Modular Design as a Pedagogical Tool in Architectural Studio Education Across Academic Levels

Onur Şuta

doi:10.30785/mbud.1847904

EN TR

Modular Design as a Pedagogical Tool in Architectural Studio Education Across Academic Levels

Abstract

Architectural design studios are learning environments where students develop creative thinking, spatial reasoning, and design skills. Although modular design has been widely discussed as a design strategy, its pedagogical role across architectural education has received limited empirical investigation. Addressing this gap, this study examines how modular design supports creative thinking, spatial organization, and conceptual production across educational stages. The research was conducted during the 2024–2025 spring semester at a public university in Türkiye and involved 53 undergraduate architecture students. A mixed-method design combined structured questionnaire, open-ended responses, student design projects, and rubric-based evaluations. The findings indicate that modular design supports creativity, systematic thinking, and part-to-whole reasoning in the early stages of architectural education, while in later stages it promotes critical awareness of scale, flexibility, and aesthetic coherence. Overall, modular design is a context-sensitive pedagogical approach whose educational contribution evolves according to developmental stage and project complexity.

Keywords

Modular design, architectural studio education, pedagogical tool, design pedagogy, architectural education

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with national and international research and publication ethics. Ethical approval was obtained from the Social and Human Sciences Research Ethics Committee of Trakya University Rectorate (Decision No: E-29563864-050.99-948929; Session No: 2025/11; Decision Date: 13 November 2025).

Thanks

Participation in the study was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. All data were anonymized, and no personal or identifiable information was collected or disclosed.

Mimarlık Tasarım Stüdyosu Eğitiminde Akademik Düzeylere Göre Pedagojik Bir Araç Olarak Modüler Tasarım

Abstract

Mimari tasarım stüdyoları, öğrencilerin yaratıcı düşünme, mekânsal akıl yürütme ve tasarım becerilerini geliştirdikleri öğrenme ortamlarıdır. Modüler tasarım, bir tasarım stratejisi olarak yaygın biçimde ele alınmasına karşın, mimarlık eğitimi sürecindeki pedagojik rolü ampirik olarak sınırlı düzeyde incelenmiştir. Bu araştırma boşluğundan hareketle, bu çalışma modüler tasarımın eğitimin farklı aşamalarında yaratıcı düşünme, mekânsal organizasyon ve kavramsal üretime katkısını incelemektedir. Araştırma, 2024–2025 eğitim-öğretim yılı bahar döneminde Türkiye'deki bir devlet üniversitesinde öğrenim gören 53 lisans mimarlık öğrencisi ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmada, yapılandırılmış anketler, açık uçlu sorular, öğrenci tasarım projeleri ve rubrik temelli değerlendirmeleri bir araya getiren karma yöntem yaklaşımı kullanılmıştır. Bulgular, modüler tasarımın mimarlık eğitiminin erken aşamalarında yaratıcılığı, sistematik düşünmeyi ve parça-bütün ilişkisini desteklediğini; ileri aşamalarda ise ölçek, esneklik ve estetik bütünlüğe yönelik eleştirel farkındalığı geliştirdiğini göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak modüler tasarımın, eğitsel katkısı öğrencilerin gelişim düzeyi ve proje karmaşıklığına göre değişen, bağlama duyarlı bir pedagojik yaklaşım olduğu belirlenmiştir.

Keywords

Modüler tasarım, mimarlık stüdyo eğitimi, pedagojik araç, tasarım pedagojisi, mimarlık eğitimi

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Architectural Design, Sustainable Architecture, Design Culture and Social Context

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Onur Şuta ^*
0000-0002-2117-382X
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 28, 2026

Submission Date

December 23, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 22, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1847904

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA56HK94LF

APA

Şuta, O. (2026). Modular Design as a Pedagogical Tool in Architectural Studio Education Across Academic Levels. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications, 11(1), 409-426. https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1847904

AMA

1.Şuta O. Modular Design as a Pedagogical Tool in Architectural Studio Education Across Academic Levels. JASA. 2026;11(1):409-426. doi:10.30785/mbud.1847904

Chicago

Şuta, Onur. 2026. “Modular Design As a Pedagogical Tool in Architectural Studio Education Across Academic Levels”. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications 11 (1): 409-26. https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1847904.

EndNote

Şuta O (July 1, 2026) Modular Design as a Pedagogical Tool in Architectural Studio Education Across Academic Levels. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications 11 1 409–426.

IEEE

[1]O. Şuta, “Modular Design as a Pedagogical Tool in Architectural Studio Education Across Academic Levels”, JASA, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 409–426, July 2026, doi: 10.30785/mbud.1847904.

ISNAD

Şuta, Onur. “Modular Design As a Pedagogical Tool in Architectural Studio Education Across Academic Levels”. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications 11/1 (July 1, 2026): 409-426. https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1847904.

JAMA

1.Şuta O. Modular Design as a Pedagogical Tool in Architectural Studio Education Across Academic Levels. JASA. 2026;11:409–426.

MLA

Şuta, Onur. “Modular Design As a Pedagogical Tool in Architectural Studio Education Across Academic Levels”. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications, vol. 11, no. 1, July 2026, pp. 409-26, doi:10.30785/mbud.1847904.

Vancouver

1.Onur Şuta. Modular Design as a Pedagogical Tool in Architectural Studio Education Across Academic Levels. JASA. 2026 Jul. 1;11(1):409-26. doi:10.30785/mbud.1847904

Modular Design as a Pedagogical Tool in Architectural Studio Education Across Academic Levels

Modular Design as a Pedagogical Tool in Architectural Studio Education Across Academic Levels

Abstract

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Thanks

Mimarlık Tasarım Stüdyosu Eğitiminde Akademik Düzeylere Göre Pedagojik Bir Araç Olarak Modüler Tasarım

Abstract

Keywords

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite

JASA JOURNAL TAG / MBUD DERGİ KÜNYESİ