At the recent ACSA/EAAE conference in Reykjavík, Scott Aker detailed the avant-garde pedagogy behind the University of Pennsylvania's ARCH 1010 Introduction to Design course. His paper, 'Architectural Beginnings,' emphasized the importance of weaving social issues, design theory, and digital methodologies into the initial phases of architectural education. A distinctive aspect of the course is its focus on storytelling, enabling students to delve into social issues using design in a nuanced and empathetic way. This approach lays the foundation for students to tackle architecture with insight and societal consciousness, integrating narrative elements fluidly into their designs.
'Architectural Beginnings' is slated for publication in the ACSA/EAAE conference proceedings later this year