A Didactic Pedagogical Approach toward Sustainable Architectural Education through Robotic Tectonics

Robotic tectonics have been integrated into the architectural profession through automated construction for more than a decade, advancing sustainability initiatives in the industry and increasing the quality of building construction. Over the years, avant-garde architects have explored the feasibility of this new design paradigm through the integration of newly-developed digital design software into automated construction. This robotic digital workflow continues to push designers to re-think the complete architecture process (from design conception to physical construction) and guides the building industry towards more precise, efficient, and sustainable development. However, in the current environment of architectural education, professional courses can be fragmented, thematic, and overly academic. Such content is not inherently compatible with the latest technological developments. The lack of understanding and application of digital technological can subsequently lead to the lack of sustainable development in architectural education. In this paper, we aim to introduce a new didactic pedagogical approach that is reliant on the principles of robotic tectonics and is defined through linear development in four distinct, developmental stages (based on information gleaned from four “Robotic Tectonics” workshops and various other rich teaching practices). This pedagogical framework provides interdisciplinary knowledge to architecture students and enables them to use advanced digital tools such as robots for automated construction, laying the groundwork for the discovery of new and complex building processes that will redefine architecture in the near future.

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A Pedagogical Approach to Incorporating the Concept of Sustainability into Design-to-Physical-Construction Teaching in Introductory Architectural Design Courses: A Case Study on a Bamboo Construction Project

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13147692 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 7692

Author(s):

Xingwei Xiang ◽

Qian Wu ◽

Ye Zhang ◽

Bifeng Zhu ◽

Xiaoji Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Architectural Design ◽

Teaching Method ◽

Construction Project ◽

Architectural Education ◽

Construction Process ◽

Introductory Courses ◽

Interdisciplinary Knowledge ◽

Physical Construction

Sustainable architectural education is offered in colleges and universities all over the world. Studies have emphasized the importance of sustainable architectural education in introductory courses of architecture major programs, but methods and strategies for teaching sustainable architecture at lower levels are scarce. This study focuses on the design-to-physical-construction process and creates a teaching framework that incorporates the concept of sustainable development from the perspectives of sustainable economy, environment and society. Based on the teaching method of learning through the design-to-physical-construction process and referring to the grounded theory, a case study on a bamboo construction project was conducted to explore approaches and strategies of sustainable architectural education in introductory courses. Results reveal that five systems, including the system of sustainable development, consist of a framework that illustrated the teaching effects. Based on the framework, we discovered five factors that should be considered in incorporating the concept of sustainable development into architectural design teaching, including the necessity of conducting sustainable architectural education in introductory courses. This study helps explore the potential role sustainability plays in incorporating interdisciplinary knowledge, connecting specialized knowledge across different program levels, and motivating student learning. It also provides a reference for the practice of sustainable architectural education.

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Building scientific capacity in disaster risk reduction for sustainable development

Cultures of Science ◽

10.1177/20966083211017330 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 209660832110173

Author(s):

Fang Chen ◽

Zeeshan Shirazi ◽

Lei Wang

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Cloud Computing ◽

Risk Reduction ◽

Disaster Risk Reduction ◽

Capacity Development ◽

Disaster Risk ◽

Data Sources ◽

Comprehensive Understanding ◽

Digital Infrastructure ◽

Technological Developments

As climate warming intensifies, the frequency and intensity of disasters are also increasing, posing challenges to global sustainable development. The concept of disaster risk reduction (DRR) provides strong impetus for reducing disaster risk and vulnerabilities by employing the scientific and technological developments of recent decades. However, there is a need to enhance the capacities of different communities to use emerging digital infrastructure, not only in promoting DRR but also in ensuring sustainable future development. Limited access to and availability of data are restricting comprehensive understanding of these challenges. In many countries, the key areas for capacity development include collecting information from alternative and emerging data sources and meaningfully integrating it with data from traditional sources. Software and data analysis are becoming widely accessible due to open-source initiatives, while cloud computing technologies and programmes such as CASEarth provide valuable resources for multisource data integration, contributing to information-driven policy and decision-support systems for DRR.

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From Global Goals and Planetary Boundaries to Public Governance—A Framework for Prioritizing Organizational Sustainability Activities

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su10082741 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 2741 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Helena Ranängen ◽

Mathias Cöster ◽

Raine Isaksson ◽

Rickard Garvare

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Organizational Sustainability ◽

Public Governance ◽

Organizational Governance ◽

Study Approach ◽

Analysis Methodology ◽

Climate Action ◽

Freshwater Use ◽

Sustainability Initiatives

Background: A particular challenge in the work to realize the global goals for sustainable development is to find ways for organizations to identify and prioritize organizational activities that address these goals. There are also several sustainability initiatives, guidelines and tools to consider when planning, working with and reporting on sustainable development. Although progress has been made, little has been written about how organizations rise to and manage the challenge. The paper explores how organizations address sustainable development, which sustainability aspects they prioritize and whether previous research can improve the priority process by using materiality analysis approach. Methods: A case study approach was chosen. Data was collected by interactive workshops and documentation. The participating organizations were two Swedish municipalities; Results: The municipalities have introduced a number of sustainability aspects into their organizational governance, especially in terms of society, human rights and the environment. A materiality analysis was conducted to determine the relevance and significance of sustainability aspects. The result shows that climate action, biodiversity and freshwater use are aspects that should be prioritized; Conclusion: The materiality analysis methodology chosen for prioritizing of sustainability aspects was useful and easy to work with. However, the sustainability aspect matrix and the risk assessment have to be updated regularly in order to form an effective base for the materiality analysis.

