Rethinking Design Education: Climate-Responsive Practices and Active Engagement

Volume: 11 | Issue: 01 | Year 2025 | Subscription
International Journal of Architecture and Infrastructure Planning
Received Date: 10/01/2024
Acceptance Date: 11/13/2024
Published On: 2025-01-20
First Page: 34
Last Page: 46

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By: Lakshmi Prabha Edappilly, Reenu Saju, and Thomas Kariath.

1. Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, SEED APJ Abdul Kalam School of Environmental Design, Mekkadambu, Muvattupuzha, Kerala, India
2. Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, SEED APJ Abdul Kalam School of Environmental Design, Mekkadambu, Muvattupuzha, Kerala, India
3. Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, SEED APJ Abdul Kalam School of Environmental Design, Mekkadambu, Muvattupuzha, Kerala, India

Abstract

Climate-responsive design has become essential with the growing emphasis on sustainability, particularly in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which calls for future architects to be equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The increasing importance of quantitative analysis in climate-responsive design has made it crucial for architectural education to incorporate both intuitive and data-driven approaches. To prepare future architects, schools must ensure that students are equipped with the skills to assess environmental data and apply sustainable design principles effectively. This study examines the Climate Responsive Studio at SEED APJ Abdul Kalam School of Environmental Design, Kerala, focusing on its evolution over the past three years. The analysis begins by exploring intuitive, analogue design methods, which utilize equipment, such as the Heliodon, Lux meters, and Wind Tunnel. It then tracks the transition to digital methods, incorporating tools like Grasshopper and Climate Studio for environmental simulations. An iterative design process was employed, with each iteration refining students’ understanding of climate-responsive principles. Student outputs were analyzed to gain deeper insights into how the iterative process enhanced their learning and design skills. The studio bridges the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application by combining digital simulations with hands-on experimentation. This integrated approach engages students and fosters the development of problem-solving skills essential for sustainable architectural design. The need for such pedagogical strategies is underscored by the increasing demand for resilient, sustainable urban development. The Climate Responsive Studio serves as a model for how architectural schools can train future architects to meet these global challenges.

Climate-responsive design, architectural pedagogy, hands-on learning, iterative design process, digital and analogue design tools, heliodon

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Citation:

How to cite this article: Lakshmi Prabha Edappilly, Reenu Saju, and Thomas Kariath Rethinking Design Education: Climate-Responsive Practices and Active Engagement. International Journal of Architecture and Infrastructure Planning. 2025; 11(01): 34-46p.

How to cite this URL: Lakshmi Prabha Edappilly, Reenu Saju, and Thomas Kariath, Rethinking Design Education: Climate-Responsive Practices and Active Engagement. International Journal of Architecture and Infrastructure Planning. 2025; 11(01): 34-46p. Available from:https://journalspub.com/publication/ijaip/article=15566

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