Teaching Architectural Design in the Digital Age: Methods or Cases?

The paper examines the subject of architectural education, reviewing the arguments for method-based teaching as against case-based teaching in the study of the theory of architectural design. Method-based teaching has traditionally been highly regarded; however, it is not expected to provide a detailed indication of the procedures to be followed, but rather a strategy. In the study of cases, tutors interact with the students through discussion of the design developed in the studio. Guiding students through the whole process, tutors need to be able to identify and explain specific aspects of the issues involved. The paper suggests a way in which ICT might contribute to education in architectural design and in architectural technology by strengthening links between method-based and case-based teaching, focusing on developments in the WINDS European research project which promotes case studies as examples emerging from a design strategy introduced by lectures.