The LSA at this year’s Association of Architectural Educators conference

The panel discussion seeks to explore the concept of contemporary design studio culture within both architectural education and practice, and reflect upon how innovations in teaching methods and technology might challenge and/ or support future models of practice.

The term ‘studio culture’ has both positive and negative connotations for architects and recent graduates; historically lauded as a place where a community of students develop and hone their own creative processes and learn to be critiqued under the watchful eye of a unit master, archi-culture has also become notorious for the high-stress competitive environment it creates, including a ‘long hours’ philosophy which breeds bad habits within the wider profession.

As increasing importance is placed on improving student wellbeing and the diversity of the profession, to what extent do the stereotypical characteristics of archi-culture apply to contemporary models of architectural education and emerging models of practice? And how can innovations in teaching methodologies and collaboration empower students and equip them with the skills they need to succeed in the rapidly evolving context of the built environment profession?