A Thematic and Context-Based Design Studio Approach: A Case Study of the Academy of Art and Performance Studio

Filiz Karakuş; Ümit Gökhan Çiçek; Fatma Zehra Süer

doi:10.46474/jds.1843020

A Thematic and Context-Based Design Studio Approach: A Case Study of the Academy of Art and Performance Studio

Abstract

This study presents a qualitative, design-based investigation of a thematic, context-based architectural design studio titled “Academy of Art and Performance,” conducted in Gaziantep and hosted by the Department of Architecture at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University. The studio was structured as a vertical design environment that integrated second- and third-year students and was guided by a sensory-driven thematic framework centered on “sound” as a conceptual driver. The research examines how thematic design approaches influence students’ spatial thinking, contextual awareness, and architectural outcomes. The methodology is based on a qualitative thematic analysis of nine student projects, supported by studio documentation, including drawings, models, jury evaluations, and instructor observations. An analytical framework comprising five evaluation themes—urban and cultural context, sound-based conceptualization, integration of production, performance, and education, form and spatial organization, and heritage reinterpretation—was developed and applied through a comparative matrix. The findings show that although most projects effectively engaged with cultural context and heritage reinterpretation, sensory-driven themes, such as sound, were often treated at a conceptual level rather than translated into technically articulated spatial strategies. This indicates a gap between abstract thematic thinking and architectural resolution. The study contributes to architectural education by proposing a structured analytical framework for evaluating thematic studio outputs and by highlighting the pedagogical challenges of integrating sensory and experiential design approaches into studio practice.

Keywords

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Architecture (Other), Design (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Filiz Karakuş
0000-0002-7562-3435
Türkiye

Ümit Gökhan Çiçek
0009-0005-2344-3343
Türkiye

Fatma Zehra Süer ^*
0000-0003-2896-3098
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 20, 2026

Submission Date

December 18, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.46474/jds.1843020

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA87FD37MK

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Karakuş, F., Çiçek, Ü. G., & Süer, F. Z. (2026). A Thematic and Context-Based Design Studio Approach: A Case Study of the Academy of Art and Performance Studio. Journal of Design Studio, 8(1), 85-108. https://doi.org/10.46474/jds.1843020

AMA

1.Karakuş F, Çiçek ÜG, Süer FZ. A Thematic and Context-Based Design Studio Approach: A Case Study of the Academy of Art and Performance Studio. JDS. 2026;8(1):85-108. doi:10.46474/jds.1843020

Chicago

Karakuş, Filiz, Ümit Gökhan Çiçek, and Fatma Zehra Süer. 2026. “A Thematic and Context-Based Design Studio Approach: A Case Study of the Academy of Art and Performance Studio”. Journal of Design Studio 8 (1): 85-108. https://doi.org/10.46474/jds.1843020.

EndNote

Karakuş F, Çiçek ÜG, Süer FZ (July 1, 2026) A Thematic and Context-Based Design Studio Approach: A Case Study of the Academy of Art and Performance Studio. Journal of Design Studio 8 1 85–108.

IEEE

[1]F. Karakuş, Ü. G. Çiçek, and F. Z. Süer, “A Thematic and Context-Based Design Studio Approach: A Case Study of the Academy of Art and Performance Studio”, JDS, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 85–108, July 2026, doi: 10.46474/jds.1843020.

ISNAD

Karakuş, Filiz - Çiçek, Ümit Gökhan - Süer, Fatma Zehra. “A Thematic and Context-Based Design Studio Approach: A Case Study of the Academy of Art and Performance Studio”. Journal of Design Studio 8/1 (July 1, 2026): 85-108. https://doi.org/10.46474/jds.1843020.

JAMA

1.Karakuş F, Çiçek ÜG, Süer FZ. A Thematic and Context-Based Design Studio Approach: A Case Study of the Academy of Art and Performance Studio. JDS. 2026;8:85–108.

MLA

Karakuş, Filiz, et al. “A Thematic and Context-Based Design Studio Approach: A Case Study of the Academy of Art and Performance Studio”. Journal of Design Studio, vol. 8, no. 1, July 2026, pp. 85-108, doi:10.46474/jds.1843020.

Vancouver

1.Filiz Karakuş, Ümit Gökhan Çiçek, Fatma Zehra Süer. A Thematic and Context-Based Design Studio Approach: A Case Study of the Academy of Art and Performance Studio. JDS. 2026 Jul. 1;8(1):85-108. doi:10.46474/jds.1843020