SPATIAL POST-OCCUPANY EVALUATION OF INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO IN RELATION TO PEDAGOGY

Abstract

Learning environment plays a strong role in validating the integrity of the educational delivery. Students observe their studio with an eye for details to question their acquired knowledge in interior design. Post occupancy evaluation aids in identifying liabilities of current studios to provide recommendations based on users’ experiences to enhance the space utilization. Research aims to identify tangible and intangible design aspects that affect the educational experience in an Interior Design Studio and investigate the spatial needs that allows the employment of different pedagogical approaches. Case study method is applied to evaluate an Interior Design Studio (IDS) at October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA) in Egypt. The evaluation is based on a theoretical framework, observations for tangible aspects, focus groups for intangible aspects, and gamification-pedagogical workshop for identifiable spatial changes. In conclusion, spatial recommendation guidelines are discussed to propose solutions for IDS that enhance functionality, productivity and utilize its space in the light of changeable pedagogical approaches.