ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a critical synthesis of design studio pedagogy and articulates an approach for expanding design studio outcomes. The approach aims at empowering transformative pedagogy in architecture and urbanism. Constitutes for transformative pedagogy involves a critical understanding of relationships between the need for knowledge, the creative act, and critical inquiry processes. The conventional design studio focuses on formal issues and gives less attention to the socio-behavioral factors that may equally influence the building form and the overall urban environment. Evaluation research is intended to provide reliable and valid information to those who make decisions about the environment. Evaluation studies, in this sense, are intended to provide a knowledge base for improving the quality of decision-making. Introducing participatory design in the design studio seeks to empower students to better understand the physical and social environment, to appreciate it and to be able to make decisions about it.
