Perception to Virtual Design Studio in the Initiation, Realization and Reflection Phase: The Faculties and Students Perspective

ABSTRACT

The study examines virtual design studio pedagogy in regional settings, providing a comprehensive understanding of the experiences of faculty members and students as they adapted to the virtual design studio due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The research focused on B.Arch., an undergraduate program affiliated with the University of Calicut, Malappuram, Kerala, India. A survey-based cluster sampling approach was made use of. The survey questionnaire collected information from faculties and students on various aspects of the virtual discourse, and SPSS software was used to analyze the data. The Mann-Whitney U test (non-parametric test) was employed to compare adaptation and acceptance levels of virtual design studios between faculties and students. The results indicated differences in adaptation and acceptance levels between the two groups. The research also outlines the various stage-wise phases of the virtual design studio model. Further explores the future of architecture studio pedagogy in a post-Covid scenario, with emphasis on hybrid mode, which could be an area for future research.

KEYWORDS:

• Architecture studio pedagogy
• virtual design studio
• survey-based research
• hybrid pedagogy
• AI process schema

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Asif R. Khan

Asif R. Khan is pursuing his part-time Ph.D. program in Architecture at the School of Architecture, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Tamil Nadu, India. He acquired his B.Arch., degree from MES School of Architecture, Malappuram, University of Calicut, Kerala, India, and pursued his M.Arch., degree from Smt. Manoramabai Mundle College of Architecture, Nagpur University, Maharashtra, India. He is a recipient of the Netherlands Fellowship (NFP), to study the post graduate diploma course at the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies, Erasmus University, Rotterdam. Holds a Pg.Dip., in Developing Social Housing Projects (DSHP), from Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies, Erasmus University, Rotterdam. He has been associated with AA School, London as a visiting teacher. He has been associated with the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, as a research scholar. Is a registered architect with the Council of Architecture, India. Is a fellow member of the Indian Institute of Architects. Has professional exposure in the Middle East as well as in India on significant architectural projects. He has been associated with several architectural colleges in India. Has authored and presented numerous research papers at national and international forums. Presently officiating as Principal, Al Salama Institute of Architecture, University of Calicut, Kerala, India.

N. Lakshmi Thilagam

N. Lakshmi Thilagam is an Architect and Urban Designer. She acquired her B.Arch., degree from the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India, and pursued her M.Arch., degree from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India. Pursued her Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India. Her research interests are traditional urbanism, space syntax application for historic cities, heritage, and urban conservation. She is currently researching to analyze the principles of sustainability exhibited in the traditional urban patterns of the historic cities of Tamil Nadu. Is a passionate academician, involved in teaching activities for over twenty years. Also writes on the subject of Architectural Education.