Architect’s Journey: Impact on Education

Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in an international architectural workshop in Istanbul, Turkey, focusing on Socially Situated Architectural Pedagogies (SArPe). What left a lasting impression was the unique approach to knowledge sharing and the influence of the place on architectural education. SArPe placed a strong emphasis on personal experience, where participants were asked to share their stories related to situated pedagogy.

The workshop's interactive activities, hosted at Istanbul Technical University, challenged the conventional presenter-spectator format. It encouraged participants to immerse themselves in diverse narratives and create their own interpretations. The focus wasn't solely on WHAT was discussed but also on HOW these stories and ideas were shared, breaking free from traditional educational norms.

One captivating group activity prompted us to envision a new school of architecture with our unique pedagogical approach. What stood out was that over half of the participants proposed the concept of a "Nomadic" or "Traveling School," with "Traveling Studios" as an integral component. Traveling is more than sightseeing; it's about immersing oneself in unfamiliar surroundings, adapting to new perspectives, and broadening horizons. This inclination towards travel reflects a growing awareness of the transformative power of experiential learning and "travel pedagogy." It centers on the idea of learning through cultural and geographic shifts that alter sense perception and spatial cognition. The concept of self-constructed knowledge is crucial here. Traveling enables learners to gain a profound understanding of the places they visit, fostering their interpretations. This approach challenges traditional architectural education, which often relies on emulating culturally prized sites and masters in a fixed curriculum.

While logistical issues like cost, safety and disruptions would still need to be figured out for making this practical, travel can encourage students and architects to question established norms, experiment with innovative ideas, and draw inspiration from the ever-changing world.