AN ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE TRAINING IN UNDERGRADUATE ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION

Abstract

The scope of the architectural profession, one of the oldest professions in human history, has changed with the advent of technology. Likewise, architectural education also changes and improves all the time. Accrediting bodies evaluate architectural education and improve them through competence activities. In this study, the requirements identified by National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), an international accreditation body, and the national accreditation body Architecture Accreditation Board (MIAK) have been reviewed, upon which it has been found out that professional practice has an important share in architectural education but has not been the subject of current research. Therefore, the study aims to assess the situation in Turkey in terms of undergraduate architectural education with respect to professional practice and identify the weaknesses thereof, hence contributing to architectural education. In this context, the professional practice requirements among the NAAB and MIAK requirements have been reviewed and the areas that need to be covered in terms of professional practice within undergraduate architecture programmes have been identified. The professional practice courses in undergraduate architecture programmes and the course contents have been analysed to demonstrate the current situation of professional practice training in undergraduate architecture programmes in Turkey. The data for the analysis of courses and course contents have been gathered from the webpages of universities. Content analysis method has been used in assessing course contents.