framework for the implementation of a virtual design studio model in ...

project aims at developing skills suitable for the final graduation project
design. Based on the skills that the students initially developed during
Graduation Project I; the students learn final detailed design solutions of
the project and produce an architectural model and report. 235 The design
studio programmes are credited four hours each.
In the schools of architecture i.e. AUS and AUD, the students start the
design coursed from the first year at the university. The students study
design studio one and design studio two at the first year and each is
credited four hours. In the first design studio the students are
introduced to the fundamentals of manual drafting and the different
sketching tools that they will use throughout their studies. The second
design studio builds on the skills learnt in the first design studio and the
students enrich their experience of the vocabulary learnt and the basic
computer software used for designing. In the second year the students
study design studio three and four each credited six hours. Design
studio three introduces the students to the environmental issues and the
socio-cultural issues and the students start to build their analytical skills
as well as their critical skills in design. In design studio four the students
are introduced to the strategies of architectural design. In the third year
the students study design studio five and six each credited six hours.
The third year design studios encourage the student to develop
architectural theories and methodologies. The students are also
encouraged to develop their problem-solving skills and critical thinking
which is later helping them to develop new ways of analysis for
architectural objects. Further design studio courses at year four are
design studio seven and eight in which the students are introduced to
more sophisticated design techniques taking in consideration the urban
context. These courses are credited six hours each. In the fifth year the
students undertake design studio nine and ten each credited at six
hours. In design studio nine the students prepares the material they
need for their final projects. In design studio ten the students are
235 Undergraduate Academic Programs and Curriculum for the 2007 and 2008 Cohorts June.
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