VIRTUAL: Learning. Life. Work.
Abstract
Gender stereotypes persist in architecture and design, leading to a myriad of issues and perpetuating a hierarchy in design disciplines, often valuing certain types of knowledge over others based on their gendered connotations. This includes a preference for ‘hard’, objective, quantifiable methodologies and measurable outcomes, as opposed to ‘soft’ impacts and outcomes that are less quantifiable. Recognizing and integrating diverse types of knowledge is increasingly important for design that promotes social justice, inclusion, and the shift towards empathetic, human-centric approaches. Interdisciplinary collaboration can play a vital role in mitigating bias by fostering a learning environment that welcomes diverse perspectives, encourages peer-to-peer teaching, and promotes holistic understanding. Furthermore, current U.S. accreditation standards for programs in Architecture, NAAB, Interior Architecture, CIDA, and Landscape Architecture, LAAB, all call for students to have collaborative educational opportunities. Since Fall 2020, [name redacted] has offered a 5-credit, vertically integrated, Interdisciplinary Collaborative Design Studio to graduate students in these disciplines. Over a 16-week semester, small teams of students from each discipline work collaboratively on design projects. This paper proposes a transferable, pedagogical model for interdisciplinary, collaborative learning alongside the outcomes of a thematic analysis of synthesized data from these educational interventions. The analysis of 75 data sets gathered from 49 participants, under an IRB-approved study plan sought to understand the impact of interdisciplinary collaborations among graduate design students, in fostering a more inclusive and unbiased learning environment, ultimately empowering designers to contribute towards a just and equitable built environment.
Kendra Kirchmer is a multi-disciplinary designer and educator focused on the complex relationship between design and health and well-being. Through a scalar approach in her scholarship and teaching, she examines the impact of the built environment on health and equity across various scales – from cities to individuals. Several of her scholarly efforts advocates for a broader understanding of health, encompassing physical, mental, and social well-being, and extends the scope of healthcare design beyond traditional settings like hospitals, to include all design.
Byungsoo Kim is an Assistant Professor of Industrial Design at Kansas State University. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Product Design from Hong-ik University, a Master’s in Industrial Design and a Ph.D in Design from North Carolina State University. His research interests include technology and design, user experience, Universal Design, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. He has published research papers, received awards, and presented his work at national/international conferences. He has worked for General Motors and JLG Industries, as well as for research firms. He has won design awards such as the GM Design Competition, iF, and Red Dot Design Award.
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Tuesday 11th June, 2024