Study Architecture 
ProPEL 
Author(s): Robert Fleming
In the fight against climate change, incremental improvements to the architectural design studio are no longer sufficient. The traditional studio model, which features a master/apprentice relationship, is well suited to generating “good” design solutions. However, this self-driven discov¬ery-based learning process leaves little time or focus for achieving specific high-performance design strategies. More specifically, the traditional design studio features a distinct lack of accountability for performance-based metrics, a lack of time to pursue performance-based goals, a lack of prioritization of building performance, a lack of clarity for what constitutes a successful sustainable design process; and a lack of examples on “how to” perform simple design steps. As a response, a new studio pedagogy is proposed to assist students to achieve net-zero performance within the typical 15-week semester. A structured collection of sustainable design approaches specifically organized by a pyramid (Figure 1) helps professors and students adopt an over arching framework for sustainable design. This paper will focus specifically on the studio methodology itself. This new design methodology formalizes activities already used in the design studio and leads students to reach higher levels of building performance for their projects. Specifically, this paper will focus on the following innovative teaching techniques: How to place “accountability” into the design studio through early and often against well-established benchmarks; How to prioritize building performance by front-loading sustain-able design techniques; How to accelerate the design process through the use of “how-to” videos; and How to develop and use well-developed rubrics with learning objectives to keep students focused on both net-zero energy AND the more rewarding and more familiar design resolution process. In conclusion, this paper will spark a much-needed conversation on how design studio pedagogy itself can evolve to train students to design high-performance projects in the short-term and ultimately to mitigate the impacts of climate change in the long-term.
https://doi.org/10.35483/ACSA.AM.109.30
Volume Editors
ISBN
978-1-944214-37-1