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Sustainability Report Evolution

10.4018/978-1-6684-3885-5.ch012 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 227-249

Author(s):

Teresa Eugénio ◽

Susana Cristina Rodrigues ◽

Marco José Gonçalves

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Content Analysis ◽

Financial Reporting ◽

Development Goals ◽

Independent Entity ◽

Sustainability Initiatives ◽

Disclosure Strategy ◽

A Company ◽

Sustainability Report

This chapter is a unique case study that aims to present the evolution of non-financial reporting in Nestlé Portugal from 2007 to 2016 with the aim to study in-depth the Nestlé sustainability report practices. This study proposes to identify the key milestones in the evolution of this type of report, to compare with the disclosure strategy of Nestlé international, to understand if this company follow the IIRC guidelines, to identify the contribution of the audit by an independent entity, to conclude if Nestlé contributes to the achieving of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and to identify if the awards Nestlé received matter in its sustainability initiatives. Public institutional information was preferably used, particularly the sustainability report and integrated report, processed with various work tools using the technique of content analysis. The conclusions made it possible to understand that Nestlé emerges as a company that integrates these issues into its strategy and can be a model for companies that wish to follow this report path towards sustainability.

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Digital Design Thinking in Architectural Education Testing Idea-Driven and Science-Driven Design Processes Towards Researching Polymer/Wood Composite Structures

Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering - Digital Wood Design ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-03676-8_54 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1355-1393

Author(s):

Andrei Gheorghe

Keyword(s):

Composite Structures ◽

Design Thinking ◽

Digital Design ◽

Architectural Education ◽

Wood Composite ◽

Design Processes

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Positioning historical evidences in architectural education: review of methods and contents

Open House International ◽

10.1108/ohi-05-2020-0032 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 45 (4) ◽

pp. 481-507

Author(s):

Yasira Naeem Pasha ◽

Shahla Adnan ◽

Noman Ahmed

Keyword(s):

Formal Education ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Culturally Sensitive ◽

Theory Model ◽

Architectural Education ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Content Type ◽

Skill Sets ◽

The Future ◽

History Of

Purpose This paper aims to position the evidence in the history of architectural education, which has contributed to the development of architecture as a discipline. The paper focusses on the transformational stages of architectural education through history. It builds on considering its evolution from informal stages towards formal educational discipline and then standardization as a curriculum-based model in contemporary times. Design/methodology/approach The research adopts a qualitative approach focussing on epistemological interpretations through triangulation. The qualitative data includes two main categories; first, historical research and second, interviews and focussed group discussions. It then adopts the triangulation method for the analysis of data. The exploration positions historical pieces of evidence encompassing important factors involved in the process that directed the changes while suggesting the modes of training of architects. The interviews and focus groups provide a valuable addition to historical data for connecting it to contemporary times. Significant modes examined include master pupil, apprenticeship and curriculum-based model, in addition to several fundamental skill sets such as drawing, painting and sculptures that remained constant in this process. Findings The historical pieces of evidence inform that architectural education has been inclusive and considerate towards cultural concerns throughout its developmental stages untill the currently adopted curriculum-based model. It concludes that the development of architecture as a discipline in formal education has been influenced by methods of disseminating knowledge, contents incorporated for teaching architecture, deliberate inclusion of relevant knowledge areas such as arts and cultural integrations of societies. Research limitations/implications This research is limited to a structured study to explore and position pieces of evidence in the history of architectural education considering its methods and contents. While it signifies the role of culturally sensitive contents in the architectural curricula, the scope of this research is not to focus on the development of any new theory, model or postulate regarding the inclusion of some specific contents. The implications of this research aspire to the best use of methods and contents deeply rooted in the development of the discipline, of architectural curricula in the future. It suggests the negation of possible overlooking of such content in curricula. Originality/value The study signifies the core argument of the relevance of architectural education to social and cultural concerns as an important facet in the developmental stages in the history of the discipline. The exploration of pieces of evidence is significantly important to avoid the inadvertent overlooking of the culturally sensitive content in architectural education in the future development of architectural curricula that were included purposefully.

