IN-PERSON Prague Research & Teaching Conference

Abstract

This paper examines the potential of research-led education through a case study: a seminar conducted by the author at the Czech Technical University in Prague as part of the History and Theory of Architecture V module during the winter semester of 2023. Titled Post-War Architecture in Use: Capturing Present Socio-Urban Values through Inquiry and Observation, the seminar aimed to promote the heritage recognition of Czech post-war architecture, threatened by ongoing demolition and undervaluation. To this end, small-scale research projects were carried out by 3rd-year undergraduate students to explore its use, urban, and social values. The methodology combined architectural and urban analyses with the ‘go-along’ ethnographic method—a hands-on approach blending participant observation with semi-structured interviews. Yet the seminar pursued another critical aim: cultivating empathy in future architects for the needs and perspectives of users by encouraging direct interaction and documenting lived experiences. This aim was driven by recent studies highlighting a critical gap in architectural design processes, where user engagement is often overlooked, and decision-making relies predominantly on ‘intuition’. The presented case demonstrates the value of research-led architectural education in addressing present societal challenges and equipping architects to deliver human-centred and context-responsive designs. It illustrates how small-scale research projects can complement academic curricula, offering opportunities to integrate research and practice. Beyond familiarising students with architectural research and heritage conservation principles, this research experience helped them develop critical thinking, communication, academic writing, and visualisation skills, with outputs including informative panels, reports, and short documentaries.