Session Co-Chairs: Sarah O’Dwyer & Maroun Tabbal
AiARG Session Abstract proposal
This session presents a critical examination of pedagogical transformations in architectural education through the lens of the Building Change initiative, with particular emphasis on ethical frameworks and climate responsiveness. The session brings together multiple strands of ongoing research and implementation strategies, demonstrating how architectural education is actively evolving to meet contemporary challenges while maintaining the essential balance between theoretical foundations and practical applications.
The session specifically addresses the relationship between practice, education, and research futures in architecture, examining how these domains interact and influence each other. While practice operates in the present, education must focus on future scenarios, and research must push even further into unexplored territories. This dynamic creates a productive tension that drives innovation in architectural pedagogy.
Key themes to be explored include:
• Curriculum transformation strategies emerging from the CCAE Embedding Curriculum Change workshop.
• Integration of ethics in climate change and architectural education
• The development of communities of practice in architectural education
• Implementation case studies from Building Change participants
The session will feature presentations from Building Change initiative participants who have been actively engaged in transforming architectural education through various methodological approaches and practical implementations. Presenters will share insights from their respective research and practical experiences, including:
• Workshop outcomes on curricula change and their implications for broader educational reform
• Ethical considerations in climate-responsive architectural education
• Case studies of successful pedagogical innovations
• Strategies for developing and maintaining communities of practice
The format includes structured presentations followed by a moderated discussion that aims to generate dialogue around key questions facing
architectural education today. This approach allows for both the dissemination of research findings and the cultivation of new ideas through collective discourse.
Rather than seeking consensus, the session aims to surface diverse perspectives and approaches to architectural education reform. It will highlight both achievements and ongoing challenges in transforming architectural education to meet contemporary ethical and environmental demands. The discussion will particularly focus on how educational institutions can position themselves ahead of current practice while maintaining practical relevance.
Presenters (TBC)
1. Jennifer Boyer – Ethics of Climate Change in Architectural Education
2. Noel Brady – Responsibility and Design in Architectural Pedagogy
3. Emma Geoghegan – Building Change Implementation Strategies
4. Orla Murphy – Curriculum Transformation Case Studies
5. Miriam Delaney – Student driven Radical Pedagogies
6. Masa Ruanebratusa – Synchronicity, agility, and resilience
The session builds upon previous conference presentations and publications from Building Change initiative members, offering a comprehensive view of ongoing developments in architectural education reform. It provides a platform for sharing methodologies, outcomes, and future directions while engaging with the broader architectural research community.
Through this session, we aim to demonstrate that architectural education is not static but rather in a state of active transformation, responding to contemporary challenges while preparing future practitioners for evolving professional demands. The session will contribute to the broader discourse on ethical considerations in architectural education and practice, aligning with the conference’s central theme while offering practical insights for educators and researchers.