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Sustainable Development Strategies of the Port Authority: The Network Approach

Advanced Engineering Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/aef.11.87 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 87-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Marcella De Martino

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Communication Systems ◽

Active Role ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Port Authority ◽

Cargo Handling ◽

Wide Range ◽

Technological Developments ◽

Information And Communication ◽

Changing Patterns

Recent years have witnessed a profound evolution of ports, induced by a wide range of factors, such as: (a) technological developments in shipping, cargo-handling and storage equipment, and information and communication systems; (b) changing patterns of international trade; (c) a broadening complexity of global supply chains; and (d) a changing governance models of the port as a consequence of the process of privatization in Europe. The growing size and complexity of port functions have inspired an ever more interesting and useful scientific debates on the social, economic and environmental effects of these transformations, and, more specifically, on the relationship between the port and the city. The paper addresses, to this end, an emerging managerial perspective in the decision making process of Port Authority: the network. This perspective allows to understand the nature of relationship networks shaping the competitive and cooperative dynamics of the port and to identify the boundaries for an active role of the Port Authority in defining the sustainable development of port within its own territory.

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Happy Sustainability: A Future Quest for More Sustainable Universities

Social Sciences ◽

10.3390/socsci11010024 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 24

Author(s):

Kelum A. A. Gamage ◽

Nora Munguia ◽

Luis Velazquez

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Inclusive Education ◽

High Stress ◽

Quality Education ◽

Social Dimension ◽

Sustainable Development Goal ◽

2030 Agenda ◽

The Social ◽

Sustainability Initiatives ◽

Sustainable Universities

For decades, sustainability researchers have tenaciously insisted on transforming higher education institutions into more sustainable and inclusive campuses. Yet, as the 2030 agenda seems unlikely to be achieved, universities are struggling to meet the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4) before the 2030 deadline. In addition, the post-COVID-19 era demands quality and inclusive education that entails care for students experiencing high stress levels. So far, most of the significant achievements are within the environmental or economic dimensions of sustainable development, but strengthening the social dimension is still one pending task. The importance of happiness to sustainability initiatives on campus, and beyond, deserves further research. To this end, this article offers insights into incorporating the sustainability–happiness nexus into sustainable universities to enhance the social dimension of sustainability. COVID-19 reminds sustainability academics and stakeholders that teaching technical and scientific knowledge is necessary to become more sustainable. Still, it is not sufficient to achieve the goals in the 2030 agenda. Providing inclusive and sustainable quality education will be reached when more sustainable universities consider happiness the ultimate goal of human development.

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The architectural design in time of crisis. A research of "roots" to support the development

VITRUVIO - International Journal of Architectural Technology and Sustainability ◽

10.4995/vitruvio-ijats.2015.4471 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maria Cristina Forlani

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Architectural Design ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Raw Materials ◽

The Past ◽

Capacity Limit ◽

Environment Capacity ◽

Design Paradigm ◽

Brundtland Report

Vitruvius wrote the first treatise of Architecture and in it we find the fundamental recommendations for a good design. In the past 50 years it seems, instead, that each of these directions had been lost and there is today the need of promoting a new design paradigm that is attentive to nowadays criticalities and directed to sustainable development. The term sustainability starts to configure the quality of human actions since the 80’s following reflections on the resources limit (raw materials and fossil fuels) and the environment capacity limit of absorbing emissions and waste. The concept of sustainable development was elaborated in 1987 in the Brundtland report according to the need of distinguishing it from the concept of growth, that is to say with the goal of tending simultaneously toward the quality verification of programs in the environmental, social and economic dimensions. All that invited the whole society to reconsider its "lifestyle" that, in the specific field of architecture, meant finding a new design approach geared to a lower consumption and greater caution and responsibility in the choices. The configuration of a new design paradigm can trace their roots in the study of history and can proceed to evaluate the actions in a broad context of skills to ensure the quality of the products.

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The Digital Design Coach Enhancing Design Conversations in Architectural Education

10.26686/wgtn.16934806.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Rohan O'Neil Bailey

Keyword(s):

Design Education ◽

Current Model ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Digital Design ◽

Architectural Education ◽

Abstract Thinking ◽

Design Problems ◽

Student Dialogue ◽

Fit For Purpose ◽

The Many

Changes in society, technology, and practice have created a significant demand for architectural graduates who can balance practical concerns with critical and abstract thinking. The current model of architectural education as it exists in academia, is hard pressed to supply this demand. This thesis seeks to redress this situation by connecting three maxims: 1) Strengthening the master-student dialogue is key to adequately exposing student designers to the issues involved in designing buildings that are fit for purpose, cost effective, sustainable and a delight to clients and users. 2) Sketching, a "designerly" way of thinking, is an integral part of this dialogue. 3) The computer in design education should directly contribute to helping students design buildings that are fit for purpose, cost effective, sustainable and a delight to clients and users. The thesis argues that due to the myriad of issues connected with architecture in today's society, the effectiveness of the student/master dialogue in architectural education has been weakened somewhat. At the centre of this dialogue is the sketch - a conversation between head and hand. The thesis will argue that by furnishing students with an "expert hand", the sketch becomes so empowered as to enrich the dialogue, raising the level of students' exposure to architectural issues. The suggested medium for this empowerment is the computer. Moving sketching into the digital realm as a direct means of thinking and learning is an innovative way of providing students with an "expert" digital hand. The sketch, for the student, becomes an intelligent conscious tool that supports and informs exploration. In turn, the empowered sketch presents the student with the many issues that comprise contemporary design problems. The result of this upliftment is a richer dialogue between student and teacher about architecture that is fit for purpose, economical and environmentally aware.

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