Writing the client: the role of fictocriticism and prose fiction in the architectural design studio

ABSTRACT

A good working relationship between an architect and a client is crucial to the success of any architectural project. However, client engagement is often absent or difficult to replicate within the classroom teaching of architecture students. In order to address some of these gaps and also to attempt to inculcate a sense of a client–architect relationship within an architectural design studio, the author turned to literary texts. Reading and writing have powerful abilities to affect change, and immersion in reading and writing can propel students to new levels of awareness and enhance their critical reflection. The focus of this article is a consideration of the role of fictocriticism and prose fiction within the design studio context. Reading and writing were harnessed for their transformative potential, enabling students to better envision, develop and communicate their designs. Students were instructed in a method for designing which focused on employing fictocriticism and prose fiction, to foster students’ abilities to critically engage, produce and reflect. This article discusses the design activities employed and provides examples of studio work to illustrate the transdisciplinary learning development and outcomes. The significance of fictocriticism and prose fiction in the design process is also outlined, concluding with implications for the client–architect working relationship, outcomes impacting the students’ future professional practice, and implications for teaching in the twenty-first century tertiary classroom.

KEYWORDS:

• Fictocriticism
• architectural design
• pedagogy

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank the students who willingly shared their work for publication in this article, and who participated in the studios discussed in this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

ORCID

Stephanie Liddicoat http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6485-8223

Notes

1. The five courses included: (1) Studio Fire, the capstone architectural design studio of the Bachelor of Environments, February–June 2016, comprising 16 students; (2) Studio Fire, July–November 2016, comprising 16 students; (3) Studio Fire, February– June 2017, comprising 16 students; (4) I Remember, You Remember, a masters-level design studio delivered as part of the Master of Architecture design studio programme, July–November 2016, comprising 18 students, four of whom were in their first semester of their Master of Architecture studies, 10 of whom were in their second semester of their Master of Architecture studies, and four of whom were in their third semester of their Masters of Architecture studies; (5) A House for Unrequited Love, a masters-level design studio delivered as part of the Master of Architecture design studio programme, February–June 2017, comprising 18 students, eight of whom were in their first semester of their Master of Architecture studies, seven of whom were in their second semester of their Master of Architecture studies, and three of whom were in their third semester of their Masters of Architecture studies.

2. This research has ethics clearance from The University of Melbourne (ethics ID no. 1748813).

3. Potter, Olivia. Process work, A House for Unrequited Love design studio, 2017.

4. Harkin, Matthew. Process work, A House for Unrequited Love design studio, 2017.

5. Harkin, Matthew. Process work, A House for Unrequited Love design studio, 2017.

6. Woo, Catherine. Process work, I remember, You Remember design studio, 2016.

7. Made available to the author at the close of each semester.