Architecture, Art and Design

This course introduces participants to the variations of architectural styles and the influences of historical developments, cultural activities, lifestyle changes and events that have shaped architectural development.  Participants will be guided on an exploratory tour of towns and cities to review the variety of architectural showcases, both the modern and the traditional.

This course engages participants in sketching activities at different outdoor locations to experience and register the geographical, historical and cultural dimensions of the locality.  The course exposes participants to different ways of sketching to capture their thoughts, emotions and imaginations as they relate to their observations of the environments.

This workshop engages participants in a critical appreciation of architecture from the perspective of its social, cultural and political significance.  The workshop explores the multifaceted dimensions of architecture to explain its historical development, the forces that shape the evolution of the architectural built form and, the social, cultural and political impact that this creates.  The workshop engages examples and case studies, both local and overseas, to elucidate the architectural theories, principles and concepts that underpin the visual, spatial, functional, iconic and symbolic meanings of architectural stylistic developments.  The workshop will also engage participants to develop a framework that leverages on their understanding and appreciation of architecture as a springboard to generate discussions on wider social, cultural and political issues.

Effective design thinking is characterised by the designer’s ability to resolve design problems in ways that bring forth imaginative, logical and functional solutions in a manner that is productive and efficient in time and project resources.  As a tool to resolve issues and problems in design, effective design thinking engages the designer in cognitive processes such as creativity, visualisation, perception and ideation to see things in new ways, recognise patterns, make connections and associations, challenge assumptions and seize upon emergent ideas for creative design problem solving that are feasible, aesthetic, economical and efficient.