VIRTUAL Prague Research & Teaching Conference

Abstract

The traditional classroom structure often limits the full potential of student learning, particularly in creative disciplines like architecture. This research proposes a transformative approach to teaching architecture at the pre-university level by creating learning environments that extend beyond the confines of the classroom and dissolve the silos of boxed education. It advocates for teaching methods that integrate studio practice, real-world applications, and interdisciplinary collaboration to foster holistic learning. By utilizing the pre-university curriculum as a foundation, this study explores how architectural education can become a powerful tool for developing critical thinking, challenging students to think outside the box. Architecture provides a platform for students to approach problems creatively, while encouraging them to consider design solutions that impact human well-being and the way we live. Through architecture, students learn to engage with the world around them in ways that promote social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and cultural understanding. This approach emphasizes how architecture education enables students to embrace design not just as an academic discipline, but as a solution to broader societal issues. The fusion of theoretical learning with real-world experience allows students to recognize how their creative solutions can improve human life, enhance spaces, and shape communities. By empowering students at the pre-university level to apply architectural thinking to real-world challenges, this methodology nurtures the next generation of global citizens. It prepares them to approach design as a tool for positive change, equipping them with the skills to contribute meaningfully to the world’s most pressing issues.