinking and design ability.
Integration is achieved by requiring students to apply the knowledge that
they have gained in S&T courses to their design projects in ADS. This study
investigated the perception of students towards this integration.
Respondents were from Year 2 and Year 3 students undergoing their
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture at UNIMAS. The data analysis gathered from the questionnaire based on 59 respondents showed
that the majority of students had a positive attitude towards this integrated
assignment, and with adequate execution and support from lecturers, this
approach to improving critical thinking in architecture design projects may
grow and succeed in the future.